Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/02/1990URBAN AFFAIRS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES CITY OF APPLE VALLEY APRIL 2, 1990 1. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. in the City of Apple Valley Council Chambers. Members Present: Pamela Sohlberg, Jeannine Churchill, Sharon Schwartz., and Chairman John McKay. Members Absent.: Shirley Doering and JoAnne Ellison. Staff Present: Captain Bruce Erickson, Linda Brinkhaus, Meg McMonigal, Jeff Weldon, and Scott Hickok. Others Present: Councilmember Barbara Savanick, Brad Blackett of 457 Reflection Road and Lowell Johnson, Minnesota Department of Public Service. 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDAS OF FEBRUARY 14, 1990 AND FEBRUARY 28, 1990 Approved as written.. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 14, 1990 AND FEBRUARY 28, 1990 Approved as written. 4. DISCUSSION OF WATER QUALITY ISSUES IN APPLE VALLEY Meg McMonigal presented information on water quality in Apple Valley. In her presentation, she explained a handout on water quality issues that the Urban Affairs Committee discussed at the last meeting which focused on water quality. She also explained the research that had taken place over the last month on water quality issues. This research included discussions with both the DNR and the Metropolitan Council. Linda Brinkhaus then expanded on a three-page handout dealing with the culprits or causes of the deterioration of water quality. She explained that fertilizers and pesticides, which include phosphorus and nitrate, are very detrimental to the quality of water in our lakes. Other culprits include grass clippings, weeds, and seeds left on the lawn that wash into the storm sewer and eventually into our lakes and ponds. Erosion and unstabilized slopes were sited as another means of contaminating the quality of the lake water. Erosion can increase the turbid quality of the water and temperature of that water body. Soap, oil, and grease are other elements that can contaminate water and cause Urban Affairs Advisory Committee Minutes April 2, 1990 Page 2 problems. The last culprit sited in her discussion is the animal waste and potential for phosphorus and other elements to wash into the lakes. Linda explained the preventative. measures that could be exercised to decrease contamination and increase water quality. These preventive measures include testing the soil to determine whether or not phosphorus is actually needed to supplement lawn fertilizers. If phosphorus is not needed, residents could request non-phosphorus fertilizers. She went on to explain that the fertilization process should not take place in late fall or early spring. and never over frozen ground. When applying fertilizers, residents should carefully clean up fertilizer spills. Any spill has a possibility of decreasing water quality. Another method of preventing damage runoff would be to sweep driveways and collect debris, rather than washing. down the driveway and allowing this to flow down. the street. Along with this, she recommended keeping the streets and gutters clean - not allowing grass clippings, leaves, and twigs to be raked or swept into the street. Finally, Ms. Brinkhaus stated that all animal wastes and yard wastes should be cleaned up before the runoff can affect the lakes. Meg. McMonigal explained ways that staff could educate the public through items such as newsletters, newspaper articles, flyers, homeowner's associations, public meetings with developers - with builders - with realtors, through the Chamber Chatter, Urban Affairs Committee, Planning Commission, City Council., Parks Advisory Committee, etc. She expanded by stating that education is the key element in preventing water quality from rapid deterioration. She then explained the possible ordinance subjects; such as requiring no phosphorus fertilizer applied in the lake areas. She stated that she had discussed this with both Evergreen Lawn Service and Ghemlawn Services, Corporation. Evergreen Lawn Service does not use phosphorus in their fertilizing process and Chemlawn Services, Corporation will refrain from using phosphorus upon the City's request. These lawn care services stated that cities such as Shoreview and Roseville do already have ordinances that prohibit the use of phosphorus on lawns. Another possibility for an element within the ordinance will be to restrict the time that the fertilizer can be applied. This will help to control the early applications and late fall applications when runoff is great and the potential for harming the water quality is highest. John McKay asked about expanding any lake zone requirements to a city-wide basis. The staff responded that requirements could be city- wide. Urban Affairs Advisory Committee Minutes April 2, 1990 Page 3 Meg McMonigal explained that we could prohibit depositing of leaves and vegetative materials on streets and in storm sewers. We could restrict feeding water fowl within fifty feet of a lake. Pam Sohlberg asked if a ten foot vegetative buffer area would be enough, or if we should ask for more of a buffer zone. Linda Brinkhaus responded that the research indicated a ten foot buffer strip. DNR, in many cases, requires a twenty-five foot buffer strip. A larger buffer zone is certainly possible. Linda Brinkhaus: stated that the next. thing we should do is look at the feasibility of an ordinance, include a strong educational program, and discuss the possible topics to include in that city ordinance. John McKay asked if runoff is a problem throughout the City. The storm sewer system is continuous throughout the City and eventually the runoff from properties end up iro ponds or lakes. Meg continued by saying that the City of Roseville has a city-wide ordinance. Brad Blackett of 457 Reflection Road stated the organic, bacterial, brickette that is placed within the lakes by the Mosquito Control District suffocates larva helps to control pests. This is an option to using pesticides. The issue of licensing fertilizer companies was also. discussed. Meg stated that the enforcement person in Shoreview felt that the bureaucracy involved is not worth the enforcement activities derived from licensing fertilizer companies. Sharon. Schwartz asked if the bags of fertilizer you buy generally have phosphorus iro them. Linda Brinkhaus responded. by saying that the typical fertilizer is 5/10/5 mix of phosphorus/potassium/nitrogen and that phosphorus serves as the limiting nutrient in the fertilizer. Chairman McKay stated that he felt we should expand the restrictions on fertilizing to the entire City, not just the areas with surrounding new lakes. He went on to say that he feels that at the development stage, we should restrict how much of the land can be cleared, how many trees can be removed, etc. Meg McMonigal explained that in recent developments, we have contracted with the Soil and Water Conservation District and this agency helps to protect from developments that will harm the trees and vegetation. Meg McMonigal explained the expanded role of our City Forester. She discussed the recent development in the northeast corner of the Gity. In Urban Affairs Advisory Committee April 2, 1990 Page 4 this development, there were a number of trees that the Forester sited as having Oak Wilt and these trees will have to be removed. Brad Blackett stated that he was concerned that this may complicate matters with new DNR regulations that may be forthcoming and that he would not like confusing the public. Meg McMonigal responded that our ordinances are constantly changing and we really need a good starting point. She feels. that this would not conflict with the DNR regulations, but would help people understand and control what may go in their runoff. Chairman McKay asked if there are any flyers available presently. Linda Brinkhaus responded that Dakota County has a flyer on yard waste and this helps explain what to do with yard waste. She also stated that in the summer newsletter, which will be going out in approximately six weeks, that we could run an article that would explain and help educate on runoff within the Gity. 5. DLSCUSS ENERGY CONSERVATIOR PROGRAM AND INFORMATION PROVIDED BY LOWELL JOHNSON, MINNESOTA PUBLIE SERVICE ENERGY DEPARTMENT Scott Hickok briefly recapped the energy conservation discussions todate and introduced Mr. Lowell Johnson from the State Department. of Public Service. Lowell Johnson explained the Community Energy Grant Program and expanded by discussing. Minnegasco and NSP's involvement with this grant program. He went on to say that this is a small grant. The maximum amount a city such as Apple Valley could qualify for is $45,000.00 over a two year period. This would be broken into $30,000.00 the first year and $15,000.00 the second year and clear justifications would have to be made for these funds. The Energy Conservation Program involves a number of different types of programs that cities are eligible for. The first is the Home Energy Checkup Program. This program is funded, both through the grant and through matching funds from Minnegasco, and other utilities. This program includes energy audits. These audits are done on a free or low cost basis, depending on income and eligibility guidelines. He also explained that there is a Commercial Energy Checkup Program that existing businesses could utilize to increase their energy efficiency. One of the positive attributes of the Home Energy Checkup and Commercial Energy Audits is that there are matching dollars available.. Other programs to consider are transportation programs. Mr. Johnson stated in a recent article in the St. Paul Newspaper, his staff discussed Apple Valley's Opt Out of the MPC Services. With the Opt Out, Johnson felt that maybe interest in using the grant funds to study Out, Johnson felt that maybe interest. in using the grant funds to study Urban Affairs Advisory Committee Minutes April 2, 1990 Page 5 park and ride locations and develop a ride/share type of program. Another area that was discussed was the shade tree program. The shade tree program is a relatively new concept in energy conservation and if we were interested in pursuing this type of program, he suggested that the shade tree program be combined with an audit program, which would allow us to utilize the matching funds of the utilities.. Once our Energy Committee decides which type of program they would like to pursue, he explained that staff would prepare a grant application. It would. be due in late May. This grant application would be reviewed by the State and awarding of grants would take place in September. Pam Sohlberg asked what. the typical cost for an energy audit would be? Johnson responded that a typical. audit will cost approximately $140.00.. Sharon Schwartz asked if the energy audit has a followup. Johnson responded that an audit has four components. The first. component is the actual audit where the technicians or auditors thoroughly analyze a residence and determine areas of energy loss. The second component is the referral component in the event that a home needs costly improvements. There is a program set up whereby a homeowner can receive an 8 3/4% loan for energy improvements. This is through the local lending institutions. Any lending institution is eligible to participate in this 8 3/4% program. If the local lenders are not participating, the State can set up a program with these institutions. The Community Action Agency and Dakota County HRA also provide funds to increase energy conservation. The Dakota County HRA allows up to $1,700..00 in work to increase efficiency in a residence. There are guidelines that must be met to receive these funds through the HRA. Another source of funds is on your City bill. You may have noticed a heat share contribution. This heat share contribution is approval funds that can be used for energy improvements in residential dwellings. The third component of the audit is the educational component. A typical audit will have an instructional component that provides the homeowner with the information and materials to insulate or improve the weather tight conditions of a dwelling. The fourth component is the follow up. Thirty to sixty days after the audit, a representative will stop back at a residence that has been Urban Affairs Advisory Committee Minutes April 2, 1990 Page 6 audited and ask the owners about the improvements they have made and ask about savings or problems with installation of products. Sharon Schwartz asked who does the audit. Scott Hickok explains audits are done through the Self Reliance Center. He went on to explain that the Self Reliance Center, which is a non-profit organization that deals with programs such this, has an energy division that makes the audits and actually does the administration of the program. Once that program is set up by the City, and with this group doing the audits, our Energy Committee would oversee the operation of the Self Reliance Center, do the. budgeting, and structuring. of the program. Mr. Johnson added that there are Center, but suggested that the City would be treated as a City employee the City. benefits to having the Self Reliance could hire a private contractor, who and would run the energy program for Scott Hickok asked Chairman McKay about the suggestion for a solar water heating program. McKay stated that he brought it up as a suggestion or if possible, a program that would utilize the monies available for meters. Pam Sohl'berg asked about the $140.00 cost for a typical audit and felt that it was too expensive for a resident. Lowell Johnson explained that is the cost of the audit, but the audit study is free or at a cost of $1.0.:00 to the homeowner and the other costs are paid for either through the grant or the matching funds or through the contribution of the City. Jeannine Churchill asked about the grant application. Lowell Johnson. responded that the application is due by May 23rd and that the money would be awarded in the fall. Pam Sohlberg supported the Energy Audit Program. Jeannine Churchill also supported this program and felt it would be a valuable service. John McKay asked about Earth Day coming up and if the City addressed it, or was. planning any special programs. Linda Brinkhaus responded that our City Forester is working with the schools to plant seedlings throughout the community. Urban Affairs Advisory Committee Minutes April 2, 1990 Page 7 Jeannine Churchill stated that she would like to look at the possi- bility of licensing contractors. John McKay concurred. Bruce Erickson stated that we do prosecute fraudulous situations where builders are taking money for services they are not rendering. Jeannine Churchill stated that she has a friend who has been shorted $8,000.00 by a contractor. This friend contacted the City Attorney and was encouraged not to pursue it through the attorney's office. John McKay again stated that he would support a licensing program and felt ghat we should publish information about builders. Captain. Erickson stated. that licensing may not be the answer to solving these problems. Meg McMonigal asked if there is a phone number or agency that people could call to find out about builders. Scott Hickok responded it is suggested that people interested in building call the Better Business Bureau, Minne ota Building Trade Association: and the local City Building. Departments to gather information on builders in the area. 6. DISCUSS MAINTENANCE PROBLEMS SITED ON JANUARY 30, 1990 AND BEGIN PHASE 1 OF OUR PROBLEM SOLVING PROCESS III. A, B, C, D, AND P ON PAGES 3 AND 4 OF URBAN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE STUDY MANUAL The housing maintenance code topic was briefly discussed by Scott Hickok. He explained that the code needs staff review and that the approach staff felt they should take with this is to hold one more Urban Affairs Advisory Committee Meeting in May and then review the ordinance at the staff level and discuss areas such as staff to enforce the housing maintenance code and discuss the issue of whether or not it is a housing maintenance code that we need or a housing policy within the comprehensive plan. He went on to explain that either would act as a guideline for protecting our housing stock, but the enforcement would be different depending on which we decided to pursue - an ordinance or a policy. 7. DISCUSSION - OTHER ITEMS BY COMMITTEE MEMBERS Sharon Schwartz asked about the curbside pickup in the flyer. Staff explained that some of the information within the flyer comes from County Urban Affairs Advisory Committee Minutes April 2, 1990 Page 8 flyers and handouts. Sharon Schwartz and John McKay asked that we review this and change that for upcoming flyers. Sharon Schwartz also asked about containers. The point about names in the bottom of containers came up. After residents loose a container, the Public Works Staff asks that the homeowner identify their containers with a name tag in the bottom of that container. Chairman McKay asked about Monday or Tuesday in the first part of May for our next meeting. A tentative meeting date was set for the first Monday in May - May 7th. 8. • ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m. kg