HomeMy WebLinkAbout1972-10-08 Evironmental Quality Commission Meeting MinutesEnvironmental Quality Commission
October 8, 1972
Conference Room, Edina Village Hall
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Robert Sandilla with the following
members present:
Staff Present:
Fred Richards
James Bentley
Cliff Johnson
Robert Sandilla
Don Johnson
Willis Shaw
Gary West
Ron Johnson
Earl Carson
June Schmidt
John Telfer
Carol Beim
Leslie Sale
Mr. Telfer moved that the minutes of the September 27, 1972 meeting he approved
as read. Cliff Johnson seconded the motion. All voted aye.
OLD BUSINESS
A. Solid Waste Committee
Mr. Bentley introduced Mr. Paul Miller of Metro Recycling Center, who showed a film
entitled "RecyCling - The Solution to a Problem". Following the movie, Mr. Miller
went on to give a brief talk concerning the recycling center, how various organi-
zations have gone about operating collection centers, what responsibilities are
placed on these organizations, and the rate of pay on the collection of these
materials. Mr. Miller explained that Metro Recycling is a non-profit corporation
and that the majority of the manpower is made up of handicapped and mentally'
retarded individuals.
Mr. Shaw informed the Commission that Fortune magazine had a very good article in
their October issue on the shortage of metals in the world now and the crisis that
is arising.
B. Mud Lake Task Force
Mr. Sandilla stated that as Mr. Rosland was out of town, he had been unable to
receive names for Park Board representation on the new Mud Lake Task Force, and
thus did not have his recommendations available to present to the Commission for
approval. Mr. Sandilla asked if there would be any objection to his giving his
recommendation to Gary West when completed, without the Commission reviewing it, in
this way, the recommendations could be submitted to the Council for its next meeting.
Don Johnson moved that Mr. Sandilla be allowed to give his recommendations to Gary
West without Commission reviewal, Mr. Cliff Johnson seconded the motion. Motion
carried.
C. Sound Pollution Committee
Mr. Sandilla apoligized for not being prepared to submit his recommendations for the
Sound Pollution Committee to the Environmental Quality Commission at this time.
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October 8, 1972
Page 2
NEW BUSINESS
A. Natural Area - 41st and Lynn Avenue .
Mr. Sandilla introduced Miss Mary Hertogs, who was proposing that the land between
Lynn and Kipling at 41st Street be left as a natural area with five objectives in
mind:
1. To use land as a drainage area.
2. To promote wildlife in the area.
3. To develop the land as a nature area inexpensively:
a. To contour the land
b. To plant trees (available free)
c. To make woodchip paths (available free)
4. To provide an area for environmental education for Morningside School-(Edina),
Susan B. Lindgren Schobl-(St. Louis Park), and Calvin Christian School-
(Private).
5. To have an area aesthetically attractive.
Miss Hertogs made a presentation distributing maps of the. area. Miss Hertogs
stated that she had obtained assistance froM Minnesota Environmental Service Center
in producing these maps, and went on to say she felt the Minnesota Environmental
Service Center would be willing to assist with this project in any way that they
could.
It was felt by the Commission that this proposal should be presented to the Park
Department and Engineering Department for study.
Mr. David Markusen, a resident of the area in question, stated that he is very much
in favor of Miss Hertogs proposal.
Mr. Sandilla stated that he would be responsible for presenting this to the Park
Department and Engineering Department.
B. Review of Article on EEQC for Edina East Newspaper
Carol Beim introduced Melissa Brown of the Edina East High School, who wrote an
article for the school newspaper about the EEQC. Miss Brown distributed rough
drafts of the article and asked for corrections. The article was corrected by
various members of the Commission.
REPORTS
A. Park Board
Mr. Richards reported.. on the activities of the. Park Board at their-last meeting. He
stated that their primary discussion was held on the use of the Parbury property,
and consideration of stationing a member of the Park Department staff at the Yorktown
housing for the elderly to assist in coordinating senior citizen. activities.
B. Planning Commission
Mr. Clifford Johnson reported on the activities of the Planning Commission meeting
at their. October 4, 1972 meeting. He stated that the Commission considered various
rezonings and a request for a replat of Outlot A, Gleason Third Addition. The
Commission denied the request for a replat of this property as it would not he pos-
sible to obtain a buildable lot and comply with the 100 foot setback from the Nine ,
Environmental Quality Commission
October 8, 1972
Page 3.
Mile Creek, as called for in Village Ordinances. The request could be reconsidered
if the Creek can be relocated. The Planning Commission suggested that any request
for the relocation of Nine Mile Creek be submitted to the Environmental Quality
Commission for approval.
C. Education Committee
Carol Beim introduced Don Meyer, to discuss education aids used in the schools.
Mr. Meyer exhibited aids which he has used in his biology classes for ecology. He
stated that at the elementary level, nature field trips are taken, and at the
secondary level, biology classes emphasize.ecology and try to instill a sense of
the value of living things; Mr. Meyer further stated that a semester course on
ecology is proposed to be added to the curriculum and will be taken before the
School Board in the near future.
Mr. Clifford Johnson asked Mr. Meyer if there was some way that the school could
assist with the Mud Lake Area. Mr. Meyer replied that he felt that parts of this
area should be left the way it is, but that some trees and plants could be planted,
and some trails with woodchips could be used. Mr. Meyer felt that students could
asssist with both of these projects.
D. Water Resources Report
Mr. Telfer reported that Shirley Taylor, in researching the problem at the Wood-
dale and Valley View pond had been in touch with Minnetonka and found that they
had a similar problem with Forest Lake. Upon testing the water, they found it to
be impure. They have not completed their study as yet, on this lake.
Mr. Sandilla suggested that the Water Resources Committee wait for Minnetonka's
final findings on Forest Lake before asking Nine Mile Creek Watershed District
to test the water purity of the pond at Wooddale and Valley View so that they
will have an idea of what to look for.
E. Solid Waste Committee
Mr. Bentley had not report to give.
F. Land Resources Committee
Mrs. Schmidt had not report to give.
G. Air Quality
Mr. Carson distributed:a calendar of activities for the-Metropolitan -Clean Air
Committee to the Commissioners.
There being no further business the meeting was adjourned.