Ordinance No. 0520 09-25-1972:�
ORDINANCE NO. 520
AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING AN ENVIRONMENTAL
QUALITY COMMISSION FOR THE CITY OF FRIDLEY
WHEREAS, the citizens of the City of Fridley recognize the profound impact
of man's activity on the interrelation of all components of the natural environment,
particularly the influences of p opulation growth, urbanization, industrial expansion,
resource exploitation and the new and expanding t�chnology; and
WHEREAS, the citizens of the City of Fridley recognize further the importance
of maintaining and improving the environmental quality of Fridley; and
WHEREAS, broad citizen awareness and support is essential to the successful
protection of the environment;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of
� Fridley that it shall be the public policy of the City to fullfill its responsibility in
assuring to all present and future citizens of this community the continued right
_ to an unpolluted environment and to promote conditions under which man and nature
can exist in productive harmony.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that citizens shall be encouraged to participate
actively in programs and fully support policies for the protection, preservation, and
enhancement of the environment.
The City Council of the City of Fridley does ordain as follows:
SECTION 1. TITLE. This organization shall be known as the Environmental
Quality Commission of the City of Fridley.
SECTION 2. DEFINITION. For purposes of this ordinance, the environment is
defined as all of the natural physical resources of
air, land, surface and sub-surface water, the biotic resources, the man-made
environment. Environment includes the sensorily preceived features of noise, sight
and smell, all plants, wildlife and man himself.
$ECTION 3. PURPOSE. The Commission is established to stimulate interest in, and
to promote an awareness of, enviro�mental concerns among
� citizens of the City of Fridley; to serve as resource agency to the City on matters
regarding the environment; including information on environmental problems, laws,
-- policies and regulations of the county, metropolitan, state and federal levels to the
extent of their effect on Fridley; and to advise the City Council, the City Manager,
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ORDINANCE NO. 520
and other appropriate City Commissions on matters pertaining to the maintenance or ,
improvement of the environment, including the review and recommendation of
programs and policies within the City.
SECTION 4. SCOPE, The scope of the Commission shall be advisory to the
City Council� the City Manager and to other appropriate
Commissions of the City on matters relevant to the environment.
SECTION 5. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES. The duties and responsibilities of
the Commission shall be:
(a) To conduct investigations, studies and analyses relating to
ecological systems and environmental quality within the City;
(b) to develop recommendations on matters of environmental policy
and legislation;
(c) to aid the City in seeking the assistance of educational and
governmental institutions in identifying, protecting and
promoting the use of natural areas within the City as an educa-
tional resource at the request of, or with prior approval from, �
the City Council;
(d) to promote an enlightened public awareness and concern for the
environment among the citizens of Fridley and the Commission may,
upon prior approval of the City Council, initiate, conduct,
coordinate and support educational programs which provide citizens
information about environmental concerns and acquaint them with
community problem-solving methods.
SECTION 6. MEMBERSHIP. The Commission shall consist of seven members, each
appointed by the Mayor upon the approval of a
majority of the members of the City Council. Members of the Commission shall be
residents of the City, shall have an interest in the environment of the City, and
shall be appointed with due regard to their fitness for the efficient dispatch of the
functions, duties and responsibilities vested in and imposed upon the Commission.
The Chairman shall be appointed at-large. The remaining six members shall
consist of two members from each City Ward. Members of the Commission shall
be appointed for terms of th:ree.years�_except for high school or college students who
shaLl be appointed for terms of one year eack; and except for the first Commission
appointed, which shall liave two members wi}h_ one-year terms, one each from Ward 1
and Ward 2, two members with° two=year terms., one each from Ward 3 and Ward 1,
and three members with fhree-year terms, one each frorrr Ward 2 and Ward 3, plus �
the at-large Chairman. Upon the expiration of his term of office, a member shall
continue to serve until his successor shall have been appointed.
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ORDINANCE NO. 520
$ECTION 7. LIAISON. To provide coordination and communication among various
grou—ps wTiere environmental problems may be of mutual concern, but
approached from varying. perspectives, the City Manager, Mayor, Chairman of the
Recreation Commission, and Chairman of the Planning Commission, or their respective
designess, shall, serve as ex-officio, non-voting members of the Commission. There
shall be open communication between the administrative and legislative bodies within
the City on all matters affecting the environment. Where possible the Commission
shall solicit comment from interested parties prior to the submission of any recommen-
dations to the City Council and all interested parties shall have the right to be
heard regarding any proposed recommendation from the Commission to the City Council .
SECTION 8. ORGANIZATION. Following the appointment of the membership,
the Commission shall meet, organize and elect any officers except
Chairman as it deems desirable.
(a) The Chairman shall assure fulfillment of the following responsibilities
in addition to those otherwise described herein:
(1) Call and preside over meetings of the Commissiory;
� (2) appear; or appoint o representative to appear, before
dny City Commission or the City Council to present the
viewpoint of the Commission on matters pertaining to the
environment as it relates to the business under considera-
tion by said Commission or Council;
(3) review the agendas- and minutes of the Planning Commission,
Recreation Commission, and any other established City
Commission at the discretion of the Chairman and inform
the Commission of matters contained therein relative to
the environmenY; and,
(4) provide liaison with other governmental and citizens'
groups in matters concerning the environment for the
purpose of obtaining timely and relevant information for
consideration by the Commission.
(b) The City Manager shall assign one member of the adminisFrative staff
to serve as Secretary to the Commission. The secretary shall perform
only such clerical duties on behalf of the Commission as may be
assigned by the Chairman with the consent o� the City Manager.
Additional advisory staff may be assigned to the Commission by the
City Manager.
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ORDINANCE NO. 520
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$ECTION 9. TASK GROUPS. The Commission may establish specific task groups
to further the objectives of the Commission. Such task groups
shall be appointed by the Cammissiorc.- T6e qualifications for membership, composi-
tion, and duties of said task groups shall be at the discretion of the Commission.
At least one Commission member shall serve on each task group so established.
SECTION 10. COMPENSATION. The members of the Commission shall serve
without pay but may be reimbursed for actual expenses if funds
therefore are provided in the adopted general fund budget.
SECTION 11. VACANCfES. Commission members may resign or be removed
from office by a majority vote of the City Council. Vacancies on
the Commission shall be filled by appointment by the Mayor upon a majority vote
of the Council and Commission members appointed to f oll any vacancy shall serve
for the remainder of the vacated term.
SECTION 12. REPORTS. The Commission shall make such reports as requested
by the City Council and shall prepare an annual report of its
activities not later than August l.
• SECTION 13. MEETINGS. Meetings shall be called by the Chairman and shall �
, be held as necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of the Commission.
All meetings of the Commission shall be open to the public.
SECTION 14. EFFECTIVE DATE. This ordinance shall have full force and effect
upon its passage and publication.
ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FRIDLEY TH15 25Tx DAY
QF SEPTEMBER �9�2
ATTEST:
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MARVIN'�BRUNSE , IT CLERK
First Reading: September 11, 1972
Second Reading: September �5_ �4��
Pub�ication: October 4_ 1977