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EQE 04/13/2010 - 29867Call to Order MINUTES ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AND ENERGY COMMISSION FRIDLEY MUNICIPAL CENTER, 643� UNIVERSITY AVE NE TUESDAY, APRIL �3, zo�o, 7:0o P.M. Chairperson Velin called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. Roll Call Members Present Members Absent: Others Present: Barb 7ohns, Tina Nelson, Rich Svanda, 7ack Velin, Paul Westby Anne Andrews Rachel Harris, Environmental Planner Julie Jones, Planning Manager Bill Burns, City Manager Fritz Knaak, City Attorney Sig Scheurle, MPCA Scott Lund, Fridley Mayor Mr Delaney, Riverview Terrace Resident APPROVAL OF MARCH 9, 2010, ENVIRONNIENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MINUTES: MOTION by Ms. Johns to amend minutes to state that she was in attendance at the March 9 meeting, although she did arrive 40 minutes late, and motion seconded by Mr. Svanda to approve the March 9, 2010, Environmental Quality & Energy Commission minutes. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON VEL1N DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. New Business Panel Discussion Part 1: Benefits and challenges of implementing a city-wide organized garbage collection Dr. Burns, Fridley City Manager, introduced Part 1 of the panel discussions. He shared the November 2009 Star Tribune article that lead to residents contacting the city to request a change in street traffic. These factors led to further research by city staff. In response to resident concerns, Dr. Burns decided to write a series of newsletter articles to educate our citizens. Residents had responded to Mayor Lund with 21 comments in favor of organized garbage hauling and six were opposed. Additionally, Mr. Delaney, a resident, brought up the topic of garbage hauling in open forum at a recent City Council meeting. Page 1 of 6 Dr. Burns shaped a several month-long study plan about garbage transportation that will create an open and informational dialog. Various aspects about garbage transportation will be covered throughout the year and possibly in to ne�t year. This study plan was delivered with the March 2010 agenda packet to EQE Commissioners. There is a need for case history on law and to listen to other cities about open hauling versus organized collection. Dr. Burns introduced part one of the study plan. He said the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) produced a study of organized garbage collection systems and efforts and Mr. Sig Scheurle, MPCA staffwas here to tell us about the collection systems study. Mr. Scheurle covered key points of the report. He said the MPCA had not taken a position for or against organized collection. When Minnesota cities considered making a change in garbage transportation systems the leadership worked with committees such as EQEC. He mentioned that information was gathered from the MN Commerce about money spent in the garbage business. It is a large industry and $1 billion per year is spent on solid waste in Minnesota; and $5.58 million is for trash. Mr. Scheurle said the cities that do have organized collection have incentives to reduce waste, offer a lower monthly cost to residents, and customers are more likely to focus on prevention and recovery of trash materials. One thing that haulers have done is send mailings about garbage transportation to retain existing customers and no cities have switched to organized garbage since 1991 because of effectiveness of the haulers' media campaigns. Haulers oppose organized hauling because they lose fle�bility in pricing. For them, organized hauling can mean a loss of revenue. Haulers have attempted to sue cities for condemnation; however, the legal issue of condemnation has not been settled in haulers favor since 1993. Mr. Scheurle said that a recent study by the City of Falcon Heights revealed that 72 percent of the US cities outside of Minnesota have one hauler for garbage transportation while 29 percent of Minnesota's cities have one hauler. Mr. Westby asked why MN has fewer cities with one hauler. Mr. Scheurle said MN has a law that is protective of haulers and the law was established at the time when MN had a vibrant mix of small, independent haulers. Mr. Scheurle continued his presentation. He reported that a portion of the fees associated with Robbinsdale's organized garbage collection system is directed to a$150,000 capital improvement fund that maintains streets. Garbage trucks, both empty and full, are among heaviest on the road, based on axel weight. The City of Falcon Heights attributes wear on streets to garbage trucks. Mr. Scheurle concluded that the household trash rate is lower with an organized garbage hauling system. A city effectively manages contract and becomes a negotiator for households. Also, recycling capture rates are higher with organized garbage hauling. There is reduced air pollution and truck noise. The MPCA study, however, is opposed by garbage haulers. Another factor to consider is the additional administrative burden for a city. Mr. Scheurle said several Twin Cities area municipalities are studying organized trash collection systems. These are Golden Valley, Maplewood, St Paul, Fridley, and Edina. Nearby cities [to Page 2 of 6 Fridley] that have organized trash collection are Columbia Heights, Blaine, and Robbinsdale. If a city chooses to pursue organized garbage collection, the process will test solidarity of City Council. They will run into organized opposition from the garbage haulers. Helping residents understand pros and cons will help the process. It's also good to understand ongoing administrative costs. Mayor Lund asked if Mr. Scheurle has ever heard of a city that reverted from organized to open hauling. Mr. Scheurle said he had, but, that was because the city was at odds with the county solid waste board. Mr. Delaney suggested we could have a zone collection to offer part of the city to each of our four licensed haulers. Mr. Scheurle said that was a possibility for the community to consider. Mr. Delaney wondered why are haulers are typically opposed to organized collection. Mr. Scheurle said haulers would lose the flexibility of charging a variety of prices to their customer base. Mr. Knaak asked which is more common, a zone collection or one hauler for entire city. Mr. Scheurle said one hauler for entire city is more common, though with the flexibility in the law haulers can bid for zone districts. Mr. Svanda said we already have districts in our city. Ms. Jones said it depends on what you want to do and based on her experience at Crystal there are legalities with creating a zone system because you need to create a consortium of haulers. Dr. Burns asked about Mr. Scheurle's experience with consortiums of haulers. Mr. Scheurle said that concept has faded —all haulers to jointly set route Mr. Knaak asked if anyone use municipal employees. Mr. Scheurle said Red Wing, St. Cloud, half of Minneapolis and Moorehead. Mr. Knaak asked if there was much difference in the cost between city workers versus private workers for hauling garbage. Mr. Scheurle said not much. Mr. Lund said Blaine used to collect trash with city workers and switched to using the garbage hauling company's staff. Ms. Johns asked if we know the council's position. Page 3 of 6 Dr. Burns said that they have not taken a position. Mr. Lund said Council has asked the EQE Commission to take a look at the issue and then the Council will take up the issue. Mr. Westby asked if switching to organized trash would heavily weigh on staff. Ms. Johns said that was not addressed yet. Mr. Scheurle said it is worthwhile to talk to other cities. Staff Report Results from April paper shredding and preliminary results from spring recycling drop-off Ms. Harris reported that Randy's Document Destruction division helped dozens of people safely recycle important papers. At least 4,500 pounds of paper was recycled from 9am -12noon on Saturday, April 3. The spring recycling drop-off day on April 10, served 286 vehicles and was a success. Many residents e�tended their gratitude to the City for offering this service. People did not mind paying fees. EQE Commissioners Mr. Svanda and Ms. Andrews volunteered at the event as did planning manager Ms. Jones. Ms. Harris e�tends her appreciation for their contribution. Ms. 7ohns wondered if the high turn out because of timing of the mailing and that it arrived in peoples' mailboxes a week in advance. She asked if the recycling drop-off had enough volunteers. Ms. Harris said there were enough volunteers. The vehicle traffic flowed smoothly once she adjusted the staffing at the entrance gates from two to four people. Regarding the mailing, she typically plans that the recycling drop-off brochure will arrive one to two weeks in advance of the event. Mr. Svanda commented on what he observed while volunteering at the electronics station. He found it was easier to unload vehicles because they were staggered at the gate. Meeting 1 of DNR Critical Area rules revision process administration of critical area rules why redoing the rules? We are implementing the executive order (already in e�stence), these DNR MCCRA rules will help with implementing the Exec Order. workgroup - we provide input into the MRCCA draft. In each geographic workgroup, we'll determine how the resources will be collected, not what will be protected timeline - there will be 2 more workgroup meetings before the rule writing deadline in Sept 2010. Page 4 of 6 topics — interagency and inter-rule definition matching. BJ: the enforcement falls by the wayside, dump leaves in waterway, throw brush. RH: Agrees that enforcement is a challenge. We have multiple agencies that oversee the river. Old Business There was no old business to report. Other Business/Announcements North Metro Sustainability Roundtable, Fridley Municipal Center, May 13, 2010, 3-8pm Ms. Harris hopes that at least one EQE Commissioner is able to attend the North Metro Sustainability Roundtable and then report back to the commission at a the ne�t meeting. She said the topics to be covered are water quality, blue star cities, rain barrels, rain gardens, composting, urban forestry/ tree planting, volunteer-based habitat restoration and green streets. Ms. Harris asked if there are any topics they would like to learn about. Mr. Westby requests that all property owners within'/z mile radius of the river corridor prevent any further application of pesticides and herbicides. Landscaping for water quality — Blue Thumb and FMR resources on the web Ms. Harris recently included landscaping for water quality information inside the annual curbside recycling brochure. Both the Blue Thumb and Friends of the Mississippi River are internet-based resources and have several articles about rain gardens, rain barrels, and shore stabilization. Ms. Harris handed out the Blue Thumb Gardening Pledge to EQE Commissioners and encouraged them to fill it out or share it with a neighbor. Ms. Harris reminded the EQE Commissioners about two upcoming meetings. At the May 11, 2010, EQE Commission meeting we will hear Panel Discussion, Part 2: Legal requirements for establishing organized garbage collection systems with case history and limitations of city charter by Fritz Knaak, City Attorney. On June 24, 2010, 6— 8 p.m., commissioners will have an opportunity to provide environmental education while walking in the annual 49ers Parade. We can do our best work if we have at least five commissioners to hand out 2,500 pencils made from recycled newspaper. Ms. Harris handed out samples of the pencils to the EQE Commissioners. Mr. Westby said it is important to reach all the watching the parade including the ones seated away from the street. He said he really has to distribute the trinkets creatively to get to all the people in the back rows. Page 5 of 6 ADJOURNIVIENT APPROVAL OF ADJOURNING THE APRIL 13, 2010, ENVIRONIVIENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MEETING. MOTION by Rich Svanda, seconded by Paul Westby, to adjourn the meeting. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON VEL1N DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED AND THE APRIL 13, 2010, ENVIRONIVIENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY CONINIISSION MEETING ADJOURNED AT 8:54 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Rachel Harris Environmental Planner and Staff Liaison Page 6 of 6