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HomeMy WebLinkAboutConservation Commission - 10/10/2006 APPROVED MINUTES CONSERVATION COMMISSION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2006 7:00 PM, City Center 8080 Mitchell Road, Eden Prairie, MN Prairie Room COMMISSION MEMBERS: Eapen Chacko (Chair), Jan Mosman (Vice Chair), Ray Daniels, Rita Krocak, Geneva MacMillan, David Seymour STUDENT COMMISSIONERS: Jennifer Brown, Lauren Mosman, Casey Russell COMMISSION STAFF: Leslie A. Stovring, Staff Liaison Deb Sweeney, Recording Secretary I. ROLL CALL Chacko called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Mosman added a report on environmental awards to Reports from Commission Members. Seymour added a brief item to Reports from Commission Members. MOTION: Mosman moved, seconded by MacMillan, to approve the agenda as published and amended. Motion carried 6-0. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. SEPTEMBER 19, 2006 Chacko forwarded minor edits to Stovring for correction. He asked if additional information on the wind presentation should be added. Stovring suggested adding it to the Conservation Principles web page. A subpage on conservation principles has been developed and is in the process of being uploaded. The page will include links to various sites for further information on Project GreenFleet, green buildings, and other topics. A link to information on Windsource could be added if a good page is available. The City website also contains information on stormwater, including rainwater gardens, under the Public Works section in Environment and Water Resources. Commission members and Staff will be able to direct residents to the web page as an information source. Additional content and search improvements (keywords, etc.) will be added as the page develops. Conservation Commission Minutes October 10,2006 Page 2 MOTION: Krocak moved, seconded by Seymour, to approve the minutes of the September 19, 2006 Conservation Commission meeting as published and amended. Motion carried 6-0. IV. REPORTS FROM STAFF A. PROSPECT ROAD ALTERNATIVE EAW—PROJECT STATUS Stovring reported the City has hired Wenck Associates to conduct the EAW. The firm also did the Local Water Management Plan and is working on our stormwater permit program, so they are familiar with the city. Plans are to walk the creek corridor on Monday. Wenck could attend either the November or December Conservation Commission meeting to inform the commission on progress. A November visit would present the field work, background, initial findings, and the direction of the study. A December visit would present more of a finalized product. Stovring asked for input on which date would be preferred. Mosman said it would be better to hear about the report while it is still in process. If the Commission members have suggestions or questions they could be incorporated into the report. Chacko asked for clarification on the Commission's charge. Stovring said the Commission is to review and comment on the draft report. The draft is intended to go before the City Council at its second December meeting. The Council will act at that time to approve the draft plan and ask for staff to submit it to the agencies and the public for review and comment. Wenck will adjust the report based on all input received during the comment period (probably January and February) and submit it to the Planning Commission and City Council for final approval. The Planning Commission will also hold a public hearing, which Commission members can attend. All Commission members agreed November would be best. Mosman inquired whether the schedule would hold up construction. Stovring said the Hennepin Village project has been postponed until March, after the EAW is done. Daniels asked if there was more information on the Hennepin Village land swap. Stovring said no,however, the developer committed to donate acreage in the first phase. B. GREEN ROOF/COMMUNITY CENTER—PROJECT STATUS Seymour said he hoped to address adding a green roof to the Community Center with Gene Dietz and Bob Lambert. A green roof, typically flat or shallow, uses native plantings between 14 and 20 inches tall to keep the roof cool and protect the roof, extending its life, making a green roof a good investment. Green roofs also offer environmental benefits, including reduction in urban heat islands and reduced runoff. Several downtown Minneapolis buildings, including the Green Conservation Commission Minutes October 10,2006 Page 3 Institute, Byerly's, and the new Pelli-designed library have green roofs. In Chicago for example, green roofs are becoming more common on commercial and civic buildings. C. RECYCLING PRESENTATION — LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS — OCTOBER 14,2006 Stovring said she is scheduled to give a presentation to the League of Women Voters. The presentation will compare the collection methods in three cities represented by the group. For example, Minnetonka contracts its recycling service, and in Eden Prairie, hauling is open. Mosman asked how much of the material is actually recycled and what the market for recyclables is like, especially with single sort. Stovring said all recyclables in the bins must be recycled. All the markets are competitive except for glass—there is only one company that takes it, and they have recently indicated they will only take clear glass. Allied Waste has used its glass as sandblasting material, and Waste Management grinds it and uses it for road base. The State is talking about dropping the requirement to recycle glass. All other markets are competitive and Minnetonka actually makes a good profit on its recyclables. Glass contamination has not been as large of a problem for the paper industry as some feared. Mosman asked about plastics recycling, and Stovring explained that the numbers on plastics cannot be used to determine whether an item is recyclable. Only containers with necks for pouring are recyclable. Mosman said more public education might be needed to clarify the rule. Stovring said it is on the web page and has been in the City newsletter, but that is definitely something we can add to in the future. V. REPORTS FROM COMMISSION MEMBERS A. ENVIRONMENTAL CHAMPION AWARDS Mosman said the challenge for the awards is to build interest and excitement so that people submit applications. If there are awards for residents, businesses, and students, perhaps the students could help design the student awards to make them appealing. Stovring said the City used to give a plaque. Mosman suggested discounts or memberships at the Community Center could be good prizes. She presented samples of application forms from Plymouth. The Commission could have descriptions of the awards and application forms available at the Environmental Fair in January 2007. Stovring said a nomination process is new and could help. Before, people had to come in and fill out an application. Seymour noted businesses like to have grades. For example, some cities give a decal graded A, B, or C based on a restaurant's food safety record, and restaurants proudly display an A. The Conservation Commission Minutes October 10,2006 Page 4 Commission could design a cool graphic decal that businesses could display, just as they display the Better Business Bureau logo. Krocak asked who reviews the applications and visits sites to confirm environmental practices. Seymour stated that would be the Commission members. MacMillan asked the criteria for the awards. Mosman said the Commission needs to develop them or make the old ones less cumbersome. Stovring said energy conservation and stormwater management categories could be added. Mosman said she would bring draft criteria to the next meeting. Mosman said Plymouth uses certificates and wondered what else could be used. Stovring said it could not be anything of much monetary value, unless the Commission wants to look into getting donations. A visiting student asked how the awards would be publicized. Mosman said in the newspaper, in the twice- yearly newsletter, and on the website. Seymour said advertising in the Onion or City Pages could increase the cool factor and that he would check into it. Mosman said it would be good to publicize the awards through the Friends of the Birch Island Woods and service clubs at the high school. Russell said Lakewinds would appreciate recognition for environmental practices and other businesses might too. Stovring stated that past awards have been done in conjunction with the Chamber of Commerce. B. PROPERTY ON DUCK LAKE TRAIL—EDEN PRAIRIE NEWS ARTICLE Seymour asked Stovring to give more details on the property at 16850 Duck Lake Trail referenced in the Eden Prairie News article. This parcel includes a native prairie planting in the front yard that generated complaints from neighbors, the area was found to be in violation of City code, and was mowed. Stovring said the lot was in violation of the code, which requires a 20-foot setback from the front yard property line. The plantings in the setback area were not maintained as in a garden bed, there were invasive weeds such as thistles and there wasn't a defined delineation as required for a garden bed. Some bushes also blocked sight lines at the intersection that were within the front yard setback area, but that was a separate safety issue. The City has been working with the property owners on Duck Lake for four years, and in this case they may have taken on more than they could handle. Seymour asked if the code is fair to native gardens. Stovring said the City does work with residents who are in compliance and have native gardens in setback areas that are in compliance, where the setback area is mulched, weeded, and bordered appropriately. Conservation Commission Minutes October 10,2006 Page 5 VI. OLD BUSINESS A. PUBLIC RECYCLING OPPORTUNITIES UPDATE—DAVID SEYMOUR Seymour reported he and Stovring had met with Stu Fox regarding city parks recycling. Rather than set up another expensive, failed public recycling system, Fox agreed to do a prototype run at an event next summer, for example Schooner Days or the Fourth of July celebration. The Commission could develop a prototype can and signage and set up a booth to see what the results are. Past attempts at recycling at parks or ball fields have not been effective, as people ignored signs and put non-recyclables in the cans. Picking up recyclables also requires at least one additional visit with the truck, plus one or two washings. There is also nowhere local to take recyclables as haulers bring them directly downtown. However, if the prototype is successful, the program could expand. Chacko asked if school events such as a football game would be good candidates. Russell wondered if the prototype could be announced at a Pepfest, or if cans could be added to the cafeteria. A visiting student said the Pepfest is too much of a social hour to be an effective way to teach about recycling. Seymour said the boy scouts might want to get involved. The annual musical at Staring Lake Amphitheater might be another venue. Stovring said past parks recycling efforts have been problematic, as people stuffed trash even through small holes in the cans. In addition, there are a lot of scavengers who collect aluminum and metal anyway, which is what is the primary recyclable collected in parks. Mosman said public recycling is not easy due to inconvenience and extra cost. Seymour said the signage should be color-coded with clear graphics to make can selection more automatic and to communicate with all language groups. Seymour suggested developing a booth for the prototype event to be manned by one or two Commission members, with another(possibly students) to stand by the new cans and give directions. B. STORMWATER PLAN BMP REVIEW Stovring reviewed planned activities that would qualify as BMPs. The public recycling effort would be one. Other qualifying activities would include the utility bill insert, the global warming seminar, the conservation web page, and the new "ducky" PSA on keeping storm drains clean which will run on "Life on the Prairie." Stovring asked for other ideas. Mosman suggested labeling storm drains with stencils to indicate they drain directly to lakes. Stovring suggested an annual park cleanup or handing out plugs of native grasses on Arbor Day. Stovring asked Commission members to give the matter some thought to decide what to do in 2007. Conservation Commission Minutes October 10,2006 Page 6 C. ENVIRONMENTAL TIMES —DRAFT ARTICLES Stovring said draft articles for the Environmental Times utility bill insert are due tomorrow. It will be one double-sided sheet with room for four articles. Mosman said she had already sent one on de-icers, but would re-send it as it was not received. Daniels said he would adapt one from the Windsource brochure. Seymour committed to sending one about green roofs, and Chacko said he would do GreenFleet. VII. NEW BUSINESS/DISCUSSION ITEMS IX. INFORMATIONAL MATERIALS /HANDOUTS X. UPCOMING EVENT PLANNING A. GLOBAL WARMING SEMINAR—PAX CHRISTI—OCTOBER 29, 2006 MacMillan said the Global Warming Seminar would feature several presenters and run from 1:00 p.m. until about 3:00 or 4:00 p.m. Attendees would also have time to visit exhibits. Commission members will need to arrive at 12:15 to set up a table in the downstairs gym. MacMillan asked if the Commission has a display board. Stovring said no,but the Commission can spend up to $50 to purchase one and cover other petty costs such as copying. The table will also feature a computer playing the Ducky PSA. Stovring said the Ducky PSA would be a good draw to the table and that she would see if a copy could be obtained. For handouts, MacMillan requested the Water Use Handouts from the DNR. Stovring said there are not many left but she could check with the DNR to see if it would be okay to reprint. A visiting student suggested redoing the format and content to make it more graphic and more tied to cost savings. Stovring said some of that data is on the Water Wisdom video also. Stovring suggested making a quick five-question survey people could fill out to get a coupon packet, for example. Questions could include whether people have heard of the Commission or visited the website. Mosman said she would bring a box of Earth Day materials from the County to hand out. Stovring said the booth could also have copies of the new Environmental Times. MacMillan suggested the "Keeping Our Yards Clean" insert. The drinking water report and stormwater update could perhaps be blown up for the display board with one or two lines highlighted. Mosman noted it is important to have a bold, graphic display for people breezing through the exhibits. MacMillan asked for volunteers to take turns manning the booth—perhaps a student member and a Commission member could take each shift. Several members volunteered. Stovring asked MacMillan to send an email to coordinate times. Conservation Commission Minutes October 10,2006 Page 7 B. ENVIRONMENTAL FAIR—JANUARY 2007 Stovring said exhibitors need to be decided upon and lined up. Some charge and some are free. The total budget for the Environmental Fair is $2700 for speakers, room rentals, advertising and other miscellaneous expenses. Art Start and the Zoomobile would be excellent choices to attract young kids. She asked for input on speakers and exhibitors. Seymour said he had contacted Windsource and spoken to Steve Wilson. He or his associate would be willing to come speak for 45 minutes. Seymour said he also met with Minnesota Renewable Resources Society, experts on solar energy, and that they would also come. The auditorium was not available but two classrooms are reserved—perhaps the desks could be removed to allow more seating. Stovring asked Seymour to forward contact info so she could send confirmation letters to formalize the arrangement and provide maps and event info. Mosman suggested adding Transportation Livable Communities to the list to promote using public transit, as well as Fresh Energy to promote smart cars. Seymour said Target has brought smart cars such as the Daimler Chrysler car to events. Mosman said Fresh Energy will bring that and a Prius. Seymour said a Toyota Yaris would be another choice. Stovring asked all members to submit additional comments via email. Daniels asked for details to give potential exhibitors. Stovring said exhibitors can have one or two standard tables and some electrical plugs are available. The details would be in the confirmation letter. The free exhibitors receive a mass mailing and the paid ones need to be called and details finalized. For example, exhibitors used in the past include Art Start which costs $400 and the Zoomobile which costs $350. The Herpetological Society is also popular and cheaper at$75. XI. NEXT MEETING A. NOVEMBER 14, 2006 Stovring said the next meeting would feature a speaker from Wenck Associates, Inc. (Wenck) and discussions of the environmental club, the environmental awards, an update on the seminar, and the completion of environmental fair planning. Chacko said there is no update on GreenFleet yet but the school district will hopefully act in November. Chacko shared an article about ethanol suggesting it adversely affects water quality due to increased erosion. The study results are available on the University of Minnesota Water Resources Center web site. Conservation Commission Minutes October 10,2006 Page 8 XII. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Mosman moved, seconded by MacMillan, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 6-0. The meeting adjourned at 9:08 p.m.