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EQECM 10/28/2014 v ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AND ENERGY COMMISSION ri Fridley Municipal Center, 6431 University Ave Ne CITYOF Draft Minutes FMDLEY October 28, 2014, 7:00 p.m. Minutes Location: Conference Room A(Main Level) Vice Chairperson Elford called the meeting to Order at 7:05 p.m., as Chairman Olin was delayed. In attendance were Commissioners Elford, Stoxen, Svanda, Westby and Chairman Olin(7:10). Guest speakers were Amy Ulbricht, Anoka County Integrated Waste Management and Sam Hanson, Waste Wise Program Manager, Minnesota Chamber of Commerce. Approve Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Minutes: September 9, 2014 MOTION by Commissioner Elford and seconded by Commissioner Stoxen to approve the September 9, 2014 minutes. Minutes were voted approved. New Business Anoka County Commercial Waste Management Specialist, Amy Ulbricht gave a short presentation about changes ahead for commercial/business recycling. Revisions to Minnesota Statute I I5A.551 were completed in 2014 and require that urban Minnesota Counties' recycling goal move to 75%by 2030, using interim goals along the way. She stated that the residential and commercial mix of recycling will be 50/50. The State is mandating Commercial Recycling starting in 2016: 2013-2014 Legislative session results -County recycling goals to recycle 75% by 2030 and commercial recycling mandate to start January 1, 2016 for generators of 4 cubic yards of material or more. County Solid Waste Management charges for commercial entities were established in 1994, but if they recycle up to 50% of what they purchase, they can appeal the fee for an up to 20% fee reduction. In January of 2015, a requirement for sports venues state-wide to recycle will be implemented, which will affect the National Sports Center in Blaine. Amy's contact information is 763-323-5737 1 amy.ulbricht(j�co.anoka.mn.us. Sam Hanson, Waste Wise Program Manager, Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, spoke next. Waste Wise was hired by Anoka County for 2014 to reach out to businesses to help manage recycling. The Waste Wise program was created by the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce in 1994. The goal is to increase recycling, explore options for composting and organics and to help businesses save money. Waste Wise is an environmentally sustainable consulting company(501(c) 3), which works in close partnership with Anoka County Commercial Waste. Last April, Sam and his team called upon 8 Fridley businesses to discuss ways to go green and transition into more recycling; get the word out. Adding more intensive levels of recycling for businesses can create a lot of challenges: cost, dumpster location and screening and education. It is a new way of thinking about things. Waste Wise can work with interested businesses to help set up(for instance) bins and labels to get from A to B. They can help a business analyze what a waste bill mean. Services are free to the business from Waste Wise. Mr. Hanson attends Chamber of Commerce meetings to talk to businesses. His services are available through the end of the year to any size business or churches. He stated that, "Money talks with businesses". Decreasing the size of the dumpster means a solid waste fee reduction of up to 20%,through a special form and dialogue with Anoka County. Staff asked about planning help for businesses who need to screen any additional dumpsters. Mr. Hanson stated that Waste Wise would help configure screening locations on a commercial site and might have grants through the end of the year for up to$4,000 (2/3 match)for a recycling enclosure. Commissioner Elford asked, "Are you giving points of contacts for the disposal of metal and hazardous waste information too?"Mr. Hanson stated that he forwarded that to Ms. Ulbricht's office but that Waste Wise can do pricing and service quotes. Commissioner Elford, regarding business recycling information, "Do you give out a cheat sheet for dummies?" Mr. Hanson mentioned that education was important and that each business hires their own recycling hauler at this point. Commissioner Stoxen queried, "So, we find out which hauler is being used and prepare a cheat sheet about these new regulations? We need to spread the word about this." Chairman Olin said, "Our Commission is in the process of creating a structure for disseminating information like this. How do we leverage this information? Our goal is not to just collect information and have it die"Commissioner Elford mentioned that property tax statements should have recycling information and updates contained therein. Chairman Olin suggested that the newsletter is the first Actionable Step, YouTube a second, and third: 3 business contacts by Commissioners to businesses should be the way that this information is propagated. Commissioner Elford will contact Cummins and Minnco and Chairman Olin will contact Unity Hospital. There was discussion about the lack of hospital and church recycling next. Ms. Ulbricht said that the City of Lino Lakes was able to take a business list and give it to Anoka County who paid for the information piece and mailing. The City cost was business list assembly time and envelopes to create this joint City/County recycling mailing to the Lino Lakes businesses. Chairman Olin reiterated his desire to promote programs such as this that help businesses. Commissioner Stoxen stated that Fridley should quickly create a business list, with their profiles if we are able to do so. Discussion ensued about the upcoming newsletter. Chairman Olin mentioned that he met with Fridley City Manager Wally Wysopal to talk about a consistent location for environmental information, in newsletters, web-site etc. We are using the newly developed Fridley Footprint as a catchall category for EQEC projects. Chairman Olin stated that we need to catch, grab attention from those for whom we are creating messages. Other MOTION by Commissioner Svanda and seconded by Commissioner Westby to approve the 2015 meeting schedule. Schedule was approved as proposed. Commission Courtney Elford has resigned her position with the EQEC. She stated that her four year commitment was great and that she would continue to feed information about recycling and other important environmental issues to the group. Commissioner Elford has just completed the Master of Recycling program with Anoka County and will use her required volunteer hours in the service of the City of Fridley, working with staff in Environmental Planning. Her fellow Commissioners and staff thanked her for her service with the EQEC. Old Business A completed Organized Garbage Collection Draft Agreement will be completed in November. It will be presented to Council and through a public informational meeting in the next six weeks, following the rules in Statute 115A.94. GreenStep Cities, inventory and first steps will likely involve municipal energy consumption bills. i i There was also discussion about the structure of meetings. Commissioner Westby asked that speakers be scheduled regularly, but not for every monthly meeting in 2015. Chairman Olin stated that it would be best to have guest speakers limited to half hour presentations to allow for breakout session time. Commissioner Svanda stated that Chairman Olin and Staff member Qualley were in a position to create j value and focus for the Commission and that he likes the format. Next Meetings/Announcements Tuesday,January 13, 2014, 7 p.m., Conference Room A (later canceled due to staff illness). Adjourn MOTION by Commissioner Westby and seconded by Commissioner Elford to adjourn at 8:45 p.m. I Respectfully submitted, Kay Qualley, Environmental Planner, City of Fridley EQEC Staff