HomeMy WebLinkAbout1979 03-15 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
MARCH 15, 1979
CITY HALL
CALL TO ORDER
The Brooklyn Center Conservation Commission met in regular session and was called
to order at 7:35 p.m..
ROLL CALL e.
Chairman Vetter, Commissioners Price, Jensen, Albright, Dorff and Lutenegger.
Also present was Administrative Assistant Mary Harty and Counciimember Celia
Scott.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES - 2-15-79
There was a motion by Commissioner Jensen and seconded by Commissioner Dorff to
approve the minutes of the Febuary 15, 1979, Conservation Commission meeting. In
discussion of the motion, Commissioner Jensen asked that the February 15 minutes
show that Chairman Vetter and Commissioner Albright were part of the subcommittee
working on Kaleidoscope. There was a motion by Commissioner Jensen and seconded
by Commissioner Dorff to approve the minutes as corrected. The motion passed
unanimously.
Before pursuing the discussion listed on the agenda, Administrative Assistant
Mary Harty explained she had met with Director of Parks and Recreation Gene Hagel
and he had offered several suggestions based on the information he had read in the
February 15 Conservation Commission minutes. He explained the Park and Recreation
LepartIaenL curreaLly PLOVide5 We1l;V11le Wc1g'U11 W.LLL1 SeVeLd.L di.ffereaL bruchures and
pamphlets on the City's parks and recreational programs. Director of Parks and
Recreation Gene Hagel explained people receive the City's Newsletter, which includes
the Brooklyn Center Park and Recreation Department brochure. At the same time,
several other pamphlets are disseminated through Welcome Wagon.
Director of Parks and Recreation Gene Hagel suggested the Commission might be inter-
ested in using space in the Park and Recreation Department brochure to inform people
about various programs or offer conservation tips'. He suggested if the Commission
was interested in doing this he would provide the Commission with printing deadlines
and any other information which would be necessary for them to use the brochure.
Director of Parks and Recreation Gene Hagel also noted if the Commission was inter-
ested in holding seminars or other programs, the Commission was welcome to use the
Community Center as a facility. Additionally, the Commission-might be interested
in running the registrations through the Park and Recreation Department.
Director of Parks and Recreation Gene Hagel explained the City will have the benefit
of a summer youth Corp working in the City during the summer of 1979. It has been
decided that the corp will be working in Palmer Lake. Mr. Hagel suggested one or
two Conservation Commission members might be interested in sitting down with him
and discussing the development of the Palmer Lake area, specifically as it relates
to tasks which the summer youth Corp could be involved in in the upcoming summer.
Mr. Hagel suggested these people could serve as liaison between the City staff and
the Conservation Commission as it related to the Palmer Lake area. The committee
can provide input to the Director who will coordinate input.from the Park and Rec-
reation Commission and the Conservation Commission.
3-15-79 _1_
Both Chairman Vetter and Commissioner Lutenegger indicated they would be inter-
ested in working with Mr. Hagel. It was also suggested that although Commis-
sioner Wesloh was not at this meeting, he had expressed an interest in working
on the Palmer Lake area and might be interested in this task as well. It was
decided Chairman Vetter would contact Director of Parks and Recreation Gene Hagel
in order to set up a time to meet on the Palmer Lake area.
Administrative Assistant Mary Harty distributed to the Conservation Commission
a copy.of Section 7-102 of the City Ordinances as it relates to refuse, storage
and disposal. The Commission had expressed a question concerning the City's rules
on composting. Section 7-102 of the City Ordinances discusses the question of
composting. Administrative Assistant Mary Harty also distributed an informational
sheet which gives additional data on building a compost heap.
KALEIDOSCOPE
Commissioner Jensen gave a report of the Conservation Commission subcommittee on
Kaleidoscope. She informed the Commission of those resources which had been con-
tacted as participants in the energy wing for Kaleidoscope and noted which ones
had been confirmed. She suggested it would be helpful if the Commission members
would make other calls to determine confirmations. She asked that Commissioners
divide up several of the calls before the evening's meeting was completed.
Commissioner Jensen explained Commissioner Albright is a member of the physical
layout committee for Kaleidoscope. Commissioner Albright explained the physical
layout committee for Kaleidoscope had not yet met but he indicated he would keep
the Commission informed of physical layout plans as they are made. It was noted
the Conservation Commission table would also be located in the energy wing..
ai. ita bi ttoblrYt of Poss ble t i C`a i a l cxi outlet pr3l"I nz in the energy v'iit&, CG,1L' 1S--
sioner Dorft indicated there should be adequate outlets in the hallway where the
energy wing, is to be located.
In discussion of the various areas coverned by participants for Kaleidoscope energy
wing, Commissioner Jensen explained that confirmation had not been received for a
resource to deal with window treatments. She noted calls had been made to Dayton's
but it was uncertain at this point whether or not the area of window treatments
would be covered.
Chairman Vetter stated she felt the listing of resources was excellent and would
provide Kaleidoscope participants with a wide range of choices and information.
Commissioner Jensen asked whether the Commission would like to have the Hennepin
County Park Reserve involved in the energy wing because the Park Reserve might be
able to suggest to people activities to participate in which are located within
the immediate geographic area. The Commission felt it would be a good idea to
include information on the Hennepin County Park Reserve.
In discussion of publicity for the energy wing, it was noted' onna Bennett was in
charge of publicity for Kaleidoscope. Chairman Vetter offered to work with Donna
Bennett on publicity. A suggestion was made that a picture of a chimney sweep
might be eye catching for use in the Post. One of the participants in the energy
wing will be a chimney sweep. It was also suggested the Commission might wish
to write an article on the energy wing for use by the Post. Chairman Vetter offered
to take responsibility for work on publicity. 0
3-15-79 -2-
Commissioner Jensen explained the film "Featherfoot" was available for use at
Kaleidoscope. The Commission decided the film should be run on the hour, possibly
four times. The time of starting should be posted so that people could arrange
to view the film from the start.
A tentative date of March 29, 1979, was set for another subcommittee meeting of
the Conservation Commission for discussion of Kaleidoscope.
In discussion of a theme for the Conservation Commission table, there appeared to
be a consensus for pursuing the area of solar energy.
Commissioner Jensen indicated Dixie Diehl was willing to act as a facilitator in
providing the Commission with information on initiating car pooling.
GOAL SETTING FOR THE CONSERVATION COMMISSION
The various goals and activities discussed at the February 15, 1979, Conservation
Commission meeting were reviewed and discussed. Commissioners asked Administrative
Assistant Mary Harty to provide a listing of the various goals and activities as
discussed. It was asked that the listings be sent to the Commissioners prior to
the April meeting. Commissioners will prioritize the suggestions before the April
meeting to help in arriving at a decision as to what would be pursued. It was
noted some of the activities would take the full Commission's participation,
whereas other activities could be handled by a subcommittee. It was also noted
that some of the activities such as participation in the development of Palmer
Lake seemed to be moving forward. A memorandum listing the goals and activities
has been attached to the official minutes.
OTHER BUSINESS
In discussion.of other business, the Commission asked what the status of motorized
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to see motorized vehicles banned from Twin Lake. Councilmember Scott explained
the Council had passed a resolution in 1977 asking the Hennepin County Board of
Commissioners to pass an ordinance banning the use of motorized vehicles on Twin
Lake but the Commission had not acted on that.
The Commission discussed the feasibility of sponsoring sailing and canoeing classes
on Twin Lake,•but felt the classes would not be appropriate if motorized vehicles
are still allowed on the lake this summer. The Commission asked that a resolution
be drafted which would encourage the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners to act
to pass an ordinance which would ban the use of motorized vehicles on Twin Lake.
In further discussion, Commissioners questioned how many other municipalities had
active conservation commissions. Administrative Assistant Mary Harty stated she
would do some checking in the area and determine how many conservation or environ-
mental type commissions were active in the area. Commissioner Jensen stated she
felt many of the projects the Brooklyn Center Conservation Commission has been
actively involved in conservation within the community. Commissioner Jensen sug-
gested it might be helpful to share with other commissions or.other people inter-
ested in conservation some of the things the Brooklyn Center Conservation Commission
had been doing. The Conservation Commission discussed the possibility of sponsoring
some sort of get together for other city commission members, council members or
interested citizens at which time ideas and projects could be shared. The Commis-
sion briefly discussed a suitable time to hold such a gathering and it was the
consensus of the Commission that a Saturday morning might be most suitable.
3-15-79 -3-
r
ADJOURNMENT
There was a motion by Commissioner Jensen and seconded by Commissioner Price to
adjourn the Conservation Commission meeting. The motion passed unanimously and
the meeting was adjourned at 10:25 p.m.
Chairman
•
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Member introduced the following resolution and
moved its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO.
RESOLUTION. REQUESTING THE HENNEPIN COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS TO
APPROVE AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING WATER SURFACE USE REGULATIONS ON
TWIN LAKE
WHEREAS, power boating on Twin Lake tends to endanger the safety of
lake users; and
WHEREAS, a study by the Metropolitan Council for the Bureau of Outdoor
Recreation recommends that Twin Lake is suitable for sailing, canoeing, fishing.
and swimming only; and
WHEREAS, Section 378.32 of the Minnesota State Statutes authorizes
counties to regulate water surface use, by ordinance, of lakes located in two or
more municipalities upon the recommendation of those municipalities and upon
approval of the ordinance by the Commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources;
and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Brooklyn Center passed a resolu-
tion on July 11, 1977, requesting the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners to
approve an ordinance prohibiting watercraft propelled in any respect by machinery
from being operated at any time on the waters of Twin Lake (DNR #2742) in Hennepin
County, Minnesota, and to submit said ordinance to the Commissioner of the Depart-
ment of Natural Resources for his approval as required by Section 378.32, Subdivision
1 of the Minnesota State Statutes:
NUN! r:i'htRhFOREE, BE IT RESOLVED, Lhat the Conservation Con-mission of th
City of Brooklyn Center requests that the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners
expedite the approval and submission of said ordinance as requested by the City
Council of the City of Brooklyn Center.
Date
ATTEST:
Secretary
Chairman
The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly seconded by
member and upon vote being taken thereon, the fol-
lowing voted in favor thereof:
and the following voted against the same:
whereupon said resolution was declared duly passed and adopted.
•
0 MEMORANDUM
TO: Conservation Commission Members
y ~
FROM: Mary Harty, Secretary 4~i L!Pvl
DATE: March 20, 1979
SUBJECT: Prioritizing Goals & Activities for Conservation Commission
for 1979
At the March 15, 1979 Conservation Commission meeting the following list of
suggested activities was formulated based on the discussion at the February
meeting. Commissioners should review the list and prioritize the suggestions
before the April meeting.
newsletter in which various conservation type educational
programs would be detailed
Conservation Commission involvement in the development of
Palmer Lake
monitor certain existing conservation type programs
prepare information on parks, recreational programs and
various ot-Ale programs or ser-Dices to disseminate through
Welcome Wagon
update conservation slide show
prepare energy awareness seminar for teachers
prepare energy curricula for teachers
coordinate information sessions on income tax savings due
to energy saving retrofitting within a home
coordinate an award program for businesses for energy savings
more direct contact with the Chamber of Commerce and businesses
in general by the Conservation Commission
organize field trips for the Conservation commission
make community more aware of activities for families to
participate in in the realm of conservation
create a bulletin board feature which would serve as a vehicle
of information dissemination about various programs or services
provide information for a Brooklyn Center Post column
review certain proposals and plans which need City consideration
organize field trips for family involvement