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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1975 03-20 CONCMMinutes of the Proceedings of the Conservat,-.on Commission of the City of Brooklyn Center in the County of Hennepin and the State of Minnesota • REGULAR SESSION MARCH 20, 1975 CITY HALL Call to order The Brooklyn Center Conservation Commission met in regular session and was called to order by Vice-chairman. Winkelman at 8-.05 p,.m. Roll Call Vice-Chairman Winkelman, Commissioners Price, Dorff, Livingstc)n and Forstrom, Also present were State RQpresentati.ve Bill Luther, Director of Public Works Fames Merila and Administrative Assistants Ron Warren and James Lacina. Approval of Minutes Mot-ern by Comm-ssloner Jensen and seconded by 2-20-75 Commissioner Price to approve the minutes of the February 20, 1975 meet-„ng. The motion passed unanimous]'. y. Presentation by "!:icy,-,ChaIrma,cn [ 11, kc--man, introduced Representa® Representative Luther tine S:lll, Luther, She -r,dicated that Representa® • c,,. Environment ,31 t. ve Luther wc,ul.d be d,11scussing environmental Legl,slat.lcn, lecr°.sY tsc:. that had been proposed up to this date in the E:-Lvir(,)r,~mer.,tai. Protection Subcommittee. Representative Luther began his presentation by that there were, numerous issues of en- vl.ror.me t ;~1 concer~~ bet'care the leq.¢,slature this secs ic: He st,%,ted that is a member of the E:Mvirc,Rmen.tal Protec.ti(_) . SubcommIttee, he has had oppc»rtu}7;Ay to rev-era these environmental prr,pc,,saIs , ~ e commented that the copper-nickel issue a,:~id the Reserve, M',--ng dispute had pro v-ded an (-,pportunity for him to gain experi- ence in technical e,a:virc7.ment-=)I. matters Cha-.rman. Vetter arrived at. 8,-20 p'mo He stated that, the, Reserve issue was very complex and left thFi State wl,th very little remedy. He commented that there would be proposals to direct f-.nanc-,a] assistar.ce from the State to communities alonq the north shore to purify the water. He • then reviewed legislative programs that were before the Committee. He noted that the Solid Waste Program and Resource Recovery Programs provided for packages newly introduced to the State to be approved before they may be marketed. Another program that he discussed briefly was that of utilities advertisement and promotion He noted that, there were serious questions regarding the spending of consumer money for utility advertising. He then commented on • various proposals to combat the energy use. He noted that peak load pricing was one such method. He also commented on the flattened rate structure. There was a brief discussion, on utilities and energy use. Representative Luther next reviewed the ""Ban the Can" legislation that had been presented. He noted that House FlAe 33 would require a mandatory deposit for all beverage containers and House File 99 would prohibit the sale of containers with detachable tabs. He noted that both of these bills were passed out of Committee. He then commented on a third bill that would limit the types of containers to returnable glass bottles and fully recyclable steel cans He noted, however, that this bill produced some opposition. He then commented ()n some of the discussion regarding these bills, He stated that nonreturnables have caused a number of jobs to be last. He noted further that control r)f such containers would be limited to statewide use only and that there were many problems regarding shipping Lln from out state and shipping out products that are made within state, A lengthy discussion ensued relative to the philosophy of the "Ban the Carl" leg slat.ic:n Represenntative Luther them outlined addi,tional legislation that he had supported i..n the iniouse He noted that he sur-,p rted a bill regarding the Poiluti,on Control. Agency and enforcement r'. standards for Solid Waste a,nd Air, another regarding fishing and prohibiting commercialized type fish fi.ndina devices, :mother reg_,rdi.ng fish and game laws which would make a conviction for viclatin;g game laws appear on a permanent record. The fourth„ effective January 1, 1979, would require al.l. cars in Minnesota to obtain 20 miles per gallons, The fifth was regarding the boundary waters canoe area which would prohibit removal of any natural reccureso 3/2®/75 -2- He then discussed the philosophy of energy con- servation and changing the attitudes that would be necessary. A brief discussion ensued relative . to staggered work hours as a possible way of solving the energy crisis regarding peak hour usage and the transportation problems. Chairman Vetter thanked Representative Luther for his informative presentation and an opportunity to discuss environmental legislation with him. Representative Luther noted that if there were any areas of interest or any further information that he could provide to the Commission, he would be more th,- n happy t(,, do so. Recycling Center Chairman Vetter i.ntrc,duced the next item of busi- ness on the agenda, discussion of the Girl Scout proposal to operate the recycling center. She noted that in a letter received from Mrs. Frank, representing the Girl Scouts, they had talked with the Jaycees and that the Jaycees were dropping their invc-)ivement in the recycling center. She further noted that the Girl Scouts were i:¢wterested in taking over the recycling center nt. rely„ • The secretary briefly reviewed the reporting procedures of a task group and those that were required of the Jaycees regarding the recycling center. cllrwing brief discussion, there was a motion by Commi:ssi~°,r Price and seconded by Commissioner t(;) accept the pr(-)pr,)sal a,f the Girl Scouts t(.> operate the recycli.-.),,g center every Saturday r)f the me .-.th frcm 9„00 a ,,m, to 2,-00 p.m. The passed. a:.imcuslyo Motion by Commissioner WII-Ikelman and seconded by Ccmm.issic,;ner Dort<f tG require an annual report cr_)mme-ci„ng March, 1976, to include financial summary and act,--vities summary of the recycling center, Recess The Brooklyn Center Conservation Commission recessed at 9°30 p_mo and resumed at 9:50 p.m. Shingle Creek. Chairman Vetter next introduced Director of Public ~tershed Report Works James Me rilao She noted that Mr. Merila would view the recently completed Shingle Creek Watershed Study. Mr. Merila commented briefly on the background regarding the concern for the -3- 3/20/75 level of water in Twin Lake an~od the affect that Shingle Creek Watershed had on it, He noted an initial, study in 1971 regarding this matter, IHe stated that six communities, through a joint powers agreement, participated in a study of the Shingle Creek Watershed to determine the affect of the level of water off, ground water seepage and ground water table r_)f Shingle Creek Watershed on 'twin bake. He noted that the Study consisted of three malor parts, that of water quantity regarding rugs off and underground seepage, water quality and water management pro- grams. He stated that rf these, probably the most important was that of water management o He noted that this plan c:~r report was, in essence, what Brooklyn Center had accomplished in its e rider years. He stated that it, suggested effective water masiagemen.t plans to control, water ru.n off :in such a way as to not have flr;,r,d si.tu-a.- tions, He, noted natural hr;,ld:l.ng iaonds as a-,,, effective way c)f dr)l„n~g this. He stated that:, roc)kiyn. Center had dr Tie this in its l,i~,s~.tial stages of pi.a -ng and that he hoped the other c :mmunities would be that this method worked as a result c,f this report. He thee. commented ()r the rep;(-)rt as t,r_) the affect of ground water tables,. He °.3r,ted that elevat:i,().rn anal ground water tables affected the levei r)f Twin Lakes, He stated that the grouLnd water table to the west c;,f Tw_ Lake was r ,"ghF-ir t:,ari that to the east which resin t.ed in seep -ice through the lake brt,t,om ()f' the ~,asterly s e ti, cprcu--A wager table, rech.,arg-:,rg the lake trt)rm the west.eriy- side„ e.rsen _-qu red as tr st_It-.e laws regarding water recharge areas, Mr er.ll.a r(-_)ted that, these laws were mainly ci-).ncer,nIed with wetl,_i ,d ccant.rr'l, r°j.c.,mmi.ssi crier further :inqu,ired about the sti ck ra):. I ig c)f snow c,.n 69th arld Palmer take bas.,- The, Di.rectrgr r,f Public Wrrks br:.efly reviewed the C'.z.ty° s reasen.i.n,g and ph," Iosophy rr stock piling : n these areas:, He r,r,t.ed that c,rder for this water to-) get dlrect,ll ^.t,r Shir.gle Creek,, it must seed, through the grr~u7°.d, thus the grr,u,rd acts as a fittori.r,g agent, He commented that, the City had little alterna.t,ive but tr:, p:il.e the snc_w i_, some area and that he felt that this area wr,ud be the least damaging to the environment_ He noted the problems of snow 0 • 0 3 /2 0/7 5 -4 removal and the certain amounts of salt used in the snow and ice control. programs, Commissioner Winkelman inquired as to the ground • water supply, The Director of Public Works noted that there were two major ground water supplies in this area, one being the Jordon and the other being the Shakopee. He stated that the Jordon water supply, which was the deeper of the two and the one that the City used for well water, was very stable. He briefly reviewed the water supply features of this area. A brief discussion ensued relative to environ- mental problems in the street sweeping program. The Director of Public Works noted that Brooklyn Center recently purchased a vacuum-type sweeper that sucked up the very fine materials that were previously swept into storm sewers and washed into the river. He noted that there were many problems in the future that would have to be dealt with regarding piling of these street sweepings and, similarly in the winter, stock piling the snow. He stated that the major facet,to,keep in mind was that any activity created. on.e area most certainly has an affect in another area and that there was a need for a delicate balance between environmental-economical issues, Chairman Vetter thanked Mr. Merila for his presentation and review of the Shingle Creek Watershed Study. Mr. M.eril.a commented that he appreciated the attitude and concern of the Con- servat un Commission and noted that they may review the Watershed Study in more detail and if they had further comments or questions to contact him. Kaleidoscope A brief discussion ensued relative to the participation in Kaleidoscope, The secretary noted that if the Commissions wanted materials run off, he would need them by March 27 so that they may be available for the Commission at the Kaleidoscope program. The following schedule was set up for parti® ci.patiun in the Kaleidoscope booth. 11:00 1.-30 Forstrom, Livingston 1:30 4:00 Winkelman, Jensen 4:00 6<00 Vetter, Price -5- 3/20/75 Commissioner Winkelman noted that Pride in Your Pride in Your City City program was currently set for April 19-27. She commented that Commissioner Livingston had been working with her on this project, 0 Commissioner Livingston then reviewed the letters that were drafted regarding this matter and noted that they should be sent out to schools as soon as possible. Commissioner Winkelman briefly reviewed the participation in and the areas that would be focused on for clean up this year. She noted that she had received calls from various organi- zations that were offering their support and requesting information on the program. She noted that she would contact these groups. Mc>ti,o:`, by Comm .ssio°-~er Price and seconded by Adjournment Commissin er Dorff t(~djou.rn the meeting, The mot.ir), passed unan Ymousiyo The Brooklyn. center Co nservatiGn. Commissic)n, adjourned at li ,,,40 p.m. • -6-