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HomeMy WebLinkAboutConservation Commission - 05/08/2007 APPROVED MINUTES CONSERVATION COMMISSION TUESDAY, MAY 8, 2007 7:00 PM, CITY CENTER 8080 Mitchell Road, Eden Prairie, MN Collaboration Room COMMISSION MEMBERS: Eapen Chacko (Chair), David Seymour(Vice Chair), Ray Daniels, Laura Jester, Rita Krocak, Geneva MacMillan, Jan Mosman CITY STAFF: Leslie A. Stovring, Staff Liaison Janice Curielli, Recording Secretary I. ROLL CALL Chair Chacko called the meeting to order at 7:02 PM. Commissioner Daniels arrived late. Commissioners Mosman and MacMillan were absent. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Stovring added Items IV.D. Annual Attendance Tally, and IX.E. Other Events. Jester added Item V.B. Living Green Expo Report. MOTION: Krocak moved, seconded by Jester, to approve the agenda as amended. Motion Carried 4-0. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. April 10, 2007 MOTION: Jester moved, seconded by Seymour, to approve the minutes of the April 10, 2007 meeting as published. Motion carried 4-0. IV. REPORTS FROM STAFF A. Wellhead Protection Plan (WHPP) —Ed Sorensen and Kevin Miller Stovring distributed copies of Part 2 of the WHPP dated July 20, 2004. She introduced tonight's guests, Kevin Miller of St. Croix Environmental, and Ed Sorensen, WHPP Coordinator for the City of Eden Prairie. Daniels arrived at 7:16 PM. Miller reviewed the objectives of the WHPP in dealing with septic systems and wells in the City. He said the Minnesota Department of Health manages the Wellhead Protection Program for the State of Minnesota, but ultimately it falls under the Clean Water Act as managed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The WHPP does have a set of activities within the WHPP that must be completed. Eden Prairie Conservation Commission May 8,2007 Page 2 Miller said the goal of the WHPP is to prevent contaminants that may have an adverse effect on health from entering the drinking water. He described the process used to evaluate wellhead protection in the community, including such actions as delineating the Wellhead Protection Area (WHPA), inventorying contamination sources, choosing management tools and making plans for the future. He displayed a slide that marked the location of wells in the City, showed the boundaries of the Drinking Water Supply Management Areas (DWSMA), and evaluated the vulnerability of each DWSMA. Key roads were used to develop the shape of the DWSMA boundaries around the WHPAs in the City. Daniels asked if there are any impermeable barriers between the wells and ground water. Miller said there generally are no natural occurring barriers in Eden Prairie. He said water that falls on the ground surface will typically enter the bedrock and move into the well system within approximately ten years. Daniels asked what the bedrock is in Eden Prairie. Miller said it is sandstone and dolomite, and we are located on the Prairie du Chien and Jordan aquifers. Miller reviewed potential sources of adverse impact on the water supply, including abandoned wells that he said may serve as pathways for future contamination of ground water. He said abandoned wells should be plugged by licensed well drillers so there is a proper well seal at the surface with sloping ground around the well cap. Septic systems are another potential source of adverse impact and any septic system greater than 15 years old should be inspected regularly. Miller said there are planning, zoning and economic considerations, noting that some communities use zoning to manage WHPAs. Some cities offer incentive programs to encourage well abandonment and septic system upgrades. Stovring asked what cost is for these types of actions. Miller said it ranges from $2,000 to $5,000 for well abandonment and $5,000 to $10,000 for septic systems. Stovring said that the City plans to focus on wells and septic systems in the high vulnerability area first. The City is currently developing an educational program for owners as a first step. Krocak asked if we are dealing with residential systems only. Stovring stated that there are few commercial businesses with septic systems. The Flying Cloud Airport has a septic drainfield; however it is not within the WHPA. Stovring stated that the City plans to set up an inspection program and proceed from there. Stovring noted that wells are more difficult to deal with as the owners see them as a free source of water, such as for irrigation, and some prefer the taste of well water to City water. The City will likely need to offer incentives to have those abandoned. Daniels asked if a special assessment program might be possible whereby the owners would pay off the cost over a period of years. Chacko asked if that would mean waiting for the funds to accumulate before doing the work. Daniels asked if Eden Prairie Conservation Commission May 8,2007 Page 3 the City could assess the work over a period of years to pay for the improvements, but the work would be done immediately. Chacko thought the risks of inaction on well abandonment were very high, and even in the case where the City did some cost-sharing with well owners; the benefit-cost ratio was probably favorable. . Stovring said we might want to do a stepped program where the City would provide a septic system assessment and then evaluate what work is needed for repair or abandonment. At that time, the City could evaluate the need to provide incentives to help with the abandonment or repair costs. Miller cautioned against setting up grant programs until the extent of the problem is known. Daniels thought there would have to be some type of penalty in order to entice people to do the work. Miller noted the educational piece of the WHPP has started. Brochures and pamphlets have been made available and information has been placed on the website. Chacko asked if there is anything we can do about the DNR allowing high capacity wells to continue because DNR policies appeared inconsistent with the City's interest in protecting and maintaining its water resources.. Sorensen said that is decided by the state legislature, and currently there is little we can do right now. However, one of the objectives in the WHPP is to develop an administrative process to evaluate potential impacts from high-capacity wells and evaluate zoning measures that could potentially be used to restrict installation of high capacity wells within the WHPA. Seymour asked if that left cities to fight their own battles. Sorensen said the Water Utility Council of the League of Minnesota Cities was formed to help with the politics involved. Daniels asked what Eden Prairie does for testing that might avoid a situation similar to the 3M problem. Sorensen said the MDH does require well sampling; however, if it is found at that point it is too late as it is already in the well system. Miller said there are some gas station sites with leaking tanks in the City that have impacted the ground water. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and City Fire Marshal monitor these removals and determine the extent of clean up required to mitigate any potential risks to the groundwater. Tanks are upgraded or put out of service if leaks are identified. Jester said Dakota County got a grant to do the inspection process. Miller said Hennepin County has had a grant program in the past but is unsure of the status. Chacko thanked Miller and Sorensen for their presentation. Stovring said she will try to work with Mr. Sorensen on a plan to address wells and septic systems that would need to be evaluated and bring it to the next commission meeting. Chair Chacko recessed the Commission at 8:00 PM and reconvened at 8:10 PM. B. City Council—Meeting Schedule and Format C. Workshop Schedule Eden Prairie Conservation Commission May 8,2007 Page 4 Stovring distributed copies of the 2007 Joint City Council/Commission Workshop schedule and the 2007 schedule for commission presentations at Council meetings. She noted the Conservation Commission is scheduled to give a 5-10 minute presentation at both the July 17 and December 4 City Council meetings. Those presentations will be given by the Commission Chair or Vice Chair and the staff liaison. She said the joint workshop meeting on October 16 is intended to be an opportunity for all the Commission members to meet with the City Council and discuss issues. D. Annual Attendance IaL Stovring distributed copies of the attendance record for the Conservation Commission. She said she plans to delete the April 10, 2007 information as that would be in the next year of the commission cycle. Daniels asked if there is a category of excused absence. Stovring said the purpose of the tally is to know how many meetings were attended and if members were tardy and no reasons are listed. The information would be used when asking for reappointment for example. V. REPORTS FROM COMMISSION MEMBERS A. Chair's Summary of City Council Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) Review Meetin! Chacko said the Council voted that the EAW as modified was complete and there is no need for an Environmental Impact Statement(EIS). He said Ms Stovring had summarized and grouped the comments received regarding the EAW, and a high percentage of what the Commission talked about in our letter was included in the amended document. He thought a large number of the amendments reflected the input of the Commission and felt that the Commission did have a meaningful impact on the final work product and was a positive force in the public discussion. Daniels asked who set the criteria for the EAW. Stovring said it is the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board. Daniels said he was in a quandary why all six roads were included and not just Prospect Road. Stovring said part of the reason was to look at the transportation system for the whole area in order to determine other options if Prospect Road was found to produce unacceptable impacts.. Stovring said the EAW would also help in determining the impact of developing Prospect Road as the connector that would provide the second egress for Site A. Daniels felt the EAW was too broadly based and addressed too many problems to be effective. Chacko asked if there was any kind of overall development plan that included environmental costs and benefits as an integral part of the plan, as opposed to assessing them after development options were chosen. Stovring stated there is the City's Comprehensive Guide Plan (CGP) that is currently in the process of being updated. Chacko thought we could help avoid similar situations in the future by requiring in the CGP that environmental impacts be addressed as part and parcel of the planning process on the front-end. Eden Prairie Conservation Commission May 8,2007 Page 5 Daniels stated that he felt the Ridge at Riley Creek development has a number of significant environmental concerns. Chacko asked where we are at in the CGP update. Stovring said it is being updated and is currently being reviewed by the Planning Commission. The document does contain information on zoning but does not contain details. Daniels thought the Planning Commission should have some connection with the Conservation Commission in the beginning of the review process for the CGP as well as development review. While recognizing the overriding charter of the Planning Commission on zoning and land use, it was felt that the Commission should explore ways in which environmental concerns could be better integrated into planning and zoning processes. A discussion followed regarding Conservation Commission engagement with the Planning Commission in the review process. Daniels said he would look into the potential of holding a joint meeting with the Planning Commission or ways in which the Conservation Commission may become more involved in the planning process for environmental issues. B. Living Green Expo Report - Jester Jester said she attended the Living Green Expo and thought it was a very good event. She thought we should try to publicize it more, perhaps by getting the City newspaper to publicize it. She attended the climate change talk where she learned the City of St. Paul saves thousands of dollars using LED stoplights. She thought the commission should encourage the City to use those. Chacko said we are still waiting for the 20-40-15 Initiative that was instituted without a lot of details. City Manager Neal has a new staff member who is developing an action plan around that, and 20-40-15 is an umbrella for these types of ideas. VI. OLD BUSINESS A. Recycling for City Events Stovring distributed a memo from Sandy Werts that listed three events for which the Commission could help with recycling. She noted Schooner Days is not a City-sponsored event. Seymour said the education component is very important, and he thought we should do all three scheduled events this year. Stovring said we would rent recycling bins from Hennepin County, and the Parks Department would pick up the filled bags. She said we could have a booth with brochures at each event. She will try to pick up some brochures about recycling that Hennepin County has developed in other languages. A discussion followed regarding Commissioners' availability to participate in the events. Seymour and possibly Chacko are available for the Arts and Antiques in the Garden event on Saturday, June 9. Stovring said she will see if we can have a booth and will send out an email with the details. Eden Prairie Conservation Commission May 8,2007 Page 6 B. Goose Management Plan Review Stovring distributed copies of a memo from Jim Cooper with questions about the goose management plan. She said a plan was approved by Plymouth whereby 100% of the costs are borne by the city. She said the location must have a minimum number of geese to be removed, and a contractor evaluates the geese prior to pickup. She said there are a number of businesses that have geese on their property here in Eden Prairie, but they don't want to pay for removal. Chacko asked what the cost of goose management is and where it is in the budget. Stovring said it was $16,000 in 2006 and is in the Storm Water Utilities budget. Chacko commented that it is a tough report to get something from. Stovring said she will bring a redraft of the Executive Summary to the next meeting. VII. NEW BUSINESS VIII. INFORMATIONAL MATERIALS /HANDOUTS /COMMUNICATIONS A. EPA Bulletin on Global Warming in Minnesota B. EPA Bulletin on Mercury in Compact Fluorescent (CFL) Light Bulbs In response to the issue that was brought to our attention by a resident who thought using the bulbs was a bad idea, Chacko said he found a bulletin that outlines the problems and solutions about using CFL bulbs. He thought we could disseminate the document when we do the "Change A Light Bulb" campaign. Daniels said there is mercury in the bulbs, and they need to be handled carefully. His concern is that the State of Minnesota allows them to be discarded. Stovring noted discarding them with the trash is illegal in Hennepin County. Daniels said that raises the question of whether we need special recycling centers. Stovring said there is one in Bloomington, and we have other opportunities at cleanup day and at local Hazardous Waste Collection events. Daniels thought it would be good to have one here in Eden Prairie in order to make it more convenient for residents. Seymour thought we should support a responsible program that would encourage using the bulbs but also would help to dispose of them. Daniels thought it would be good to get some stores involved since they sell them. Chacko said Wal-Mart has a commitment to sell a certain number of bulbs, so disposal may be a part of it. Stovring said she has a meeting tomorrow with the County's Recycle and Solid Waste Committee and she will bring up the subject. Chacko noted there is a manufacturer called NeoLight that is developing a line of bulbs with lower mercury content. Daniels asked what happened to the proposal for a section of green roof on the Community Center. Stovring said that overall project was over budget so it was not considered. Seymour said he would rather see something larger and more worth doing. Stovring thought it would be a good proposal if we need to build or Eden Prairie Conservation Commission May 8,2007 Page 7 remodel a fire station. Seymour thought the idea will resurface, but we might need to find just the right project for it so it could make an impact. Daniels asked if a private company could get any City money if they were interested in doing one. Stovring said we would have to look at it when it comes up. IX. UPCOMING EVENTS A. Board & Commission Banquet—May 9, 20007 Stovring asked who would be attending the banquet. Jester said she would not be able to attend. The other commissioners said they would be there. B. Landscaping Workshop—June 2, 2007 at 8:30 a.m. Stovring said we have had interest in the event and people are starting to sign up. C. City Clean Up—June 16, 2007 at 8:30 a.m. Stovring said she would like to have at least one person help with this event. D. Roof Bloom Workshop, Tuesday,June 26, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. Stovring said this is a workshop for putting a green roof on residential buildings such as garages or small outbuildings. E. Other Events Stovring said there will be a Nine Mile Creek Watershed District meeting about the Anderson Lakes Water Improvement project on May 301h in the Council Chambers at City Hall. On June 26h' there will be a public meeting for the Nondegradation Plan and Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) update. The Plan must be approved by the City Council and submitted to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency by September 1, 2007. Jester asked if the Commission will review it. Stovring said we should have a draft to review at the next meeting. X. NEXT MEETING A. June 12, 2007 Stovring said she may move the 20-40-15 Initiative to the July meeting. XI. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Daniels moved, seconded by Seymour, to adjourn. Motion carried 5-0. Chair Chacko adjourned the meeting at 9:15 p.m.