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2015-07-27 E.C. MinutesGOLDEN VALLEY ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION Regular Meeting Minutes July 27, 2015 Present: Commissioners: Tracy Anderson, Tonia Galonska, Lynn Gitelis, Dawn Hill, Larry Johnson, Jim Stremel, and Debra Yahle; Eric Eckman, Public Works Specialist; and Claire Huisman, Administrative Assistant Absent: Council Member Larry Fonnest Call to Order Gitelis called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. Approval of Reaular & Joint Commission Meetina Minutes — April 27. 2015 and June 22, 2015 MOVED by Stremel, seconded by Hill, and the motion carried unanimously to approve the minutes of the April 27, 2015 regular meeting and June 22, 2015 joint meeting. Composting and Organics Recycling Tim Farnan from MPCA along with John Jaimez and Ben Knutson from Hennepin County gave a presentation on Organic Compost Recycling. They presented information on how Cities can provide Organic Recycling to their residents either as a City wide service or as a Subscription (opt -in) service. There are three different models for ways to collect organic recyclables: 1. Providing separate cart for collection 2. Mixing the organic recyclables in with yard waste 3. Providing compostable bags for the organic recyclables which are then placed in the trash cart. Minneapolis is providing organic compost recycling city wide at a rate of $40/year added to the resident's utility bill. Residents have to sign up and ask for cart. 30% of the houses currently with curb side recycling have signed up for organic recycling. Minneapolis' service provides a separate cart for organic recyclables. St. Louis Park offers a subscription based program to their residents which also costs $40/year. Their service allows for mixing the organics with the yard waste in the yard waste bin. There is currently 11 % resident participation. Smaller organized cities are using a blue bag system. Organic recyclables are put into a blue bag and then thrown into their trash cart to be sorted later at a special facility. Cost can vary, but it is currently around $80/year. Q&A during the meeting: 1. Can a City that has organized recycling pick-up, add organic recycling to their service? At this time, no city has tried this and the law is a bit grey. 2. Has organic recycling worked with apartments, condos and office buildings? Pilot programs done on these types of facilities have seen Minutes of the Environmental Commission July 27, 2015 Page 2 of 2 mixed success, and often there are low participation rates and high percentage of contamination. 3. How many haulers have the capability to offer organic recycling pick-up? Every hauler is capable, but they may not offer that service. 4. Is Brooklyn Park the closest drop site for residents to bring their organic recyclables? Yes. Is the Minneapolis drop site open to residents outside Minneapolis? No, not at this time. 5. Are there plans to build a digester? Hennepin County does not generate enough material so it will not be happening in the near future. 6. If the Metro area did succeed in reaching the goal of 75% rate for recycling, could all of that compost material be used? They felt this could be managed and used in a lot of different areas. There is great success in selling all of the compost that is being made now. The Commission was tasked with identifying and exploring various options for composting and organic recycling to present to the Council. These options should include looking at garbage haulers currently licensed in the City. Options should include the advantages and disadvantages along with cost & benefits for the City to offer organic recycling. Rough draft should be available for review by next month's meeting and final version ready for presentation to the Council by September. The Commission will invite the City's Garden Club to their next meeting to talk about backyard composting. Program/Project Updates The complete program/project summary is on file. Additional discussion included: DeCola Ponds flooding issue — Commissioner Hill expressed her dissatisfaction with the mailer that went out to residents summarizing the information exchanged at the neighborhood meeting. A few members suggested that the City should communicate more information to residents and also acknowledge that some residents are scared or upset. Commission Member Council Reports None Other Business None Adjourn MOVED by Hill, seconded by Anderson, and the motion carried to adjourn the meeting at 9:20pm. Claire Huisman Administrative Assistant