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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1977 01-20 CONCM• MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE CONSERVATION COMMISSION FOR THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA REGULAR SESSION JANUARY 20, 1977 CITY HALL Call to Order The Brooklyn Center Conservation Commission met in regular session and was called to order by Chairman Vetter at 8:10 p.m. Roll Call Chairman Vetter, Commissioners Dorff, Price, and Livingston. Also present were Councilman Maurice Britts and Administrative Assistant Ronald Warren. Solar Heating Chairman Vetter reported on the tour of the Northview Junior Facility Tour High School heating facility by the Conservation Commission on December 28, 1976. She stated that the Northview solar heating facility is an experimental site which was funded by a grant given to four different areas of the country. She explained that the Northview experimental solar heating site is the only one of the four sites that is still in service. Commissioner Price reviewed the mechanics of the operation and explained that extra heat from the solar heating facility is diverted into the swimming pool. He added that the entire operation is skillfully designed. Commissioner Dorff stated that he was very impressed with all aspects of the solar heating facility. Chairman Vetter noted that presently the solar heating system supplies only about five per cent of the total heating for the school, but that hopefully in the future it will be able to heat a greater percentage of the school's needs. Commissioner Price suggested obtaining a film on solar heating from Northview Junior High to be shown at a forth- coming Commission meeting. is -1- 1-20-77 Chairman Vetter introduced the next item of business, that of review and discussion of local conservation priorities and programs.- She stated that it is appropriate that the Commission look at and review various programs and activities in an attempt to see where the Conservation Commission can lend assistance. She asked Councilman Britts what areas of conservation he sees as important to the community. Councilman Britts responded that the ongoing problems associated with trash and litter in the community are, in his opinion, the most important conservation problems. He stated that he would like to see an ongoing program. whereby streets, alleys, and parks are kept up. An unidentified citizen in attendance stated that it is possible for adults and kids to keep littering problems to a minimum and noted that such a cooperative effort is done in his neighborhood. A brief discussion ensued realtive to the development of individual and neighborhood pride that would seem to address various neighborhood littering problems. . Councilman Britts next referred to another conservation type problem that he feels should be addressed, that being the horsepower of various boats utilizing Twin Lake. He explained that noise pollution and water pollution problems, as well as safety problems, can be attributed to the size of motors contained on boats using Twin Lake. He stated that Crystal has closed off its access to the lake and that perhaps consideration should be given to closing the Brooklyn Center access and only permitting the launching of canoes, sailboats and rowboats as a means of addressing the problem. Commissioner Winkelman arrived at 8:42 p.m. Commissioner Dorff stated that he did not agree with closing the access to the lake, but thought a limitation on the horsepower of boat motors might be in order, and noted that such a recommendation was jointly made by the Brooklyn Center Conservation Commission and the Park and Recreation Commission. The Secretary explained the jurisdictional problems associated with regulating a lake that is bordered by three municipalities. He stated that in such a case the County has jurisdiction and will generally not develop regulations unless the three adjoining communities support or request those regulations. Local Conservation Programs and Priorities i 0 -2- 1-20-77 Commissioner Price mentioned the recent donation to the City of riverf ront property for scenic viewing purposes. He commended the citizens for the donation and stated that it would be nice to see more such donations. The Secretary briefly reviewed the recent designation of the Mississippi River corridor as a critical area and commented that this designation greatly restricts the manner or type of develop- ment that can take place on the river. A brief discussion ensued relative to what things can be done to property in this area and to the possibility of encouraging other such donations of property. Chairman Vetter inquired as to the status of Dutch Elm disease programs in the City. Councilman Britts responded that the City Council, during its deliberation of the 1977 budget, had set aside $10,000 to be utilized in conjunction with a possible State match for removing diseased elm trees. The Commission also discussed the Housing Commission's Home Renovation Workshop, the Conservation Commission's oil depository program, and the spring cleanup program. Commissioner Dorff suggested that an attempt be made to see about the availability of aerial heat loss photos and that possibly the Commission could pursue this matter with the Housing Commission. State Conservation The Chairman reported that it is anticipated that there will be Legislation much energy conservation and environmental legislation that will be introduced during this session of the State Legislature. She suggested that it might be worthwhile to invite State Legislators to an upcoming meeting to discuss this legislation with the Conservation Commission. Following a brief discussion there was a motion by Commissions Price and seconded by Commissioner Dorff to direct the Chairman to invite State Senators Bill Luther and Skip Humphrey to the February 17, 1977 Conservation Commission meeting to discuss energy conservation and environmental legislation. The motion passed unanimously. Recess The Brooklyn Center Conservation Commission recessed at 9:52 p.m. and resumed at_10:13 p.m. Kaleidoscope Chairman Vetter reported that the theme for the Commission's Kaleidoscope exhibit is energy conservation. She requested the Commissioners to prepare material and to update various slide presentations for the Kaleidoscope exhibit. • A lengthy discussion ensued relative to energy alternatives with the Chairman reporting on an energy alternatives program she had recently attended at Elm Creek Preserve. -3- 1-20-77 The Chairman reported that the annual Conservation Winter Hike Commission winter hike is planned for the last Sunday in February. Chairman Vetter stated that she had received a call Facilities for recently from the Director of Park and Recreation, Conservation Gene Hagel, inquiring if the Conservation Commission Commission Events was planning any activities that could make use of the Community Center services or be reported in the Park and Recreation Department activities brochure. Commissioner Price stated that the Conservation Com- mission has often worked with Community Education and that a good working relationship exists between that group and the Commission. He expressed the opinion that he does not favor completely abandoning Community Education to exclusively use Community Center facilities. A lengthy discussion ensued relative to the use of Community Center facilities and Park and Recreation Department brochures and various past problems. It was the consensus of the Commission to attempt to utilize Community Center facilities and publications in the future but not to abandon its association with Community Education. Chairman Vetter explained that she had recently discus- Commission sed Commission membership with Mayor Cohen. She Membership • stated that the Mayor generally follows through with a favorable consideration based on recommendations from a Commission regarding Commission appointments. The Secretary briefly reviewed the methods other Com- missions utilize in attempting to attract interested persons to serve on various advisory commissions. A brief discussion ensued relative to recruiting a new member for the Conservation Commission. Following the discussion the Secretary was directed to attempt to contact a number of local civic organizations in an attempt to solicit applications for appointment to the Conservation Commission. Chairman Vetter reported that a "Citizen Speak Out" Citizens Speak Out will be held at the Holiday Inn on Sunday, January 23, and that local State Legislators, School District Superintendents, and City officials will be in attendance to respond to citizen inquiries. She urged members of the Commission to attend the event. 40 -4- 1-20-77 Adjournment Motion by Commissioner Winkelman and seconded by Commissioner Livingston to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously. The Brooklyn Center Conservation Commission adjourned at 11:25 p.m. Chairman -5- 1-20-77