Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1978 02-16 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 FEBRUARY 16, 1978 CITY HALL Call to Order The Brooklyn Center Conservation Commission rivet in regular session and was called to order by Chairman Vetter at 7:41 p.m. Roll Call Chairman Vetter, Commissioners Dorff, Wesloh, Winkelman, Jensen, Price and Livingston. Also present were Councilwoman Celia Scott and Admin- istrative Assistant Brad Hoffman. Introduction of The first business item on the agenda was the intro- Councilwoman Celia Scott duction of Councilwoman Celia Scott as the new City Council liaison to the Conservation Commission. Chairman Vetter introduced Councilwoman Scott to the Commission members. Approval of Minutes Commissioner Jensen moved and Commissioner January 19, 1978 Winkelman seconded a motion to accept the minutes of the January 19, 1978 Conservation Commission meeting. The motion was passed unanimously. Spring Clean-Up The next agenda item was a discussion of the spring clean-up campaign for Brooklyn Center. Chairman Vetter informed the Commissioners that she had accumulated a list of youth group leaders to contact about participating in the campaign. She further indicated that she is preparing a letter to go out in the next few weeks requesting group participation in a variety of projects. A brief discussion followed relative to various youth groups getting monetary pledges from citizens for every pound of litter they pick up as a fund raiser for their respective groups. Commissioner Jensen then incuired if any adult groups had been contacted. Chairman Vetter indicated that the Garden Club and the Jaycees had indicated that they would participate in the program. She then extended an invitation to all ijroups in Brooklyn Center to participate in the spring clean-up campaign. M.E.A. Slide Presentation The next agenda item was a slide presentation from the Minnesota Energy Agency, "The Energy Building Code" was shown to the Commission by Mr. Bill Davis of the Minnesota Energy Agency. Mr. Davis noted that if the energy code which has been adopted by the State of Minnesota for implen entation in 1980 were -1- 2-16-78 ipplicd State-wide today, there would be a 20% reduction in energy consumption throughout the State. Mr. Davis stated that there is presently a bill before the Legislature - to require code compliance in order to sell: a home, although he noted a great deal of apposition to that bill. Commis- sioner Winkelman inquired as to current actions being taken to upgrade buildings. Mr. Davis informed the Commissioner of the State Agency's current task of conducting an energy audit-of all governmental buildings in the State during the _ next two (2) years. He also noted that because of the rising cost of energy, industry is finding it advantageous to make , _ . capital expenditures to reduce energy consumption. Among ~ others, 3-M has reduced their energy consumption by 27% through such expenditures. He further noted that buildings are being designed with fewer windows because of the present energy situation. Tyr. Davis stated that we will probably never see: another T.D.S. Tower in Minnesota. Commissioner ~ Jensen asked what effect the new energy code will have on alternative housing, such as earth homes. Mr. Davis noted that the code deals with alternative designs. He stated that the code serves as a minimum standard and that it would be incumbent upon the individual to demonstrate that the proposed alternative design meets or surpasses the requirements of the code. Commissioner Price inquired if the Mate had any plans to deal with car efficiency. Mr. Davis indicated that while the State ha s no tentative plans in tha t area , Triple A does offer a testing service to its members to determine their auto • engine efficiency. He further noted that the same type of inefficiency experienced in automobiles can be found in the furnace of your home. He further stated that such inefficiency wastes a great deal of fuel, Mir. Davis finished his presentation by iriforming the Com- missioners that a form from the Minnesota Energy Agency with five (5) question on it can be obtained and filled out relative to energy efficiency of buildings. By calling in to the Minnesota Energy Agency at 296-5173, individuals can receive a computer analysis of the energy efficiency of the building. The Conservation Cosymission them discussed possible future Future Projects projects. Commissioner Jensen informed the Commis-sion about the work of a Dr. Hey from U.C.L.A. and the development of a passive solar heating and cooling system for the California climate which he had patented. Following a brief discussion, Corm,rissionar Winkelman indicated that she would like to receive further information about Dr. Hey's solar h -ting and-cooling sy stein. 'ihe Commissioners then discussed the possibility of 'raving an energy conservation "booth at Brvokdale manned by the Commis-- sioners.. Commissioner Price suggested that the Conservation 2-L6-78 -2- Other Business Adjournment Commission check with auto dealers to see if they would like to participate in the program to test auto- mobile efficiency. The Commission agreed- that the dealers would receive both free publicity and probably additional business as an incentive to participate in the program,. Commissioner Price agreed to check with local dealers and report back at the next meeting. The last agenda item was a motion by Commissioner Winkelman and seconded by Commissioner Jensen to recommend to the City Council that they either appro- priate funds for a consultant or make use of in-house staff to 'make recommendations to the Council to reduce energy consumption in the City Hall-Civic Center Complex with the priority being given to the pool area. The motion passed unanimously. Motion by Commissioner Wesioh and seconded,by Commissioner Price to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 10:20 p.m. ,F Chairman : -3- 2-1&-78