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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1979 05-31 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 MAY 31, 1979 CITY HALL CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center Conservation Commission met in regular session and was called to order by Chairman Vetter at 7:35 p.m. ROLL CALL Chairman Vetter, Commissioners Albright, Jensen,'Price and Dorff. Also present was Councilmember Celia Scott, Administrative Assistant Mary Harty and Building Insp- ector Andy Alberti. Administrative Assistant Mary Harty noted that Commissioner Lutenegger would not be able to attend this evening's meeting. Chairman Vetter noted that Commissioner Wesloh would attempt to attend the meeting later in the evening. PRESENTATION BY STAFF MEMBER FROM PLANNING AND INSPECTION Administrative Assistant Mary Harty reviewed with the Commission suggestions made at the last Commission meeting about establishing a program in Brooklyn Center similar to one operating in Flint, Michigan. The program in Flint included a beautification recognition award as well as an environmental notice, requesting that people cleanup certain problems on their property. The Commission decided at their May 17, 1979 meeting that they would like to hear a presentation by a staff member from the Planning and Inspection Department so that the Commission would understand whether a program such as the one operating in Flint could inter- face with activities and responsibilities already performed by the Planning and Inspection Department. Mr. Andy Alberti, Building Inspector with the Planning and Inspection Department, was present to speak with the Commissioners. Mr. Alberti briefly reviewed what kinds of things the Building Inspectors took care of. He showed the Commission various complaint forms which the Planning and Inspection Department staff use to deal with problems such as,exposed garbage, improper storage of refuse, junked'or unlicensed vehicles, etc. He stated many of these items were annoyance type problems which were certainly important but were not the highest priority to be taken care of. He stated it was impossible for the Building Inspectors to deal with all of those annoyance type problems within the City and still take care of priority items. Commissioners questioned whether these annoyance type problems were covered by ordinance. Mr. Alberti stated they were all covered by ordinance. Mr. Alberti also stated that citizens would probably appreciate being recognized for making improvements to their property. Oftentimes, the City is forced into a position of always stressing the negative, stressing when something is wrong, rather than recognizing the positive. He stated something such as a beautification recognition award might serve the City well by recognizing the positive. Commissioner Albright suggested the Commission had discussed earlier the possibility of dividing the City by precincts amongst the Conservation Commission. 5-31-79 -1- In response to questions from the Commission as to what position the City Council might take on a program such as this, Councilmember Scott stated the Council is well aware of the staff's limited time and the inability of the staff to handle all of the nuisance type problems. She stated, many people do not realize how obnoxious certain things are to neighbors. Many people would be more willing to ask that something be done about a problem in their neighborhood if they could ask a Commis- sion member rather than having to take the problem before the Council. She also stated a program which stressed pride in homes and pride in the City might get a lot of Chamber of Commerce support. Building Inspector Andy Alberti stated many businesses have accommodations for flying a banner. It might be possible to make awards to businesses for improvements. He stated it was his feeling that people oftentimes do more when there is some competi- tion. He also stated some people need personal help in order to take care of problems with their property either because they are financially unable to take care of the problem because of age or other circumstances. The Commission discussed the possibility of working as a liaison to match up sources of solving the problem with people who have problems in.keeping up their property. It was suggested that certain organizations such as the Jaycees or other service orientated organizations might be willing to help out in certain improvement areas. Commissioner Price stated he saw the program as being positive and educational. He stated if the Commission came upon a problem which they could not handle, that problem should be referred to City officials. He stated he saw this as a basic guideline. Councilmember Scott called the Commission's attention to the environmental notice form on the Flint form. She called their attention particularly to the introduction to the form which she stated she felt was tactfully worded. She stated she felt the wording encouraged people to make their city a better place to live. Commissioner Jensen stated she was concerned with beginning this type of program in Brooklyn Center when the supportive services to facilitate a cleanup were not available. She stated it appeared that Flint had several supportive services such as weekly waste collection and bulk pickup to facilitate the cleanup. Building Inspector Andy Alberti concurred that if you made it more convenient to get rid of junk a cleanup program would be more effective. The Commission discussed the possibility of setting aside a Saturday a month during which time white goods and other bulk items could be picked up. The Commission decided it was necessary to do additional research in this area in order that the logistics of this type of program could be determined. Councilmember Scott suggested the Commission should formulate a proposal which could be brought before the Council. She suggested the program proposal should be formulated before budget time so that if any financing was deeded it could be pro- vided in the budget. Commissioner Albright suggested if a program such as. this were established, it could be widely publicized in the Post and the City Manager's Newsletter. He stated the Newsletter is sent out towards the end of August and it would be helpful to have a program established by that time so that it could be advertised through this vehicle. He stated it could be part of a general fall cleanup campaign. 5-31-79 -2- Commissioner Dorff stated he felt strongly that the idea of commending people for the positive was important. He stated he felt it gives people a good feeling to know that there is appreciation for a job well done. Commissioner Jensen commented it might be a good idea to include other Commission members,. and neighborhood advisory group members in this type of program. A wide based involvement would increase the likelihood of success. In discussing a methodology for working through a program, Commissioner Jensen stated it would be necessary to have Council endorsement, staff involvement and a strong publicity for the program. Commissioner Albright suggested he would be willing to begin research in order to formulate a proposal. As one of the guidelines, he stated he felt the inside of houses should be off limits but rather the program should concentrate on cleaning up the outside areas. He also stated he felt a general cleanup should be part of the program. This would include getting rid of old appliances, refuse and rubbish. Commissioner Dorff stated he would be willing to help Commissioner Albright. Councilmember Scott also indicated a willingness to work with the subcommittee. There was a motion by Commissioner Albright and seconded by Commissioner Dorff to form a subcommittee comprised of Commissioners Albright, Dorff and Councilmember Scott to draw up guidelines for a model program as discussed and to research how such a cleanup program could be implemented including cost factors. The research information and a basic proposal could be brought back to the Commission for formal Commission review at a later meeting. The motion passed unanimously. The Commission next discussed sending a card of sympathy to the family of a former Commission member, Mr. Dick Forstrom, who was killed in the airplane crash. Com- missioners stated a biomedical scholarship had been established at the University of Minnesota in Mr. Forstrom's name if anyone was interested in contributing. Commissioner Jensen stated she would send a card on behalf.of the Conservation Commission. Commissioner Jensen stated she would also send a sympathy card to Commissioner Wesloh's family on behalf of the Conservation Commission because Commissioner Wesloh's father had recently died. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - 5-17-79 There was a motion by Commissioner Jensen and seconded by Commissioner Dorff to approve the minutes of the May 17, 1979 Conservation Commission meeting as sub- mitted. The motion passed unanimously. .DISCUSSION OF ACTIVITIES FOR 1979 Commissioner Jensen reported that she had made tentative arrangements for the Conservation Commission field trip at the Fridley Nature Center on June 21, 1979 at 7:00 p.m. She stated the Commission might get some ideas for possibilities for the Brooklyn Center nature area. She stated this was a city developed nature center. She suggested the Commission should meet at City Hall at 6:30 p.m. and car pool to the Fridley Nature Center. The Commission discussed inviting friends to come along on the outing. Commissioner Jensen also stated the Commission might wish to tour the Coon Rapids Dam this summer and at the same time invite State Representatives and Senators to tour the dam. She stated she wished to have the Commission's input as to whether or not they wished the tour to take on political overtones or whether 5-31-79 -3- they wished the tour to be strictly an educational tour. Commissioner Jensen stated she was concerned with the use of the ddm for a scenic area only because of the tremendous energy use potential of the dam. She commented the State Rep- resentatives and Senators might be made more aware of this potential for energy if they were invited to tour the dam at the same time as the Conservation Commis- sion. Chairman Vetter stated she might wish to receive additional background material before touring with the Senators and Representatives in order that she would have more information. Commissioner Albright suggested the Commission might wish to go on their own the first time and have a resident expert explain the dam and its potential use. Commissioner Jensen stated it would also be possible to go and learn both the pros and the cons of using the dam for hydropower. Both sides of the issue could be presented at one time and the Senators and Representatives could be invited at that time. Commissioner Price offered to assist Commissioner Jensen in setting up the event. There was a motion by Commissioner Jensen and seconded by Commissioner Albright to proceed with setting up a program for a tour of the Coon Rapids Dam at which time both the pros and the cons of use of the dam for hydropower could be discussed. The motion passed unanimously. Commissioner Price suggested the Commission should consider visiting the St. Paul Science Museum. Chairman Vetter stated that she was going to be working on putting together infor- mation for publication in.the Post as was discussed as one of the priority items at the last meeting. Chairman Vetter questioned the Commission whether they were interested in setting up courses for community education for the fall. The Com- mission briefly discussed the possibility of establishing courses for the fall. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Price and seconded by Commissioner Albright to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 10:05 p.m. Chairman • 5-31-79 _4_