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EQEC 11/13/2012 MINUTES Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Tuesday, November 13, 2012 Call to Order Chairperson Velin called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Commission Members Present: Courtney Ehlers, Jonathan Bonkoski, Eric Boyles, Jack Velin and Paul Westby Commission Members Absent: Todd Olin and Richard Svanda Others Present: Kay Qualley, Environmental Planner, City of Fridley Matt Kocian, Rice Creek Watershed District APPROVAL OF SEPTEMBER 11, 2012, ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MINUTES. MOTION by Commissioner Ehlers and seconded by Commissioner Westby to approve the September 11, 2012, Environmental Quality & Energy Commission minutes. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON VELIN DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. APPROVAL OF 2013 MEETING DATES. 2013 meeting dates were presented as: Jan. 8, March 12, May 14, July 9, Sept. 10 and Nov. 12. MOTION by Commissioner Westby and seconded by Commissioner Ehlers to approve the 2013 EQEC meeting dates. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON VELIN DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Commissioner Ehlers asked (second request) that the Environmental information page on the City of Fridley web site be improved and fixed. New Business Environmental Planning position filled Kay Qualley, former City of Fridley planning intern, announced that she had been hired in October as the new Environmental Planner in the Fridley Community Development department. She stated that it was a privilege both to work for the Commission and to become a staff member with such an excellent team of professional planners at the City of Fridley. Presentation from Rice Creek Watershed District Ms. Qualley showed a map of Fridley delineating the three watershed districts (Coon Creek, Rice Creek and Mississippi Watershed Management Organization). Rice Creek Watershed District MINUTES Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Tuesday, November 13, 2012 representative Matt Kocian, Lakeshore and Stream Specialist was introduced. Mr. Kocian explained that he has been employed by the Rice Creek Watershed District for five years. A brief history of the Rice Creek Watershed District ensued. Mr. Kocian stated that the organization was formed in 1972 to prevent flooding and enhance water quality in harmony with development. Mr. Kocian explained that the RCWD drainage flows through Clear Lake, Lino Lake and Long Lake west to Locke Lake and from there, the district’s drainage ends by emptying into the Mississippi River. In all, 186 square miles of the Rice Creek Watershed District drains through Locke Lake into the Mississippi River. A recently conducted Southwest Urban Lakes Study assessed water quality in relation to State of Minnesota standards. He showed various samples of water quality in Locke Lake and east and west Moore Lakes over an approximately nine year period. Seccci depth, clarity of the water and dissolved oxygen was discussed. Mr. Kocian expanded upon the term phosphorus budget (aka phosphorus load). He stated that the MN Pollution Control Agency set the standards. When Commissioner Bonkoski asked if any of the lakes in the RCWD are meeting standards, Mr. Kocian stated that West Moore Lake was not far off and that elsewhere in the district, Lake Johanna was meeting standards. He explained that East Moore Lake was subject to more stormwater, therefore was not as well off as West Moore Lake. Similarly, Locke Lake, as a pass-through body of water subject to the stormwater impacts of such a large area, has water quality largely impacted by the activities of stormwater, lakes and streams uphill, elsewhere in the district. Locke Lake’s phosphorus load has been above previous averages the last couple of years, but especially in 2012. The train derailment could have contributed slightly to the phosphorus spike but in all likelihood, low rainfall and less water movement through Locke Lake were of greater importance in the increased phosphorus levels in 2012. Mr. Kocian stated that dissolved oxygen levels were sufficient to support fish on Locke Lake and that no fish kill resulted from the accidental deposition of corn in the lake. When asked about local RCWD plans, Mr. Kocian mentioned the completion of the Fridley Middle School Project, a stormwater-intercept containing linear raingardens. It was a project funded by the Watershed District, Anoka County Conservation District and the State of Minnesota. He further stated that RCWD was looking to partner with local entities. For instance, if the City of Fridley is considering water quality improvement projects, RCWD would like to talk. Commissioner Westby asked if raingarden plants could be used along a river bank. Mr. Kocian replied, “Yes, but a consideration for rivers is canopy cover. Willows are nice because they have a thin canopy and small leaves which allow sunlight to penetrate—streams need sunlight”. Commissioner Westby asked if there were restrictions about these types of plantings—are they the same for lakes and rivers? Mr. Kocian replied that plants (like those used in the rain gardens) might not need permits. Mr. Kocian showed a slide taken along Hwy. 65, north of Mississippi Rd. (KQ note: possibly near Osborne) which had a pipe that flowed into a storm sewer. The pipe MINUTES Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Tuesday, November 13, 2012 was near a bike path. He suggested that this was an excellent location for a rain garden project. At this point, Mr. Kocian explained that filtration devices were needed at the entrance point of a raingarden to capture particulate matter flowing from streets, lawns and parking lots. He mentioned that Anoka County manufactured a well-designed filtration model. Ms. Qualley added that previous filtration box designs seemed unwieldy for periodic clean out. Commissioner Bonkoski mentioned that he lives about a mile from the Mississippi River in an area of Fridley that had the street recently re-done. He was one of the two neighborhood residents who agreed to install raingardens at that time. He discussed his recently constructed rain garden and expressed concern that it doesn’t drain. Mr. Kocian and Commissioner Bonkoski talked about the raingarden and determined that a layering effect of soil types may have created a barrier to effective percolation and that would have to be resolved for the garden to work as designed. Compost incorporation and an under-drain might be needed, as well. Commissioner Bonkoski said that the plantings will be installed in the spring of 2013 and wondered if grants were available to help with purchasing the plant material. Mr. Kocian thought that grants focused mainly on construction but that it might be a possibility. Mr. Kocian explained that biofiltration is the key to a successful raingarden. Most of Fridley has high filtration potential because of sandy soils. But there are pockets of clay and heavier loam soil so in those cases under-filtration devices (perforated drain tile) should be installed. Ideally, under-filtration devices should lead to the storm sewer so as not to cause flooding and overspill of the raingarden in the event of larger rain events. Another component being added to raingardens and stormwater intercept points is iron-enhanced sand. In aggregate, iron and phosphorus bind to one another so the phosphorus cannot move into the water body. Commissioner Westby asked how long the iron lasts, how long is it useful? Mr. Kocian stated that twenty years is thought to be the useful life span of the iron’s binding capabilities, but the presence of additional silt could affect that projection. Further raingarden and stormwater discussion ensued. Commissioners Ehlers and Bonkoski and Chairman Velin asked questions about grants, how people could access information about rain gardens and mentioned a local group in the Logan Park area. It was explained that the Blue Thumb.org site had excellent information and that although Dawn Pape (former education coordinator) was no longer with RCWD, a new education coordinator has been hired and would soon be available district-wide. Mr. Kocian also stated that cost-share grants are available. Commissioner Bonkoski asked if residents could apply for them and was told that they could. Note: Mr. Kocian added the following information about the RCWD after the meeting adjourned: “Regarding goals (for Fridley): Similar to MPCA, we have both numeric goals (for various pollutants) and descriptive goals (for use). For lakes, we have two sets of goals. First, State Water Quality Standards are set for streams and lakes. Shallow lakes (Locke and West Moore) have different criteria than deep lakes (East Moore). The main stream criterion is for MINUTES Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Tuesday, November 13, 2012 chloride (road salt). Second, RCWD developed different sets of goals for our lakes depending on ” their RCWD “Tier”. Recycling Drop-off Report Environmental Planner Qualley presented a staff report with graphs of the composition of recyclables collected from the 2012 Recycling Drop-off Events. An increase in charges for electronics and poor weather reduced participation in the fall 2012 event. The cost (revenue/expense) of providing the two events is around $50,000. Batteries and fluorescent tubes are very popular recycling items. A prescription drug drop-off was offered to residents and over sixty pounds of drugs were collected at the two 2012 events. Discussion is underway about providing a permanent collection point for prescription drugs at the City of Fridley Police Department. BAE Site The developer for the large former BAE site along East River Road (south of 694) will be a company called Real Estate Recycling. This firm has won awards for brownfield redevelopment. Paul Hyde, a principal in Minnesota Real Estate Recycling has contacted the City of Fridley Community Planning Department to say that a project for the BAE site will be advancing soon. From an environmental standpoint, additional reclamation of this property is very desirable. The process of a 4410.3610 Alternative Urban Areawide Review Process will commence. Other Ms.Qualley asked if EQEC elections are held in January or May (when the Commission terms expire or commence) and mentioned that elections for Chair of the group had not taken place this year for 2013. Discussed ensued. The Commission decided to hold elections at the meeting for the 2013 EQEC Chair position. MOTION by Commissioner Westby, seconded by Commissioner Bonkoski to nominate Chair Velin as 2013 Chairman of the Environmental Quality and Energy Commission UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON VELIN DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Old Business There was no staff update from Public Works Director Jim Kosluchar as he had an unexpected conflict and was unable to attend. Commissioner Boyles stated that he had investigated whether or not residential holders of MINUTES Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Tuesday, November 13, 2012 longer-term garbage hauling contracts would be penalized if the City of Fridley moved toward organized collection and they didn’t fulfill their contracts with assorted haulers. He explained that he discovered those contracts would be null and void and not be a problem for residents. Ms. Qualley said that the City of Maplewood implemented organized garbage hauling in October of 2012 after more than a year of meetings and vigorous input from haulers and residents of that community. The Commissioners asked when the topic may be resumed. Ms. Qualley stated that Dr. Burns, the City Manager was retiring at the end of December and that a search firm has been retained. It seems unlikely that this major undertaking would be able to commence in the interim, also taking into account that the Environmental Planner is new. th The Commission’s next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 8 at 7 p.m., Conference Room A in the main level of the Fridley Municipal Building. ADJOURNMENT Chair Velin asked if there was any further business. He stated that, hearing of no further business he would like to entertain motions to adjourn the meeting. MOTION by Commissioner Westby, seconded by Commissioner Boyles, to adjourn the meeting. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON VELIN DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED AND THE NOV. 13, 2012, ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MEETING ADJOURNED AT 8:30 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Kay Qualley Environmental Planner City of Fridley Community Development Department