HomeMy WebLinkAbout1973-04-30 Evironmental Quality Commission Meeting MinutesEDINA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMISSION
Monday, April 30, 1973
7:30 P.M.
I. Call to Order and Roll Call.
II. Approval of Minutes of March 12 and April 2 (?).
III. Old Business.
A. Natural Area - 41st & Lynn Ave. -• Staff.
B. Viking Hills Lots - Cliff Johnson.
C. Other.
IV. New Business.
A. Consideration of Solid Waste Committee Report, April 2.
1. Village sponsored Spring Clean-up Week.
2. Village contract for leaf pick-up and composting.
3. Village contract for grass colection and composting.
4. Village wide contract for refuse collection and disposal.
B. Storm Sewer Study,' Southwest Edina - Referal to Committee.
C. Other.
V. Reports.
A. Planning Commission - Clifford Johnson.
B. Water Resources - John Telfer.
C. Park Board - Fred Richards.
D. Solid Waste - Jim Bentley.
E. Land Resources June Schmidt.
F. Air Quality - Earl Carson.
G. Education - Carol, Beim.
H. Noise - Bob Sandilla.
I. Soil Erosion Clifford Johnson.
VI. Communications - Staff
VII. Adjournment.
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMISSION
Regular Meeting
April 30, 1973 -- 7:30 P.M.
Edina Village Hall
Chairman Robert Sandilla called the meeting to order with the following members
present:
Ron Hays
Carol Beim
John Telfer
June Schmidt
Clifford Johnson
Jim Bentley
Earl Carson
Robert Sandilla
Staff present: Gary West
Harold Sands
The minutes to the March 12, 1972 meeting were read and approved as amended.
OLD BUSINESS
A. Natural Area - 41st and Lynn Avenue
Mr. West reported that Mr. Dunn was to have contacted the St. Louis Park
Public Works Director to ascertain when they would be able to finish the removal
of the material and finish grade the site, although he had not been able to dis-
cuss the results of that meeting with Mr. Dunn.
Ron Hays stated that he felt the Village had a commitment to the area
residents to finish up the project this spring; and that if St. Louis Park
was unable to remove the material, that the Village should remove it or sell
it, or pay someone to remove it this spring. Considerable discussion followed
among the Commission members.
June Schmidt moved and John Telfer seconded that the EQC recommend to the
Village Council that they cause inquiry to be made of St. Louis Park as to their
ability to remove the material and that the Council also investigate the possi-
bility of offering the material for sale and using the proceeds to accomplish the
leveling this spring so that the project can be completed this fall.
B. Viking Hills Lots
Clifford Johnson reported on progress on the soil erosion problems in the
Viking Hills area. He reported that satisfactory progress seemed to have been
made in making the property owners aware of the erosion problems and that steps
had been promised by the owners to control the erosion as much as possible during
construction.
Following general discussion concerning this property and other land which
also is subject to erosion, it was the consensus of opinion that the Viking Hills
lots be dropped from future agendas and that the EQC members note other soil
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April 30, 1973
erosion problems in the Village on building lots and to bring them to the
attention of the Commission.
NEW BUSINESS
A. Consideration of Solid Waste Committee Report, April 2, 1973
The chair requested Jim Bentley to give a brief synopsis of the Solid Waste
Committee's report and recommendations of the last meeting. Mr. Bentley stated
that these were areas of concern for the Commission in that the private hauler
system of refuse collection in Edina does not provide for the disposal of major
appliances and accumulated debris without an additional charge. The Committee
felt that a Village sponsored clean-up week such as is carried out in several
neighboring towns could be a great service to the community. He also stated
that a major portion of the refuse hauled in the warm months consisted of leaves
and grass clippings. With the increased cost of landfill disposal and the bulk
involved, the Committee felt that a Village sponsored system of pickup and com-
posting such material and then recycling it back to the residents would be a good
idea. Finally, the committee suggested that in view of the favorable contract
for refuse pickup in the Morningisde area, that the Council should consider a
Village-wide contract or franchise for this service.
Following considerable discussion on the proposals of the Committee, Ron
Hays moved and Carol Beim seconded that the Solid Waste Committee prepare a
preliminary feasibility report with possible costs and procedures for imple-
mentation for consideration by the Commission. Motion carried.
B. Southwest Edina Storm Sewer Study
Mr. West advised the Commission that the Southwest Edina Storm Sewer Study
was conducted at the request of the Council to determine the adequacy of the
storm sewers in the largely undeveloped area of Southwest Edina and make recom-
mendations for a storm sewer system to handle drainage as the area develops. He
suggested that the plan be referred to the Water Resources Committee for their
review and comment. This was agreed to by the Commission.
C. Other New Business
John Telfer inquired as to the status of the Mud Lake task force and their
recommendation to the Council. Mr. Hays replied that the task force was on
schedule and would shortly be presenting the final task force report to the
Council.
REPORTS
A. Planning Commission
Clifford Johnson reported on the April 4 Planning Commission meeting.
Subjects reported of significance were the Darrel A. Farr rezoning and the
South Edina Comprehensive Plan. Some discussion was held regarding the effects
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April 30, 1973
of the new South Edina Plan on traffic generation and density of development.
B. Water Resources
John Telfer reported that the difficulties with erosion at Highway 100 and
Ninnehaha Creek in the construction area seems to have come to a standstill.
The State easement has lapsed and the property owner won't permit further
activities to rectify the situation unless additional compensation is made by
the State.
C. Park Board
Due to the absence of Fred Richards, there was no report from the Park Board.
D. Solid Waste
Jim Bentley stated that he had no report other than to advise the Commission
that his 5-man committee had been reduced to 3 due to attrition, and he would
like to have some more appointees to bring the committee back up to strength
when the Council makes additional appointments to the Commission.
E. Land Resources
June Schmidt stated that she had no report but would like to voice similar
concerns to Jim Bentley's about the need for new appointments for her committee.
F. Air Quality
Earl Carson reported on several bills in the State Legislature which would
have considerable impact on air pollution and the use of automobiles. He did say
that there seemed little chance that the stronger bills would receive approval.
C. Education
No report.
H. Noise
Robert Sandilla stated that he was still waiting for new appointments to the
Commission by the Council before completing the appointments to this committee.
Soil Erosion
Clifford Johnson reported that his committee was still awaiting for final
action on State legislation concerning soil erosion and sedimentation. The
proposed legislation would be statewide but places the burden of enforcement
on the municipality and county and neglects to provide guidelines of how to
accomplish the desired ends. It was pointed out that such enforcement would be
quite expensive on the part of the Village at a time when severe budget limita-
tions have been placed on all municipalities by the State.
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April 30, 1973
COMMUNICATIONS
Mr. West reported that two items had been received by the EQC: (1) A question-
aire which would be completed and returned by staff; (2) A letter complaining
of the high-tower lighting recently installed on the Crosstown Highway, This
has also come to the attention of the Village Council and action taken by that
body.
ADJOURNMENT
Discussion was held as to the date for the May meeting since the regular meeting
date falls on a holiday. It was determined that the meeting would be held on
Tuesday, May 29, 1973.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.