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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1979 10-18 CONCMMINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE CONSERVATION COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA REGULAR SESSION OCTOBER 18, 1979 CITY HALL CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center Conservation Commission met in regular session and was called to order.by Chairman Mary Ellen Vetter at 7:36 p.m. ROLL CALL Chairman Mary Ellen Vetter, Commissioners Fred Albright, Bernie Wesloh, Henry Dorff, Dan Lutenegger and Barb Jensen. Also present were Councilmember Celia Scott and Administrative Assistant Brad Hoffman. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - 9-20-79 Motion by Commissioner Wesloh, seconded by Commissioner Dorff to approve the minutes of the September 20, 1979 Brooklyn Center Conservation Commission meeting. The motion passed unanimously. SPRING CLEANUP REPORT Chairman Vetter introduced the next agenda item by requesting a report on the Spring Cleanup Campaign from Commissioner Albright. Commissioner Albright indicated that he had been in contact with the cities of Fridley, Columbia Heights and Blaine. He added that he discovered that Fridley did not have a cleanup pro- gram. He noted that Blain contracted with Woodlake to do a city-wide pickup two times a year. He also stated that the cost was $2,500 for each pickup. Council- member Scott inquired if city crews or equipment were used in Blaine. It was stated that they were not used. Commissioner Albright indicated that from his discussions with other communities running cleanup campaigns that people from outside of the city would bring items into the city for the curbside pickups, and that was the major problem experienced by the other cities. He added that in Blaine the only areas that were not picked up were apartments and business areas. Commissioner Dorff indicated that he had..spoken with City Manager Gerald Splinter who stated that local help in city trucks could be used. Commissioner Dorff indicated that the City Manager would obtain a report from the North St. Paul Jaycess to help the Conservation Commission put together a cleanup program. Commissioner Dorff'indicated that he felt that we could benefit from their exper- iences in a similar program. He also stated that the City Manager had suggested several centralized pickup areas. Commissioner Albright indicated that he felt the only problem with centralized pickup areas was that if an individual could transport the large items needed to be picked up to a centralized point, they could also transport those items to a dump. Discussion then ensued relative to the amount of time to complete the spring cleanup. Commissioner Dorff indicated that he felt the project was larger than a one day affair. Commissioner Albright agreed and suggested that the City be divided into districts. Commissioner Jensen stated she felt that curbside pickups were needed to accommodate those individuals not having transportation. Commissioner Albright indicated that he would be attending the President's Round Table and if the opportunity did arise he would suggest the project for group support. He also stated that he would be contacting haulers to get price estimates for the next meeting. HOUSING SEMINAR DISCUSSION Administrative Assistant Brad Hoffman introduced the next agenda item by referring to the joint meeting between the Housing Commission and the Conservation Commission. He noted that the two had agreed in principle to jointly sponsor a housing rehab- ilitation seminar that would concentrate on energy efficiency. A brief.discussion 10-18-79 -1- ensued relative to the use of a single workshop or several workshops. Commis- sioner Jensen noted that the Housing Commission felt the need to have workshops that would last longer than one hour. Following a brief discussion of potential projects to topics for the seminar, Councilmember Scott suggested that members give any suggestions to Chairman Vetter who would then relay those to Adminis- trative Assistant Hoffman to coordinate with the Housing Commission. In closing discussion, Commissioner Albright suggested that the Commissions' involve the Minnesota Energy Agency in the workshops. SENATOR HUMPHREY Chairman Mary Ellen Vetter then introduced the Commission's guest, Senator Hubert (Skip) Humphrey. Senator Humphrey stated that he was here to discuss with the Commission the direction the state was taking towards energy conservation in terms of energy programs and energy development. He stated that he felt the Minnesota Energy Agency has been setting the pace for the nation since 1973. He indicated' that most of the energy related work that had been accomplished by the state had been in the area of housing related programs such as building codes. He reviewed some of the problems with the building code in Minnesota. He also noted that Minnesota is one of the highest residential homeowner states in the country. He also reviewed the attempt on the state's part to conduct an energy audit of all buildings in the state. He noted that the survey was later reduced to just public buildings. He also replied that tax credits were being-given for solar energy and that some legislative action needed to be taken on solar access. He felt that it was a significant problem and that some thought has been given to the concept of purchasing sun rights. Senator Humphrey reviewed the various energy potentials of the states. He noted that an audit of the state's wood timber had just recently been conducted. He also stated that our woods have not been properly managed at all. He indicated that research was being conducted in the area of district heating. He suggested that we have a whole new look at mass transit systems. Following Senator Humphrey's presentation, Councilmember Scott noted that perhaps the most significant problem local units of government have with both the state and federal government is their continual mandating of programs for local govern- ments without financial support. Senator Humphrey agreed and noted that most communities are extremely hampered by the levy limitations enacted by the state. He noted that the state will have to give serious consideration to that problem when enacting programs. Commissioner Albright inquired if tax credits do not have the impact of inflating the price of goods and services, such as the insulation program. Senator Humphrey agreed but indicated that without a tax credit the job would not be done. He indicated that while there is an expense in the short run that the state had to be concerned with the long-term affects of our present level of energy consumption. Senator Humphrey closed by suggesting that this Commission monitor the Finance Committee in the Senate and the work of Representative Ken Nelson in the House to assess the direction of the state in energy related programs. OTHER BUSINESS - JOINT MEETINGS WITH OTHER CONSERVATION COMMISSIONS Chairman Vetter stated that she had been in contact with other communities that had energy conservation commissions. She stated that all are either loosely organized, are just getting organized or have totally gone out of business. She gave an example of Golden Valley as one that had gone out of -business. She also stated that most liked the concept of a joint meeting and suggested that Brooklyn Center organize the meeting. Councilmember Scott inquired as to which communities had active committees. Chairman Vetter replied that Edina, Champlin and Maple Grove had active commissions. Chairman Vetter stated that she would follow-up her call with a survey to determine if there is a desire to continue organizing the joint meeting. 10-18-79 -2- ANNOUNCEMENTS Chairman Vetter announced that there would be two significant meetings next week. She noted that on October 24 there would be the first public hearing on the Community Development Block Grant Program. A brief discussion then ensued relative to potential uses of the Block Grant Program. Commissioner Jensen indicated that some discussion had involved the development of solar projects. Administrative Assistant Hoffman detailed that concept slightly and suggested that those members that would be interested in seeing such a program becoming a reality attend the meeting. Chairman Vetter then also noted that there would be a public hearing on the Comprehensive Plan on the 25th of October. Chairman Vetter then inquired as to the actions the Commission had taken relative to a petition for bus service along Brooklyn Boulevard. Administrative Assistant Brad Hoffman indicated that the Commission felt that while the concept sounded good, they could not support the action at this time without further information. Chairman Vetter indicated that she would relay that information to those individuals circulating the petition. Councilmember Scott stated that Commissioner Jensen had requested to attend a conference entitled "Women Can Affect The Energy Crisis" at the University of Minnesota. Councilmember Scott requested the Commission's support for sending Commissioner Jensen to that conference. Motion by Commissioner Dorff, seconded by Commissioner Albright to recommend that Commissioner Jensen attend the confer- ence and that the City sponsor her. The motion passed unanimously. Commissioner Dorff suggested that a letter be written to Senator Humphrey thanking him for the time he had taken with the Commission. The Commission agreed by con- sensus. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner Albright, seconded by Commissioner Jensen to adjourn the Brooklyn Center Conservation Commission meeting. The motion passed unanimously and the meeting was adjourned at 9:38 p.m. Chairman • 10-18-79 -3-