Loading...
12/21/1999 - 00002346CITY OF FRIDLEY ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MEETING DECEMBER 21, 1999 CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Sielaff called the December 21, 1999, meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. ROLL CALL: Members Present: Brad Sielaff, Jack Velin, Pete Panchyshyn, Barbara Johns, Michele Maher (arrived 8:30 p.m.) Members Absent: Rich Svanda, Rosalie Landt Others Present: Julie Jones, Recycling Coordinator J. Drake Hamilton, Minnesotans for an Energy Efficient Economy (ME3) APPROVAL OF NOVEMBER 16 1999, ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MINUTES: MOTION by Mr. Panchyshyn, seconded by Ms. Johns, to approve the November 16, 1999, Environmental Quality & Energy Commission minutes. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SIELAFF DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 1. NEW BUSINESS: a. Presentation by J. Drake Hamilton, ME3, on "Smart Growth" Ms. Jones introduced J. Drake Hamilton from ME3, Minnnesotans for an Energy Efficient Economy, a non-profit group. Ms. Hamilton explained what ME3 does and how the "Smart Growth" concept came about. ME3 studied two different scenarios—the "sprawling" scenario and the controlled growth scenario, calculating the costs of each scenario. Each concept would accommodate the 385,000 new households expected in the 13 county metro area by the year 2020. The cost difference of the two scenarios was $3 billion more for the "smart growth" concept. ME3 then studied the environmental costs related to not making the $3 billion investment. Ms. Jones questioned if a dollar value was placed on the environmental benefits of the Smart Growth concept. Ms. Hamilton stated they found the greatest benefit was saving green spaces, on which they could not put a dollar value. ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MINUTES, DEC. 21, 1999 PAGE 2 Mr. Sielaff questioned how Fridley can do much in working towards the Smart Growth concept since Fridley is generally fully developed. Ms. Hamilton agreed, but emphasized that it is important for cities like Fridley to pay attention to what neighboring developing communities are doing. Mr. Panchyshyn asked if the study looked at commercial development and requirements for green space. Ms. Hamilton stated the study did not analyze commercial development—only residential. Mr. Sielaff asked what Fridley can do to promote the Smart Growth concept. Ms. Hamilton suggested studying the information of the Center for Watershed Protection (Tom Schuller, national expert) in the project and report and on its web side. She also suggested contacting AI Singer, DNR Greenways Corridor (651-772-7952) representative. Ms. Hamilton stated ME3 will be holding a contest for good examples of Smart Growth in the metro area next year. (Michelle Maher arrived at 8:30 p.m.) Ms. Jones informed the Commission that Fridley has registered to be part of a national Smart Growth working group. b. Review Transportation section of Comprehensive Plan Draft Ms. Jones suggested that the Commission analyze the draft Transportation Plan regarding the environmental impacts of various components. Mr. Sielaff stated that the City should encourage companies more to subsidize bus transportation as an effort to increase ridership. He also commented that the City is pursuing completion of missing connections to existing bike trails in the community. c. Update on State Waste Reduction Ms. Jones stated that she recently attended a kick-off ineeting for the upcoming multi-year state waste reduction campaign which will begin in January 2000. Radio and television ads will be airing across the state. Most other functions need to be carried out by local contacts. The state is developing things like camera-ready artwork, presentation materials, and posters. She stated she would like to pursue support of the campaign; however, since no monies are budgeted for "waste reduction" efforts in 2000, she may be limited in what she ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MINUTES, DEC. 21, 1999 PAGE 3 can do. She suggested that the EQE consider this campaign when they make recommendations for 2001 goals and objectives. Assuming the campaign continues beyond 2000, it would be wise to plan to fund it, if SCORE funds are available. d. Tree Preservation Ordinance The Commission members discussed the Tree Preservation Ordinance. Ms. Johns suggested that the Commission members come to the next meeting with some ideas for different alternatives. Ms. Maher stated that the City needs to be sensitive to the fact that we don't want to make it too difficult to develop the few buildable lots left in the City. Also, she felt that most homeowners are not going to remove a lot of trees from their properties without good reason because people recognize the value of trees. The suggestion was made that possibly the City could do more to promote affordable tree replacement. MOTION by Mr. Velin, seconded by Ms. Johns, to table further discussion of the Tree Preservation Ordinance until the next meeting. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SIELAFF DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. e. Report on St. Paul's Effort to Expand Free Market_ Metro Wide Ms. Jones reported that she recently attended a meeting regarding the possible expansion of St. Paul's "Free Market" project to include the entire metro area. The Free market is a waste exchange for household items. For example, if someone has some extra landscape timbers that they don't need, they can list it with the exchange to see if someone else can use them instead of discarding them. The exchange system has been very successful; but it makes sense to expand it beyond St. Paul's borders. Anoka County has indicated an interest in funding the program. It would work excellent in Fridley since we would simply link to it on the City web site. Again, Ms. Jones said this is an item not budgeted for 2000, but it should be considered in the 2001 goals and objectives. f. Development of 2000 Workplan Ms. Jones asked the Commission's desire for a format for a 2000 workplan. It was agreed to continue to use the same format as in previous years. ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MINUTES, DEC. 21, 1999 PAGE 4 2 Mr. Sielaff suggested that the Commission continue to work on the solid waste management study for Fridley. The Commission should also focus on waste reduction education. He also mentioned that the Commission should continue with a focus on water quality protection. The tree preservation ordinance review and other items passed on to the Commission by the City Council should also be added to the workplan. OLD BUSINESS a. Review Demographic Data Pertaining to 1999 Citizen Survey Results Ms. Jones reported that the Management Assistant just got the survey data formulated today. There have been technical glitches in converting the data for several weeks. The data is now being forwarded to students at Totino Grace High School for a coursework project. She has placed a request to have all demographic data correlating to the recycling questions on the survey. However, she did not expect any results back until February. The Commission members also requested the demographic data on the questions in the survey referring to the Springbrook Nature Center. b. Discussion of California Recycling Study Ms. Jones stated that the research has not arrived. She will discontinue putting this item on the agenda on the assumption that she will never receive it. 3. OTHER BUSINESS a. Update on Springbrook CWP Project Ms. Jones reported that work continues on the completion of a draft final report for the project. However, it now appears that there will not be enough information together for a meeting to review the initial draft until February. b. Update on Wellhead Protection Ms. Jones stated John Flora reports that the City is still waiting for the Minnesota Department of Health to do its part. c. Staff Report on Electronics Drop-off Ms. Jones stated that the electronics' drop-off was successful in adding about 25 more tons than what is normally collected on a monthly recycling drop-off day. This may be enough to allow Fridley to reach 108% of its County recycling goal in 1999, whichs means the City qualifies for thousands of dollars in additional ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MINUTES, DEC. 21, 1999 PAGE 5 SCORE funds. Ms. Jones stated she is continuing to pursue a vendor who will staff an electronics' recycling station at next year's monthly drop-off days. She is also pursuing joint operation with the City of Spring Lake Park. ADJOURNMENT: MOTION by Ms. Johns, seconded by Mr. Velin, to adjourn the December 21, 1999, Environmental Quality & Energy Commission meeting. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SIELAFF DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED AND THE DECEMBER 21, 1999, MEETING ADJOURNED AT 9:40 P. M. Respectfully submitted, Julie A. Jones Staff Liaison