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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1972-06-12 Evironmental Quality Commission Meeting MinutesENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMISSION Meeting Notice & Agenda Mondayi.June 12/ 1972 Conference Room 7:00 P.M. AGENDA I. Call to Order and Rollcall II. Approval of Meeting Minutes III. Old Business *A. Use of Herbicides in Village (Aquatic Weed Control) — Ken Rosland B. Review of Village Sign Ordinance (Continued July 10/ 1972) *C. Creek Valley Baptist Church Landfill — Don Johnson D. Committee Appointments — Robert Sandilla E. Other IV. Reports A. Housing Needs — Citizens Committee . June Schmidt B. Planning Commission Report — Clifford Johnson C. Park Board Report — Fred Richards D. Water Resources Committee — Don Johnson E. Citizens Committee on Parks & Open Space — Willard Morse, Jr. F. Education Committee . Caxol Biwa G. Air Quality COmmittee — Earl Carson H. Land Resources Committee . June Schmidt *1. Solid Waste Committee — Jim Bentley J. Other V. Communications VI. New Business. 41A. Review and Comment Flood Plain. Ordinance (Action to. be taken) 4B. Lincoln Drive Proposal between. Londonderry & So. 7th St. inter,- change (Action to be taken) C. Other VII. Others Wishing to be Heard by the Commission VIII. Adjourn Related materials sent L Minutes of the Environmental Quality Commission June 12, 1972, 7:30 P.M. Conference Room, Edina Village Hall The meeting was called to order with the following persons presents Carol Beim. Jamea Bentley Robert Hays Willard Morse, Jr. Fred Richards Donald Johnson Staff present: Harold Sand Robert Dunn Robert Sandilla June Schmidt Robert Johnson Clifford Johnson Earl Carson Gary ;Jest Ken hosland Minutes of the May 8 meeting were approved as corrected. The Chair informed the Commission that Mr. Rosland's report would be given later during the meeting as Mr. Rosland was unable to be preaent at the begiruillv u2 the meeting. The Chair announced that the Village Sign Ordinance was to be continued to a later date upon the request of the Village Planner, who is waiting for answers to letters he sent to various sign companies for suggested changes in the ordinance. Creek Valley Baptist Church. Don Johnson reported on the work that had been done on Nine bile Creak at the Creek Valley Baptist Church. he passed around letters frem .i .A. Danens and "..ons elating that the necessary corrections had been made, and a let.t:er from A,v Haik's °face by James A. Jones, President of Nine Mile Creek Watershed District comaending J.A. Danens and Sons on their work on the creek area. Mr. Johnson stated that he had gone by the area and was discatiefied with the work that had bcen dose. He. explained that over Memorial weekend there was a great deal of erosion en the bunks due to heavy rains, and a lot of the seed that waa planted was washed away. he also stated that the slope was not a 3-1, but more of a 2 2:1-1 slope. Discussion was held on the possibility of holding a mectine with the parties In- volved, ic., J.A. Danens and Sons, Creek Valley Daetiat Church, and the Nine Creek Watershed District. The Chair requested that the staff prepare a letter inviting repreeentativea of these parties to meet June 26 in the Conference hem at 7:30. Mr. Johsnon offered to get in touch with hay Balk about the letter and inform him of the meeting. He also offered to get in touch with John Dickson. The Chair asked Mr. West if he had anything to report on the Edina West High School site, as it is close to the Creek Valley Baptist, Church. ,;est reported that he had talked to Don Prior, Suainess Director and asked him check with the contractor to see if they are following the stieulations that uorc :e_ere.eeente. Qua_Liby Oommiesion Ueee 12, 1972 :e 2 elaced on them in the construction of the highschool. Mr. lest stated he had looked at the site and said it did not appear that much erosion was reaching the creek. Don Johnson suggested that the school people also be invited to attend the meeting, of the 26th to discuss what they are doing to give the people from the church an idea of what can be done to prevent erosion. C:emittee Appointments he Chair moved that the proposed committee submitted by Earl Carson be eccepted, ,'on Hays seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. In that June Schmidt had only one recommendation for her committee thus far, her appointments are to be placed on the next agenda. REPORTS :lousing Needs ,Committee June Schmidt reported that the basic reason for this committee is to see if their is a need for low and moderate income housing in Mina. She further informed the commissioners that a "236" moderate income housing deeelopment for the elderly is planned for Edina, and that the Housing Needs Committee is sending out a questionnaire to various groups of people in Edina to attempt to find out what the, feel Edina needs in the way of low and moderate income housing. 71ai~ning Commission Clifford Johnson gave a brief report on the activities of the Planning Commission at their May 3 meeting, saying that primarily they considered several lot divisions. The Planning Commission has postponed action on the Flood Plain Ordinance until the Environmental Quality Commission makes its recommendation. Perk Board Fred Richards reported on the May 9 Park Board Meeting at which discussion was primarily on aquatic weed growth. It was felt by the Park Board that communication is needed between the Environmental Qeality Commission and the Park Board in this matter. Next meeting of the Park Board is July 12. Water Resources Committee Don Johnson reported that the Water Resources Committee discussed the Lincoln Road and Mud Lake proposals and felt that their recommendation of May 8 is still appro- priate. The filling of the marsh below 78th Street was also a topic of discussion but it was felt that more information was needed before a recommendation could be made. The Storm Water Disposal Criteria of Ninnehaha Creek Watershed District and the accompanying memorandum from Robert Dunn, Village Engineer were considered but no action was taken. The Chair indicated that ho felt the Commission should take some stand on the storm water matter and forward it to Council. (IJ It was pointed out by staff that this matter had received unified opposition from a majority of communities involved, and the proposal had. been referred back to the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District staff for further' evaluation. .e.vereneeataj.. Qualaay eosted.esien June 12, 1972 Page 3 Citizen's Committee on Parketandtqam Space gorse dld not aaend the last meetiag, and therefore, was unable to giVe a report. Next meeting on June 22, at 2:00. . alucation Committee Carol Beim reported on the Edueation Committee meeting June 7# They feel the purpose of this committee is to coordinate information to other groups and other committees. , Air Quality Committee Earl Carson informed the commission members that the Air Quality Commission has not met yet, but that they will probably meet this week and decide what their role is. The committee has been doing research on communities and how they are approaching the problem of air quality, Land Resources Committee The Land Resources Committee has not been appointed as yet. ;:olid Waste Committee In his report on Solid Waste Committee, Jim Bentley referred to a written report on the Solis Waste Committee meeting that was received by the commissioners. The eemeittee visited .three sanitary facilities, a sanitary landfill, and a transfer station. :eld Lake Task Force Ron Hays reported that the Mud Lake Task Force is in the ,process of preparing a rough draft. He requested that the staff give them a tour of the lvnzd Lake area to which the other commissioners would be invited to attend. Kan Rosland offered to conduct the during which the commissioners wilLwalk the perimeter of the lake. The date was set for June 24, final details to be set up by Kan Rosland and Gar ;seaLic Weed Control L this point, Ronfloslaed gave his report on aquatic weed control in the 1/131aL;e. Rosiand began his report on aquatic weed control giving a brief history on the action that has been taken in the past to correct the problem. He informed the commissioners that about six years ago, Cpudnc4 said they would treat all ponds and laket(Which 4itev dompbred storm waterlaiiiV: In the winter 24 -D pellets are used on the lakes, this method has had varying successfulness. In the summer Licuat spot treatment is used, for this they have received permits from the state. Colpo... sulphate works very good for the control of algae, but is not biodegradable and Rosland feels that it will probably be taken off the recommended list. The Park Department has been working with the Clean Flow: Corporation which uses a method of taking phosphates out of the water. This method is nexpensive and seems to be very effective. It does a good job of cleaning up algae, although it doesn't affect duckweed machp it appears to cause some. receding of aquatic weed growth. Res:Land said they will be testing a fish called the Silver or White Amur in'a fee ponds in the Village. This fish has been under study in Arkansas for four years. It eats four times its weight in cellulose, but cannot reproduce itself without hormone shots. Mr. Rosland feels that the best approach is to control it beroee moi. J orows up. :he Roslandethieks they should study which lakes should not be treated, but every pond or lake that residents back up to mast bo treated because the people Znviry.47.0ratal',Quelity Commission • J.1114.0 12, 1972. Pege 4 ,T. don't want to live with aquatic weeds and algae. Th3 problem with many of the lakes in Edina, is that they are not really lakes, they aro ponde that have been created by storm sewer water and some are very shallow. But people beeld expensive houses around them, they want them to look like lakes. The Park Department has received numerous complaints from resideate in the Village aheet the aquatic weed growth in their lakes. In Maesh the Village received e • petition from the people at Valley View and Wooddale Apartments which hr.:, a l‘eLd with a large amount of floating bog on it which smells so bad they can't eeen,ny windows. This problem will be coming up before Council at its next meetire. • like Arrowhead is worse than it has ever been. ' Rosland said that the problem is mainly caused by adding .nutrients to thu waLe. He further informed the commissioners that storm sewers, drainage water, :e., l3 fertilizing and mowing lawns, and even particles of sand contribute nutri,ate to the water. This is why he feels that the method of taking the phospates out of the water to stop algae growth, or the fish to completely take out the weede is what is needed, or killing the weeds before they grow up. When asked about the use of a mechanical harvester like tho Mud Cat, Roeland repled that he had investigated that, and found that it created problems of finding a place to put the weeds when they are taken out of the lakes. They have to bc driet before they can be hauled, and they can't let them dry on the eherefeeceueo fee smell is too bad. National Car Rental is trying ee find some way of mechenically dehydrating the weeds. Ron Hays expressed the feeling that while it scans that the -Perh Deparmeel, is providing a temporary solution, they are creatine much more Weed growth in the long run by adding nutrients through the chemicals ueed to treat Lhc lehee. ire suggested that Council set aside money to get some expertise in the field. The Chair requested that the Water Resources Committee do come research on aquatic weed control and find out what some other areas are doing. Communications The Commission received a revised Cooperative Agreement from the Minnehaha Crock Watershed District. It was accepted by Council earlier, but has now been revised and is more specific than the original proposal. The Chair requested the Water Resources Committee review and comment on this at the next regular meeting. Nine Mile Creek Watershed District wrote a letter asking if there are individuals, in the Village who are ;Qualified or interested in eurvine ata advioore to the Mlle Nile Crook Watershed District. The Chair gave this to the EdueeLiee G0,AittiLL0,1 Caine up with some people who would like to serve. Ura, Donna Rubins and 1w. .zoboiq, T. Noleen wore recommended and Don Johnson, offered to ucerve as an advisory. 2m,:,.ruhmented. Qeality Cougrion 12, 1972 2a3e 5 NEW BUSINESS. Flood Flain Ordinna2 Considerable aiscession was held with concern being expressed toward the Environ- mental Quality Conmission not being included in review and recommendation making (-) processes at the times when the Watershed Districts and the Department of Naturil resources are. It was decided that the following modifications would be recommended to Council: 1. Section 5 (b) (2). The Environmental Quality Commission questions the definition. of "unduly" :L sentence 1. The Environmental Quality Commission would prefer the deletion c:f ". . or may enduly . ." from sentence 1. 2. Section 5 (d) The Environmental Quality Commission roqueste clarification of the complete eubeection, 3. 'Sectiene 7 (d, 8 (a) (2) and (b) (2), and Section 13,(b). The '&virorLeental Quali4 Commineion requests the inclusion of language which would require the submission of ell requested permits, variances and amendments to the crdinance to the Environmental Quality Commission for review and recommendation concur- rently with tee Commissioner and Watershed Districts. Lincoln Drive Pro: osal , Considerable disceesion was held on the Lincoln Drive proposal. The Chair surzested that perhaps the flommission should make their reccmmendation strictly frem the envirennental steedpoint. The op pion was erpressed by several of the commissionera that if Lincoln Drive is constreated, it nail put additional pressure on tha Village to permit Wallace Kennet to con; tract his apartments in the flood plain, possibly with a court order forcine that development. This could then have a domino affect on other property upstream. Fred Uchards moved and Aon hays seconded "the Environmental Quality Commission i5 opposqd to the c)nstruction of Lincoln Drive Unless any structure built within Lhe flood plain adjacent to Lincoln Drive complex fully with the proposed Flood Plain Ordinence 032 uhen adopted, and other State, Nine Mile Creek Watershed District, and Val • stoWtes, ordinances, end rules end regulntione." Motion carried enan- imoumly. The: •o being no :'either business, the meeting was adjourned.