EQE 05/08/2007 - 29855�_�� CITY OF FRIDLEY
������ ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MEETING
����-� TUESDAY, MAY 8, 2007, 7:00 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER:
Chairperson Velin called the May 8, 2007, meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Members Present
Members Absent:
Others Present
Anne Andrews, Rich Svanda, Tina Nelson, Barb Johns, Jack Velin, Del
Jenkins
Paul Westby
Rachel Harris, Environmental Planner
Trevor Russell, Friends of the Mississippi River
APPROVAL OF MARCH 13, 2007, ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION
MINUTES:
MOTION by Ms. Johns, seconded by Ms. Andrews to approve the March 13, 2007,
Environmental Quality & Energy Commission minutes.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON VELIN DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
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Ms. Harris gave the following updates. (1) Residents recycled 40 tons of electronics, 225
major appliances, 113 batteries, 312 tires and 1,100 fluorescent bulbs at the April 14, 2007
Spring Recycling Drop-off. The next drop-off will take place on June 9, 2007 at the Public
Works Garage. (2) More than 150 people attended the Tri-City Earth Day Fair and a good time
was had by all; (3) There is a free MPCA energy and climate conference on June 6 and
Commission members are encouraged to attend; (4) An electronics waste recycling bill
passed the Minnesota House and Senate and the governor is expected to sign it into law; (5)
Mr. Burns shared results of the Council and Commission survey with staff. Respondents
overwhelmingly supported the idea of organized garbage hauling. That would reduce air and
noise pollution, plus make our residential streets safer for other vehicles, bicyclists and
pedestrians; (6) Ms. Harris is very satisfied with the level of volunteering from the Commission
members at the events in April. All EQE Commissioners who could volunteer at the spring
recycling drop-off or earth day event did a wonderful job.
Ms. Andrews said that she enjoyed volunteering at the recycling drop-off. She wonders if there
is a way to inventory how many materials people bring that are free of charge and then make
them pay if they bring more.
Mr. Svanda said that he was glad that people went to the effort to recycle and thought we
should allow residents to bring more if we have capacity to recycle them. He also said that he
saw very few vehicles come to the site with more than the allowed amount of materials
accepted free of charge.
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Mr. Trevor Russel, Friends of the Mississippi River, spoke about the Rice Creek Stream
Health Evaluation Program that began in summer 2006. Volunteers working on this study
tested Rice Creek upstream of Locke Lake and below Locke Lake. The study showed results
of macro invertebrate health testing and created a benchmark that can be compared to future
years.
The stream health study is a partnership between Friends of the Mississippi River, Minnesota
Waters, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, and Rice Creek Watershed District.
OLD BUSINESS
►C•TiTa
OTHER BUSINESS
January and February Service Exchange Fund: Recycling Rebate Report
Ms. Harris shared the March and April 2007 recycling rebate reports. The City earned a total
of $ 12,397.59 from 162.80 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.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION by Mr. Jenkins, seconded by Mr. Svanda, to adjourn the meeting.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON VELIN DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED AND THE MAY 8, 2007, ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY
COMMISSION MEETING ADJOURNED AT 8:32 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Rachel A. Harris
Environmental Planner and Staff Liaison