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EQE 11/08/2011 - 30038� . �, •: MINUTES Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Tuesday, November 8, zo�t, 5:00 — 6:0o P.M. Call to Order Chairperson Velin called the November 8, 2011, Environmental Quality and Energy Commission meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. Members Present: Members Absent: Others Present: Courtney Ehlers, Jonathan Bonkoski, Tina Nelson, Todd Olin, Rich Svanda, Jack Velin, Paul Westby Rachel Harris, Environmental Planner APPROVAL OF MAY 10, 2011, ENVIRONMENTAL OUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MINUTES: MOTION by Mr. Svanda, seconded by Mr. Westby to approve the September 9, 201 l, Environmental Quality & Energy Commission minutes. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON VELIN DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Staff Report Resource Conservation — Recycling Drop-off Day October 8 Ms. Harris said members of local civic organizations, the Knights of Columbus Oak Grove, Knights of Columbus Fridley, and the Lions Club of Fridley volunteered at the Fall Recycling Drop-off on Saturday, October 8. It's good they were there because we served 585 vehicles in 4 hours and 20 minutes. Council members Ann Bolkcom and Dolores Varichak volunteered again. Ms. Harris invited the EQE Commissioners to volunteer during the 2012 recycling drop-off events Ms. Harris had received the material processing reports and learned that Fridley residents recycled 82 tons of material including at about 15,000 pounds of scrap metal, 416 appliances, and 2 semi trucks full of electronics. Many residents said, "Thank you," for the convenient drop- off as they entered the gate. Ms. Harris reported the dates for 2012 have been set for the third Saturday in April, the 21S`, and the first Saturday in October, the 6th. Staff anticipates a slight drop in tons recycled at the 2012 Recycling Drop-offs because fewer items will be recycled free of charge. Mr. Svanda said he participated as a volunteer at previous events and unloaded dozens of electronics. Mr. Westby said he also volunteered and saw the benefit to the community at this popular recycling event. MINUTES � Environmental Quality and Energy Commission ��, Tuesday, IVovember 8, zo��, 5:00 — 6:0o P.M. Outreach — Grant for Bike Parking Racks Ms. Harris reported that Fridley was one of 15 communities in the Twin Cities selected to participate in the federally funded bike parking rack grant. The total award for this grant was $75,000 with Fridley receiving $4,200. This program covers 100% cost of purchase and delivery of bike parking racks. Other costs, including planning, application preparation, site preparation, were covered by the city. Additional costs of installation and 5 years of maintenance will be incuned in the future. Ms. Harris reported that Fridley staff from parks maintenance, engineering and planning departments collaborated on this bike parking grant to strategically locate these new bike parking racks in public parks throughout our active community. Staff considered the number of bicycles seen at ball fields for softball and baseball games, number of amenities at parks, proximity to regional bike trails, and locations of gathering places like a school, library, stadium, the municipal center and the community center. After attending bike parking training for grantees, staff agreed to follow the guidance included in the Association of Bicycle and Pedestrian Professionals (APBP) updated Bicycle Parking Guidelines including minimizing bicycle and motor vehicle conflicts in parking lots, locating bike parking near trails entrances or parking lot entrances. Ms. Harris said based on these considerations staffselected Commons, Community, Madsen, and Innsbruck parks and the upper and lower level of the municipal center for the 48 bike parking racks. Once installation occurs in spring 2012, we'll have 96 new bike parking spots. Mr. Westby said this is a great resource and wondered how residents could find out about the bike route map and accompanying bike safety information. Ms. Harris said she made available one map to each of the 100+ Night to Unite parties. The map has also been available to the public for download on the city's website since July 2011. Mr. Westby suggested sharing the bike map with the Fridley Focus so that more residents and businesses could learn about the resource. Mr. Velin asked how the routes were selected. Ms. Harris said the routes were based on the 1975 Bike Walk Study master plan and data that arose out of the 2011 bikeability walkability assessment. New Business Recycling Contract Report MINUTES � Environmental Quality and Energy Commission �� Tuesday, November 8, zo�t, 5:00 — 6:0o P.M. Ms. Harris stated that plans had changed and staff decided to cancel the invited guest speaker. Instead of hearing about recycling program options the staff had decided to pursue a request for proposal (RFP) for a one year contract as well as a multi-year contract. Ms. Harris asked the commissioners if they had features they would like to see in the next service contract. Mr. Bonkoski asked for clarification and types of features. Ms. Harris said she read recent contracts and RFPs from neighboring Twin Cities communities such as Maplewood, Roseville, Plymouth, St Paul, Minnetonka, Columbia Heights and Golden Valley. They differed in products recycled and services offered. One service collected textiles at the curb, one collected scrap metal less than 24" at the curb and one held monthly recycling drop-offs (without subsidizing the fees). Mr. Westby said we should ask for four recycling drop-off events per year with subsidies, maybe from revenue sharing. Ms. Harris said another service provider used natural gas in the trucks to cut down on emissions. Mr. Westby said our community and environment could benefit from trucks running on biodiesel. Ms. Nelson said fewer truck trips on the street from a single-sort every other week recycling service would reduce noise pollution and wear and tear on our streets. Mr. Bonkoski thinks a one cart recycling service would be easier for people who are frequent recyclers. Mr. Velin suggested making a deal with the new contractor to take back — and recycle or repurpose — the blue bins we currently use. Ms. Hanis said staff will make a decision on the received proposals in the next two months. Recycling Drop-off Facility at Hennepin County Ms. Hanis said the Hennepin County recycling drop-off facility will allow Anoka County residents to attend. Any costs to dispose of goods not borne by the resident will be paid by Anoka County Integrated Waste Management. Ms Harris quickly provided background information about the resolution that Council members MINUTES � Environmental Quality and Energy Commission ���' Tuesday, November 8, zo�t, 5:00 — 6:0o P.M. passed in November 2010 reyuesting Anoka County study the costs and benefits of operating a county-wide recycling drop-off facility. The resolution was distributed to Commissioner Kordiak at the January 2011 county-wide recycling coordinators meeting. Neither staff nor Council received a response to this formal study request. Ms Hanis said our Council and City Manager have not forgotten the need of Fridley residents who are looking for year round opportunity to dispose of bulky items in an environmentally friendly manor. Ms Harris wished to extend appreciation to Dr Burns for researching additional recycling drop- off options for Fridley residents and writing about it in the December newsletter. As an outcome, Fridley residents are encouraged to participate in the Hennepin County recycling drop-off center in Brooklyn Park in lieu of a similar and non-existent Anoka County service. This Hennepin County facility is open year-round and costs are subsidized by Anoka County through a reciprocity agreement. Mr. Bonkoski and Mr. Westby asked what items can be dropped off at the Brooklyn Park facility. Ms Harris replied electronics can be recycted free of charge and mattresses can be recycled for $15 each. She referred the commissioners to the handout. Old Business Local Road Research Board Study Update Ms. Hanis said the LRRB study is still pending and updates will be provided as they become available, likely after the new year begins. MOTION Mr. Svanda made a motion to table the Local Road Research Board Study Update until the next meeting on January 10, 2012. Mr. Westby seconded the motion. Next Meetin�s/Announcements America Recycles Day - November 15 Tuesday, January 10, 2012, 7 p.m., Conference Room A(Main Level) ADJOURNMENT MOTION by Mr. Svanda, seconded by Mr. Westby to adjourn the meeting. MINUTES � Environmental Quality and Energy Commission ��� Tuesday, November 8, zo��, 5:00 - 6:0o P.M. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON VELIN DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED AND THE NOVEMBER 8, 2011, ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MEETING ADJOURNED AT 6:00 P.M. Respectfully submitted, �_7�1,lf�; _�� Rachel A. Harris Environmental Planner and Staff Liaison