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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1974-01-28 Evironmental Quality Commission Meeting MinutesEDINA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMISSION AGENDA Monday, January 28, 1974 City Hall 7:30 P.M. I. Roll Call Minutes of the January 3, 1974, meeting. III. Old Business A. Refuse Collection - Dean DeCoursey, Lake Harriet and Edina Dennis McGraw, Modern Services B. Soil Erosion Ordinance - Staff C. Tree Removal Ordinance - Staff D. County Road 18 - Valley View Road E E. Lot 1, Gleason III Addition - Staff F. Karl Krahl Hill - Staff G. Joseph E. Erickson Condominiums - Staff IV. New Business A. Indian Meadows PRD-2 Concept Proposal - 9:30 P.M. B. Lot Division of Halla Nursery Property C. Others? V. Committee Reports A. Committee recommendation on feasibility of data collection and implementation plans for EQC. 1. Air, Noise & Transportation 2. Soil Erosion B. Reports of Standing Committees. VI, Communications VII, Others Wishing to be Heard. VIII. Adjournment. EDINA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMISSION Regular Meeting January 28, 1974 City Hall 7:30 P.M. The meeting was called to order by Chairman Ronald Hays with the following members present: Ron Hays Jim Bentley John Telfer Clifford Johnson Fred Richards Don Johnson Virginia Scott. Fritz Reid Earl Carson. Staff Present: Gary West Ken Esse Harold Sand The minutes of the January 3, 1974, meeting were read, corrected and approved as corrected. OLD BUSINESS Refuse Collection. The Chair introduced Dean DeCoursey, Lake Harriet and Edina Sanitation, and Dennis McGraw, Modern Services, who had been invited to the meeting to discuss the pros and cons of various methods of trash collection for Edina. Jim Bentley gave the Commission and the guests a brief background history of the EQC's interest in trash collection and asked each representative to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of contract vs. private collection in a city such as Edina. Dean DeCoursey stated that Lake Harriet and Edina Sanitation was one of several owned by Brown and Ferris Industries, Inc., a Texas corporation. Presently they service approximately 75% of the residents in Edina with 11 trucks. He reviewed the method of collection used by his company which are governed by local ordinances which are quite restrictive in regard to trash storage, etc. Rates for the service in Edina are $4.50/month, or $4.17/month if paid one year in advance. The trash is hauled to the Eden Prairie Landfill or to Savage for disposal. He stated that his experience showed that Edina residents generate approximately one cubic Yard of refuse per month. (Later he said it was 6.4 compacted cubic yards per year.) The normal 16 yard packer covers a route of 150 homes per day and makes 3 trips to the landfill each day.. Mr. DeCoursey said he had several concerns about citywide contracts for refuse hauling. One, because of the capital investment required with no assurance the contract would last the length of amorization on the equipment, the small hauler could not take on a large contract. Two, because of this, you are limited to large companies without the competition to keep the prices down for any length of time. Three, the nualitv of personalized service could suffer. Some economies of scale could result, but the biggest factor in reducing costs, curbside pickup is what is needed. In general, he was not in favor of large city contracts because of reduced competition. Members of the Commission asked numerous questions during this time concerning Lake Harriet's operatiOns, and if Edina residents were naving comparable prices under the private contract system for comparable service offered to other communities under municipal contracts. 1-28-74 EQC Minutes Page 2 Mr. DeCoursey stated he did not think there was a community in the Twin Cities which could be compared to Edina in the amount of refuse generated per home. There- for, it would be difficult to guess if a municipal contract could provide service equal to that presently offered at a significantly reduced price. Mr. Jim Bentley introduced Dennis McGraw and Bob Tooke, representatives of Modern Cleanup Services, LaCross, Wisconsin; who represented the municipal contract side of the picture. Mr. McGraw stated his company had four contracts in the northern suburbs and Ramsey County. He recognized the stake Lake Edina has. in Edina and the private contracts, but as an outsider would be interested in bidding if the City ever decided on a single contract or franchise. He said there were certain advantages to the municipal contract, principally in economy. He stated that normally municipal contracts were less costly to the homeowner than private hauling. White Bear Lake, who they serviced for several vears under contract he felt was somewhat similar to Edina in lot size and income. The present contract with another company is for $3.35/month for carry-out service. Several other cities which Modern services the cost is under $3.00. Virginia Scott questioned both gentlemen about possible separate collection of paper or other materials for recycling. Mr. McGraw replied that presently the only economical way of collecting paper would be perhaps once a month and then compacted residential paper does not have a great deal of value, bailed newsprint is the only paper product which is profitable. Mr. DeCoursey stated uncontaminated paper products from large generators such as shopping centers is a different matter. That is profitable to collect separately but would not he covered under a municipal contract. Mr. Telfer questioned the hardships envolved with losing a contract. Mr. McGraw replied that there could be problems, but they had not had difficulty in absorbing the men and trucks when they lost the White Bear Lake contract. Fred Richards asked what cost the city could expect if refuse hauling were placed on a contract. Mr. McGraw declined to quote a nrice but did feel it would be less than present private contracts. Mr. Tooke reviewed the reduction of costs for White Bear Lake since they went with the contract system. The Commission discussed for several minutes prices charged by the several haulers in Edina and the contract bids for. Morningside. Soil Erosion & Tree Removal Ordinances. Mr. West reported that the attorney was working on these ordinances over the weekend, but they had not been delivered by the meeting. He requested this item he postponed until the February meeting. County Road 18 - Valley View Road Environmental Impact Statement. Ron Hays reviewed the past action of the Commission on this topic. Earl Carson reported on the Co. Rd. 13-Valley View Rd. Task Force recommendations to the Council. Considerable discussion was held concerning the interchange and the deficiencies the Commission Felt were evident in the EIS. Ron Hays moved with second by Virginia Scott that the ECC reaffirm its recommenda- tion that if an interchange is necessary, that it not be connected to Valley view Road. There was discussion on this motion after which it was withdrawm by the proponent. Ron Hays then moved with second by Don Johnson that the EQC support the Co. Rd. 18- 1-28-74 FCC Minutes Page 3 Valley View Task Force recommendation and that this support be contingent upon the submission of a satisfactory environmental impact statement to be reviewed by the EQC. Motion approved unanimously. Ron Hays then moved with second by Don Johnson that the EQC recommend to the Council that the EIS submitted by the County be rejected as incomplete and ask that information be provided on the following items in a future EIS: 1. a listing of trees greater than 4" diameter to be removed; 2. a current topography map including a delineation of streams and wetlands; and 3. construction diagrams showing the amount of cut and fill that would be in the project. The motion was approved unanimously. Lot 1, Gleason III Addition. Mr. West reported on the agreement which had been reached between the owners of this property and the Nine Mile Creek Watershed District regarding the amount of filling which would be permitted. No action was taken. Karl Krahl Hill. Mr. West reported to the Commission the latest developments on proposals to develop the hill into single family lots and the request of Mr. Gittleman of Edina West Condominiums to permit him to bring a proposal for a change in zoning before the Planning Commission. This would require the Council to waive the one year time restriction on rezoning requests which have been rejected. The Council denied his request. Therefore it appeared Mr. Krahl would carry through his plans for a single family development on the property. No action was taken. Joseph E. Erickson Condominiums. Mr. West reviewed the reason this recuest was returning to the Planning Commission and recommend that the EQC reaffirm its recommendations made several months earlier when it reviewed the project. Fred Richards moved with a second by Clifford Johnson that the EQC approve the Staff recommendations and send them to the Council. Motion approved by a vote of 9 aye, 1 nay. NEW BUSINESS Indian Meadows PRD-2 Concept Approval. Mr. West introduced Roger Frieburg, the consultant for Mark Z. Jones, the proponent for this development. Mr. Frieburg reviewed the project as proposed using a slide presentation to show the site and the areas of development. Following the presentation, Mr. Frieburg answered questions from the Commission. The Commission expressed concern over the treatment of the ponding areas and the open space. For the most part these questions were answered to their satisfaction. Fred Richards expressed concern that the project does not comply with the South- 'western Edina Plan in regards to density. Mr. 'Jest corrected his staff report to say that the density and building types proposed were in general compliance with the Southwestern Edina Man. Further discussion followed among the Commission members. 1-28-74 FOC Minutes Page 4 Bob Sandilla moved with second by Don Johnson that the EQC recommend concept approval with the recommendations that: 1. the ponding area and its open space be deeded to the city; 2. plans for soil erosion protective measures be submitted and approved prior to development. Discussion on th:, motion followed with Fred Richards requesting more time to consider the project particularly the density before acting. The motion approved by a vote of 8 aye, 2 nay. The EQC was invited to take a field trip to the site in the spring. No action was taken on this. • Lot Division of Old Halla Nursery Property. Mr. West reported on the renuest of Halla Nursery to divide their property. Although the simple division has no environmental impact, they may in the future request rezoning for a high' rise apartment which could have some impact. No action was taken. COMMITTEE RE ORTS The Chair reported that he had received the report from the Air, Noise S Transportation Committee. COMMUNICATIONS Mr. West reported the EQC had received the resignation of June Schmidt from the. Commission upon her appointment to the City Council. Clifford Johnson moved with a second by Virginia Scott that the secretary prepare a resolution of commendation to Mrs. Schmidt. Motion approved unanimously. ADJOURNvENT The Chair declared the meeting adjourned at 10:30 P.M.