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EQECM 09/08/2015 ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AND ENERGY COMMISSION Fridley Municipal Center, 6431 University Ave Ne Minutes September 8, 2015, 2015, 7:00 p.m. Minutes Location: Conference Room A (Main Level, Fridley City Hall) Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 7:04 p.m. by Chairman Todd Olin. Commissioners Hanson and Mulrooney made and seconded the motions to commence. One guest, Nick Olberding, and one member of the media were welcomed. Approve Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Minutes Approve Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Minutes of August 11, 2015. MOTION by Commissioner Stoxen and seconded by Commissioner Hanson to approve the August 11, 2015 minutes of the Environmental Quality and Energy Commission was made. The motion passed unanimously. New Business Guest Speaker, Bart Biernat: Anoka County Water Resources, Know the Flow website and the Water Plan for Anoka County; emerging concerns; water sustainability and water-wise irrigation Bart presented the information for the Know the Flow website and asked for help for classes being held in September for children. Other new business was removed from the agenda to allow time for the second speaker. It was suggested that this website, “Know the Flow” be cross-referenced in Fridley educational materials, newsletter and new website. Old Business Max Cowger, Environmental Planning Intern, presented his finding and recommendations for improving recycling at apartments in the City of Fridley. To re-cap from the last EQEC meeting, recycling tonnage records from the past six month show that while the County and State are expecting each apartment resident to recycle 175 pounds per year, even the best apartments are recycling only 40 and 60 pounds per unit (updated information)—which could be a one or two bedroom apartment with more than one person residing there. The focus group of apartment managers convened by Mr. Cowger indicated that, of the attendees, only two managers thought that garbage and recycling were going well: the two that use cameras in their garbage and recycling areas. The managers discussed common issues with recycling and asked to meet quarterly with fire/police/rental inspections and recycling on a rotating basis. There was discussion in the group about creating good relations with the police department through periodic meetings of this type. Mr. Cowger presented ideas on education and improved labeling and the next th meeting was set-up for Oct. 14 to present pilot project labeling materials like the special, visually-oriented dumpster magnets and recycling cart stickers. These were developed by Fridley City staff to better accommodate children, those who may not speak English as a first language and are designed to be viewed from a distance. The managers also asked if camera or enclosure grant programs could be offered. Mr. Cowger detailed where he dropped off the hundreds of recycling totes and showed Commissioners the 2’ x 3’ garbage and recycling magnet proto-types and samples of the revised stickers he developed for recycling carts. Because his internship was 2 months and not 3, he did not have enough time to create the checklist for apartment managers to select the educational pieces that work best for their operation. City staff will review the budget and discuss the apartment project with Anoka County Solid Waste Abatement group toward next steps in increasing tonnage of recyclables and decreasing code enforcement garbage issues with multi-units. Other Adjourn MOTION by Commissioner Hanson and seconded by Commissioner Foell to adjourn at 8:05. The motion passed unanimously.