EQE 03/13/2007 - 29854CALL TO ORDER:
CITY OF FRIDLEY
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MEETING
TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 2007, 7:00 P.M.
Chairperson Velin called the March 13, 2007, meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Members Present
Members Absent:
Others Present:
Barb Johns, Jack Velin, Del Jenkins, Paul Westby
Anne Andrews, Rich Svanda, Tina Nelson
Rachel Harris, Environmental Planner
APPROVAL OF JANUARY 11, 2007, ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION
MINUTES:
MOTION by Commissioner Jenkins, seconded by Commissioner Westby to approve the January
11, 2007, Environmental Quality & Energy Commission minutes.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON VELIN DECLARED THE MOTION
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
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STAFF REPORT
Ms. Harris gave the following updates. (1) Anoka County Environmental Health moved to
quarterly reports for medical waste entities. They will no longer provide monthly reports. (2)
When the Anoka County compost sites open on April 1, 2007, you will need to pay a fee to drop
off leaves, grass, and compostable materials. The fee will help offset the expense of moving the
material off site so it can be composted. The former site operator, NRG, was bought out by
Resource Recycling Technologies (RRT). Also, spring and summer road construction will alter
the route to the Hanson Blvd. compost site. (3) There are several new updates to the web site,
including the Earth Day Fair, recycling drop-offs, yard waste and comprehensive plan pages.
View them for the most recent news on City programs. (4) Commissioners may preview of Spring
Recycling Drop-off on April 14, 2007 and Earth Day Fair on April 21, 2007 on the web pages
located at www.ci.fridley.mn.us. (5) If no urgent matters come up for the April 2007 agenda, the
meeting may be postponed. Commission members would then be encouraged to volunteer at the
April 14 Drop-off or the April 21 Earth Day for 1.5 hours instead holding April meeting. (6)
Commission members can look forward to reviewing updated chapters of the 2030
Comprehensive Plan at the July and August 2007 meetings.
NEW BUSINESS
EQEC/Environmental Web Page
Ms. Harris noted that a report on Fridley's environment and energy web page was given in the
staff update.
Planning the Participation in 49ers Day Parade
Chair Velin asked who would participate in the parade.
Commissioners Johns, Westby, and Jenkins indicated that they would walk in the parade.
Chair Velin asked what type of trinkets are suitable for the parade.
Ms. Harris handed out a catalog showing trinkets made from recycled material. She state that
magnets and key rings were given away at the parade last year.
Ms. Johns said that pencils are easy to carry when walking in the parade.
Mr. Velin said that magnets are always popular.
Mr. Jenkins and Mr. Westby thought magnets or pencils would be suitable.
Ms. Harris asked for a show of hands for each and concluded that magnets are what she would
order.
Chair Velin confirmed attendance for the parade and suggested T-shirt sizes to order.
Ms. Harris confirmed that she would order at least one golf cart for the EQE Commissioners to
ride on in the parade.
MN Energy Challenge Kick-off
Ms. Harris said she plans to unveil the Minnesota energy challenge at the April 21 Earth Day
Fair. The goal of the Minnesota Energy Challenge is to empower Minnesotans to take simple
steps to reduce their energy use and Minnesota's CO2 emissions. Residents can change to high
efficiency lighting, unplug a second refrigerator, use a set back thermostat, combine trips and
drive a little slower. Businesses can install high efficiency lighting and better control the operation
of their heating and air conditioning systems. These may seem like small steps but taking even
simple actions will make a big difference and save Minnesotans hundreds of millions of dollars
each year. The Minnesota energy challenge is an educational tool coordinated by the Center for
Energy and Environment.
Mr. Jenkins asked if anybody can take the survey.
Ms. Harris encouraged EQE Commissioners to participate by taking the short on-line survey.
Elect Officers
Ms. Harris stated it was time to elect a chair person for the next term, starting on April 1, 2007
and ending on March 30, 2008. City Code Chapter 6, Section 1, says officers shall be elected
every year by commission members.
Mr. Velin suggested that the election from the previous month should stand and that although Mr.
Velin was elected to fill Ms. John's term through March 2007, he had only served for two months
and might as well remain chair for the current year.
Ms. Harris noted that Commission members agreed with Mr. Velin that he would remain as
chairperson and Mr. Jenkins would remain as vice-chairperson.
OLD BUSINESS
Summary of 2006 Recycling Tonnage
Ms. Harris reported that Fridley exceeded the annual recycling goal of 2,450 tons and brought in
a total of 2,605 tons. Although there was a drop of at least 70 tons in the curbside recycling
tonnage, the recycling drop-off days tonnage increased by 195 tons.
OTHER BUSINESS
January and February Service Exchange Fund: Recycling Rebate Report
Harris shared the January and February 2007 recycling rebate reports. The City earned a total of
$ 9,684.85 from 134.34 tons of high quality materials that residents set out in the curbside
program. This money will be used to pay for future recycling services, such as Recycling Drop-off
days.
Medical Waste Report
Harris said that Anoka County Environmental Services has moved to quarterly reports for medical
waste companies. In February, she received the October — December inspection sheet. She
included that form for your review.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION by Mr. Westby, seconded by Mr. Jenkins, to adjourn the meeting.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON VELIN DECLARED THE MOTION
CARRIED AND THE MARCH 13, 2007, ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION
MEETING ADJOURNED AT 8:20 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Rachel A. Harris
Environmental Planner and Staff Liaison