Loading...
EQE 09/11/2007 - 29856�_�� CITY OF FRIDLEY ������ ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MEETING ����-� TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2007, 7:00 P.M. CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Velin called the, meeting to order at 7:06 p.m. ROLL CALL: Members Present Members Absent: Others Present Anne Andrews, Del Jenkins, Barb Johns, Tina Nelson, Jack Velin, Paul Westby Rich Svanda Rachel Harris, Environmental Planner APPROVAL OF MAY 8, 2007, ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MINUTES: MOTION by Mr. Jenkins, seconded by Ms. Johns to approve the May 8, 2007, Environmental Quality & Energy Commission minutes. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON VELIN DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- STAFF REPORT Ms. Harris reported the following updates. (1) During the June recycling drop-off, residents dropped off nearly 80 tons of recyclable material. At the August 11 Recycling Drop-off, residents recycled about 16 tons of electronics, 310 major appliances, 85 batteries, 290 tires and 953 fluorescent bulbs. The next drop-off will take place on October 13, 2007 at the Public Works Garage. (2) At the 49ers Day parade a good time was had by all. We gave out 2,000 magnets and pencils made from recycled material. Commission members visited with and educated the crowd about curbside recycling in Fridley. Two Commission members and one staff inember were photographed walking in the parade. That photo was printed in the September/October issue of the City newsletter. (3) Recycling Challenge article for newsletter. Ms. Harris distributed, for the record, a draft copy of the newsletter article submitted to the City Manager. In the article, Ms. Harris is challenging Fridley residents to recycle more paper in order to reach the annual recycling goal of 2,405 tons. (4) Comprehensive Plan schedule. Staff anticipates that the Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on November 7, 2007. Therefore, Environmental Quality and Energy Commission members will need to review the Natural Resources chapter during tonight's meeting and the Transportation chapter at the October 8th meeting. In response to the staff report, Ms. Johns said she anticipates a large influx of televisions getting recycled because of the change to HD televisions in 2009. Mr. Velin and Ms. Johns enjoyed the newsletter photo of themselves at the 49ers Parade. Mr. Jenkins wondered how the public liked the trinkets that promoted the recycling program. Ms. Johns said the magnets and pencils were a great success. Ms. Nelson said we need to remind people that the recycling program takes more types of paper than newspaper. Mr. Velin asked if businesses report their pounds of cardboard recycled. Ms. Harris replied that the County staff tracks tonnage collected at businesses. Mr. Jenkins suggested encouraging additional recycling at the October 13 drop-off. NEW BUSINESS Comprehensive Plan Chapter 8 Natural Resources Commission members received a draft of the Natural Resources Chapter being developed by the City. Staff has worked on putting the draft together and would like input from the Environmental Quality and Energy Commission on the contents of the chapter, especially the action steps that are identified. The Commission does not have to take any action on the chapter at this time, but should plan on recommending changes or additions to the Chapter at the October 8, 2007 Environmental Quality and Energy Commission meeting. Ms. Harris noted that although no action is necessary, staff encourages the Commission to act at this meeting since they will need to review a 45 page chapter and be ready to discuss it at the October 8 meeting. For the record, Ms. Harris submitted an index of Comprehensive Plan chapters to each Commission member. Upon reviewing the Chapter 8 Natural Resources action steps, Commission members asked questions. Ms. Nelson asked for clarification about tree preservation ordinance. Ms. Harris replied that the City now uses a tree credit for development of a parcel. In this case, when developers clear a parcel they get credit for trees saved. For each tree saved, two trees are subtracted from the list of landscape requirements. There are variations of tree preservation ordinances. But, a typical ordinance states that each tree of a 6-inch diameter or greater, measured 4 feet up from the ground must be preserved. Mr. Velin thought he recalled that Springbrook Nature Center imposed a ban on tree removal in 1973. Mr. Jenkins suggested offering a regular tree sale to residents to help replace the trees lost in the September 2005 storm. Ms. Johns suggested adding the tree sale idea to the Action Steps of the Natural Resources chapter. In response to the animal management plan, Ms. Andrews asked from what area would the animals be removed. Ms. Harris said the geese and deer would only be removed from city property. Regarding traffic congestion and air pollution, Ms. Andrews said bus scheduling is an issue. Ms. Johns suggested making transit oriented development user-friendly for bus riders. For the water supply statement, Mr. Velin said the action statement looks good. Mr. Westby would also like to add an action step that eliminates the application of herbicides and pesticides on city property. Ms. Johns requests that the Environmental Quality and Energy Commission review the City's contract for fertilization of city property. Ms. Harris responded that one of the reasons parks applies herbicide is because the general public doesn't want to have weeds in the parks. Mr. Westby requested that the Environmental Quality and Energy Commission learn the schedule for contract renewal. In the action step "Remove invasive plant species, such as buckthorn", Ms. Johns wishes to add "on public land and educate the public." Regarding wild life corridor preservation, Mr. Velin agrees that it's important to continue to preserve habitat trails. Mr. Jenkins wonders if there are additional stream beds in Fridley that would benefit from the subtle s-curve rerouting that was done to Springbrook Creek. Ms. Harris noted that there is at least one creek that was piped about 15 — 20 years ago. OLD BUSINESS None OTHER BUSINESS April - August Service Exchange Fund: Recycling Rebate Report Ms. Harris shared the recycling rebate reports for the past four months. The City earned a total of about $ 65,000 from 825 tons of high quality materials that residents set out in the curbside program. This money will be used to pay for the August 11 and October 13, 2007 Recycling Drop-off days. Anoka County Environmental Services Hazardous Waste Report Anoka County Environmental Services staff submitted reports on Central Auto Parts and Healthcare Solutions. Some corrective actions were required at Central Auto Parts. According to the County's reports, corrective actions have been completed. ADJOURNMENT MOTION by Mr. Jenkins. seconded by Mr. Westby, to adjourn the meeting. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON VELIN DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED AND THE SEPTEMBER 11, 2007, ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MEETING ADJOURNED AT 8:22 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Rachel A. Harris Environmental Planner and Staff Liaison