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EQE 04/08/2008 - 30955�---� M I N UTES � ����c�� ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AND ENERGY COMMISSION MEETING �rtt�at�� TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2008, 7:00 P.M. CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Velin called the meeting to order at 7:08 p.m. ROLL CALL: Members Present: Anne Andrews, Barb Johns, Rich Svanda, Jack Velin, Paul Westby Members Absent: Del Jenkins, Tina Nelson Others Present: Rachel Harris, Environmental Planner Trevor Russell, Watershed Program Director with Friends of the Mississippi River APPROVAL OF MARCH 11, 2008, ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MINUTES: MOTION by Ms. Andrews seconded by Ms. Johns to approve the March 11, 2008, 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. The trinkets for the 49ers Days parade arrived. The pencils are made from 90% post-consumer recycled paper. The carabiners were manufactured with 30% recycled plastic. A total of 3,600 pieces were ordered. Ms. Harris distributed a sample for each commissioner. Ms. Harris noted that each time her office sends out a mailing about a recycling drop-off there is a spike in phone calls. Starting on Monday of this week the phone calls have poured in. People have many questions about prices, amount of appliances and electronics accepted, and materials allowed at the April 12 Drop-off. In the past two days, her office has handled 52 phone calls. Ms. Harris has recruited 5 volunteers to help with directing vehicles inside the drop-off site. Two more are needed for the 11:00 a.m. — 1:00 p.m. shift. Environment Commissioners are welcome and encouraged to assist. Ms. Harris said that the third paper shredding event of 2008 was held on Saturday, April 5. An astounding amount of paper was collected. People shredded 5,960 pounds of paper. The pounds collected in February, March, and April respectively is 2,020, 2,025, 5,960 for a total of 10,005 pounds. NEW BUSINESS Stream Health Evaluation Program for Rice Creek, Trevor Russell with Friends of the Mississippi River Mr. Velin introduced guest speaker Trevor Russell, Watershed Program Director with Friends of the Mississippi River. He is here to give a report on the Stream Health Evaluation Program (SHEP) results. The stream health study is a partnership between Friends of the Mississippi River, Minnesota Waters, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, and Rice Creek Watershed District. In a recap of 2007 program, Mr. Russell reported that volunteers working on this study tested Rice Creek upstream of Locke Lake and below Locke Lake. The study resulted in a benchmark of macro invertebrate health. The 2007 baseline results were compared to the tests of 2008. To the surprise of the project coordinators, the macro-invertebrate health was the same as last year. SHEP has completed its second year of water health tests on Rice Creek. Ms. Andrews asked if this evaluation program tests for types of pollutants. Mr. Russell said it does not. Ms. Andrews requested information about locations of healthy urban streams. Mr. Russell replied that there is a correlation between impervious surface and stream health. However, Fridley is an anomaly. Though the course of Rice Creek in Fridley runs through a developed urban area, the stream health is "Fair". Ms. Harris asked Mr. Russell to suggest some action steps for the residents to maintain the health of our waterways. Mr. Russell suggested that people use rain barrels and rain gardens, and restore shoreland to prevent erosion. OLD BUSINESS Memo on Herbicide Application on City Property, Jim Kosluchar, Public Works Director/City Engineer Ms. Harris said the city engineer recapped a conversation from the March 2008 meeting. The city will respond to the needs of the residents. If the residents call and complain about weeds in the parks, then the city will look for ways to remove the weeds. To date, not one person has called in to say that they like, or don't mind weeds, in the parks. In the memo to the Commissioners, Mr. Kosluchar suggested that the city may test a small area as a pilot project. Mr. Westby sounded enthusiastic about the possibility of a pilot project. Ms. Johns concurred about the test project idea and wondered how soon the pilot could start. Officer Election: Vice Chair Ms. Harris said that vice chair Del Jenkins is absent and made no indication that he wished to serve a second term as vice chair. Ms. Harris noted that officer terms expire in April each � serve a second term as vice chair. Ms. Harris noted that officer terms expire in April each year. The commission needed to consider the election of the vice chair. Ms. Johns nominated Ms. Andrews. Ms. Andrews nominated Mr. Westby. Mr. Westby indicated that he was interested in serving a term as Vice Chair. Mr. Andrews made a motion to elect Mr. Westby as Vice Chair. Mr. Svanda seconded the motion. MOTION by Ms. Andrews, seconded by Mr. Svanda to elect Mr. Westby as Vice Chair. UPON A VOICE VOTE, 5 VOTING AYE, 0 VOTING NAY, CHAIRPERSON VELIN DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. OTHER BUSINESS Yard and Garden Get-Together Ms. Harris reported that nearly forty people were waiting in line for the start of the event. Many people were excited about obtaining the free compact fluorescent bulbs, Blue Sky Guides, and rain gauges. Throughout the event, about 150 people learned about water conservation, rain gardens, water quality, waste reduction, reuse and composting. Ms. Harris wishes to extend a thank you to all of the education providers and volunteers who helped make 2008 Yard and Garden Get-Together a huge success. Ms. Nelson said she enjoyed volunteering and teaching several groups of elementary-aged children about the stormwater run-off cycle. She thought the event was well run and enjoyed by all. ADJOURNMENT MOTION by Mr. Svanda, seconded by Mr. Westby to adjourn the meeting. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON VELIN DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED AND THE APRIL 8, 2008, ENVIRONMESNTAL QUALITY 8� ENERGY COMMISSION MEETING ADJOURNED AT 8:47 P.M. Respectfully submitted, , achel A. Harris Environmental Planner and Staff Liaison