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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/25/2012 Environmental Board MinutesENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING April 25, 2012 DRAFT MINUTES 1 APPROVED CITY OF LINO LAKES DATE : April 25, 2012 TIME STARTED : 6:30 P.M. TIME ENDED : 8:35 P.M. MEMBERS PRESENT : Mary Jo O’Dea, Barbara Bor, Paula Andrzejewski, Martha DeHaven, Steve Heiskary, Theresa Klaman and Nancie Klebba MEMBERS ABSENT : None. STAFF PRESENT : Environmental Coordinator Marty Asleson 1. CALL TO ORDER Ms. O’Dea called the meeting to order at 6:32 p.m. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES None. 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA ADD Item E: Heron donation. Mr. Heiskary made a motion to approve the agenda. Ms. Klaman seconded the motion to approve the agenda. Motion carried unanimously 4. OPEN MIKE Open mike closed at 6:33 p.m. 5. ACTION ITEMS A. Stormwater Annual Public Hearing for Stormwater Pollution Plan Implementation/Tim Payne City of Lino Lakes, Mark Ostrander and David Rydeen of the Minnesota Correctional Facility in Lino Lakes. Mr. Asleson presented his staff report to the board. As part of the SWPPP the City and Correctional Facility must solicit public input at an annual meeting required under the Public Education and Outreach Plan. ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING April 25, 2012 DRAFT MINUTES 2 Mr. Tim Payne, Street’s Supervisor for the City of Lino Lakes, presented the annual storm water City of Lino Lakes Mr. Payne stated the meeting shall comply with public notice requirements to provide an opportunity for interested persons to make oral or written comments on the stormwater pollution prevention plan. Persons not in attendance may submit written comments on the SWPPP. It shall provide an opportunity for members of the community to ask questions and provide input concerning stormwater management policies and best management practices The meeting provides a forum for the city to present the purpose, goals and requirements of the SWPPP and is intended to educate, inform and encourage citizens to provide input and comment on the SWPPP. It also provides opportunity for the City to consider input from the public. Mr. Payne reviewed and presented pictures of common contaminants, before and after a storm event. He stated The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Stormwater Permitting Program for MS4’s is designed to reduce pollution that enters surface waters from storm sewers to the maximum extent practicable. The NPDES stormwater permitting program is administered by the MPCA. NPDES permits are then issued in three areas which are: construction, industrial and municipalities Each type of NPDES permit requires the creation and implementation of a SWPPP. Six Minimum Control Measures (MCMs) 1. Public Education and Outreach 2. Public Participation and Involvement 3. Illicit Discharge Detection & Elimination 4. Construction Site Stormwater Runoff Control 5 Post-Construction Stormwater Management 6. Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping He reviewed the 2011 Accomplishments. Public Education and Outreach (MCM1) Public Participation and Involvement (MCM 2) Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination (IDDE) (MCM 3) Construction Site Stormwater Runoff (MCM 4) Post-Construction Stormwater Management in New & Redevelopment (MCM 5) Pollution Prevention and Good Housekeeping for Municipal Operations (MCM 6) ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING April 25, 2012 DRAFT MINUTES 3 He then presented the 2012 Implementation Goals which are:  Continue rain garden installation projects  Continued education initiatives  Continue to promote school and volunteer participation  Improve municipal operations practices  Effectively transition with new requirements within the 2012 reissue of the MS4 permitting  Resume proactive maintenance. Next present for the Minnesota Correctional Facility (MCF) Stormwater Prevention Plan are Mark Ostrander and David Rydeen. Mr. Ostrander presented background information about MCF.  MCF-LL has MS4 permit  Facility size 150 acres  5 outfalls, 3 retention ponds  Approximately 1,300 offenders and 450 staff  Treatment facility/no industry  Physical plant, garage, lawn & grounds  Developed and implemented SWPPP in 2006 He reviewed the 2011 SWPPP Activities:  Created procedures to prevent illicit discharges  Conducted training on SWPPP & MS4 requirements  Inspected facility outfalls and retention ponds  Storm drain inlet cleaning  Campus parking lot and Street sweeping  Pavement repair projects They provide education materials for Employees as well as visual displays which are used to promote employee and offender awareness about impact of stormwater run off on water quality He reviewed MCF’s SWPPP Best Practices as well as the 2012 SWPPP Activities. He stated MCF will continue to focus on preventing stormwater pollution by:  Conducting Facility Inspections  Maintaining BMPs for lawn and grounds care ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING April 25, 2012 DRAFT MINUTES 4  Clearing storm drain inlets  Cleaning spills properly  Reporting pollution and illegal dumping  Performing pond/ditch maintenance  Repairing soil erosion on campus grounds Ms. O’Dea opened the public hearing for comments at 7:11 p.m. Mr. Heiskary questioned Mr. Payne about proactive vs. reactive maintenance. How do we move in the direction we would like to move? Mr. Heiskary stated it sounds like the budget was burned. Mr. Payne stated if we had an unforeseen project, such as a pipe collapse, we would have to deal with it and delay a planned project. We are gradually making progress on projects we know are there at this point. Mr. Payne stated older projects need to be taken care of before they become urgent. Mr. Heiskary questioned if pipes were inspected at a more rapid rate, would it help deal with the issues before they happen. Ms. O’Dea questioned if all pipes are all about the same age. Mr. Payne stated yes. Ms. O’Dea askedif when doing proactive work, the city needs to inspect more thoroughly. Mr. Payne stated he feels he has a good handle on what the worst spots are at this time. Mr. Asleson stated NPDES rules are forcing the City to be more proactive in planning how to prevent future problems. Ms. Bor questioned in the budget cycle, and is the allowance likely to increase. Mr. Asleson stated the money is coming from the general fund. Ms. Bor stated a fabulous job was done presenting the annual stormwater information to the Board. Ms. O’Dea: Any other public comments? Any other public comments? Ms. O’Dea closed the public hearing at 7:17 p.m. 6. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. PowerEd/Jessica Aleshire Ms. Aleshire stated she is a Program Manager from PowerEd with McKinstry Company. Empowering people and saving energy. She stated she had the privilege of working with Centennial School District along with a few cities. They are expecting that in 2013, they will be offering new opportunity for municipalities and staff. ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING April 25, 2012 DRAFT MINUTES 5 Ms. Aleshire reviewed McKinstry’s capabilities, corporate stats and regional office locations. The objectives of McKinstry is to save energy, which saves money, saves jobs, reduces waste, can increase occupant comfort and productivity. Capital projects and operational efficiencies are all cultural changes that can make cities more efficient and do not take much up-front investment. PowerEd is an innovative building efficiency and energy awareness program with a systematic approach that helps meet environmental and fiscal goals with measureable results. People: Energy awareness and behavioral change. Performance: Operational improvements – reporting back data. Process: Progress tracking and reporting. She reviewed difference we can make. Such as: Develop, announce and implement an energy policy. Turn off lights when not needed or when leaving the room. Illuminate only the area required. Turn off computer monitors when not in use Shut blinds or shades at the end of the day. Unplug electronics from outlets or use power strips. Dress appropriately for the weather. Keep vents clear of furniture, books and paper. Use electronic communications and data storage whenever possible. Print on both sides of paper. Ms. Aleshire stated using a regular power strip to shut everything down saves energy rather than shutting everything down individually. Ms. O’Dea questioned if they monitor water usage. Ms. Aleshire stated no, they only monitor electric and gas. Ms. Bor questioned if a school or city is looking to educate or expand what is the best way of doing this that would make the most difference? Schools are always looking for ways to save money. Ms. Aleshire stated yes, and they tend to be the simplest things such as turning off the lights. This is the biggest bang for the buck. Keeping an eye on heating and cooling within the buildings is also a good option. Ms. Aleshire stated there is more money spent on utilities than on a single student. ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING April 25, 2012 DRAFT MINUTES 6 B. Green Step Presentation/University of Minnesota Student Group, Intra- College Program, Sustainability and Social Justice Environmental Science. Diana McKeown present from CERTs (Clean, Energy, Resource Teams). CERT is one of seven partners in the GreenStep program. She stated she will present a brief overview of the program. She stated the program is voluntary. If a group chooses to sign up, there are certain things that group would need to do. There are 28 best practices and actions under each of the areas. It is a big menu of options focused on cost savings & energy use reduction. GreenStep is about providing a pathway to sustainability with actions. GreenStep different is focused on Minnesota and geared toward smaller cities. The best practices are developed by experts in their fields from Minnesota. It is action oriented, allows flexibility with each Best Practice, gives credit for actions we have already taken and helps identify new actions to take. It also identifies real resources people who can use. It was questioned if there are other cities already involved. Ms. McKeown stated yes, a few other cities are: Mahtomedi, Oakdale, Edina, Eagan, Apple Valley, Pine River, Red Wing and Saint Cloud. The 28 best practices are listed in 5 categories: There are additional actions under each of the five categories: Building & lighting Transportation Land Use Environmental Management Economic & Community Development Sample Best Practices: Improve efficiency of city street lighting and signals, farmer’s market, etc. Building Community Interest: Have a local city council approve a resolution that says you want to work toward designation. Name a GreenStep cities coordinator and you will be recognized for Step 1. Students from the University of Minnesota Sustainability and Social Justice Environmental Science Department presented some of their findings from the research they have done in Lino Lakes. ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING April 25, 2012 DRAFT MINUTES 7 Piper Donlin stated she really cares about initiating sustainable practices and improving the quality of the environment and sustaining the environment. She stated with the adoption of the comprehensive plan which was put in place last year really emphasizes sustainable practices and conservation which is a huge part of the GreenStep program. She reviewed many best practices that the City has put in place with the comprehensive plan. One member of the group, an exchange student from Norway, stated the most inspiring thing is seeing cities like Lino Lakes and local communities implementing the BP before they are told by the federal government. Ms. Donlin s compared the contrast between Hopkins and Lino Lakes. The City of Hopkins is currently a case study and both the cities fall into category A. The City of Hopkins is on board with the GreenStep program. They are in the process of completing step 17 out of the 28 steps. They are currently a Step 2 City. They have been the in program for a year and a half. They have done many things such as install solar panels, farmers market, energy efficient lighting. These steps have saved them lots of money. Their biggest challenge is lack of time which is the case in Lino Lakes. Most of the City of Hopkins success is due to the work of a student intern from the University of Minnesota. Their student gets credit from the University for the work completed. Mr. Asleson questioned if the City were to start this process would we lose contact with this group? It was stated yes, for the group from the University of Minnesota and no not with Diane McKeown from CERT. Ms. McKeown is the representative for our area. Ms. O’Dea stated the City is already a Blue Thumb partner. She stated there is not a lot of man power. Is there a significant amount of time that needs to be put into this program? Ms. McKeown stated if a city had an intern, that person could look through the comp plan and go through the checklist. A resolution would then need to be passed. She stated she would not be surprised if we weren’t close to step two. There was discussion about bringing a resolution to the council. It was stated the League of Minnesota Cities recognizes cities who participate. Mr. Heiskary stated if the council hears benefits from the group, it would be good. ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING April 25, 2012 DRAFT MINUTES 8 Ms. O’Dea asked for a recommendation to put forth a resolution to the City Council. Ms. Andrzejewski made a motion to approve the resolution and Ms. Klaman seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously Ms. O’Dea asked the group to format a resolution. They will then forward it on to Mr. Asleson. C. Earth Day Review Mr. Asleson stated there were many opportunities to talk about storm water, recycling, etc. He presented the Blue Thumb display on How Your Roots Grow to the Board and how native roots work. Ms. Andrzejewski stated bottle tops are now recyclable. She stated she will send an email to city staff of current recyclables to put on the website. D. Upcoming Recycling Day/May 5 Board members received an email from Rob Rafferty regarding turning trash into treasure in White Bear Lake. Residents may put objects they would like to recycle on the curb. If residents are interested in these items, they can take them. If they are still on the curb the next week, residents can bring the items to the City’s recycle day. It was decided this item could be added onto the Environmental Board goals for 2013. Mr. Asleson stated he will be sure to hand out flyers on where to recycle carpet, mattresses and hazardous waste. It was stated we will be using a new metal recycling company this year. Walter’s Recycling will donate a roll-off for Recycle Day again this year. E. Miscellaneous: Heron Donation Mr. Asleson stated the Blaine Women’s Jaycees are donating money for the rookery. It was stated a resolution accepting the donation should be done as well as a donation form. ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING April 25, 2012 DRAFT MINUTES 9 8. ADJOURN It was noted that the next meeting of the Environmental Board will be on Wednesday, May 29, 2012at 6:30 p.m. There being no further business, Ms. DeHaven moved to adjourn at 8:35 p.m. Ms. Bor seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. Transcribed by: Lisa Hogstad Community Development Secretary