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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1976 01-15 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 JANUARY 15, 1976 LIBRARY CONFERENCE 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 Livingston, Winkelman, Price, Jensen and Dorffa Also present were Director of Public Works James Merila and Administrative Assistant James Lacinam Chairman Vetter noted that Commissioner Forstrom had contacted her prior to the meeting and requested to be excused. Hennepin County Chairman Vetter then introduced the Director of Solid Waste Resource Public Works, James Merila® She stated that Recovery Project Mr. Merila was prepared at this time to give a presentation on the Hennepin County Resource Recovery Project endorsed by the City Council. Mr. Merila then proceeded with a review of the plan. He stated that the project comprehended the reuse of solid waste materials. He commented that the present system of land fill disposal was not doing justice to our environment. He stated that an Omaha consulting firm was retained by the County through the aid of federal funds to study the possibilities of resource recovery on a metro wide basis. He commented that Hennepin County°s involvement in this project is a result of a state law which provides for counties to retain responsibility of the solid waste manage- ment programs. He commented that this project was an attempt to cope with the future problems and possibilities regarding solid waste manage- ment. He then described the material that would be used in the resource recovery project. He pointed out that iron and aluminum would be the only two 19. metals that would be collected for resales He stated that the substance of the project is based on the sale of steam which would be produced by burning the solid waste materials. He commented that the most logical site for a steam generating plant that, would use solid waste resources would be the industrial square section of Minneapolis. He stated that consideration for this site was based on the availability of the resource and transportation problems and the availability of potential users. He commented that estimated steam revenue at this point in time vo uld be about $8 million per year. Councilman Britts arrived at 7:45 p.m. He then stated that the development of the project was based on two stages with the initial stage being implemented in 1980 and stage 2 in 1990. He stated that the stage development would give a chance for study of the project to insure efficient operation and economic feasibility. Commissioner Jensen then inquired relative to the effect of the resource recovery project and the costs factor involved. Mro Merila briefly reviewed the cost of the project stating that the first stage would cost approximately $57 million- He pointed out that under the present system solid waste disposal cost about $10 per ton while under the resource recovery project the proposed cost would be dropped to about $4.17 per ton Commissioner Dorff then briefly commented relative to the problem of finding adequate disposal sites ,in the near future. Mro Merila stated that the future availability of adequate disposal sites is one of the reasons for researching the project at this time Mr, Merila then reviewed some of the areas of question that will be looked at prior to a commit- ment being made upon the project. He stated that Hennepin County at this time was researching questi,(_), s of whether or not it should be involved in this process and the impact of resource reduc° tic,- versus resource recovery, disposal costs and availability of waste versus demand of steam. A brief discussion then ensued relative to the project, Mro Merila commented that the City Council e-Idc rsed the concept of resource recovery as proposed under this project subject to certain qualifications. Ht~ them reviewed a resolution of endorsement passed by the City Council. 1-15-76 -2- ti 0 Educatia,n Chairman Vetter thanked Mr. Merila for iris presentation and comments on the resource recovery project. Program Commissioner Price then proceeded with a lengthy review of pamphlets and information he had put together regarding an environmental education program. A discussion then ensued relative to this program. Councilman Britts pointed out the Minneapolis School District has an extensive environmental services project and suggested patterning an environmental education program after that. Commissioner Winkelman commented briefly as to the scope of the project. The secretary stated that the project should be directed towards the three elementary schools in close proximity to the environmental preserve and should probably be on the basis of an informational session to the teachers, making them aware of the environmental education possibilities. Chairman Vetter then stated that the programs would be both educational and informative for the instructors and would involve a selling of the facilities and educational possibilities to them. Chairman Vetter and Commissioners Price and Dorff volunteered to collect additional information from the Department of Natural Resources and compile information in the form of a program to be presented to the instructors at the schools, making them aware of the environmental education possi- bilities and the use of the environmental preserve. Environmental Commissioner Winkelman briefly reviewed the action Preserve Report of the Environmental Preserve Task Force. She stated that one summer project might involve the construction of bridges over the drainage ditches, and inquired if the summer youth program might be able to supply the kids. She briefly reviewed some of the projects that the youths, working under the summer job program, completed last year in other environmental areas. The secretary stated that he would be attending an organizational meeting regarding the summer youth programs and get more information on possible involvement in this area. -3- 1®15®76 R. Motion by Commissioner Jensen and seconded by Adjournment Commissioner Price to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously. The Brooklyn Center Conservation Commission meeting adjourned at 9050 p.m, Chairman 1-15-76 -4-