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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-04-10 PACKET 06.Environmental Commission City of Cottage Grove Wednesday, March 13, 2013 The Environmental Commission held a workshop at Cottage Grove City Hall, 12800 Ravine Parkway South, Cottage Grove, Minnesota, on March 13, 2013, in the Council Chambers. Attendees Members Present: Karla Bigham, Patrick Lynch, David Olson, Thaddeus Owen, Rosemary Palmer Members Absent: Rita Isker Others Present: Jennifer Levitt, City Engineer Derrick Lehrke, City Councilmember Call to Order Chair Owen opened the meeting at 7:00 p.m. Approval of Agenda Bigham asked to add Commission Housekeeping to the agenda, including election of officers and a general discussion on filling vacancies. Levitt noted that also added to the agenda is the 3M Glass Furnace Permit Review. Bigham made a motion to approve the amended agenda. Palmer seconded. Motion passed unanimously (5 -to -0 vote). Open Forum /Additional Agenda Items New Business 5.1 Commission Housekeeping Lehrke stated that the Council Liaison appoints the Chair. He would like to reappoint Owen as Chair. The Commission elects the Vice Chair. He asked if the Commission wanted to hold the election for the Vice Chair at this meeting or wait until next month when there is a full Commis- sion. It was the consensus of the Commission to hold the election of the Vice Chair at next month's meeting when there should be more Commissioners in attendance. Lehrke asked the Commission if they would be interested in changing from nine members to seven members and adding two youth seats, which would be in line with the other City Com- missions except the Planning Commission. Olson asked why it was initially changed from seven members to nine members. Owen responded that the original Task Force had two members from 3M and the Council wanted to expand the membership so it was not heavily weighted to 3M as the Commission was reviewing 3M permits at the time. He stated that he is agreeable to changing to seven members and two youth seats. Bigham agreed that having the youth aspect would be beneficial. She asked if there are other Commissions with youth mem- Environmental Commission March 13, 2013 Minutes Page 2 of 4 bers, noting the Human Services /Human Rights Commission has them. Levitt responded that the Public Works and Parks Commissions also have youth seats. The Commission recom- mended that the Environmental Commission be changed from a nine - member board to a seven - member board with two youth seats. Owen asked if there are applications for the Environmental Commission. Lehrke responded yes and asked Owen if he could interview a candidate following the meeting. He also noted that the Parks Commission and the Human Services /Rights Commission have filled their two youth seats but the Public Works Commission's are still vacant. 5.2 Regional Water Supply — Presentation by Ali Elhassan, Metropolitan Council Ali Elhassen, Manager for Supply Planning for the Metropolitan Council, provided a presenta- tion on the water supply systems in the metropolitan area. Lynch asked if the Met Council could prohibit Cottage Grove from drilling more wells and require using ground water from the river. Elhassen stated that the Met Council could not; the Department of Natural Resources issues pumping permits. Olson asked if annual precipitation levels are included in this model. Elhassen explained that they averaged historic precipitation amounts to project into the future. Olson asked if it is cheaper to get water from an aquifer than to treat it from the river. Elhassen responded yes. Olson asked why. Elhassen replied that ground water typically is not treated. Surface water is usually treated or softened, which adds to the cost. Olson asked why Burnsville and Savage changed. Elhassen responded that Savage is grow- ing and the DNR would not approve new wells for them as it was determined that pumping would not be enough to meet future growth. Burnsville decided that this was a good opportu- nity for them to leave the ground water as storage and use the resource when it is available. Lynch asked about the blue Met Council tanker trucks driving along Highway 61. Elhassen did not know but would provide that information to the Commission. Levitt believes that those trucks are hauling sludge from the Wastewater Treatment Plant in Cottage Grove. 5.3 EMWREP Education Updates, Spring 2013 — Receive Information Levitt reported that the City belongs to the East Metro Water Resources Education Program and they provide quarterly updates on their activities within the County. The spring edition was included in the packet. She noted that the City of Cottage Grove hosted an event in November and will hosting a Stormwater U presentation on April 11. At that meeting, Levitt talk about the re -use system at the new City Hall, which collects rainwater and uses it for irrigation on site. She will also talk about some of the best management practices that have been utilized in re- lation to the construction of this facility. Owen asked if the City has used the irrigation system yet. Levitt responded that the irrigation system has not been turned on yet but the 20,000 gallon tank is collecting water. The system will get its first test this spring. 5.4 3M Glass Furnace Permit Review Levitt explained that 3M Cottage Grove Specialty Additives is seeking to increase the size of the chamber of their electric heated gas furnace, which would increase their hourly production capacity. She summarized the memorandum from S.E.H. regarding the draft air permit. She Environmental Commission March 13, 2013 Minutes Page 3 of 4 stated that based on the information, staff does not see any reason for concern in relation to the permit, which is out for public comment. Owen asked if the City would provide any com- ments during the public comment period. Levitt responded not at this time. Old Business 6.1 Environmental Display Owen explained that the Commission has been discussing the Environmental Display that will be used at various festivals and events. Members should have provided feedback to S.E.H. and the City on its content. Levitt stated that she engaged select City staff to take the survey, in the hoped that they would help break the ties in some of the categories. Under Recycling, there is a tie between A) "Today a tennis shoe, tomorrow a tennis court" and B) "Today you're sipping, tomorrow you're sliding." After discussion, the Commission voted for B. The options for water conservation include: A) "Buy a rain barrel today, sell your sprinkler tomorrow" B) "Sprinkle less today, save money and lakes tomorrow" or C) "Buy a rain barrel today, lower your water bill tomorrow." After discussion, it was decided to go combine B and C to read "Buy a rain barrel today and sprinkle less, tomorrow save money and lakes." Levitt asked for affir- mation on the rain garden selection, which is "Plant a rain garden today, clean water tomor- row." The Commission concurred. 6.2 Environmental Awards Program Levitt stated that staff did not receive enough feedback at the workshop on the environmental awards program and asked for more guidance. She asked if the Commission wants to have a very open category for the award with options for types of nominations like energy, water, building, waste, or business, or should it be one award in any one of those categories. Bigham suggested that the first year it should be open to see how many solicitations are received. If there are a lot, it could be more specific in the future. Owen agreed, stating to list the catego- ries that nominations can be submitted under but not limiting them to those categories and having one or two awards selected from the entries the first year. Levitt asked if there were any concerns with the projects that are eligible. She asked if #6 (a project that was initiated in the past three years and has been fully functional for one year) is that appropriate or should it be made more open. Owen suggested that the project was initiated in the past three years but not require that it be fully operational for a whole year. Levitt asked if the Commission is okay with the questions on the application. Owen suggested changing to "were there environmental goals and objectives at the beginning of the project" rather than "what were the goals" because there may not have been environmental goals but when the project was implemented, there were environmental benefits. The Commission agreed. Levitt asked about the evaluation criteria, which includes 1) benefits to the environment of Cottage Grove; 2) level of commitment and leadership in sustainability; 3) innovation; 4) eco- nomic benefits; 5) ability to serve as a model for others; 6) innovation, creativity, and original- ity; 7) environmental stewardship. Owen suggested dropping #3 as it is the same as #6. Environmental Commission March 13, 2013 Minutes Page 4 of 4 Levitt asked if there are any other comments on the application process. The goal is to bring this back to the Commission at the April meeting, and kick off the program with an announce- ment around Earth Day. Owen suggested making it open the first year as to what projects can be submitted. The Commission concurred. Levitt reported that staff has been meeting with Cottage Middle School on starting a "student get caught recycling" program and hope to have it implemented by Earth Day. Approval of Environmental Commission Minutes 7.1 December 12, 2012 Bigham made a motion to approve the minutes from the December 12, 2012, Environmental Commission meeting. Olson seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 7.2 January 9, 2013 Bigham made a motion to approve the minutes from the January 9, 2013, Environmental Commission meeting. Palmer seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Reports City Council Update Lehrke reported that the City Council approved the 2013 Pavement Management Project, which is north of 80th and east of Jamaica and roadway improvements to Hinton Avenue from 80th Street to 70th Street. The Council also supported improvements to Keats /70th /Military Road, which will include a roundabout and the easterly extension of 70th Street. Lehrke requested that the agendas from the previous two City Council meetings be added to the Envi- ronmental Commission packet. Response to Commission Inquiries None Environmental Commission Comments and Requests None Adjourn Bigham made a motion to adjourn. Olson seconded. The motion passed unanimously, and the meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.