EQE 03/09/2010 - 29866Call to Order
MINUTES
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AND ENERGY COMMISSION
FRIDLEY MUNICIPAL CENTER, 643� UNIVERSITY AVE NE
TUESDAY, MARCH g, zo�o, 7:0o P.M.
Chairperson Velin called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
Roll Call
Members Present
Members Absent:
Others Present:
Anne Andrews, Rich Svanda, 7ack Velin, Tina Nelson
Paul Westby, Barb 7ohns
Rachel Harris, Environmental Planner
APPROVAL OF JANUARY 12, 2010, ENVIRONNIENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY
COMMISSION MINUTES:
MOTION by Mr. Svanda seconded by Ms. Andrews to approve the January 12, 2010,
Environmental Quality & Energy Commission minutes.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON VEL1N DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
STAFF REPORT
Spring Recycling Events Need Volunteers
Ms. Harris reported that there are a few spring events that need volunteers. She invites the
commissioners and public to contact her regarding their availability. These events include the
Spring Recycling Drop-off on April 10, 2010. Four volunteers are needed during each of two
shifts. The early shift is 8:30-11 a.m. and the later shift is 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Ms. Harris mentioned a new event coming up in May. Fridley has joined with several other Anoka
County cities to sponsor a Compost Bin and Rain Barrel Sale on May 15 in Coon Rapids. One or
two volunteers are needed to stand and assist with traffic. These volunteers will get paid. Ms.
Harris added that another popular Fridley event that needs 5 volunteers is the Environmental
Education Outreach activity at the 49ers Parade.
Ms. Andrews said she is interested in volunteering for the second shift during the Drop-off.
Mr. Svanda said he will volunteer during the first shift.
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Mr. Velin inquired about the trinket for environmental education hand-outs at the 49ers Parade.
Ms. Harris said we would probably have pencils made of recycled newspaper since that is one of
the cheapest options.
Upcoming Panel Discussions about Garbage Transportation
Ms. Harris announced there will be a series of presenters and discussions over the ne�t eight
months to study garbage transportation. The first panel discussion will be held in April; therefore,
the EQEC will need to hold a meeting in April to accommodate the schedule of speakers.
Special Meeting in April
Ms. Harris said there will be a special meeting in April on the regularly scheduled day and time of
Tuesday, April 13, from 7— 8:30 p.m.
OLD BUSINESS
Grant Application Status for LED Streetlamp Conversion Update
Ms. Harris said the Engineering and Planning staff worked together to write the grant. After
engineering staff calculated the return on investment, they found the payback period was 20 years
and this particular amount of Federal Stimulus money required a shorter payback period of up to
10 — 15 years. Therefore, the grant was not submitted.
Mr. Velin asked if that means we won't get new street lights by Walgreen's.
Ms. Harris replied that is correct.
NEW BUSINESS
Emerald Ash Borer Maintenance Plan by Dave Lindquist, City Forrester and Park
Maintenance Supervisor
Mr. Lindquist said he would present a variety of information and invited people ask questions
throughout the presentation. About five years ago, he and a fellow Parks employee attended a
MN Department of Agriculture training for detection of Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) infestation.
They kept the information quiet so as not to raise alarm. He brought a map of the range of
Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) infestation from the website
http://www.emeraldashborer.info/files/NlultiState_EABpos.�df. There are confirmations of
infestation in the Mid-Atlantic States, a heavy concentration in Ohio and Michigan, and fewer in
Minnesota and Wisconsin. The borers are not selective of the type of ash they infest. They'll live
in white ash or black ash.
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Mr. Lindquist said their infestation has spread quickly from the East Coast to the Midwest by way
of human transportation of firewood. They live under the bark and their exit hole from the ash
tree is "D" shaped. Identifying an ash tree infested with EAB is difficult due to the insect's size,
the small exit hole, and out-of-sight habitat under the bark Trimming tree limbs and peeling back
the bark may reveal whether a tree has been infested. One way to verify an ash tree is infested is
to cut it down and remove all of the bark.
Ms. Andrews said she thought the cold Midwest winters would kill off the beetles.
Mr. Lindquist replied that staff has followed the progression of the infestation across Michigan
and found there are many variables affecting the life cycle of the EAB. It appears they are able to
survive in cold winters.
Mr. Lindquist said that he and 7im Kosluchar had discussed how to manage a future infestation.
They decided, based on the pervasiveness of the infestation and the lack of 100% prevention, that
once a tree on public, park or boulevard property is determined to have EAB infestation, they
would cut it down and, as funding permits, plant another type of tree. He noted the City of
Rochester, Minnesota has a good, succinct EAB maintenance plan and suggested that we use it as
a guide in creating our own maintenance plan.
Ms. Andrews asked how close the EAB are to Fridley.
Mr. Lindquist said an infestation was identified four years ago in the St. Croix Valley on the
border with Wisconsin, two years ago in St. Paul and now is in Falcon Heights. Mr. Lindquist said
he met with staff, including 7im Kosluchar, Director of Public Works, and Rachel Harris,
Environmental Planner, to consider creating a city-wide EAB maintenance plan for park, public,
and boulevard property. The maintenance plan would be based on past experience with Dutch elm
disease and the work of the Minneapolis park system.
Ms. Andrews asked how many ash trees we have in Fridley.
Mr. Lindquist said 25 percent of our trees are ash.
Mr. Lindquist said borers are part of a category of clean up insects in the forest and they target
ailing trees. The tree serves as both a host and food source to the borers. EAB came from Asia,
measure 1/2 inch long, are green in color, fly up to 1 mile per hour and live 1-3 years. Last year,
staff worked with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture to select marginalized trees in Fridley
for placement of pheromone traps to see if there were any EAB. None were detected.
Mr. Svanda observed that's why you don't see them because the beetles are small and live under
the bark.
Mr. Velin asked if we have any traps up now.
Mr. Lindquist said they were taken down last fall.
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Mr. Lindquist noted that there are two ways to treat an infestation. Give a tree an annual dose of
chemical injection. The second option is to do nothing. Either way, an infestation is inevitable
since the treatment is not 100% effective.
Mr. Svanda asked how much a chemical injection costs.
Mr. Lindquist replied that it costs $200 — 300 per tree per year. Once begun, this practice would
always have to continue since the chemicals last only a year.
Mr. Svanda wondered about the width of boulevards.
Mr. Lindquist replied a boulevard width is about twelve feet into the yard from the curb. He said
not every boulevard has a tree and not every boulevard has an ash tree.
Ms. Nelson asked if the City has considered cutting down ash trees early on and replanting.
Mr. Lindquist said the staff doesn't know where the trees will be infested and with the limited city
budget of $15,000 per year, they will be able to do some trimming of trees already in decline from
drought or anthracnose fungus. They have a staff policy of removing trees that are thirty percent
in decline.
Mr. Velin and Mr. Svanda both wanted to know how to recognize a tree that's in decline.
Mr. Lindquist said with Anthracnose fungus the leaves disappear and then secondary buds appear,
but with EAB the leaves disappear and stay gone and suckers appear at the base of the ash tree.
Ms. Andrews asked if or when the EAB would get to Fridley.
Mr. Lindquist said it is guesswork when the EAB will arrive, but once identified it would take
about 5-10 years to spread throughout the city.
Mr. Velin asked how to contact Mr. Lindquist if they have further questions.
Mr. Lindquist said residents can call Public Works at 763-572-3655 and ask for the city forester.
Responses to Mayor Regarding Open Hauling Newsletter Article
Ms. Harris reported that, to date, the Mayor has received 28 responses from residents about the
Open Hauling newsletter article. Twenty one of those responders were in favor of organized
garbage collection and gave reasons such as cheaper garbage hauling cost to residents, reduction
of noise, less air pollution, and perceived damage to roads. Six people wanted to keep the e�sting
trash hauling system, citing no observed air or noise pollution and the right to choose. One person
asked about recycling containers.
Ms. Nelson said there would be fewer emissions, less noise pollution and less leaking of the
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garbage liquids because there would be fewer garbage trucks on the road.
Garbage Transportation Study by Kate Meyer, MURP
Ms. Harris worked with 7im Kosluchar, Fridley Public Works Director, Kate Meyer, former City
of Fridley code enforcement intern, and Prof. Carissa Schively, University of Minnesota, to design
a garbage transportation study for Fridley. In May 2009, Ms. Meyer completed her Master of
Urban and Regional Planning from Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs and submitted this
Garbage Transportation Study as part of her graduation requirements. Staff appreciated her
research into the garbage transportation practices of neighboring communities.
Ms. Andrews asked about the distribution of the paper.
Ms. Harris said the paper was emailed to commission members in early February so they could
have time to review it.
Mr. Svanda said he didn't have any questions about the study.
OTHER BUSINESS/ANNOUNCEMENTS
Council/Commission Survey — Ms. Harris reminded commission members to submit their Council
Commission Survey to the City Administrator's office. This survey aids staffin setting annual
policies and is an important aspect of citizen engagement in our community.
Neighborhood Sustainability Conference and Living Green Expo — Ms. Harris noted that
commission members received an announcement for the St'` Annual Neighborhood Sustainability
Conference and the 9t'` Annual Living Green Expo in their monthly meeting packet. She has
attended, and volunteered for, both events in the past and found that each event offers residents a
chance to attend workshops and speak with local and national experts. Both events are free and
open to the public. She invites all residents to attend and encourages EQE Commissioners to
report back at the ne�t meeting about what they learned.
Mr. Svanda asked what time the conference begins on Saturday.
Ms. Andrews said she remembered receiving an agenda for that event.
Ms. Harris said the St'` Annual Neighborhood Sustainability Conference on Saturday, March 13,
2010, runs from 8:30am to 4:30pm at Central Lutheran Church, 333 12th Street South,
Minneapolis. The church is located ne�t to the Minneapolis Convention Center. All EQE
Commissioners are invited.
ADJOURNIVIENT
APPROVAL OF ADJOURNING THE T n �.rr T n v v i� MARCH 9, 2010, ENVIRONIVIENTAL
QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MEETING.
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MOTION by Ms. Johns, seconded by Mr. Svanda to adjourn the meeting.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON VEL1N DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED AND THE MARCH 9, 2010, ENVIRONIVIENTAL QUALITY &
ENERGY COMMISSION MEETING ADJOURNED AT 8:14 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Rachel Harris
Environmental Planner and Staff Liaison
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