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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-01-14 PACKET 06.2. City of Cottage Grove Environmental Commission Workshop November 12, 2014 A workshop meeting of the Environmental Commission was held at Cottage Grove City Hall, 12800 Ravine Parkway South, Cottage Grove, Minnesota, on Wednesday, November 12, 2014, in the Training Room. Call to Order Chair Owen called the Environmental Commission meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Attendees Members Present: Ryan Fleming, Rita Isker, Shauna Klug, Thaddeus Owen, Rosemary Palmer, Brandon Smith Others Present: Ryan Burfeind, Project Engineer Emily Schmitz, Code Enforcement Officer Jen Peterson, City Council Liaison Approval of Agenda The agenda was approved by consensus. Open Forum There was a discussion regarding purchasing office paper in conjunction with other governmental and education entities and sustainable purchasing. Workshop Items 5.1 Environmental Commission Work Plan Schmitz provided an overview on the GreenStep Cities program and what the City needs to do reach the Step 3 goal. Owen asked if the best practices are the ones that need to be done. Schmitz responded yes. She then provided information on environmentally-friendly purchasing policy. Owen reported that in Michigan colleges and cities pool their money to buy recycled paper, which helps reduce the cost. Smith suggested working with Washington County and other cities to pur- chase paper together. Isker asked if all city departments purchase pool together to purchase paper. Owen asked where the City buys office paper from. Burfeind stated Office Max. Owen suggested checking to see if Office Max has returnable packaging for paper products. Schmitz reported that Best Practice #22 was marked complete as part of the River Oaks recycling grant that the City received. Owen noted that he has done energy audits in the past and volunteered to help if needed. Klug asked if the GreenStep Cities information would be posted on the City’s web site. Schmitz responded that could be done. Burfeind provided an update on the MS4 program. It was suggested that a priority map be devel- oped, inspections should be done twice a year, and to engage in a partnership with EMWREP with a focus on high priority educational topics. The Commission discussed training for Public Environmental Commission Minutes November 12, 2014 Page 2 of 3 Works, updating the City’s ordinances, and developing a facilities inventory. There was a question on whether ponds can hold what they need to. It was suggested using a sonar system to get the volume of the ponds to determine the treatment effectiveness. Owen asked if the PFC filtration system was approved for 3M. Burfeind will check on that. Smith asked if they are using water to cool. Owen stated that he believes so. Fleming asked if Cottage Grove is a member of the Min- nesota Cities Stormwater Coalition (MCSC). Burfeind said yes. Fleming noted that Bloomington did a pilot study on determining the treatment effectiveness of ponds. Smith stated that the permit process is different from the discharge permit and carbon discharge would be diverted to a carbon filter before hitting the Mississippi River. Burfeind stated that Stormwater Coalition will provide guidance on MS4 updates. He stated that cities are working with the MCSC so they do not all have to come up with permit updates on their own. Isker asked why there is a need for a permit to filter PFCs, noting that it does not make sense not to allow the permit for 3M to filter. The Commission asked for an update on the 3M filtration system for PFCs at the next meeting. Burfeind discussed the water conservation presentation that will be given at all six elementary schools in Cottage Grove. Owen asked how they would be paid for. Burfeind responded the water utilities fund, which has an education budget. It was suggested that water bottles not be used as a giveaway at Strawberry Fest but the pencils were a good idea. The Commission then discussed rain barrels. There were suggestions about constructing rain barrels or providing information and materials to residents to make their own. Burfeind gave an update on the recycling grant that the City received to institute recycling at River Oaks Golf Course. The City will be evaluating organics recycling, sending food waste to hogs by the County, and discussing the lessons that were learned. Palmer noted that the state legislature passed a law requiring all businesses to recycle starting on January 1, 2016. The Commission should look at helping businesses with this program. There were questions on how this will affect the community, what funds are available to businesses to help implement recycling programs, how to get this information out, and if there are outreach materials available. Owen noted that there are funds available for businesses through Washington County’s Biz Recycling program. Burfeind reported that the next Public Works Open House will be held in September 2015. Smith asked what is involved in the open house. Burfeind explained what is available at the open house. Smith asked if the Commission could look at other items in the GreenStep program that would be good to accomplish, even if they are not needed to get to Step 3. Schmitz stated that she could put information together for the Commission to review. Klug asked if there are any new construction projects in the City. Owen asked about the status of the Leafline project. Burfeind responded that the state will announce its decision on December 1. Palmer asked about vacant gas stations and whether they are tested for contaminated soils. Burfeind explained that they would likely fall under state regulations. Owen asked about the pro- posed development on 65th Street and Hinton Avenue. Burfeind stated that is on hold as Lennar, who will be the developer for that property, builds at Cayden Glen. 5.2 East Metro Water Resource Education Program Update Fall 2014 The Commission received the Fall 2014 EMWREP Update, including information regarding home- owners associations, river tour and cruise, and a rain garden workshop at the Public Works Open House. Environmental Commission Minutes November 12, 2014 Page 3 of 3 Reports 7.1 City Council Update Peterson provided an update on actions by the City Council. She reported that the City received a donation of $5,000 from the Olson’s to purchase tourniquets. They also voted to not increase the salary for the City Council, but will have a committee look at pay levels every two years. 7.2 Response to Commission Inquiries None 7.3 Environmental Commission Comments and Requests Owen asked about term limits that are in the Commission’s bylaws. Schmitz responded that ad- ministrative staff tracks that information. An update will be provided to the Commission at their January meeting. Klug asked about the youth seats. Schmitz stated that information on those seats was provided to the high schools and middle schools. Fleming asked about the Minimum Impact Design Standards (MIDS) program and city design standards to meet stormwater stand- ards for infiltration. Adjournment Smith made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Isker seconded. Motion passed unanimously (6-to-0 vote). The meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.