EQE 12/09/2008 - 30957MINUTES
�__—� ENVIRONNIENTAL QUALITY AND ENERGY CONINIISSION MEETING
���� TLTESDAY, DECENIBER 9, 2008, 7:00 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson Velin called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Members Present: Anne Andrews, Barb 7ohns, Tina Nelson, Rich Svanda, 7ack Velin,
Paul Westby
Members Absent: Denise Milks
Others Present: Rachel Harris, Environmental Planner
APPROVAL OF OCTOBER 14, 2008, ENVIRONNIENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY
COMMISSION MINUTES:
MOTION by Mr. Svanda seconded by Ms. Andrews to approve the October 14, 2008,
Environmental Quality & Energy Commission minutes.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON VEL1N DECLARED
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
STAFF REPORT
Ms. Harris reported on collaborations with the Fridley High school on waste reduction
efforts. The school principal asked her to join with a group of teachers, students, custodial
staff, and administrators to discuss adding food composting and improving recycling
services on the school campus.
Ms. Harris stated that Fridley may not meet its annual recycling goal. Recycling tonnage for
October 2008 was 30 tons less than a year ago. She contributes the decline in recycling tons
to the decline in purchasing power due to tough economic conditions, including layoffs.
Ms. Harris shared a draft of the 2009 environmental calendar, listing city events and
conservation tips. This calendar will arrive in the homes of Fridley residents in early
January.
Ms. Harris said the 2009 Recycling Drop-off Days schedule is uncertain at this time. With
the projected State Budget short falls, there may be cuts to Local Government Aid (LGA)
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and/or the State SCORE grant administered through Anoka County. Ms. Harris noted the
revenue sharing from the sale of curbside recycling has declined this fall. The price of
commodities has bottomed out. For example, the city earned $18,000 in September;
$13,000 in October; and $3,800 in November. Since there was a loss of funds from the sale
of curbside materials, staffwill have to reprioritize recycling events in 2009 and there might
be fewer recycling drop-off days. The materials collected will be the same as last year,
including electronics, appliances, tires, fluorescents, bicycles, lumber, concrete, scrap metal,
and batteries. The first drop-off of the year will be held on the second Saturday in April.
Ms. Andrews inquired about the placement of recycling containers on the school campus.
Ms. Johns shared enthusiasm about the cooperation with Fridley High School. As a parent
of a high school student, she was surprised that the school was in the process of setting up
recycling at this time.
Ms. Harris replied that the classrooms do have paper recycling, but the school is looking at
ways to expand paper recycling at special events and at strategic locations in the corridors.
School administrators also expressed interest in recycling food waste from the cafeteria.
Ms. Nelson observed that kids in middle school get excited about science. She thought that
would be a good time to start composting food waste and teach the science behind
composting.
Mr. Westby asked whether the high school students have to participate in community
service.
Ms. Johns said that they do. Perhaps students could fill their community service hours by
working at the recycling drop-offs.
Ms. Andrews said that students may respond more favorably to a recycling program if they
know the results of their efforts.
Ms. Harris replied that she talked with the school staff about setting a baseline to show
progress.
NEW BUSINESS
2009-2010 Workplan / Sustainability Indicators
Ms. Harris said that she enjoyed learning from Ken Meters, the guest speaker at the
September meeting. His shared knowledge of guiding communities through a year-long
process of developing sustainability indicators was helpful.
With insight into process, Ms. Harris now sees a different approach to developing
sustainability indicators in the city. To begin with, the 2009-2010 workplan will focus on
setting a baseline from which staff will measure future actions, developing sustainability
indicators for fuel consumption and electrical usage within city functions and municipal
buildings.
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_ . -- ti"
buildings.
Ms. Harris said she and fellow staff have begun discussing energy use within municipal
buildings. She looks forward to attending workshop about cost savings through energy
conservation.
Based on Mr. Svanda's earlier suggestion, she has compiled a list of sustainability
indicators for the upcoming work plan.
Mr. Westby thought it was important to continue pursuing multiple fronts.
OLD BUSINESS
Green Gatherings
Ms. Harris asked commissioners to share the green gathering guidelines at a social
gathering, workplace function, or church meeting between today and the meeting in
February. She requested that commissioners observe reactions to the guidelines and be
prepared to share feedback at the February meeting.
OTHER BUSINESS
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION by Mr. Westby, seconded by Ms. Andrews to adjourn the meeting.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON VELIN DECLARED
THE MOTION CARR�D AND THE OCTOBER 14, 2008, ENVIRONMENTAL
QUALITY & ENERGY COMNIISSION MEETING ADJOURNED AT 8:23 P.M.
Res ectfully sub i e, •
Rachel A. Harris
Environmental Planner and Staff Liaison
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