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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1978 03-16 CONCMMINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE CONSERVATION COMMISSION OF THE CITY O BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA REGULAR SESSION MARCH 16, 1978 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 Dorff, Price, Jensen, Livingston and •Wesloh. Also present was Administrative Assistant Brad Hoffman. Chairman Vetter noted. that Commissioner Winkelman had been excused from this evening's meeting. Councilwoman Scott was not present. Approval of Minutes Commissioner: Price moved and Commissioner Dorff February 16, 1975 seconded a motion to accept the minutes of the Feb- ruary 16, 1978 Conservation Commission meeting. The motion passed unanimously. Commissioners Report Chairman Vetter and Commissioner Livingston reported. Staples, MN that they had attended the first elementary school.Energy. Fair in Staples, MN. Chairman Vetter noted thaE while the fair had been open to participation in grades K-12, the secondary schools did not seem to participate. Exhibits at the fair included posters, essays and demon- strations. She further explained that the scope of the energy theme ranged from historical perspectives on energy to present day conservation efforts. Chairman Vetter added that prizes were awarded to the children Commissioner Livingston indicated that they also visited the energy resource center across the street from the school. He noted that the center was a converted warehouse constructed with Title IV funds-. Among the displays at the center were two (2) solar collectors. The first was a beer can collector and the other was a solar panel. Chairman Vetter reported that the center was one of three of its type in the nation. Commissioner Jensen inquired if it would be feasible to use some of the educational concepts such as the resource center here in Brooklyn Center. Chairman Vetter stated it would probably have to be initiated by teachers at the schools. Commissioner Wesloh indicated that the State would probably have to lead -1- 3-16-78 the way financially. Commissioner Livingston noted that classes related to energy would have to be made mandatory for the project to be successful. At the February Conservation Commission meeting, Commissioner Price agreed to contact auto dealers and local service stations to solicit their support for an auto efficiency clinic of sorts. Commissioner Price noted that there were no professional associations in Brooklyn Center for either car dealers or service stations. He indicated that he contacted Mr. William Beach of the Chamber of Commerce who liked the concept. Mr. Beach referred Commissioner Price to Mr. Richard Hesse of Brookdale Chrysler Plymouth. Mr. Hesse indicated that he thought a program of driving and maintenance tips in the paper each week would be a good idea. He volunteered the services of his service manager to offer professional advice, further suggesting that each of the dealers take a turn. Commissioner Price reported that Mr. Wes Reavely of Wes' Standard Station suggested a program involving a safety check by the Police Department and an efficiency test by service station representatives. Following Commissioner Price's report, a brief discussion. ensued relative to the possibilities of both concepts. Commissioner Jensen inquired if the high school and the vo-tech schools in the area might not have facilities to sponsor such a clinic. Following the discussion, it was agreed that Commissioner Price would contact the vo-tech schools to determine their desire to participate in the program. A discussion then ensued relative to contacting William Beach of the Chamber of Commerce to help organize a free auto efficiency clinic in Brooklyn Center. It was agreed that Commissioner Price and the Secretary, Brad Hoffman, would contact Mr. Beach the following week. Chairman Vetter distributed a letter that had been sent out to various agencies throughout the Brooklyn Center area requesting their participation in the Pride in Your City Campaign. She reported that Evergreen School indicated to her that they would clean up Evergreen Park, around the City storage area and under the water tower on April 26. She had further reported that she has not approached adult groups at this time, however, she had talked with Park and Recreation Director Gene Hagel and had arranged for trees to be donated by the City for planting by adult groups should some adult group agree to participate. Commis- sioner Jensen volunteered to contact the League of Women Voters and solicit their participation in the Pride in Your City Campaign. Auto Dealer Report Spring Clean-Up Campaign 3-16-78 -2- Chairman getter requested that. the :secretary request the Council on their behalf to proclaim April: 21 through April 30, 1978 as Pride in Your City week. • City Energy Report At the February Conservation Commission meeting, the Commission proposed that the City Council either appropriate funds for an energy audit to be conducted by an outside consultant or use the in-house staff to perform the audit to determine ways to reduce energy consumption throughout the City Hall complex. -The - Secretary reported that the City Council considered their recommendation and had requested that the City Manager study the proposal and report back to them about the feasibility of hiring an outside consultant or whether the task could be performed in-house.- Snowmobile Discussion A brief discussion ensued relative to snowmobile problems in Brooklyn Center, It was noted that there ' are still apparent problems of people driving snow- mobiles throughout the Palmer Lake area and in the arboretum area of Brooklyn Center. It was agreed that the Commission would consider the snowmobile problem at future meetings and that- they would not take a position on the banning of snowmobiles in Brooklyn Center at this time. Other Business Commissioner Dorff staged that he felt that-this Was the appropriate time to again adv-*ertise in the paper' about oil depositories.' Following a brief discussion,° It was agreed that the Post newspaper would-be contacted. Commissioner Jensen reported on Sun Day (May 3) The League of Women Voters hoped to push` for energy awareness on the part of citizens on that day. ' She ' invited the Commissioners to join the Leage of Women`s Voters in sponsoring some programs at the Civic Center on that day. The League of Women Voters were thinking of having resource people to demonstrate their products for the public. Following a brief discussion, Commissioner Dorff moved and Commissioner Price seconded a motion to support the League of Women Voters in their efforts to make citizens more energy conscious. -3- 3-16_7P Adjournment Motion by Commissioner Jensen and seconded by Commissioner Wesloh to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously and the meeting was adjourned at 10:15 p.m. Chairman 0 3-16-78 -4-