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EQEC 09/11/2012 - 31339Call to Order ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AND ENERGY COMMISSION Fridley Municipal Center, 643� University Ave NE Meeting Minutes Tuesday, September 11, 2012, 7:00 p.m. Chairperson Vein called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Members present: Eric Boyles, Courtney Ehlers, Jonathan Bonkoski, Jack Velin, Paul Westby, and Todd Olin (arrived 7:08 p.m.) Members absent: Rich Svanda Others present: Julie Jones, Planning Manager, City of Fridley, Kay Qualley, Planning Intern, City of Fridley, Rich Hirstein, Allied Waste/Republic Approval of May 8th, 2012 Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Minutes: Commissioner Westby noted a typo at the bottom of the second page. MOTION by Westby, seconded by Bonkoski, to approve the May 8t'' 2012 minutes as corrected. UPON A VOICE VOTE, CHAIRPERSON VELIN DECLARED THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. New Business New Commission Member Chair Velin welcomed new commission member Eric Boyles and asked Eric to tell a little about himself. Commissioner Boyles said he grew up in Mounds View, but has lived in Fridley in the Mississippi River area with his wife for three years. He works in broadcasting journalism and is currently employed at the Medtronic World Headquarters. Recycling Report Rich Hirstein from Allied Waste/Republic Waste (aka Allied) reported that the conversion to the new single sort curbside recycling program in May went very smoothly. The only confusion for some people was the switch to the every other week schedule. Allied will be mailing out the 2013 collection calendar in early December this year to avoid confusion in to the new year. Mr. Hirstein said that one driver collects all of Fridley, collecting one half of the City one week and the other half the ne�t week This driver knows the routes very well and can even tell you which houses recycle and which ones do not. The driver told him that certain neighborhoods were poor recyclers before, but, now, nearly every household in the neighborhood is participating. The driver estimated a 91% participation rate. ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AND ENERGY COMMISSION Fridley Municipal Center, 643� University Ave Ne Minutes Tuesday, May 8th, 2012, 7:OOp.m. Mr. Hirstein provided tonnage reports for May through August, showing a 109 ton increase from the same time period last year. The report was handed out to Commissioners and is attached at the end of these minutes. Commission member Boyles asked how much of the increase quantity of recyclable material set out is actually recyclable. Mr. Hirstein stated that 4-5% is actually garbage once they sort it out. Mr. Hirstein stated that the driver noted some minor issues with people placing the cart incorrectly at the curb, but he leaves people a note about getting that corrected. Ms. Qualley asked how many people had requested a larger recycling cart. Mr. Hirstein did not have numbers on that, but clarified that the company offers that option at no e�tra charge. Kay explained that there had been an error in the company mistakenly charging a handful of residents who made the switch to a larger cart, but that the company was very responsive in getting that matter corrected promptly. Chair Velin asked why plastic bottle caps are supposed to stay on the bottles now. Ms. Qualley, Mr. Hirstein, and Ms. Jones explained the sorting process and how the caps have a better chance of making it through the sorting lines to the plastics recycling bin if the caps are left attached to the bottles. Mr. Westby asked if Allied Waste makes any money off of recycling the plastic bottle caps. Mr. Hirstein explained how companies like Coke and General Mills want the plastic from their products to be recycled. Chair Velin asked about what happens to paper. Mr. Hirstein explained that paper can be recycled multiple times until the paper fibers shorten to a point that they can only be made into something like an egg carton, which is the lowest grade paper with a lot of glue holding the short paper fibers intact. When Allied bales paper, they sort it into grades to maximize the value. Mr. Hirstein gave each commissioner a copy of a DVD that explains the recycling sorting process in an animated format. Mr. Hirstein explained that a new recycling truck have traditionally cost $260,000-270,000 but the new MnDOT regulations are now pushing the cost of a truck to $305,000. Ms. Qualley asked if the company is considering converting to natural gas trucks. Mr. Hirstein said the company is converting some, bringing on 30 new compressed natural gas trucks in 2013. Older trucks will be re-used in another market. Mr. Hirstein stated that Allied Waste/Republic Waste is the second largest recycling company in the world. Ms. Jones said that as promising as the recycling level increases are, it will likely not be a large enough increase to allow the City to meet the County's 2012 recycling goal for Fridley. Mr. ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AND ENERGY COMMISSION Fridley Municipal Center, 643� University Ave Ne Minutes Tuesday, May 8th, 2012, 7:OOp.m. Hirstein noted that Anoka is having the same problem. Ms. Jones pointed out that Anoka, like Fridley, has a high rental housing population. Commissioner Ehlers pointed out that when she lived in River Point Apartments, there was very little recycling education. Mr. Hirstein pointed out that he has attempted to educate apartment owners during an annual meeting for owners about the financial benefits of higher recycling rates, but no one seemed interested. Commissioner Boyles asked if there is any hope to recycle delivery pizza boxes as he heard Minneapolis was offering it. Mr. Hirstein explained that the grease in the base of the pizza boxes is a serious problem for paper processing and cannot be recycled, but one could tear off the top of the box and recycle that in their cart. He said that is a very difficult message to convey to the public, however, because there are so many different types of pizza boxes, some of which might have elements which could be recycled if they don't come in contact with grease. Because of the confusion this could generate, they prefer to keep the message simple: no pizza boxes. Chair Velin thanked Mr. Hirstein for his time. Mr. Hirstein thanked the Commission for their support of the recycling program and the work they put into designing a good service and their volunteerism. Recycling Facility Tour Before Mr. Hirstein left, Ms. Qualley explained that he was also very helpful in speaking to a tour of Allied's Recyclery in Inver Grove Heights. The City coordinated a bus tour of 25 participants to the facility, where Fridley residents got to see how materials are sorted and baled for market. Many seniors hinted that they would like related future tours. Recycling Drop Off Ms. Qualley reported that the drop off date was changed to Oct. 13th to avoid a conflict with a fire and police event the previous weekend. As a bonus, the police reserves will have an officer on hand for another prescription drug drop-off. After collection of approximately 42 pounds of prescription drugs at the Spring Fridley Recycling Drop-off, it was felt that an ongoing program could be investigated. Anoka County sheriff's department and the Fridley Police Dept. are discussing whether a permanent drop box would make sense in Fridley but in the mean time, prescription drugs in their original containers will be accepted at the Oct. 13th City of Fridley Recycling Drop-off event. The City will need to charge more for air conditioning units, large console and televisions over 32" in size this year. Also, other large electronics will not have one free. This is because the implementation of the single sort system city-wide has eliminated the City's income from recycling. The City has charged similar rates for recycling these items in the past based on fluctuating incomes from recycling, so it was felt that there would not be any ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AND ENERGY COMMISSION Fridley Municipal Center, 643� University Ave Ne Minutes Tuesday, May 8th, 2012, 7:OOp.m. major difficulties for the public. A mailing with the rates will go out around Sept. 15th, 2012 so Fridley residents can view the new rates in advance. Other Business Commission member Bonkoski asked when the Commission is going to resume and complete the organized garbage collection study. He shared his recent experience of obtaining a significant garbage service fee reduction. Ms. Jones explained that the City Manager asked to delay the discussion until the LRRB garbage transportation study was complete, which is still pending. Following some discussion, the commission expressed strong interest to resume the study at their November meeting so that it can be concluded and a recommendation issued. Some of the questions asked or comments made: • Will there be a cart pickup charge if collection happens and your current company is not the one selected? • Will people locked into multi-year contracts be able to get out of them in order to participate with organized garbage collection? • Widely varying rates between haulers which are reduced the minute you call and/or price shop are unseemly and may mean many residents may be overpaying without realizing it. Bike Racks Commission member Bonkoski asked when the bike racks that were a result of the BWTC grant will be installed in the parks. Ms. Jones said she understood that once the concrete pads were expanded that the bike racks would be installed. Ms. Qualley mentioned that she was told that the project would be completed this fall. Locke Lake Conditions Commissioner Olin commented that he and his neighbors are very concerned about this summer's lake quality on Locke Lake. It smells bad and has been green all summer. The neighbors attribute the problem to the 2011 train derailment and have been commenting unfavorably about the lake quality. Ms. Jones suggested contacting the RCWD about the problem to see what they have to say. Commissioner Olin mentioned a study of the lake being conducted by a Dr. Mulla (sp?) from the University of Minnesota. He also said that there was not good support of raingarden installation in his area, that he was the only one who agreed to do it. He wondered about resources, education and support of the program and discussion centered around staff availability and web resources like Blue Thumb.org and watershed districts in the area. Ms. Qualley suggested that staff could see if someone from the watershed district could ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AND ENERGY COMMISSION Fridley Municipal Center, 643� University Ave Ne Minutes Tuesday, May 8th, 2012, 7:OOp.m. report at the ne�t meeting. Commissioner Ehlers asked if anyone knew if anyone is monitoring where Rice Creek enters the Mississippi River to see if water quality is being impacted at that point. She also asked who is responsible for finally getting the bike trail rebuilt in that area. Ms. Jones said that the County Parks Division had received grant money to get the trail rebuilt. New Environmental Web Page on City of Fridley Web Site Commissioner Ehlers requested that an "Environmental Information 101" web page be developed and placed on the City of Fridley's web site. She said that much of the information which would be useful to residents (raingardens, recycling, general environmental awareness, and water quality improvement) could be done in a simple straightforward way in one area. Old Business The 2010-2011 City of Fridley Pedestrian Bicycling Study draft is nearing completion according to Kay Qualley, Planning Intern and Julie Jones, Planning Manager. It was discovered that most auto trips are short, within a'/z mile radius of home. Making it easier and safer to conduct a larger number of errands and work trips using bikes or on foot will have a positive impact on City air quality and overall health. Ms. Jones explained that the project had been funded by a State Health Initiative Program grant and that another grant had been received for 2012-2013 to expand upon the information from the last grant. From September 11-13th, 2012, additional intersections will be surveyed and pedestrians and bicyclists counted in association with the SHIP grant and a Minnesota Department of Transportation initiative. These results and additional projects will be combined by staff to create an Active Living Plan for the City of Fridley which will be completed in early 2013. This plan will emphasize obtaining daily exercise through a slight shift in normal routines as we travel to work or obtain essential services, shop and dine. There was discussion among the Commissioners about how well this ties into the Northstar Rail and TOD objectives. Next Meetin�s/Announcements Tuesday, November 13, 2012, 7 p.m., Conference Room A(Main Level) ADJOURNMENT MOTION by Westby; seconded by Ehlers, to adjourn the meeting. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE CHAIRPERSON VELIN DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED AND THE SEPTEMBER 11, 2012 ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MEETING ADJOURNED AT 8:45 P.M ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AND ENERGY COMMISSION Fridley Municipal Center, 643� University Ave Ne Minutes Tuesday, May 8th, 2012, 7:OOp.m. Respectfully submitted, Julie Jones, Planning Manager Attachment 1: Allied Waste/Republic report on City of Fridley Single Sort Tonnage, 05/12 to 08/12