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12/15/1998 - 00003719CITY OF FRIDLEY ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MEETING DECEMBER 15, 1998 CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Sielaff called the December 15, 1998, meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. ROLL CALL: Members Present: Brad Sielaff, Rich Svanda, Jack Velin, Peter Panchyshyn, Rosalie Landt Members Absent: None Others Present: Julie Jones, Recycling Coordinator Art Dunn, OEA Director Barbara Dacy, Community Development Director APPROVAL OF NOVEMBER 17, 1998, ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MINUTES: MOTION by Mr. Svanda, seconded by Ms. Landt, to approve the November 17, 1998, Environmental Quality & Energy Commission minutes. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SIELAFF DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. NEW BUSINESS: a. State Waste Management Goals - Guest Speaker Art Dunn, Director of the Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance (OEA) Mr. Sielaff introduced Art Dunn, Director of the OEA, explaining that the Commission thought it appropriate to learn more about the direction the State is taking in waste management before they consider studying waste management options for the City of Fridley. Mr. Dunn summarized the state of recycling and waste management in the State of Minnesota. He reported that the State is recycling 45% of its waste now and composting about 30%. He explained that current waste generation rates have increased 16% since 1994, meaning the residents of Minnesota will be generating three times the current waste levels by 2020. He sees one of the big roles of the State is to ensure markets for recyclables with the cities' role being to collect the materials. Mr. Dunn discussed briefly the pursuit of product disposal responsibility on the State level He also explained the solid waste management planning process in the State for counties, stating how each county is creating their plans as part of ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MINUTES DECEMBER 15, 1998 PAGE 2 the regional plan. Mr. Sielaff questioned how the Regional Coordinating Board works. Mr. Dunn explained that the OEA funds the Regional Board. It was clarified that the Regional Board will have about $1.2 million of funding to work with next year. Mr. Svanda explained that the Commission is asking these questions because they want to be sure they have the most effective waste management programs in the City. The current charges for recycling and garbage collection in Fridley were then discussed. Future options for more effective waste management were also discussed. Mr. Dunn explained that he sees a future for separate wet garbage collection with yard waste for composting. Mr. Svanda questioned where the opportunities are for business and multi-unit recycling. Mr. Dunn clarified that the State does allow counties to count commercial recycling toward meeting recycling goals. With the many large businesses located in Fridley, he saw business recycling efforts as a great opportunity for increasing recycling tonnages. Mr. Sielaff asked about the future of SCORE funds. Mr. Dunn explained how SCORE funds are collected. His opinion was that future SCORE funding will likely stay approximately at current levels. Mr. Dunn explained the State's philosophy in pursuit of product stewardship, particularly in the area of CRT recycling. He explained the pressure the State is placing on manufacturers to take their products back or face the penalty of not being able to market their products to any government facility in Minnesota. The Commission discussed ways in which the Commission could assist in getting product stewardship programs in place. Mr. Velin questioned how many waste incinerators are still in operation in the State. Mr. Dunn listed the sites that still exist in the State. The Commission discussed the possibility of State funding for something new ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MINUTES DECEMBER 15, 1998 PAGE 3 like separate wet garbage collection in Fridley. Mr. Dunn applauded Fridley for being a leader in Anoka County in starting recycling efforts earlier than any other city. He encouraged the City to consult the OEA for direction if needed. Mr. Sielaff thanked Mr. Dunn for taking the time to come in and discuss the State's perspective. b. 1999 Curbside Recycling Services RFP - Barbara Dacy, Community Development Director Ms. Dacy explained that she had called Chairperson Sielaff after the last meeting regarding the Commission's motion to request the City Council to extend the existing curbside recycling contract with Waste Management. She explained that staff did go ahead with the Commission's recommendations to go through the RFP process because they were concerned about the customer service issued and felt they could possibly get a better price. She assured the Commission members that their motion was forwarded to the Council and that the Council respects the Commission's opinion. Mr. Sielaff explained that the Commission was also indicating through that motion direction on the pursuit of conducting another solid waste fact-finding study. Ms. Dacy stated she believed the Commission's purpose of a study may have a different focus this time. Ms. Jones suggested that the Commission start work on a plan at the next meeting by discussing the objectives in conducting the study. Ms. Dacy reminded the Commission members that they could ask questions again in the 1999 citizen survey. The following items were postponed until the January meeting. Old Business a. Continued Discussion of 1999 Work Plan b. Update on Fridley Municipal Monthly Option c. Update on Springbrook CWP Project d. Update on Wellhead Protection Other Business a. Update on Anoka County Solid Waste Management Master Plan ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MINUTES DECEMBER 15, 1998 PAGE 4 Ms. Landt requested a brief update on the Springbrook CWP project. Ms. Jones stated she had no new information to report on the CWP project since the last meeting. ADJOURNMENT: MOTION by Mr. Velin, seconded by Mr. Panchyshyn, to adjourn the meeting. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SIELAFF DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED AND THE DECEMBER 15, 1998, MEETING ADJOURNED AT 9:34 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Julie A. Jones Staff Liaison