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07/11/2006 - 00027991CALL TO ORDER: CITY OF FRIDLEY ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MEETING FRIDLEY MUNICIPAL CENTER, 6431 UNIVERSITY AVE. NE TUESDAY, JULY 11, 2006, 7:00 P.M. Chairperson Johns called the July 11, 2006, meeting to order at 7:06 p.m. ROLL CALL: Members Present Members Absent: Del Jenkins, Barb Johns, Tina Nelson, Rich Svanda, Jack Velin, Paul Westby Anne Andrews Others Present: Rachel Harris, Environmental Planner Ms. Connie Metcalf, Citizens for Global Solutions Ms. Cynthia Anderson, Citizens for Global Solutions APPROVAL OF MAY 9. 2006. ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MINUTES: MOTION by Mr. Velin to approve the May 9, 2006, Environmental Quality & Energy Commission minutes. Ms. Johns noted that Ms. Harris requested two changes to the May 9, 2006 minutes. She distributed the text for the changes. Under the first order of new business, the 49ers Day Parade Instructions, a change needs to be made to the following sentence "Ms. Harris stated that she did not think shirts would be able." It should read "... she did not think shirts would be available." Secondly, when discussing the Chapter 113 text amendment, the sentence "Ms. Jones said she also has same day garbage and recycling collection" should say "Ms. Johns said she also has same day garbage and recycling collection." MOTION by Mr. Velin, seconded by Mr. Westby, to approve the May 9, 2006, Environmental Quality & Energy Commission minutes, as amended. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON JOHNS DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- NEW BUSINESS Climate Protection Agreement from 2005 Mayors Summit Ms. Johns introduced the guests, Ms. Metcalf and Ms. Anderson. Ms. Metcalf presented a copy of the 2005 Climate Protection Agreement and described the initiative that began with one mayor in Seattle, WA and led to multiple U.S. mayors signing on in support of an acknowledgement that global warming is a problem. Ms. Harris reported that she worked with Dr. Burns, City Manager, to gather information about environmentally friendly City operations. Staff compared data to the twelve (12) action statements in the Climate Protection Agreement that was modeled after the Kyoto Protocol and signed by numerous U.S. Mayors at the 2005 Mayors Summit in Chicago. The results of this data gathering show that the City of Fridley has met or exceeded eleven of the twelve Climate Protection Agreement statements. Ms. Metcalf noted that the Kyoto protocol was signed by 141 countries around the world, but not by the United States. The Climate Protection Agreement is a voluntary pact among US mayors to make an effort to reduce global warming. Ms. Metcalf and Ms. Anderson met with Mayor Scott Lund and Ms. Harris to discuss the results of Fridley's data collection and to find out how the City measures up to the Climate Protection Agreement. They urge the City of Fridley sign on as one of the U.S. cities in support of the Climate Protection Agreement. Ms. Metcalf said that as of today, July 11, 2006, two hundred sixty-two cities have signed on in support of the Climate Protection Agreement. To sign on in support means that those cities acknowledge concern for global warming. Commission members reviewed and discussed the data the staff had gathered. Ms. Harris remarked that to move the resolution forward, Ms. Metcalf and Ms. Anderson would need to request a recommendation for a resolution from the Environmental Quality and Energy Commission stating the following: The City of Fridley will support the Climate Protection Agreement and will work to modify its operational practices, as needed, to meet the criteria set forth by Climate Protection Agreement and the attendees of the 2005 Mayors Summit. Next, the resolution will need to be presented at the Planning Commission and then at the City Council. Ms. Metcalf and Ms. Anderson are also considering presenting the Climate Protection Agreement at a quarterly Anoka County meeting. Ms. Anderson said that Mayor Lund emphasized education as a means to gather public support of the Climate Protection Agreement. Mr. Velin said the Climate Protection Agreement is a good program and he thinks the Environmental Quality and Energy Commission should support it. Mr. Westby agreed. Ms. Johns thinks educating children is a great place to start. Mr. Westby concurred that we should start with educating children in our schools. Ms. Johns suggested putting climate protection information in the "Wednesday Flyer" that is distributed twice a year at Stevenson and Hayes and at Fridley Middle School on two Fridays per year. Mr. Westby inquired whether the information could come from the Mayor. Ms. Nelson added that we could promote recycling at the same time we include climate information. Ms. Harris offered that we call it Environmental Essentials for Schools. Mr. Svanda said that he liked that idea. Ms. Harris also noted that there is a computer program called "011ie Saves the Planet" that combines recycling, waste reduction and climate information into a computer game. She can look at purchasing one disc for each of our schools. Mr. Westby questioned whether public buildings had to require any protocol for reducing energy. Ms. Nelson noted that there are no requirements or standards for public buildings. It is a municipality's choice. Ms. Harris concurred. Buildings have to follow the International Building Code (IBC). Ms. Nelson added that our city is already fully developed and there is not an opportunity to build green buildings that follow the LEED model. APPROVAL OF THE CITY OF FRIDLEY SUPPORTING THE CLIMATE PROTECTION AGREEMENT AND WORKING TO MODIFY ITS OPERATIONAL PRACTICES, AS NEEDED, TO MEET THE CRITERIA SET FORTH BY CLIMATE PROTECTION AGREEMENT AND THE ATTENDEES OF THE 2005 MAYORS SUMMIT. MOTION by Mr. Velin, seconded by Mr. Westby to recommend to City Council that the City of Fridley support the Climate Protection Agreement and work to modify its operational practices, as needed, to meet the criteria set forth by Climate Protection Agreement and the attendees of the 2005 Mayors Summit. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON JOHNS DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Hydrology Model from Metropolitan Council Commission member, Ms. Nelson, showed the relief hydrology model that she borrowed from the Metropolitan Council. This three dimensional model is commonly used for public education workshops or presentations by Metropolitan Council staff. Ms. Nelson thought to bring the hydrology model to the meeting because the Commission has recently discussed storm water health and focused on how to improve public education regarding water quality. Ms. Harris initially thought she could borrow the hydrology model for display at the Anoka County library. Since, the library serves a wide audience from Fridley and nearby communities it would be a good venue to educate residents. However, upon seeing the complexity of the set up and the need for a person to demonstrate runoff and rain fall, display at the library is not a good option. Ms. Nelson displayed the hydrology model and described the uses. The simulated community included a farm, natural wetland, manmade berhm, construction site and shopping mall. During the discussion of how impervious surface impacts a rain event, Ms. Nelson raised the topic of Star Environmental's plan to open a sewer treatment plant in Fridley. Mr. Westby wondered where the sewer is being pumped. Ms. Nelson expressed concern over the dumping of solids, odor and truck traffic. Ms. Harris noted that the biosolids will be pumped directly into an interceptor and not the City's sewer line. Therefore, the City will not have to worry about Star Environmental's product clogging the pipes. Ms. Johns, upon hearing the concerns and interests of the Commission members, requested an update on the development plans for Star Environmental at the next Environmental Quality and Energy Commission meeting. National Night Out: Aug 1 Ms. Harris reported that she has coordinated with the Public Safety Department to act as one of the City's representatives who attend National Night Out block parties. Nearly 100 block parties will be held on August 1, 2006 as part of the National Night Out festivities. She will promote recycling and answer questions about code enforcement. As a staff participant of the event, she will contribute trinkets to the prize patrol bags. Ms. Harris distributed an example of the trinket that she will distribute on National Night Out. A refrigerator magnet clip holds postcards advertising both the reusable furniture/scrap metal drop-off and the electronics/appliances/fluorescent lamp drop-off. She will also include a code enforcement brochure. Five hundred clips with brochures will need to be assembled by July 31 for inclusion in the prize patrol bags. Also, Ms. Harris plans to give one "Fridley Recycles" t-shirt to each of the National Night Out block parties that she visits on Tuesday, August 1. Mr. Velin asked which Commission members are going to block parties. Ms. Johns, Mr. Jenkins and Mr. Velin are all attending their neighborhood block parties. Mr. Velin invited Ms. Harris to attend, promote recycling and visit with friendly faces. Reusable Furniture and Scrap Metal Drop-off: Aug 5(Staff Update) Ms. Harris announced a new program. With the money from the Service Exchange Fund, the City of Fridley is able to provide a new recycling service. On August 5, 2006, from 9am to 1 pm, Fridley residents can bring reusable furniture and scrap metal to 350 — 71St Ave NE (behind Columbia Arena). The furniture will be collected by Anoka County Community Action Program (ACCAP) and the scrap metal will be collected by Allied Waste and taken to a recycling facility. Ms. Harris noted that only reusable furniture will be accepted at this event. That means no rips, tears, smells or stains. For questions about verifying whether a furniture item is reusable or not, residents are encouraged to consider if they would use it themselves. To accommodate residents who cannot drop off their furniture, they may call ACCAP to request a pick-up. ACCAP's phone number is 763- 783-4891. Ms. Johns said she thought the event would be popular and residents would be appreciative of the service. OLD BUSINESS Rain Garden Installation at Jay Park: May 13 (Staff Update) Ms. Harris reported that forty-three volunteers participated in the Jay Park rain garden planting event coordinated by Rice Creek Watershed District. Members of the Fridley Boy Scout Troop, Environmental Quality and Energy Commission and area Fridley residents donned rain gear head to toe and planted 2,000 plugs and small bushes in little more than one hour in a low-lying area of Jay Park. These plants, native to the Midwest, surround a man-made pond and storm drain in Jay Park and aid in filtering storm water run-off. The long root systems of native plants also help prevent erosion by anchoring soil. This is the first rain garden in a city park. Mr. Westby said that he participated and was surprised by the number of people who turned out to help. Ms. Nelson said that she and her husband volunteered. They prepared for the misty, rainy weather with full rain suits and still enjoyed their time at the community event. She said she was interviewed during the planting by Ms. Harris for an episode of the Eco Home show. Mr. Westby said everyone worked much more quickly than was expected and the crew completed the project in little more than one hour. The project was expected to last three hours. It was heartwarming to see the community come together. Ms. Harris noted that the Jay Park rain garden is the first public rain garden in the City and none others are in the works at this time. Added Item: 49ers Day Parade Ms. Harris reported that four Environmental Quality and Energy Commission members participated in the annual 49ers Day Parade on Thursday, June 15, 2006. The members gave out about 2,000 trinkets and wore t-shirts that promoted the slogan, "Fridley Recycles, Take It To The Curb." The parents liked the magnets and the kids liked the key tags. Ms. Harris distributed a"Fridley Recycles" t-shirt to Mr. Westby who was unable to participate in this year's 49ers Day Parade. Ms. Nelson said that participating in the parade route was different than she anticipated. For one thing, she spent most of the parade route walking briskly to keep up the cars ahead of the EQE Commission's golf cart. Ms. Johns noted that the children watching the parade pass by really enjoyed seeing the Green Guardian. Ms. Harris had coordinated the Green Guardian appearance with the Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board. A second golf-cart was used to haul the mascot around since the weather was too hot and the parade route was too far for the mascot to walk. Mr. Velin enjoyed driving the golf cart in the parade, again. He and the Anoka County Integrated Waste Management intern, John Healy, had decorated the two golf carts prior to the parade. Added Item: Public Land Lawn Treatment Methods Mr. Westby suggested learning more about how the City maintains its parks. He has observed chemicals being sprayed in parks and questions whether there isn't a better way to manage the landscape and protect river quality. He seeks a green solution to chemical spraying in the parks. Ms. Johns offered that the Commission could request lawn treatment methods from the Public Works Department. Additional information that that would be useful is frequency of treatment, use of spot treatment, distance of application from waterway and type of chemicals. Ms. Nelson has observed ChemLawn in Logan Park. Mr. Velin said that we need legislation. We need a larger public policy agency to approach this topic. Ms. Nelson said we can start with our commission. Added Item: East Moore Lake Native Plant Installation — Proposal for Phase 1& 2 Ms. Harris reported that she attended the Park and Recreation Commission meetings on June 5, 2006, to share plans for a community project that involve installing native plants on the shore of East Moore Lake, south of the beach. As a result of the feedback that Ms. Harris heard from the Park and Recreation Commission members, she researched general options for plantings along the lakeshore. In order to meet the requests of the Park and Recreation Commission for specific plant size, height, color and durability, the project would require the expertise of a landscape architect in order to continue and meet the expectations of the Park and Rec Commission. Ms. Harris reviewed the funding sources for the proposed project. Funding is coming from the City of Fridley Engineering Department and Anoka Conservation District. These agencies had agreed to a 50/50 cost-sharing for grading (prepping the site) and planting. However, the proposed project's funding left no margin for landscape design or landscape maintenance. Ms. Harris cannot pursue facilitating the lakeshore restoration at East Moore Lake because there is no money budgeted for landscape design. Before starting a project, with these revised parameters of a manicured design, money should also be set aside for ongoing maintenance. Such manicured designs, also known as intentional plantings, would require long-term maintenance to retain the sculpted appearance. In conclusion, Ms. Harris said that she will keep her eyes open for future projects that could qualify for the cost share money. Ms. Johns noted that the Commission is informed of the project's progress to date and has approved of staff's approach. OTHER BUSINESS May and June Service Exchange Fund Revenue Ms. Harris distributed a copy of the May and June Service Exchange Fund revenues. Enough recyclables were collected in May to earn about $9,800 and the Service Exchange Fund brought in nearly $11,000 in June. Ms. Harris noted that because of the steady stream of Service Exchange Fund revenues, she will again be able to offer to each household the recycling of three electronics free of charge at the October 7, 2006, electronic, appliance and fluorescent lamp Drop-off Day from 9am — 1 pm. Medical Waste Reports Ms. Harris distributed the June Medical Waste Report from Anoka County. She noted that there were no issues to report. Mr. Velin reiterated that there was nothing wrong. ADJOURNMENT MOTION by Mr. Jenkins, seconded by Mr. Svanda, to adjourn the meeting. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON JOHNS DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED AND THE JULY 11, 2006 ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MEETING ADJOURNED AT 8:53 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Rachel A. Harris Environmental Planner and Staff Liaison