EQE 05/10/2011 - 30035- MIiVUTES
'� Environmental Quality and Energy Commission
cmro� Tuesday, May �o, zo��, 7- 8:05 P.M.
FRtDLEY
Call to Order
Chairperson Velin called the May 1 l, 2011, Environmental Quality and Energy Commission
meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
Members Present:
Members Absent:
Others Present:
Tina Nelson, Rich Svanda, Jack Velin, Paul Westby, Courtney Ehlers,
Todd Olin, Jonathan Bonkoski
Rachel Harris, Environmental Planner
Bill Burns, City Manager
APPROVAL OF JANUARY 11, 2011, ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY
COMMISSION MINUTES:
MOTION by Mr. Westby, seconded by Ms. Nelson to approve the January 11, 2011,
Environmental Quality & Energy Commission minutes.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON VELIN DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
New Business
Updates on Organized Garbage Collection Study
Dr. Burns reviewed the memo from the commissioners' packet. He said he initially thought to
mail a solid waste questionnaire to a randomly selected sample of about 2,500 Fridley residents.
He has since consulted with a survey company called Decision Resources. Their staff said
typically, few people respond to mail surveys. He received advice to instead consider a straw
poll. The thought is based on a concern that we not bring a debate on organized garbage
collection into a Council meeting without having a better idea of where the community stands on
this issue.
Dr. Burns advised that the commission wait to see what happens in Maplewood and see how
their process unfolds. He also suggested the commission wait to make a recommendation until
the local road research board concludes their study on garbage trucks wear and tear of city
streets.
Dr. Burns suggested that a commissioner make a YouTube video similar to that of city council
member John Maplewood. He asked for volunteers. Commissioners considered the idea though
none volunteered.
Mr. Westby asked how long Maplewood has studied the organized garbage collection topic.
Dr. Burns said about the same length of time, but their council is more favorable.
-, MINUTES
�� Envrronmental Quality and Energy Commission
F�wDL� Tuesday, May �o, zo��, 7- 8:05 P.M.
Mr. Velin said he would enjoy more peace and quiet on the streets.
Annua149ers Parade - EQE Commission Participation Guidelines
Ms. Harris said commissioners will need to meet at 6 p.m. near the high school. The parade
begins at 6:30 p.m. and lasts about 1 1/2 hours. In past years we've handed out 2000-3000
trinkets to people watching the parade. The trinkets were pencils or magnets with a recycling
message. This year we will have buttons with a recycling message and another button with a
storm drain message.
Ms. Harris said a map of the parade route and line-up order will be mailed out by June 10. As
usual, Mr. Velin will drive the golf cart. New this year, Mr. Velin will coordinate the evening so
you can RSVP to him.
Mr. Velin asked for a copy of the new EQEC member list to be sent to each member.
Ms. Harris said she would take care of that.
Ms. Nelson said she and her 3 year old son had a great time last year and he really enjoyed being
in the parade.
Mr. Velin introduced the next topic.
2011 Comprehensive Plan Action Steps Related To Environment
Ms. Harris said one of the comprehensive plan action steps included developing a tree
preservation ordinance. The process of writing the text amendment is set to begin in 2011. To
start, staff will review tree preservation ordinances in neighboring communities. One of the
objectives is to create a policy that will require property owners to replace trees that are lost
during storms.
Ms. Harris said she has recently been studying effective ways of writing public policy. She
learned that it's best to use as few words as possible to get the point across, make it easy to
understand and easy to enforce.
Ms. Harris said a second action step in the comprehensive stated staff would review the existing
wetland buffer standards. Staff hoped to complete that in 2010, but had to set that project aside
when the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources invited city staff to participate in the
Mississippi River critical area rule rewriting year-long process.
Old Business
Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area Rule Rewriting Process Update
- MINUTES
'� Environmental Quality and Energy Commission
CtTrOF Tuesday, May �o, zo��, 7- 8:05 P.M.
FRIDLEY
Ms. Harris said she communicated with the League of MN Cities to learn the latest details about
the Mississippi River critical area rule rewriting process. Legislation to reverse the critical area
rule rewriting process was introduced in January 2011.
Craig A. Johnson, Intergovernmental Relations, League of Minnesota Cities, reported:
The legislation before the Senate, as amended, is removing statutes that were passed two
years ago, that required state rules to be developed by the DNR and a process and criteria
list and process would be used in that effort. The legislation has yet to be heard/pass the
House.
Those rules failed to be completed before the timeline ran out for the rule authority, so
removing the statutory language is not particularly meaningful, since the rules can't
continue without legislative re-authorization, anyway.
Even if this legislation is passed and is not vetoed, the executive order that has been in
place since 1976 will continue to provide baseline for state guidelines for land use in that
area, as it has since it was first enacted by Gov. Quie.
Ms. Harris referred to the Minnesota Public Radio article that was included in the
commissioners' packet.
Ms. Nelson said she thought she heard the storm warning siren go off. Fellow commissioners
concurred the tornado warning siren was sounding.
Ms. Harris suggested all move down to the building's lower level for safety. Commission
members opted to go home instead.
Mr. Velin said the meeting would adjourn immediately due to the storm warning at 8:06 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
�'�a�e a�-�-��
Rachel A. Harris
Environmental Planner and Staff Liaison