04/21/1998 - 00003696CITY OF FRIDLEY
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MEETING
APRIL 21, 1998
CALL TO ORDER:
Chairperson Sielaff called the April 21, 1998, meeting to order at 7:34 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Members Present: Brad Sielaff, Jack Velin, Rich Svanda
Peter Panchyshyn, Rosalie Landt
Members Absent: None
Others Present: Julie Jones, Recycling Coordinator
APPROVAL OF FEBRUARY 17, 1998, ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY
COMMISSION MINUTES:
MOTION by Svanda, seconded by Ms. Landt, to approve the February 17, 1998,
Environmental Quality & Energy Commission minutes.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SIELAFF DECLARED
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
1. NEW BUSINESS:
a. Resignation of Commissioners Bondow and Saba
Mr. Sielaff announced that Commissioners Bondow and Saba have chosen not
to seek reappointment.
Possible forms of recognition of these two resigning chairpersons were
discussed.
Mr. Sielaff stated he would like to recognize the resigning commissioners at the
next meeting at Springbrook Nature Center.
Ms. Landt questioned how the City would advertise for the two commission
openings.
The Commission members agreed that the openings should at least be
advertised in the Focus News.
b. View "Affluenza Video
Ms. Jones explained that she wanted the Commission to see the "Affluenza"
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APRIL 21, 1998 PAGE 2
video to see if they thought it was appropriate to show to groups to encourage
waste reduction.
After viewing the one-hour program, it was the consensus of the Commission
members that this video would be most appropriate for high school students to
see.
b. Discussion of Waste Generation Trends
Ms. Jones summarized a report that was presented to the Anoka County Solid
Waste Abatement Advisory Task Force regarding the concept of "Zero Waste"
and "Sustainable Integrated Solid Waste Management". She stated she had
great concern that the latest interpretation of waste designation laws is causing
more and more waste to be landfilled while existing resource recovery facilities
lie idle or operate under designed capacity.
Mr. Sielaff questioned what the task force's response was to the report.
Ms. Jones stated that most recycling coordinators were disappointed to see the
trends presented. No plan of action was set, however, at the task force meeting.
Mr. Sielaff questioned the status of a plan to the process of developing a
regional waste management group.
Ms. Jones stated that a regional waste management group is quickly being
formulated.
No action by the Commission was necessary on this item.
2. OLD BUSINESS:
a Update on Springbrook CWP Project
Ms. Jones reported that the intern started April 6 and immediately began
training. Sampling began April 3, but monitoring equipment is only installed at
two of the four inlet sites. Staff has not yet received authorization from
Springbrook Apartments to install equipment at the pond within the apartment
development. If approved, staff is prepared to install that site's equipment and
the other locations next week. She was unsure if SEH had installed the
monitoring equipment at the outlet yet.
Ms. Jones stated Braun Intertec, Inc., has been selected from three proposers
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APRIL 21, 1998 PAGE 3
for the lab testing. A contract with Braun was approved by the Council on April
6.
Ms. Jones stated staff has applied for two other grants in an effort to gain
additional funds for the project. One is a DNR grant, and staff requested funds
for completing the seedback assay and vegetation mapping. The other grant
request was to Metropolitan Council for money to build a display.
Ms. Jones explained that the work plan is finished, but she still needs to compile
the whole thing and send copies with an overview memo to the four cities
involved. She also needs to write a report (which was due last January) to the
MPCA.
Ms. Jones stated a meeting of the Education Subcommittee is scheduled for
April 28 for the purpose of developing an education plan to be attached to the
work plan.
b. Update on Wellhead Protection Plan
Mr. Sielaff explained his understanding of the wellhead protection process and
stated that the City needs to incorporate any requirements into the 1999 budget
process. He requested that staff continue to update the Commission on any
progress with the plan.
c. Update on Fridley EcoTeams
Ms. Jones reported that a representative of Global Action Plan will be
conducting a brief presentation at the April 23 Block Captain's annual meeting.
The goal is to solicit volunteers to form two more EcoTeams in Fridley.
3. OTHER BUSINESS:
a. Announcement of Tour of Springbrook Project at May Meeting
Mr. Sielaff inquired as to everyone's availability for the tour on May 19. It was
decided that everyone should meet at 6:45 p.m. at Springbrook Nature Center.
b. Earth Week
Ms. Jones announced that the Recycling Center is celebrating Earth Week this
week and circulated the newspaper ads for reference.
ADJOURNMENT:
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APRIL 21, 1998 PAGE 4
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 APRIL 21, 1998, MEETING ADJOURNED AT 9:31
P. M.
Respectfully submitted,
Julie A. Jones
Staff Liaison to the Commission