Minutes Environ. Steward 4 9 02MINUTES OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP ADVISORY COMMISSION
APRIL 9, 2002
4:00 P.M.
CITY HALL ANNEX, 1300 MAIN, CONFERENCE ROOM # 1
Mike Buelow called the meeting to order at 4:02 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Michael Buelow, John Nemmers, Dave Czamecki, Art Sunleaf
MEMBERS ABSENT: Bill Niemann, Leslee Spraggins, Briana Tully
STAFF PRESENT:
Mary Rose Corrigan, Paul Horsfall
Michael Buelow completed the Certification of Compliance with the Iowa Open
Meetings Law.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Dave Czarnecki moved to approve the Minutes of the Mamh 5, 2002 ESAC
meeting. Art Sunleaf seconded the motion. There were no changes or additions
and the Minutes were approved as distributed.
TEST AGENDA:
Art Sunleaf moved to accept the agenda. John Nemmers seconded the motion.
Motion passed unanimously.
ITEMS FROM COMMISSION:
OLD BUSINESS:
1. Urban Deer Management Program.
Mary Rose bdefly explained that the staff recommendation to the City Council
would be to continue the program as before. The Commission's
recommendation will be included along with the staff recommendation. Dave
Czamecki asked if the Commissioners had all received the memo that he and
Bill Niemann had drafted for the City Council. He asked for any changes. John
and Art agreed that the memo covered the issue well. Mike Buelow asked about
monetary requirements for the next budget process. Mary Rose stated that the
request for a licensing incentive might be possible. Dave made the comment
that because the program is a success, it will be difficult to increase incentives.
Dave asked about the possibility of connecting property owners with hunters.
Mary Rose stated that has been done occasionally in the past. She stated that
the City's new website will have a link to the Dubuque Archery Club.
Dave Czamecki moved to approve the memo as the Commission's
recommendation to the City Council. John Nemmers seconded the motion.
Motion passed unanimously.
2. Election of Vice-Chair.
Dave Czamecki moved that this item be tabled to the next meeting. Art Sunleaf
seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS:
ITEMS FROM STAFF:
OLD BUSINESS:
1. Stormwater Plan.
Mary Rose explained that the only part of the Stormwater Management Plan that
is not moving forward is the Bee Branch section. This part of the plan requires
more input from staff, homeowners, and consultants. The City Council approved
the Long Range Commission as the group to develop the stormwater utility billing
process. The Long Range Commission is requesting ESAC representation.
Dave Czamecki volunteered to be the representative. Art Sunleaf volunteered to
be the alternate. Mary Rose will notify Laura Carstens.
Dave Czamecki asked for clarification as to whether the stormwater utility billing
involves the entire town. Mary Rose stated that it did.
There was a bdef discussion about the new detention areas near the Northwest
Arterial. Mary Rose stated that if the Commission has concerns and/or
questions about the stormwater management planning, they should discussed
and be forwarded to the Long Range Commission and the City Council. Paul
Horsfall briefly explained the reasoning behind the utility billing process. He also
stated that federal regulations are foming changes in many cities. He stated that
Dubuque is better off than some other cities because the storm sewers and
sanitary sewers were separated in the 1950's.
2. Radon.
Mary Rose stated that the Health Services Department has had a good response
in the sales of radon kits. She stated that staff worked at the Iowa Indoor Air
Coalition booth at the Homebuilders Show. Mary Rose stated that the
Commission needs to formulate its recommendation to the new Building Code so
it ready to go to the City Council at the same time the new Code is presented. A
brief discussion about the history of dealing with the Building Cede of Appeals
Board and contractors on this subject.
Dave Czamecki moved that the Environmental Stewardship Advisory
Commission recommend an addition to the new Building Code that would require
that all new construction in Dubuque be required to have a passive radon
resistant system included. Art Sunleaf seconded the motion. Motion passed
unanimously.
Mike Buelow asked Paul Horsfall about the progress on investigating the
possibility of tuming sludge generated at the Water Pollution Control Plant into
glass. Paul stated that he is going to observe a plant in Wisconsin that is doing
this now. Paul stated that he would like a representative from this Commission
to work with his group that is looking into this subject. He gave a brief overview
of the reasons for looking into this at this time, i.e., incinerators are getting old.
He stated that he is leaning towards the City getting out of incineration business
because of the recordkeeping and Title V permit requirements. He believes that
now is the right time to look at alternatives to incineration.
Mike Buelow asked Paul for a report at the next meeting. Paul agreed to provide
this. Mary Rose suggested that a representative from this Commission could be
appointed at that time if Paul is moving forward with this process.
NEW BUSINESS:
ITEMS FROM THE PUBUC:
There was no one present to address the Commission.
CLARIFICATION OF TASKS:
Mary Rose will forward the staff deer management recommendation, along with
the Commission recommendation, to the City Council for the next meeting.
Commissioners were asked to review the Stormwater Management Plan and
present questions and concerns.
NEXT MEETING DATE:
The next meeting date is May 7, 2002.
FUTUREAGENDAITEMS:
Stormwater management, radon, election of Commission Vice-chair, and report
from Paul Horsfall.
ADJOURNMENT:
Art Sunleaf moved to adjourn the meeting. John Nemmers seconded the motion.
Motion passed unanimously and the meeting adjourned at 4:45 P.M.
MRC/cj