Loading...
EQE 03/11/2008 - 30954�---� M I N UTES � ����c�� ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AND ENERGY COMMISSION MEETING �rtt�at�� TUESDAY, MARCH 11, 2008, 7:00 P.M. CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Velin called the meeting to order at 7:15 p.m. after a quorum was convened. ROLL CALL: Members Present: Anne Andrews, Tina Nelson, Jack Velin, Paul Westby Members Absent: Barb Johns, Del Jenkins, Rich Svanda Others Present: Rachel Harris, Environmental Planner Jim Kosluchar, Public Works Director/City Engineer APPROVAL OF DECEMBER 11, 2007, ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MINUTES: MOTION by Ms. Andrews, seconded by Mr. Westby to approve the December 11, 2007, Environmental Quality & Energy Commission minutes. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON VELIN DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- STAFF REPORT Ms. Harris, Environmental Planner, reported the following updates. Two of seven commissioners attended the February 12, 2008, meeting. There was no quorum, so no formal business was conducted. Staff had experimented with convening the meeting without using paper. The trial run was unsuccessful and staff will revert to mailing out paper copies of the meeting packets. Ms. Harris said that during the February meeting commissioners and staff planned the commission's role in the 49ers Day Parade and selected trinkets to share with parade attendees. Commissioners will give out carabiner keyholders made from 30% recycled plastic, and pencils made from 95% recycled newspaper. Staff is working on a t-shirt design for commissioners who participate in walking in the parade. Staff already completed the parade float application form and submitted it to the 49ers Days organizers. Commissioners who wish to walk in the 49ers Parade on Thursday, June 14, should notify Ms. Harris one week in advance. Ms. Harris shared the results of Fridley's recycling program challenge to conserve energy which began in November 2007. Residents were invited to take the on-line MN Energy Challenge, a project of the Center for Energy and Environment, and learn how actions at home can impact energy conservation. Residents who submitted their results received a Blue Sky Guide which is a coupon book for healthy living. Fridley's recycling program has underwritten these participation prizes. Residents still have time to take the MN Energy Challenge. Results must be postmarked by Saturday, April 26, 2008, the date of the Yard and Garden Get-Together. People with more questions are encouraged to call staff at 763-572- 3594. Ms. Harris distributed a copy of the Recycling Recap, Spring 2008 newsletter that she authored as a means of updating council members on various aspects of the recycling program. She reported that the results of the 2007 Anoka County Recycling Program Summary showed that Fridley had recycled more than 2,500 tons and reached 108% of our goal! Ms. Harris recently received the monthly recycling tonnage report from the city's hauler, Allied Waste for February. That report showed 45% of Fridley residents participate in the curbside recycling program on a weekly basis. From the Citizen Survey results released in fall 2007, staff knows that 80% of Fridley residents participate in the curbside recycling program, however staff would like the see the weekly participation rate increase to 60%. Mr. Westby suggested writing an article about that topic in the city's newsletter. Mr. Velin thought staff should ask residents if they need a blue bin. Ms. Nelson said that showing residents how recycling saves energy would lead to an increase in recycling rates. Mr. Westby added residents need to know that their recycling efforts will save the earth's resources for future generations. IOI��i��=1���101��? Stream Health Evaluation Program for Rice Creek, Trevor Russell with Friends of the Mississippi River Ms. Harris reported that she received a phone call from guest speaker Trevor Russell with Friends of the Mississippi River. There was a scheduling error at his office and he would be unable to attend the meeting. He did, however, rescheduled for the April 8, 2008, to give the report on the Stream Health Evaluation Program (SHEP) on Rice Creek. Herbicide Application on City Property, Jim Kosluchar, Public Works Director/City Engineer Ms. Harris introduced the topic of non-point source pollution. An example of non-point source pollution is pesticide or herbicide application on lawns that has reached the storm drains. Ms. Harris said that the next guest, Fridley Public Works Director/City Engineer, Jim Kosluchar, had been invited to join commissioners in a dialog about herbicidal application on public city property. Mr. Kosluchar introduced himself to the commissioners and said that he has been on the job for about five months and has not worked through the spring or summer mowing season. He said his primary role that evening was to listen to the concerns and suggestions of the commissioners. He noted that the staff person with the most knowledge of the City's herbicide application processes had been recently ill. Therefore, Mr. Kosluchar did not have details about the frequency of application or types of herbicides used on public city property. He was aware that the public works staff receives complaints from Fridley residents when weeds, such as dandelions, appear in city parks. Mr. Westby suggested that Fridley serve as a leader to neighboring cities and take the initiative to ban herbicide and pesticide use in public parks. Mr. Kosluchar said that when he worked for the City of Chisholm in northern Minnesota the city discontinued the general application of herbicides in city parks. Thereafter, herbicides were periodically applied in spots for weed control. Ms. Andrews asked about the public reaction to that move. Mr. Kosluchar indicated there were mixed reactions. He said some people did not mind. Others complained about the weeds and brown spots. Over time people grew to accept the new standard. He added that Chisholm did not conduct a formal survey to learn the opinions of residents; these responses were anecdotal. Ms. Andrews said it is important to consider the long-term environmental and financial costs for chemical versus non-chemical applications. Mr. Westby noted that the commission heard from one organic lawn care provider, Organic Bob, that the application of organic-based product "ComposTea" was more expensive during the first three years than non-organic herbicide applications such as ChemLawn. After that, the organic lawn care was cheaper and the lawn was healthier. Mr. Kosluchar said that the method of lawn care is really a values decision. For example, if no herbicide is applied, a property owner may have to cut the lawn more often. Ms. Andrews has observed residents bring blankets to sit on lawns in public parks because they don't want to sit directly on the chemically treated grass. Mr. Velin wanted to know what the city pays annually to keep its lawns green. Ms. Andrews wanted to know about the city's herbicide and pesticide applications processes. Mr. Velin requested a report on the city's costs for annual lawn maintenance and herbicide and pesticide applications processes. He asked the report to be ready for the April gtn meeting. Mr. Kosluchar indicated that he would provide the information. Officer Election (Added) Ms. Harris noted that officer terms expire in April each year. The commission needed to consider the election of officers. Mr. Velin indicated that he was interested in serving another term as Chair. Ms. Nelson made a motion to reelect Mr. Velin as Chair. Ms. Andrews seconded the motion. Ms. Andrews seconded the motion. Ms. Harris said that since �ce Chair Del Jenkins was absent the Vice Chair election would occur in April to give him the opportunity to consider reelection. OLD BUSINESS OTHER BUSINESS ADJOURNMENT MOTION by Mr. Westby. seconded by Ms. Andrews, to adjoum the riieeting. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON VELIN DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED AND THE MARCH 11, 2008, ENVIRONMESNTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MEETING ADJOURNED AT 7:59 P.M. RespectFully submitted Rachel A. Harris Environmental Planner and Staff Liaison