05/20/1997 - 00003741CITY OF FRIDLEY
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MEETING
MAY 20, 1997
CALL TO ORDER:
Chairperson Sielaff called the May 20, 1997, meeting to order at 8:05 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Members Present: Brad Sielaff, , Jack Velin, Peter Panchyshyn,
Rich Svanda, Bruce Bondow,
Members Absent: Rosalie Landt, Dean Saba
Others Present: Julie Jones, Recycling Coordinator
APPROVAL OF APRIL 15, 1997, ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION
MINUTES:
MOTION by Mr. Bondow, seconded by Mr. Velin, to approve the April 15, 1997, Environmental
Quality & Energy Commission minutes.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SIELAFF DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
APPROVAL OF MAY 20, 1997, ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION
AGENDA:
Ms. Jones suggested adding a summary of the Environmental Education conference she
recently attended under "New Business" and an update on the Commons Park Wellfield
Evaluation under "Old Business". The agenda was amended as suggested.
1. NEW BUSINESS:
a. Election of Officers (1997-1998)
Chairperson Sielaff declared the nominations open for chairperson.
Mr. Bondow nominated Brad Sielaff for chairperson. Mr. Velin seconded the
nomination.
Hearing no other nominations, Chairperson Sielaff declared the nominations closed.
MOTION by Mr. Velin, seconded by Mr. Bondow, to cast a unanimous ballot for Brad
Sielaff as Chairperson of the Environmental Quality & Energy Commission for 1997-98.
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION. MAY 20, 1997 PAGE 2
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SIELAFF DECLARED
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Chairperson Sielaff declared the nominations open for vice-chairperson.
Mr. Velin nominated Rich Svanda for vice-chairperson. Mr. Bondow seconded the
nomination.
Hearing no other nominations, Chairperson Sielaff declared the nominations closed.
MOTION by Mr. Panchyshyn, seconded by Mr. Bondow, to cast a unanimous ballot for
Rich Svanda as vice-chairperson of the Environmental Quality & Energy Commission
for 1997-98.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SIELAFF DECLARED
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
b. Discussion Regarding Resource Conservation Benefit Study
Ms. Jones apologized that the study was not as detailed and extensive as she
understood it would be. She explained that the Tellus Report will serve as an
addendum to the State's Policy Plan which is expected to be released in the next
month.
Mr. Sielaff questioned whether or not it would be appropriate for the Commission to
comment on the Policy Plan.
Ms. Jones stated she would investigate whether or not an opportunity remains for the
Commission to comment on the Policy Plan.
(Mr. Svanda arrived at the meeting at 8:10 p.m.)
Mr. Velin questioned if there was a list of acronyms available.
Mr. Jones stated that ARM recently released one which she could include in the next
agenda packet.
c. Review of Blaine Waste Management Study
Ms. Jones summarized the key points of the Blaine Waste Management Reduction
Study. She apologized for not being able to confirm prior to the meeting why Blaine did
not continue the study.
Mr. Sielaff stated that there were certain aspects of the project that were effective and
parts, like the workshops, seemed ineffective. For example, the "reduce junk mail"
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION. MAY 20, 1997 PAGE 3
postcard appeared effective.
Mr. Bondow stated that one thing not mentioned in the study was the status of the
economy or the employment rate at the time of the study, which could have impacted
the results.
The Commission members agreed that it would be helpful to find out if and why the City
of Blaine has continued or not continued expanding the waste reduction effort city-wide.
Mr. Sielaff suggested calling Metropolitan Council regarding their plans for continued
funding for this effort.
d. Report on Environmental Education Conference
Ms. Jones reported that she attended the 8t" annual Environmental Education
conference in Duluth on May 17-19, 1997, and came back with many interesting ideas
for future presentations at Springbrook Nature Center. One of the most useful sessions
she attended focused on population growth which included viewing a dramatic video
developed by Zero Population Growth. She stated she would try to obtain a copy of the
video so the Commission could view it sometime.
Mr. Velin questioned what the paper clip game entailed.
Ms. Jones explained how the game worked and how it showed that there needs to be
ownership and boundaries for natural resources to prevent them from recklessly being
consumed or destroyed.
Mr. Sielaff questioned if any sessions related specifically to local government.
Ms. Jones summarized the message of one session that talked about the sustainable
development goals of the Governor's roundtable on sustainable development.
2. OLD BUSINESS:
a. Review of 1996 Workplan & 1998 Budget Review Process
Ms. Jones explained the 1998 budget review process. It was concluded that it was too
late for the Commission to impact the 1998 goals and objectives.
Mr. Bondow suggested that the Commission take a look at the 1997 goals and measure
how the City was performing according to these goals. It was suggested that staff take
the 1997 goals and objectives and lay them out in the old workplan format. It was
further requested that the 1998 goals and objectives by laid out in the same format.
After completing an evaluation of the 1997 and 1998 goals and objectives, the
Commission members thought they would be ready to start thinking about 1999 goals
and objectives, which would need to be completed by February 1998.
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION. MAY 20, 1997 PAGE 4
b. Status of Springbrook CWP Project
Ms. Jones explained that since writing the memo, she has learned that having the
Commission serve as the CWP Project Advisory Committee is likely not going to meet
the requirements of the grant. It also would likely be impossible to complete the regular
meetings and CWP Advisory Committee meetings in the same night. If many City staff
members are on the Advisory Committee, it would also make more sense to meet
during the day. She explained that if a member of the Commission is on the Advisory
Committee, they will need to be appointed by the City Council.
Mr. Sielaff volunteered to be a Commission representative on the Advisory Committee.
Ms. Jones stated she would keep the Commission updated as the project develops.
Mr. Velin suggested that Commissioner Dean Saba be asked if he would be interested
in serving as an Advisory Committee representative or an alternate.
c. Update on Commons Park Wellfield Evaluation
Ms. Jones distributed copies of a May 15, 1997, memo from John Flora regarding the
Commons Park Wellfield Evaluation.
The Commission members reviewed the memo. Mr. Svanda raised the question as to
the meaning of a comment regarding investigating the Moore Lake site associated with
the Causeway construction.
3. OTHER BUSINESS:
a. Curbside Recycling
Mr. Velin stated the curbside recycling pickups are getting earlier.
Ms. Jones stated that she is now getting less complaints.
b. Announcement Regarding Change in Location of July and August Meetings
(conflict with School Board meetings)
Ms. Jones confirmed that the location of the Commission's July and August meetings
will also be changed due to the School Board needing to meet at the Municipal Center
while the Community Education Center is being reconstructed.
c. Wall Street Journal Article
Mr. Bondow shared a Wall Street Journal article on landfill space bidding in California.
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION. MAY 20, 1997 PAGE 5
ADJOURNMENT:
MOTION by Mr. Svanda, seconded by Mr. Velin, to adjourn the meeting.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SIELAFF DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED AND THE MAY 20, 1997, MEETING ADJOURNED AT 9:25 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Julie A. Jones
Staff Liaison to Commission