06/20/2012 Environmental Board Minutes

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ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING June 20, 2012 DRAFT MINUTES 2 Ms. O’Dea stated this sounds like a great opportunity. Ms. Bor questioned if the grant requires a cost match. Mr. Asleson stated it does not require a cost match from the City. He stated we could use up to $50,000 of the grant at no cost share. Ms. Bor questioned if the priority is to invest on how to engage commercial business to recycle. Amy Ulbrecht, Anoka County, stated the County will be hiring an intern to work with the City on making contact with Lino Lakes businesses. She stated the intern cost does not come out of the recycling grant. Ms. Ulbrecht stated the County is already working with schools to create better recycling. She stated the City should focus more on internal recycling and businesses. She stated the City should think about holding more recycling events in the community or maybe even building a recycling center. She stated to think really big in terms of recycling. Mr. Dave Roeser, City Council member, stated in every business you have a building full of people trained to recycle. We need to lead the way and have a champion in every business. What we have to do is make goals for employees and have recognition such as t-shirts, etc. He stated getting behind employees to makes a difference and is a great motivator. He stated trying to get a tax increase to get park land developed is not going to happen. Recycling is one of the ways to raise money and then take the funds raised and plow them into the park systems. He stated we need to have a reward and recognition system. If we had a big container next to the Centennial Fire Station, we could find a champion to take every beer can and throw it in the recycling bin. We need to help businesses do the right thing. Ms. Bor stated Mr. Roser is a creative visionary. Applying for a grant is a component of that. Ms. Ulbrecht stated contacting businesses one on one regarding recycling is important. Ms. Ulbrecht stated we want to describe the goals and actualize some part of this. Mr. Roeser stated a good start would be to work together and make a to-do list for the intern and go from there. Mr. Asleson stated the County may have ideas on how to proceed. Ms. Bor stated it would be nice to set aside say $200 towards the set up to reward businesses. Mr. Roeser stated we have to have a goal and have some prizes. He stated we need to illustrate what a park can be for the City. He stated there are so many pieces of rewards.