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EQE 10/13/2009 - 29863MINUTES �_�� ENVIRONNIENTAL QUALITY AND ENERGY CONINIISSION MEETING ��� � TLTESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2009, 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, Rich Svanda, 7ack Velin, Paul Westby Members Absent: Denise Milks, Tina Nelson Others Present: Rachel Harris, Environmental Planner APPROVAL OF DECEMBER 9, 2008, ENVIRONIVIENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MINUTES: MOTION by Ms. Andrews seconded by Mr. Westby to approve the December 9, 2008, Environmental Quality & Energy Commission minutes. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON VEL1N DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Guest Speaker on Observations of Waste Mana�ement Practices in Western Sweden Chairperson Velin introduced guest speaker, Rachel Harris, Environmental Planner with the City of Fridley, for the presentation of Observations of Waste Management Practices in Western Sweden. In March 2009, Ms. Harris travelled with a group of three other young professionals and a team leader to western Sweden to study sustainability initiatives in various commercial and cultural settings. The study trip was sponsored by Rotary International and took the group to 9 cities and more than 80 site visits. Ms. Harris noted that while she observed several types of sustainability efforts, in areas such as architecture, energy, education, manufacturing, and local government, this presentation would focus on waste management practices. Ms. Harris started the slide show with a quote from staff at SKF, a ball-bearing manufacturer, who when asked why SKF instituted resource conservation measures said, "It's quite simple, really. We are all living on this earth." She found that sentiment throughout each site visit. Page � 1 Ms. Harris toured a bio-gas facility, a tire recycling start-up business, and an educational center with examples of innovative conservation technologies. Each visit provided insight to differences and commonalities with similar Minnesotan initiatives. Staff Report Ms. Harris reported that since the last Environmental Quality and Energy Commission meeting she has been working on code enforcement cases, coordinating the Northstar commuter rail grand opening and collaborating with fellow planning staff to determine guidelines for a transit oriented development overlay district. Ms. Harris said the code enforcement cases are slowing for the season and the Northstar commuter rail grand opening, set for November 14, will offer live music, comments from dignitaries, face painting, tickets for the train ride, transit information and refreshments. Ms. Harris has also been working on a new project with funding from a grant that Anoka County received from the Minnesota State Health Improvement Program (SHIP). Mr. Velin asked what are the objectives with SHIP. Ms. Harris said the objective is to examine city planning policies and consider ways to improve accessibility to walking and biking at intersections or to trails; and access of the city's recreational facilities. One approach is to conduct a complete streets study which is a multi-modal traffic impact study. Ms. Johns asked how the intersections were selected. Ms. Harris said the intersections are outlined in the City's recently approved comprehensive plan. These intersections include studying 61 st/LJniversity Avenue, the East River Road/61gt Way, 57th/LJniversity Avenue, and Moore Lake Drive/Hwy 65. Ms. Harris said the SHIP project also blends three more comprehensive plan action steps and those are to review pedestrian and bicycle access to bus stops, review safe routes to school, and assess community walking and biking routes. New Business Recycling Contract - One Year Extension Ms. Harris said that after reviewing contract options, staff decided to pursue a one-year e�tension with Allied Waste. Early surveys of Fridley's licensed haulers showed that none were interested in offering revenue sharing. That changed in April when Allied Waste offered to provide revenue sharing under new terms. This option afforded the City another year of revenue sharing, albeit at a 50 percent rate instead of the previous 100 percent rate. Ms. Johns asked how much revenue is anticipated on a monthly basis. Page � 2 Ms. Harris replied that she is planning for $1500 per month with the fifty percent share. Ms. Andrews thought that amount was better than nothing. Ms. Harris said the lesser amount of revenue would affect the City's ability to subsidize the recycling drop-offs. Mr. Svanda asked what would happen if the drop-offs are not free. Ms. Harris said that before 2006 when the City began offering free drop-off there were about 50 vehicles that came to the drop-off site compared to the 350 — 550 vehicles per event that we have had over the last four years. Ms. Johns noted that in the past people had dumped waste in ditches. She thought there might be an unfortunate increase in this practice. Mr. Westby thought the people who make the effort to recycling at drop-offs wouldn't complain about raised prices. Oct. 10 Recycling Drop-off Results Ms. Harris said the last drop-off of the year was held last weekend on October 10 and was busier than usual, likely because the advertising stated it was the last free drop-off. The city collected electronics, appliances, tires, fluorescents, bicycles, scrap metal, and batteries. Chairperson Velin said he stopped by the drop-off and was surprised by the amount of material people dropped off. Old Business Adoption of Meeting Schedule for 2010 Ms. Harris presented three options for a 2010 meeting schedule, including meeting every other month on even numbered months or odd numbered months or monthly. Mr. Svanda initiated a discussion in favor of ineeting during the odd numbered months. City Code, Chapter 6, Commission Guidelines Chairperson Velin said the Commissioners decided to table the discussion about a possible revision to the City Code, Chapter 6, Commission Guidelines until the meeting on December 8, 2009, when staff could provide information about the e�sting language. Other Business Chairperson Velin noted that commissioners received a copy of the article Street Page � 3 Maintenance and Garbage Trucks from Star Tribune, dated October 4, 2009, in their meeting packet. Adj ournment MOTION by Mr. Westby, seconded by Mr. Svanda to adjourn the meeting. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON VEL1N DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED AND THE OCTOBER 13, 2009, ENVIRONIVIENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY CONINIISSION MEETING ADJOURNED AT 8:48 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Rachel A. Harris Environmental Planner and Staff Liaison Page � 4