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HomeMy WebLinkAboutEnvironmental Quality Committee Minutes 06-10-2020Approved Minutes Page 1 of 2 Regular Meeting of June 10, 2020 Approved Minutes Environmental Quality Committee Meeting June 10, 2020 Chair Gregor called a Regular Meeting of the Plymouth Environmental Quality Committee to order at 7:02 p.m. on June 10, 2020. All present participated remotely, per State Statute 13D.021. COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Gregor, Vice Chair Babcock, Committee Members Prokop, Polzin, Senne, and Niedermaier COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT: Committee Member Spoonheim STAFF PRESENT: City Council Representative Roehl, City Engineer LaBounty, Interim Water Resources Manager Scharenbroich, and Graduate Engineer Dempsey Plymouth Forum There was no one present to address the Committee. Presentations and Public Information Announcements There were no presentations or public information announcements. Approval of Agenda Interim Water Resources Manager Scharenbroich indicated Item 4.1, Approval of the March 10, 2020 meeting minutes, would be moved to the July meeting. Motion was made by Committee member Babcock and seconded by Committee member Polzin to approve the agenda as amended. With all members voting in favor, the motion carried. Consent Agenda There were no items on the Consent Agenda. General Business 5.1) Organics Recycling Interim Water Resources Manager Scharenbroich recapped the history of the committee’s review of an Organics Collection program, prompted by the Hennepin County recycling ordinance new requirements and the modified SCORE funding for cities. Graduate Engineer Dempsey gave a presentation about organics and explained the different methods other cities in the county are implementing to meet the new ordinance requirements. Approved Minutes Page 2 of 2 Regular Meeting of June 10, 2020 Committee Member Senne asked details about the opt-in option, and if the City would be pursuing this model to satisfy the ordinance. Dempsey explained that the goal is to increase participation in organics recycling for the benefit of the environment, but building a program takes education and outreach. City Engineer LaBounty explained the SCORE funds distribution, and that at the current time there is little being spent on organics education. Committee Member Polzin asked Graduate Engineer Dempsey about his research of both the mandatory opt-in method used by other cities. Dempsey gave details of Edina’s opt-in program and explained that fees for residents increased by 200%. He also gave information about two cities with public Drop-Off sites, Richfield and Minnetonka. The public site seems to be works well for a more densely populated city such as Richfield, but not has not been as well-received by the city of Minnetonka, which has a less dense population. The EQC discussed backyard composting, and questioned if it would be considered towards the ordinance requirement. Graduate Engineer relayed that currently residents doing backyard composting is not tracked and is not taken into consideration by the county, but if desired, the City could advocate to the county to include backyard composting to be recognized as organics recycling. Motion was made by Committee Member Babcock and seconded by Committee Member Prokop to recommend the City of Plymouth require all licensed trash haulers to provide curbside collection of organic material upon request of household subscribers, and city staff provide a residential education plan to include composting education. With all members voting in favor, the motion carried. Reports and Staff Recommendations 6.1) Water Efficiency Rebate Program Update Interim Water Resources Manager Scharenbroich gave an update of the rebate program. The program started in March and currently 7-1/2% or about $2500 of the funds have been awarded. 25 devices have been purchased saving approximately 575,000 gallons of water per year. Adjournment Chair Gregor adjourned the meeting at 8:27 p.m.