HomeMy WebLinkAbout1977 11-17 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
NOVEMBER 17, 1977
CITY HALL
Cali to Order The Brooklyn Center Conservation Commission met in
regular session and was called to order by Secretary
Brad Hoffman at 7:.35 p.m.
Roll Call Commissioners Dorff, Price, Wesloh,. Winkelman and
Livingston. Also present were Administrative Assistant
Brad Hoffman. Chairman Vetter indicated that she would
be late to the meeting because of school conferences.
Commissioner Jensen informed the Secretary that she
would be unable to attend the meeting.
Approval of Minutes Motion by Commissioner Dorff and seconded by Com-
October 20, 1977 missioner Price to accept the minutes of the October 20,
1977 meeting. The motion passed unanimously.
Report on Kylawn Park The first item of business was a report from Commis-
Improvements stoner Winkelman on Kylawn Park improvements over
• the past summer. She noted that the walkways had been
maintained quite well by the Park and Recreation Depart-
ment except that a number of boards were missing from
the walkway. She further noted that a park sign was
down again, although it had been put back up this
past summer. A brief discussion ensued relative to the
City's responsibility should someone be hurt because
of the missing walkway boards.
Commissioner Winkelman inquired about the oaks that
were being cut down in the Crystal part of the park.
Because only oaks were being cut, it was felt that the
trees probably had oak wilt. The Secretary indicated
that he would check with the City of Crystal to find
out the reason for their being cut.
Energy Workshop Report An Energy Conservation Workshop that had been jointly
sponsored by the Conservation Commission and the
League of Women Voters had been held on November 15.
Commissioners Wesloh and Livingston reported that
approximately 25 of 25 individuals had attended the
workshop. Mr. Bill Davis of the Minnesota Energy
Agency conducted the meeting. Commissioners Wesloh
and Livingston reported that the meeting was very
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informative and that the audience made many inquiries
of Mr. Davis. The workshop reviewed such home energy
conservation measures as insulation, weatherstripping,
calking, storm windows and so forth. Some individuals
expressed their concern that some products on the
market had not been thoroughly researched enough and
because of that they were hesitant to purchase such
materials at this time.
A brief discussion ensued relative to possible grants
and low interest loans that would be available for energy
conservation measures for low and moderate income
groups. The Secretary replied that he would furnish
such information at the next meeting.
Commissioner Winkelman stated that she felt that the
Commission should sponsor another workshop. She noted
the wide spread interest in the community for this type
of information. Commissioner Dorff suggested that it
be held in the Civic Center. Commissioner Winkelman
expressed her concern that the size of the audience
might inhibit the exchange of information between the
speaker and the audience. It was agreed that the Com-
mission would again discuss a possible workshop in the
near future at the next meeting.
Because Chairman Vetter had not yet arrived, the Corn-
mission elected to go on to the slide presentation and
take up the spring cleanup campaign afterwards.
The Commission then viewed the slide presentation from
the State Water Quality Management Planning Unit of
the PCA entitled Urban Storm Run Off.
Chairman Vetter arrived at 8:40 p.m.
The presentation covered the causes of pollution run off
and its potential solutions.. It also covered costs attributed
to cleaning up the problems.
Following the slide presentation, the Commission discussed
its application in Brooklyn Center. The Secretary noted
that while Brooklyn Center is affected by the problem, its
solution.must be a metropolitan one and that the Metro-
politan Council is presently working towards its solution.
Commissioner Winkelman inquired if the City cleans
its catch basins. A brief discussion relative to catch
basins followed and Commissioner Winkelman stated that
she would find out how frequently catch basins were cleaned
in Brooklyn Center.
Commissioner Price noted that he was aware of a film on
the Windom Nature Center and its development. He stated
that he would attempt to secure the film for the next meeting.
Slide Presentation
Chairman Vetter Arrived
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Spring Cleanup Campaign The last item of business was the Spring Cleanup
Campaign. It was decided that the Spring Cleanup
Campaign would be held in late April. The last two (2)
weekends would be the starting and ending dates for
the project. Cleanup projects were discussed and it
was suggested that groups such as the boyscouts,
bluebirds, girlscouts and so forth be contacted to see
if they would like to participate. it was further sug-
gested that perhaps such groups could solicit pledges
for each pound of -trash that they picked up as a fund
raising project. Some discussion was given to having
a weigh-in center located either.at City Hall or over
at the public garage. It was felt that such a campaign
would benefit the City and also would be a good pro-
ject for such groups to raise funds for their related
activities. A discussion then followed as to getting
other civic groups primarily adult groups, to take an
active part in the Spring Cleanup Campaign. It was
suggested that perhaps a personal contact with the
groups as opposed to just a letter be used. Chairman
Vetter stated that she would be in touch with Park and
Recreation Director Gene Hagel to see what projects
might be available in the parks. Such projects they
hoped to include would be the removal of dead Dutch
elm tree wood. It was decided that the group would
consider projects for the Spring Cleanup Campaign
• and at the December Conservation Commission meeting,
plans for the campaign would be finalized and that they
would try to attract other civic groups into participating
in the Spring Cleanup Campaign.
Other Business No other business was introduced by the Commission.
Adjournment A motion by Commissioner Wesloh and seconded by
Commissioner Price to adjourn the meeting. The motion
passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at
9:44 p. m.
Chairman
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