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08/08/2006 - 00027996CALL TO ORDER: CITY OF FRIDLEY ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MEETING FRIDLEY MUNICIPAL CENTER, 6431 UNIVERSITY AVE. NE TUESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2006, 7:00 P.M. Chairperson Johns called the August 8, 2006, meeting to order at 7:06 p.m. ROLL CALL: Members Present Members Absent: Others Present Anne Andrews, Del Jenkins, Barb Johns, Tina Nelson, Rich Svanda, Paul Westby Jack Velin Rachel Harris, Environmental Planner /_\��:ii��%\�i7�11�1A'�ifi��iI�Z:��►D/l:ii7►1►�il�►��_\��1�L\���'E:?��►1�:iH'�K�]►�il►�il��y[�7►�►�ill►l�j��yl MOTION by Mr. Svanda, seconded by Mr. Jenkins, to approve the July 11, 2006, Environmental Quality & Energy Commission minutes. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON JOHNS DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- NEW BUSINESS Environmental Quality and Energy Commission's Role in Creating Policy at the Local Level Mr. Burns, Fridley's City Manager, approached Ms. Harris in July with the idea that Environmental Quality and Energy Commission members could be more involved in setting policy for the City and possibly lead grass roots movements. Ms. Harris responded to him that she would bring the topic before the EQE Commission at its August meeting. Ms. Harris asked Commission members respond to the idea. Ms. Johns said that national policy experts would likely not be able to attend local meetings. Also, she questioned how realistic it would be to bring in a national speaker with little or no budget. Mr. Westby considered how far in advance staff needs to plan the next year's budget. Ms. Harris replied that budgets are planned more than one year in advance. Ms. Andrews asked about what impact the Environmental Quality and Energy Commission could have on implementing policy at the local and/or state level. Ms. Nelson would like to see the EQE promote person to person education and possibly participate in teaching a topic at the Springbrook Nature Center summer camp. Additionally, the EQE could promote conservation practices by including information on the water utility bills. Mr. Westby would like to focus on reducing or eliminating chemical applications in parks. He suggested that the EQE bring in a speaker to educate Commissioners and residents. Also, he would like to promote the use of rain barrels as a means of conserving resources. Ms. Johns said that the Commissioners could create a statement of intent to give direction and guide the annual goals and objectives process. She added that perhaps we could rename the EQE. Ms. Nelson suggested including "sustainability" in the new name of the Commission. Ms. Harris noted that recycling, energy and water have been key areas of focus in 2006. Based on Commissioners comments over the past several months, these topics are likely to continue as areas of emphasis. Mr. Svanda recommended developing a charter or mission statement and then deriving a name from the mission statement. He added that we can look at local and national issues and consider whether we want to be involved in both energy and the environment. Mr. Westby offered that policy should be a minor roll in the Commission. Mr. Svanda concurred that making new policies should not be the Commission's intent. Instead, it should focus on dovetailing existing topics. Ms. Johns suggested that members think about the EQE's statement of intent for the next meeting. She tabled the topic until the next meeting on September 12, 2006. Recycling Contract: Hauler's request for increased rates to offset fuel costs Ms. Harris wanted to update commission members on a recent development. Allied Waste/BFI approached the City and requested an increase of 4% in contract fees due to the rising fuel prices. Ms. Harris met with Julie Jones, Planning Coordinator, and Scott Hickok, Community Development Director, to discuss the matter. Later, she met with Mr. Burns, Mr. Fritz Knaack, City Attorney, and Ms. Jones. All parties agreed that the City should respectfully decline the recycling hauler's request to increase fees. Mr. Svanda said that he understood the request and the City's perspective that we should abide by the contract that was signed by both parties. However, he thought Allied Waste's request was reasonable. Was there a possibility to meet the request part-way? Ms. Harris said that the city attorney advised against that. OLD BUSINESS Star Environmental, Fridley Ms. Johns noted that Commissioners received a copy of the land use letter from staff planner, Stacy Stromberg. Ms. Harris said that the treated waste would be dispelled into a sewer interceptor and not into the city sewer lines. She asked if Commission members requested any additional information beyond what was included in the meeting packet. Mr. Svanda indicated that he is concerned about the possibility of increased truck traffic in the future. Ms. Johns said that noise, smell and output of sewer were the concerns that originated this discussion. Ms. Harris summarized that those questions had been considered by planning staff and, as indicated in the staff planner's letter to Star Environmental, those areas of concern have been mitigated by city staff. National Night Out: August 1 Ms. Harris attended six block parties on National Night Out to promote waste reduction and recycling and share code enforcement brochures. The largest party was thirty people and the smallest was two people. Ms. Harris visited the block parties with Sergeant Salo who grew up in the neighborhood and knew many of the residents in the Riverview Heights neighborhood. Reusable Furniture and Scrap Metal Drop-off: August 5 Ms. Harris estimates that residents recycled five (5) tons of scrap metal at the August 5, 2006 Reusable Furniture and Scrap Metal Drop-off. Also, residents brought in 3,750 pounds or 1.88 tons of reusable furniture. The staff from Allied Waste/BFI and ACCAP who worked the event provided excellent service. Mr. Scott Hickok, Fridley's Community Development Director, volunteered his time for two hours on Saturday. Ms. Harris distributed photos from the Drop-off. OTHER BUSINESS Environmental Health and Safety Exposition, Medtronic WHQ: August 14, 11am-1:30pm Ms. Harris reported that she had been invited by Thomas Murdock, Environmental Health and Safety Director for Medtronic World Headquarters, to sit at a table at the August 14 Environmental Health and Safety Exposition. Her role in the event will be to share information about Fridley's residential curbside recycling program with the employees of Medtronic WHQ. Ms. Nelson said that she may be able to work with Ms. Harris at this event to educate Medtronic employees, who live in Fridley, about the recycling program. September Meeting: Option to Hold Meeting At a Park Ms. Harris inquired if any Commission members had a desire to meet at a park for the September meeting. That way, Commission members could view the 2006 Jay Park rain garden or the 2001 East Moore Lake shore restoration project. Ms. Nelson said that she likes the idea of holding a meeting at a park in September. Mr. Jenkins, Ms. Johns, Ms. Andrews also approved of the idea. Ms. Harris suggested meeting in Commons Park in the shelter. Ms. Nelson suggested holding the meeting in Banfill Center for the Arts. Mr. Westby offered that we could meet in the gazebo at Riverview Heights Park. Ms. Harris said she would check with the parks department to see what location is available on September 12. Ms. Johns asked Ms. Harris to send out an email with the September meeting location and let Commissioners know if they should bring food for a pot luck. July Service Exchange Fund Revenue Ms. Harris reported that the July Service Exchange Fund revenue was not available yet. It generally is available by the 15th of the following month. Medical Waste Reports Ms. Harris distributed the July Medical Waste Report from Anoka County. She noted that there were no issues to report. Ms. Johns also acknowledged that there were no issues. ADJOURNMENT MOTION by Mr. Svanda, seconded by Mr. Jenkins, to adjourn the meeting. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON JOHNS DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED AND THE AUGUST 8, 2006 ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MEETING ADJOURNED AT 8:43 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Rachel A. Harris Environmental Planner and Staff Liaison