Minutes Environ Steward 11 5 02 MINUTES OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP ADVISORY COMMISSION
November 5, 2002
4:00 P.M.
CITY HALL ANNEX, 1300 MAIN, CONFERENCE ROOM # 1
Bill Niemann called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Michael Buelow, John Nemmers, Bill Niemann, Michael Hirsch,
Andrea Bixler
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Two vacancies on the Commission
STAFF PRESENT:
Tim Link, Don Vogt
Michael Buelow completed the Certification of Compliance with the Iowa Open
Meetings Law.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
John Nemmers moved to approve the Minutes of the September 3, 2002 ESAC
meeting. Michael Hirsch seconded the motion. There were no changes or
additions and the Minutes were approved as distributed.
TEST AGENDA:
Bill Niemann requested that he be allowed to give an update on the Stormwater
Utility Advisory Committee that he represents the Commission on. This item was
set as # 2 under "Commission - Old Business." With these changes, Andrea
Bixler moved to approve the agenda. John Nemmers seconded the motion.
Motion passed unanimously.
ITEMS FROM COMMISSION:
The Commissioners introduced themselves to Andrea Bixler, the new
Commissioner.
OLD BUSINESS:
NEW BUSINESS:
1. West Nile Virus.
Mike Buelow introduced the topic by stating that he had noticed at various times,
that the detention basins held water for long periods of time. He stated that, by
design, detention basins are supposed to drain and dry out within a given
amount of time. He questioned if the City was contemplating any spraying
activity in the future. He requested information and possibly an opinion on the
subject by the Commission.
Mike introduced Tim Link, Environmental Sanitarian for the City, who was at the
meeting to provide information to the Commission and answer questions. Tim
stated that he has been investigating different aspects of mosquito control
programs. He stated that there are opinions that using a larvicide, instead of a
pesticide, is a better option for cities. Larvicides give residual control. He stated
that in most instances, communities would hire consultants to come into the
community and give a recommendation. He stated that spraying with pesticides
may be more harmful to the community and is not recommended in most
instances.
Mike asked what the City has been doing to address the problem. Tim stated
that the Health Services Department had a mosquito-monitoring program for
many years. This entails trapping mosquitoes and maintaining a flock of
Sentinel chickens. The trapped mosquitoes are sent in weekly to Iowa State
University, where they are typed and counted. A report is sent back to the
department. Blood tests are taken on the chickens every 10 days. The samples
are sent into the State Hygienic Lab, who then sends the results back to the
department. This gives the Health Services Department an early indicator of
certain diseases in the community, i.e., West Nile Virus, encephalitis, etc.
John Nemmers asked what the expected trend would be with regards to West
Nile Virus. Tim stated that it was expected to reoccur next year, and until
enough of the population develops antibodies to it (herd immunity.) He stated
that for every confirmed case, it is believed that there are approximately 150
more unconfirmed cases. Bill Niemann asked if the media attention was
warranted, or was it a public relations thing? Tim stated that while West Nile is
real and a threat to the community's health, the media might have overdone it.
John Nemmers asked about the availability of a human vaccine. Tim stated that
a vaccine is being worked on, and probably would be available within a few
years. There are still questions about who would be recommended to receive
any vaccine. Andrea asked about the routes of transmission, other than
mosquitoes. Tim stated that it is believed to also be transmitted through blood
transfusions, organ transplants, and in one case, a mother passed it to her baby
through breast milk.
John asked what the City's plan is. Tim stated the Health Services Department
will continue with its mosquito-monitoring program, chicken flock, and will
probably try to increase the public's education about how to protect itself. The
Health Services Department will also probably increase enforcement of stagnant
water violations/complaints.
Stormwater Utility Update.
Bill Niemann gave a brief update about the City's proposed stormwater utility.
He stated that here were over 50 members on the advisory committee. He
stated that the biggest concern is that the utility needs to be equitable. John
Nemmers asked how close they were to a recommendation. Bill was unsure.
Don Vogt stated that he thought it had about a 50/50 chance of surviving. Bill
stated that if any Commissioners had concerns or questions that they want him
to take to the committee, they should let him know.
ITEMS FROM STAFF:
OLD BUSINESS:
1. Deer Management Program.
Mike Buelow asked Chris Johnson if she could give a brief update on how the
program is going. She stated that 86 deer had been checked in as of today. the
hunt seems to be progressing well and the weather has been pretty favorable to
hunters. All but three of the any sex licenses had already been purchased.
NEW BUSINESS
:
ITEMS FROM THE PUBLIC:
There was no one present to address the Commission.
CLARIFICATION OF TASKS:
Mike stated that any if any Commissioners had topics they wanted added to the
next agenda, they should let Mary Rose know at least one week ahead.
NEXT MEETING DATE:
The next meeting date is December 3, 2002.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS:
Stormwater management, geothermal, wastewater treatment plant sludge.
ADJOURNMENT:
John Nemmers moved to adjourn the meeting. Bill Niemann seconded the motion.
Motion passed unanimously and the meeting adjourned at 4:45 p.m.
MRC/cj