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02/17/2004 - 00028038CITY OF FRIDLEY ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MEETING FEBRUARY 17, 2004 CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Johns called the February 17, 2004, meeting to order at 7:40 p.m. ROLL CALL: Members Present: Barb Johns, Rich Svanda, Anne Andrews, Barbara Kovacic Members Absent: Jack Velin, Michelle Maher Others Present: Julie Jones, Environmental Planner APPROVAL OF JANUARY 20, 2004, ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MINUTES: MOTION by Kovacic, seconded by Svanda, to approve the January 20, 2004, Environmental Quality & Energy Commission minutes as written. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON JOHNS DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 1. NEW BUSINESS: a. Development of 2004 Work Plan The status of the 2003 Work Plan items were discussed. Potential items for a 2004 Work Plan were discussed. Ms. Jones requested that the Commission consider spending time reviewing two topics related to curbside recycling services as the City needs to decide in a few months what the City's contract arrangements will be effective April 1, 2005. These two topics were revenue sharing and single-stream recycling. The Commission members discussed, and it was agreed, that the Commission would study revenue sharing and single stream recycling, with an August deadline. Mr. Svanda suggested adding an air quality category in place of light pollution, which should include an item about pursuing Clean Air Minnesota initiatives. The Commission members questioned partnering with the Rice Creek Water Shed District. Ms. Jones said she made contact with the Rice Creek Water Shed District and hopes that this will continue. Ms. Johns asked about adding a school recycling item under environmental education. The Commission decided to remove some other items from the 2003 Work Plan. ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MINUTES FEBRUARY 17, 2004 PAGE 2 b. 2004 49ers Day Parade Ms. Jones asked if Commissioners want to register to be a unit in the June 17, 2004 49ers Day parade. Ms. Jones explained that she will be on vacation and may not be able to be present to set up everything for the Commission that evening. The Commissioners decided to register for the parade, assuming someone on the Commission will be able to pick up the materials at City Hall. c. Impaired Waters Material Review Mr. Svanda said he does not believe the draft legislation, as written, with the property tax fees will be proposed this session, because the governor opposes any new fees or tax increases. A new proposal involves a 3/16% sales tax option with a sunset. It was agreed to continue watching what happens with the impaired waters initiative. 2. OLD BUSINESS: a. Continued Discussion of Clean Air Minnesota Materials Ms. Johns reported on some new information obtained from the City of Minneapolis regarding what they do internally to protect air quality. The Commission members decided to further study the Minneapolis examples to see what can be done in Fridley. Ms. Jones stated she will forward Barb Johns e-mail message from Jennifer Tschida, City of Minneapolis, to the other Commission members with e-mail, so they can have some more ideas for the work plan and study options. b. Review of 2004 Environmental Essentials Ms. Jones asked if there were any requests for language changes on the proposed Environmental Essential fact statements for upcoming 2004 issues of the City Newsletter. There were no changes made to the fact statements as written. c. Update on Multi-Unit Recycling Grant Project Ms. Jones reported that she recently got a request from Eureka Recycling for all of her data since last July. There apparently was a misunderstanding, because she had no understanding that she was supposed to be collecting data beyond the month of July, where she had tracked the recycling and refuse generation quantities at three apartment complexes in Fridley. Ms. Jones had not heard back from Eureka Recycling's staff since this discovery to see if Fridley can still be part of the grant project. Update on Springbrook Watershed Implementation Project ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MINUTES FEBRUARY 17, 2004 PAGE 3 Ms. Jones reported that, upon direction from the Springbrook Watershed Advisory Committee, the City of Blaine is studying options for storm water controls upstream of Northtown Mall. Completing the University pond project under budget has freed up some CWP grant funds that may allow the project to accomplish more physical improvements than originally thought. Even though we are only halfway through the Phase II project, recent financial reports show that Fridley has already exceeded its staff commitment to the project. However, the other partnering cities are struggling to meet their in-kind commitments to the project. The topography study of SNC has been stalled due to a dispute about whether Coon Rapids staff will help ACD with the process. The Wetland Drawdown Subcommittee is meeting later in the week to refine the Springbrook Wetland Management Plan, another key task in the project due to be completed this winter. Plans are still underway for the April 17 Yard & Garden Fair at the Springbrook Nature Center. e. Update on Commission Opening Ms. Jones reported that a notice of vacancy was placed in the February City newsletter. At this time, she was not aware of any applicants. K��� �: I�:� =1��� I 0 I��3a Ms. Jones asked if anyone had any new information about the Federal Energy Bill, which was apparently introduced late last week. She distributed copies of a response she had received from Senator Coleman's office on the 2003 Energy Bill. Ms. Jones distributed copies of an article on the stormwater treatment mechanism that was installed by Locke Lake a couple years ago for the Commission's information. I_\�11L�1�1:7►1►�il�►�� MOTION by Svanda, seconded by Kovacic to adjourn the meeting. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON JOHNS DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED AND THE FEBRUARY 17, 2004, ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MEETING ADJOURNED AT 9:18 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Julie A. Jones Staff Liaison