EQE 12/11/2007 - 29857�_�� MINUTES
����"c�� ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AND ENERGY COMMISSION MEETING
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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2007, 7:00 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER:
Chairperson Velin called the, meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Members Present: Anne Andrews, Tina Nelson, Rich Svanda, Jack Velin
Members Absent: Barb Johns, Del Jenkins, Paul Westby
Others Present: Rachel Harris, Environmental Planner
APPROVAL OF SEPTEMBER 11, 2007, ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY
COMMISSION MINUTES:
MOTION by Ms. Andrews, seconded by Mr. Svanda to approve the September 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, Environmental Planner, reported the following updates.
Recent recycling drop-offs
The October 13, 2007 Recycling Drop-off and Leaf Drop-offs on October 18 and 25 were
held at the Fridley Public Works Garage. At the leaf drop-offs, about 160 cubic yards were
collected.
Schedule of paper shredding events
The paper shredding service on November 13 and 27 has been held in the west parking
lot at St. Williams Church on 5th Ave NE and 61St Street. About two hundred pounds were
collected at the last event. Two more paper shredding events will be held on December 13
and 27. Staff received several inquiries about the paper shredding events after a direct-
mail postcard was sent out. A higher turnout is expected during the December paper
shredding events. Staff wishes to thank St. Williams Church for the use of the parking lot
on the four event days.
Recycling and conservation events postcard
On December 1, 2007, residents started receiving an announcement of current and
upcoming recycling and conservation events. Residents were invited to take the
Minnesota Energy Challenge and submit the results in order to receive a free Blue Sky
Guide. The mailing also informed residents about the two remaining paper shredding
events and the four 2008 Recycling Drop-offs. All events are sponsored by the City.
Memory Lane Rain Gardens
One of the residents brought in photos of the rain gardens on Memory Lane from a
September rainstorm. In the summer of 2007, five households worked with the City to
build rain gardens. The photos show the completed gardens doing what they do best —
catching storm water run-off.
2008 Recycling Drop-off Schedule
Recycling drop-offs will be held the same schedule as 2007: on the second Saturday,
every other month, starting in April and ending in October.
Electronics (3), appliances (2), tires (8), fluorescents (10), bicycles, lumber, concrete,
scrap metal, and batteries will again be collected.
2007 Electronics Recovery Law
This handling of this law is a work in progress. Staff has been in contact with staff from the
MPCA. The rules of the new law are still being sorted out between the haulers, recyclers
and processors. Yes, in the future we will see benefits such as reduced cost to recycle
electronics. In the next 3— 6 months some guidelines will get ironed out. I already expect
the cost that Fridley pays for the electronics drop-off will decrease in 2008.
Comprehensive Plan schedule
The public is invited to attend the Planning Commission's public hearing on December 19,
2007. The next step is for the Council to review the 2030 Comprehensive Plan during the
second meeting in January or the first meeting in February.
NEW BUSINESS
2008 Earth Day Celebration on April 26, 2008
Staff in the community Development Department and Park and Recreation Department have
joined forces to give the community one event on Saturday, April 26, 2008. The event, called
"Your Community, Your World. Celebrate!" will focus on celebrating youth civic engagement
projects and providing environmental conservation education for all-ages. The event will be
held at Fridley Community Center from 1:OOpm — 3:OOpm.
Several hands-on activities will be offered, as well as representatives from area waste
reduction or watershed offices. Residents are encouraged to stay the entire time in order to
engage in the learning and civic projects. Light refreshments will be provided.
Overview of 2007 recycling programs
Staff will report on this item in early 2008 after all the data has been submitted.
OLD BUSINESS
Comprehensive Plan Chapter 11 Water Resources
Commission members received a draft of the Water Resources chapter being developed by
the City. Staff worked on putting the draft together and had requested input from the
Environmental Quality and Energy Commission on the contents of the chapter, especially the
action steps that were identified. Commissioner Svanda provided several suggestions
including pointing out inconsistencies in table numbers and sections of incomplete data.
Staff noted that this draft was a working draft and the formatting would be corrected prior to
submission to the Planning Commission.
Mr. Svanda also offered suggestions on the content.
OTHER BUSINESS
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION by Mr. Svanda. seconded by Ms. Nelson, to adjourn the meeting.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON VELIN DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED AND THE DECEMBER 11, 2007, ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY &
ENERGY COMMISSION MEETING ADJOURNED AT 8:18 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
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Environmental Planner and Staff Liaison