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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/18/2001 - Waste Reduction and Recycling Advisory Commission AGENDA WASTE REDUCTION & RECYCLING ADVISORY COMMISSION EAGAN, MINNESOTA Eagan Municipal Center City Council Chambers Televised Live on Cable Channel 16 THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 2001 5:30 p.m. I. ROLL CALL AND ADOPTION OF AGENDA II. APPROVAL OF NOVEMBER 16, 2000 MEETING MINUTES III. VISITORS TO BE HEARD IV. INFORMATIVE A. Update on the "Improving Recycling of Residential Paper" Grant V. OLD BUSINESS A. Review & Discuss Neighborhood Organization Survey Cards B. Review & Discuss Recycling Survey Cards C. Discuss Hauler Survey C. Sub Committee Updates 1. Evaluation Sub - Committee 2. Events Sub - Committee 3. Education Sub - Committee VI. NEW BUSINESS A. Earth Day Preliminary Planning VII. RECOGNITION OF NON - RETURNING MEMBERS VII. ADJOURNMENT Next meeting— February, 2001 The mission The mission of the Waste Reduction and Recycling Advisory Commission is to proactively assist the Eagan City Council by educating, encouraging and assisting the community in reducing and managing waste in an environmentally sound manner. MEMO TO: MEMBERS OF THE EAGAN WASTE REDUCTION & RECYCLING ADVISORY COMMISSION FROM: COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR FOOTE DATE: January 8, 2001 SUBJECT: EAGAN ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING OF JANUARY 18, 2001 A regular meeting of the Eagan Waste Reduction & Recycling Commission will be held on Thursday January 18, 2001 from 5:30 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., at the Eagan Municipal Center in the City Council Chambers. This meeting will be televised. Please contact Joanna Foote at (651) 681 -4604 by Tuesday, January 16, to indicate if you cannot attend. I. ROLL CALL AND ADOPTION OF AGENDA (5:30 -5:32) The agenda, as presented or modified, requires adoption by the Commission. ACTION TO BE CONSIDERED ON THIS ITEM: approve, deny or modify agenda II. APPROVAL OF November 16, MEETING MINUTES (5:32 -5:35) A copy of the minutes of the Waste Reduction Commission meeting of November 16, 2000 is included as an attachment. ACTION TO BE CONSIDERED ON THIS ITEM: approve, deny or modify November 16, 2000 minutes A copy of the minutes of the Waste Reduction Commission meeting of November 16, 2000 is included as an attachment. III. VISITORS TO BE HEARD IV. INFORMATIVE B. Update on the "Improving Recycling of Residential Paper" Grant Facts: The City of Eagan and BFI are participating in a Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance Grant Project to increase the amount of paper recycled from residential households. There will be one test route of 500+ households and one control route of approximately the same number of households. The households in the test route will receive additional education to encourage them to recycle all possible paper. A grant for $9,500 from Dakota County has been requested to pay for the additional education. The first step in the project will be to send a questionnaire to the test route households to find out what types of paper they recycle. The information from the questionnaire will help to target the education pieces on the paper products that need to be increased. The questionnaire will be mailed in late January. ACTION TO BE CONSIDERED ON THIS ITEM: None V. OLD BUSINESS A. Review Neighborhood Organization Cards (5:40 -5:45) Facts: Approximately 165 survey response cards have been returned regarding neighborhood organization. Intern Seubert has been processing this information and a spreadsheet of information about the cards was included as an attachment to your Nevember packet. At that time, Commission Chair Patraw indicated a desire to discuss this information mre thoroughly at al later date. I have therefore again included this information for discussion at this meeting. ACTION TO BE CONSIDERED ON THIS ITEM: Refer further discussion/action to Sub Committee B. Review Recycling Survey Cards (5:45 -5:50) Facts: Approximately 2,400 survey response cards have been returned from both Eagan and Burnsville residents regarding general recycling issues. Intern Seubert has been processing this information and a spreadsheet of information about the cards was included as an attachment to the November packet. Chair Patraw also indicated a wish to discuss this information further and it is therefore included for discussion at this meeting. ACTION TO BE CONSIDERED ON THIS ITEM: Refer to Sub Committee. E. Sub Committee Updates (6:50 -7:00) 1. Update by Evaluation sub - committee 2. Update by Events sub - committee 3. Update by Education sub - committee VI. NEW BUSINESS A. Earth Day Preliminary Planning Facts: Recycling Coordinator Bast would like to begin preliminary planning for Earth Day activities and would like Commission input. VII. RECOGNITION OF NON - RETURNING MEMBERS A. Commissioner Tom Petrilli Facts: The term of Business Representative Tom Pertrilli has expired and he has chosen not to reapply for another term. We would therefore like to take this opportunity to thank him for his years dedicated of service to the Commission. B. Commissioner Gwen Hilleshiem Facts: The term of Resident Representative Gwen Hilleshiem has expired and she has chosen not to reapply for another term. She has prepared a letter of resignation which will be read at the meeting. We would therefore like to take this opportunity to thank her for her years dedicated of service to the Commission. C. Other VIII. ADJOURNMENT Next meeting— February 15, 2001 Subject to Approval MINUTES OF THE WASTE REDUCTION & RECYCLING ADVISORY COMMISSION Eagan, Minnesota November 16, 2000 A regular meeting of the Eagan Waste Reduction & Recycling Advisory Commission was held on Thursday, November 16, 2000 at 5:30 p.m. in the Community Room of the City Hall. Present were Clint Hooppaw, Tom Petrilli, Gary Hansen, Mike Stone, and Rick Patraw arrived at 5:35 p.m. Absent from the meeting were Gwen Hillesheim, Patricia Hurd, Linda Merkel, John Tapper, and Jim Weinzettel. Also present were Director of Parks & Recreation Ken Vraa, Recycling Coordinator Bast, Recycling Intern Seubert and Communications Coordinator Foote. Prior to the formal meeting, Director of Parks and Recreation Vraa outlined the plans and process to date of the Central Park and Community Center. Staff had arranged this presentation to assist the Commission in better understanding the process prior to its discussion of the "Green Buildings" recommendation being compiled. The minutes of this discussion are reflected under Item "C." of Old Business. ADOPTION OF AGENDA Bast requested a change to the agenda of November 16, 2000 to include the OEA -RAM grant under informative. Hansen requested the addition of waste hauler surcharge under new business. The agenda of the November 16, 2000 meeting was approved unanimously as modified by acclamation of the Commission. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Patraw noted a change to the minutes of the September 21, 2000 minutes. On page 1, under Informative, June 7 -8 Superstorm Update, paragraph 3, line 4, Patraw requested that ".. . physiological . . ." be changed to ". . . psychological ... ". On page 1, under Informative, June 7 -8 Superstorm Update, paragraph 3, line 7, he requested that " ... clean up will be review . . ." be change to " . . . c l e a n - u p will be reviewed ... ". On page 3, under new business, Neighborhood Organization, paragraph 4, line 8, he requested that "Patraw stated that he never thought that households could have the same hauler without an organization" be changed to "Patraw stated that it never occurred to me that households could happen to have the same hauler without an organization behind it ". The approval of the September 21, 2000 meeting as modified and the October 19, 2000 minutes were motioned by Stone. It was seconded by Hansen with all members present voting in favor. INFORMATIVE A. Review of America Recycles Day Activities Bast stated an America Recycles Day display is set up in the lobby near the Council Chambers. Recycling Association of Minnesota (RAM) developed 50 display kits. They were given to bottlers throughout Minnesota to distribute them to businesses and schools. This was an increase from 12 display kits distributed last year. She also worked at the Mall of America on ECO -day. Patraw asked if the display kits were evaluated. Bast stated an evaluation form is included with the display kit and many have been received. The Commission continued to discuss America Recycles Day. B. Community Center Charrette Process, November 15 Foote stated this item was a reminder in the packet for the charrette meetings which took place the night before. The Commission briefly discussed last night's meeting and it was mentioned that Patraw, Hooppaw, and Foote attended the meeting. Waste Reduction & Recycling Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes Page 2/November 16, 2000 C. OEA -RAM Grant Bast stated the OEA gave RAM a grant to study the cost effectiveness of collecting and processing higher volumes of recycled paper. Five mills, BFI, Waste Management, and the communities of the City of Eagan, City of Red Wing, St. Paul Neighborhood Energy Consortium, and Goodhue County are participating in the project. Stone stated Dan Krivit, a project consultant, contacted BFI to participate in the project. BFI will monitor the paper collected from about 700 households on one of their Eagan routes. Currently, BFI is measuring the amount of paper being recycled on this study route. There actually will be two routes used in the project. One route will be a control route and the other route will receive educational material to promote an increase in paper recycling. This process will result in determining how much paper can be removed from the waste stream and what processing issues arise at the facility. Bast added about 25% of waste is still paper and that she has applied for a Dakota County grant to pay for the educational costs. Patraw stated that it is not known how much of the paper content in waste is from the commercial sector and how much from residential. Bast stated the recycling survey showed that recycling mixed mail is low and newspaper is high. The Commission continued to discuss paper recycling. NEW BUSINESS A. Waste Hauler Surcharge Hansen stated he was surprised to see a fuel surcharge on his billing statement from his garbage hauler. The surcharge creates a problem because if you put it on when gas prices are high you need to take it off or rebate once gas prices fall. An increase in price should reflect an increase in operation costs. Hansen stated that he believes that haulers should provide advanced notice for a fuel surcharge. Stone stated the hauler might have provided a notice in fine print at the bottom of the statement. OLD BUSINESS A. Review Neighborhood Organization Survey Cards Bast stated that about 170 surveys have been received and about half want information on Neighborhood Garbage Collection Organizations. She handed out a copy of the Neighborhood Garbage Collection Organization informative packet that was sent to residents that wanted additional information. Patraw stated the survey should be discussed further in the future. B. Review Recycling Survey Cards Bast stated the about 2500 surveys have been received from Eagan and Burnsville residents. Questions asked by residents are being directly responded to if they provided an address and the answers to commonly asked questions will be published in the cities' newsletters. C. Review Central Park/Community Center site plans Vraa began by briefly giving background information about the Community Center project. The site is 60 acres. The roadway design being considered is a divided or narrow parkway style roadway. Yesterday and today, TKDA, the architectural firm, is meeting with focus groups as part of the charrette process. Three different schemes will be developed from these meetings and presented Friday night. The designs will not show placement of things like restrooms, mechanical space, etc. until January. It is still early in the process. Soil tests and precisely locating pipelines still need to be done. The Community Center will include a gym and fitness area, community rooms and banquet facility, indoor playground, senior and teen areas, music and craft rooms, and computer facility. Patraw asked if the cost of the ring road discussed last night was part of the $15 million budget. Vraa stated municipal and state aid, assessments, and the City's major street fund pays for the road cost. Foote added that the ring road being referenced is part of a larger concept, on this side it is Waste Reduction & Recycling Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes Page 3/November 16, 2000 called Civic Center Parkway. The overall concept would help relieve traffic on Pilot Knob Road and Yankee Doodle Road, which is currently the busiest intersection in Eagan. Bast asked if there would be a bridge over and exits onto 35E. Vraa stated there would be a bridge but no exits. Hansen asked if there is funding for the bridge. Vraa stated there would be state and federal funding. He added that it is important to maintain good relationships with the adjacent businesses because negotiations are occurring for using their parking spaces for major park events, for example the Fourth of July. In designing the road, the businesses' concerns are being considered while minimizing the road area in the park. Some poplar and cottonwood trees will be lost that are near their life cycle end, but we are working to provide a design that does not impact any of the mature oak trees on the site. The southern road edge is basically set and the discussion is about having a median. A median would create a parkway feel instead of a highway feel, but would also cause the overall roadway to be somewhat wider. Hansen asked do you have any input as to the use of the wetland reserve area or exhibits /educational purpose for it. Vraa stated that those are the opportunities associated with the wetland reserve area and how to deal with it would depend on the Wetland Conservation Act. Hansen asked if the drainage would be altered. Vraa stated there would be some alteration and holding ponds would likely be added. It is a porous area and even by early September of this year a person could walk across the wetland. A question remains on how to deal with runoff and should the wetland be changed to hold water. The predominant thinking is to leave the wetland alone as much as possible. Foote added that all of the design schemes shown by the architects utilize the wetland as a major focal point for the building placement. Most of the design schemes have a two level building working down to the wetland. Vraa stated Foote is keeping him informed about the Commission's concerns regarding the utilization of "green building /sustainable building" concepts. He noted that the Community Center is in the Excel Energy service area and they will help review the plan for energy efficiency. It is not too early to hear the Commission's concerns. Foote stated the Commission toured the Green Institute. She believes that the day - lighting features that were seen would dovetail nicely into the community center. Most of the Commission's early time should be spent on the bigger issues like the HVAC and then thay can work the way down to materials and then to paint, carpet, etc. The Commission will be preparing a letter to the architects about possible green concepts to consider. Patraw stated he understands the budget and asked if non - traditional but proven technology with a payback would be considered. Vraa stated the civic arena had a set budget and the heat reclaim system cost more but had a payback. What is important is that valued- engineering take place. Foote stated grants are often available to pay for the cost differential between traditional and green technology. An effort would be made to locate grants if the architects required additional money to incorporate the idea into the community center. Hansen asked what is the project time frame. Vraa stated the schematic will be done in January and talks will start shortly after about building materials. Hansen asked is there enough time to incorporate green building concepts and grants. Foote stated it depends on the type of grant and the time frame available to get extra money. OEA grants are more money but take more time to persue than Dakota County grants which are generally smaller dollar amounts. D. Continue Green Building Discussion Patraw stated time is running short and the Commission may need to meet in December. Hansen stated he would like to respond to a draft letter about green building recommendations. Foote stated she would be happy to put something together and email it to the Commission. Patraw stated that if you reply to the email, you should "reply to all" and if this does not work out, a meeting could be held to discuss the letter. The Commission continued to discuss when was a good time to meet if it was necessary. It was decided late December or early January would be the best time to meet. ADJOURNMENT Patraw moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:00 p.m. It was seconded by Stone with all members present voting in favor. Waste Reduction & Recycling Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes Page 4/November 16, 2000 Date Secretary The Neighborhood Garbage Collection Organization The current "open system" in Eagan for the collection of garbage /recycling allows residents to develop an agreement individually with a licensed garbage hauler. This system permits freedom of choice, but may generate multiple garbage /recycling trucks servicing each neighborhood. Many Eagan residents have decided to cut down on the amount of garbage truck traffic in their neighborhoods. The Neighborhood Garbage Collection Organization is a voluntary program promoted by the city of Eagan, but implemented by neighborhood volunteers. The program assists residents to organize garbage- hauling services in their neighborhoods. The possibility of reducing the truck traffic is one of the benefits of the Neighborhood Garbage Collection Organization. However, there are many other benefits too. • Increased aesthetic quality. Many residents appreciate having all of the garbage containers out and picked up on one day. That way the neighborhood is free of trash containers the rest of the week. • Decreased noise level in neighborhoods. • Increased sense of safety due to a reduction of truck traffic. • Decreased air pollution. • Less wear and tear on the streets. • Decreased energy consumption because of more efficient routing. • The possibility of reduced rates for garbage collection. • Building community by getting to know your neighbors. This has led to other forms of organized neighborhood efforts such as reduced rates for driveway sealing and other remodeling activities. Interested in starting a program in your own neighborhood? Fill out the survey card that is attached and we will send you information about the program that includes a sample letter /postcard to send to your neighbors and some questions to ask the garbage haulers when setting up a neighborhood program. We are interested in your opinion. Let us know what you think by filling out the attached survey card. 2000 City of Eaian Survey Card Neighborhood Garbage Collection Organizations Please take a few minutes to read the article on Neighborhood Garbage Collection Organizations and fill out the questions below. 1. Do you think that Neighborhood Garbage Collection Organizations are beneficial to Eagan? YES NO 2. If you answered YES please prioritize why you feel they are beneficial by placing a "1" next to the most important reason, a "2" next to the 2 most important reason, and a "3" next to the 3` most important reason. aesthetics noise cost less traffic safety service wear and tear on roads community building other 3. If you answered NO please tell us why you don't think they are beneficial. 4. Are you currently participating in a Neighborhood Garbage Collection Organization? YES NO 5. If you would like us to send you information on how you can form your own Neighborhood Garbage Collection Organization please fill out the following information: Name Street City /State /Zip City of Eagan 1 41 1 1 )011t h Q G 0 lig a Informative Packet WHAT IS NEIGHBORHOOD GARBAGE COLLECTION ORGANIZATION? The current garbage /recycling collection system in the City of Eagan allows residents to develop an agreement individually with a licensed hauler. This system permits freedom of choice, but may generate multiple garbage /recycling trucks servicing each neighborhood. Multiple trucks servicing one area is an inefficient process for collection of garbage /recycling /yard waste. To alleviate the truck traffic, residents who live on the same street, in the same cul -de -sac, or neighborhood can, on a voluntarily basis, decide to have the same hauler collect their garbage /recyclables for the entire neighborhood. Neighborhoods that participate in the Neighborhood Garbage Collection Organizations can realize several benefits. Fewer trucks mean: 1. increased levels of safety due to less traffic and congestion, 2. decreased noise levels, 3. decreased wear and tear on city street, therefore reducing the need to repair damaged streets (one truck passing over a street has the same effect on the street as 1,500 automobiles passing over the same street), and 4. decreased potential for air and noise pollution. By organizing your neighborhood for collection, there also is the possibility of a reduced monthly rate, and your group may also be able to request other services. In order to keep collection routes as efficient as possible, please remember to be flexible for the time of day of pick -up. Haulers must coordinate their routes to maximize their efficiency, saving energy and costs for residents. The Neighborhood Garbage Collection Organization is a voluntary program that the City of Eagan is promoting to provide safe, environmentally sound collection services. The City of Eagan is hoping that neighborhoods will reap benefits from this program for garbage /recycling collection and may draw the neighborhood together to work on other important issues. • SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZERS* Inform Neighbors Someone needs to initiate the effort to organize the neighborhood for collection services. The neighborhood organizer can be one person, a couple of people or a committee. The neighborhood organizer's first task is to define the neighborhood. Once the boundaries are set a list of residents and their addresses will need to be compiled. This list will be used to inform neighbors about the Neighborhood Garbage Collection Organization. A sample letter informing residents about the program is included in this packet. The letter gives the options to either call the neighborhood organizer with a reply or to mail a reply form (sample included with letter) to the neighborhood organizer. Choose Hauler Once the neighborhood organizer has an estimate of the number of households that will be participating in the program and an idea of the type of service desired, the different haulers can be contacted to determine options for services and rates. A sample worksheet/checklist has been provided to give the neighborhood organizer an idea of some questions that may be advisable to ask haulers and information that will be helpful before contacting the haulers. Determining the choice of the hauler will usually require a meeting of interested neighbors. After a consensus is reached the hauler that was chosen needs to be informed of the participating residents. It is suggested that a list of the participating households be sent to the hauler with the name of the neighborhood organization so the hauler can check off the names as the residents call in to establish services. Establish Collection Service Residents who choose to participate in the Neighborhood Garbage Collection Organization should contact the hauler to establish the new service. The resident also needs to call their previous hauler to cancel service. The neighborhood organizer may need to follow up with answers to additional questions from neighbors before service is established. New Residents If the neighborhood organizer knows of new residents in the neighborhood, they may want to send a letter or call to let them know about the collection program that has been established. A sample form letter to new residents is provided in this packet. Contact City If you have questions regarding neighborhood garbage /recycling collection, contact the City of Eagan's Recycling Hotline at 651- 681 -4611. We would like to invite you to make comments on how the program and /or manual work. Thank you. • This is only a suggested process. Each neighborhood may choose to organize collection differently. • NEIGHBORHOOD GARBAGE COLLECTION ORGANIZATION WORKSHEET /CHECKLIST Date: Neighborhood: Information to be determined before haulers are contacted. 1. Number of households participating in the organization: 2. How will the hauler bill customers? ❑ Each individual customer billed ❑ The association billed ❑ Other: 3. What level of service is desired? ❑ Each household will have a choice of the level of service ❑ Every home has the same level of service ❑ 30 ❑ 60 ❑ 90 ❑ Other 4. Will carts need to be provided? ❑ Yes, for all customers ❑ Yes, as an option to customers El No carts will be provided 5. How will yard waste be handled? ❑ Every home will be provided with yard waste pick -up ❑ Each home will choose if they want yard waste pick -up 6. Are other services requested? ❑ Special pick -ups ❑ Other 7. How will the recycling material be El Separate bags for each material prepared? El Commingled; some materials combined 8. Where should the waste be delivered? ❑ At a Dakota County landfill facility which uses a portion of the fees to pay for county environmental programs ❑ At a processing facility in Dakota County ❑ At any processing facility or landfill that meets the requirements of the Federal Regulations. Worksheet/Checklist (continued) QUESTIONS TO ASK HAULERS HAULER NAME SAMPLE QUESTIONS TO ASK HAULER 1. What is the minimum number of new accounts for a discount rate? _ 2. Are services guaranteed in writing? 3. How long is the price guaranteed for? 4. What is the monthly rate for our neighborhood? 30 gallon 60 gallon 90 gallon 5. Are carts included in this rate? 6. Does the rate include tax? 7. Cost for yard waste pick -up? 8. Can the pick -up time be set by the neighborhood? 9. Other (specify) Dear Neighbor, Greetings. I would like to introduce myself as the neighborhood organizer for the Neighborhood Garbage Collection Organization, a program to organize the collection of garbage /recycling. I am initiating an effect to have only one hauler service our neighborhood. The intent of this program is to reduce the number of collection vehicles that travel through our neighborhood. By organizing our neighborhood and reducing the number of collection trucks, we would experience several benefits: • increased levels of safety due to less traffic • decrease noise • decrease wear and tear on our streets • decrease air pollution • decrease consumption of energy • possibility of reduced rates for collection service The City of Eagan is promoting this program in hopes of saving costs of road repair and providing residents with safe, environmentally sound, cost - effective collection service. I would like to know if you are interested in the program. This is a voluntary program; no one is required to participate. We will be working on choosing the hauler together if you decide to participate. To do the necessary background work, I need to know an estimate of the number of households that would be interested in the program. The number of participating households will determine the collection rates when the different haulers are contacted. Participation in the program may or may not involve changing haulers, but we are hoping that the benefits of having one hauler service our area will offset any inconvenience on your part. Please fill out and return the reply form. I will be contacting you about choosing the hauler, the next step in the process, if you are interested in the program. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. Sincerely, Address: Phone Number: I am interested in participating. I am not interested in participating. Name: Address: Phone Number: (Day) (Evening) Dear New Neighbor, I would like to offer a warm welcome to you as a new resident in our neighborhood. I am the neighborhood organizer for the Neighborhood Garbage Collection Organization, a program to organize the collection of garbage /recycling. The City of Eagan has an open hauling system for the collection of garbage, which means each resident contracts with a licensed hauler on an individual basis. This could create a situation of having several different garbage companies servicing our neighborhood. By organizing our neighborhood and reducing the number of collection trucks, we would experience several benefits: • increased levels of safety due to less traffic • decrease noise • decrease wear and tear on our streets • decrease air pollution • decrease consumption of energy • possibility of reduced rates for collection service The City of Eagan is promoting this program in hopes of saving costs of road repair and providing residents with safe, environmentally sound, cost - effective collection service. This is a voluntary program; no one is required to participate. If you are interested in the program, you can call the hauler listed below to sign up for service. Name of Hauler: Telephone Number: Name of Neighborhood Organization: If you have further questions, please feel free to contact me. Sincerely, Address: Phone Number: li ESID CITY OF EAGAN AUISS BFI Waste Systems Triangle Rubbish Services 4325 East 66 Street 1881 S. Lexington Inver Grove Heights, MN 5507 Mendota Heights, MN 55118 (651) 455 -8634 (651) 454 -1848 Nitti Sanitation New Earth Services, Inc. P. 0. Box 27 4841 Biscayne Avenue South St. Paul, MN 55044 Eagan, MN 55123 (651) 457 -4434 (651) 905 -8971 Superior Services Tennis Sanitation 1375 7 Avenue P. 0. Box 62 Newport, MN 55055 St. Paul Park, MN 55071 (651) 437 -8618 (651) 459 -1887 Lakeville Sanitary/Dick's Waste Management Sanitation Service 12448 Pennsylvania Avenue South P. 0. Box 769 Savage, MN 55378 Lakeville, MN 55044 (952) 882 -2300 (952) 469 -2239 city of eagan PATRICIA E. AWADA Mayor PAUL BAKKEN PEGGYCARLSON December 18, 2000 CYNDEE FIELDS MEG TILLEY Council Members Ken Vraa, Director of Parks & Recreation/ THOMAS HEDGES Project Manager, Central Park Construction City Administrator Eagan City Hall 3830 Pilot Knob Road Eagan, MN 55122 Municipal Center: 3830 Pilot Knob Road Dear Mr. Vraa, Eagan, MN 55122 -1897 As you are aware, the City's Waste Reduction and Recycling Commission is very Phone: 651.681.4600 interested in presenting "green building" ideas for consideration in the Fax: 651.681.4612 construction of the Central Park and Community Center project. TDD: 651.454.8535 It is the goal of the Commission to provide opportunities for the City of Eagan to "lead by example" when focusing on waste reduction and pollution prevention Maintenance Facility: issues and activities. The Commission members and I believe that this project allows many invaluable opportunities for the City to display this type of leadership 3501 Coachman Point in a very prominent and visible undertaking. Eagan, MN 55122 Phone: 651.681.4300 We have therefore compiled the attached list of design considerations, Fax: 651.681.4360 operational practices and preferable materials, which we are hoping can be considered for incorporation within the Community Center /Central Park project. TDD: 651.454.8535 "Green building practices" or "sustainable design features" can encompass a broad variety of aspects within a project of this nature. Therefore, for the www.cityofeagan.com purposes of this project, we have focused on four general areas: Resource Conservation, Healthy Indoor Air Quality, Energy and Water Efficiency and Site Design. These four categories are similar to those utilized by the "Green Institute" a newly constructed 64,000 square foot office /warehouse facility in Minneapolis, which the Commission recently toured. The facility was the THE LONE OAKTREE recipient of the "2000 Governor's Award" for pollution prevention. The project design and construction teams worked aggressively to incorporate a great variety The symbol of strength and growth in our community of "green building" principles into its design and operation and the project has been a true environmental success story. According to a recent "Green Institute" press release, "The facility is winning high praise from tenants and the greater community for its sustainable design features with special attention to occupant health, and energy and material efficiency. Representative features include geo- exchange heating and cooling, energy recovery ventilation, active daylighting, energy management system, green roof, 100% stormwater retention, low - emission coatings, and salvaged and recycled materials used in construction. The facility has been awarded Cutting Edge Project of the Year by City Business Magazine (1998) and Earth Day Top Ten by the American Institute of Architects (2000). The facility is also a pilot project of the Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy Efficiency and Environmental Design (LEED) program." "Green building" practices take waste reduction and pollution prevention beyond curbside initiatives and elevate them to a broader scale and more expansive dimension. The City has a unique opportunity with this project to set an example of how high quality, sustainable development can and should be done to preserve resources, reduce the amount of waste generated and provide for innovative development for our citizenry. We sincerely hope that you will consider each of the ideas outlined on the following pages, within the development of Eagan's Central Park and Community Center. The Commission members and I also stand ready to provide further research, assistance and input into this development process and have vendor contacts available to assist in securing specific product information. Please do not hesitate to contact us if we can be of assistance. Sincerely, Rick Patraw, Chair, Eagan Waste Reduction & Recycling Advisory Commission Green building goals: 1. Resource Conservation can be accomplished by utilizing materials that meet the following criteria: • • Recycled Content: Products with identifiable recycled content, including postindustrial content with a preference for post- consumer content. • • Natural, plentiful or renewable: Materials harvested from sustainably managed sources and preferably having an independent and /or third party certification (e.g., certified wood). • • Locally available: Building materials, components, and systems found locally or regionally saving energy and resources in transportation to the project site. • • Durable: Materials that are longer lasting or are comparable to conventional products with long life expectancies. • • Waste reduction: Building materials, components, and systems are designed for an efficient structural system avoiding materials that serve no functional purpose. • • Waste recycling: Recycled and /or re -used building materials, components, and systems whenever possible and procedures that avoid excess ordering. EXAMPLES • • Design for adaptive re -use: Spaces within the building are designed for maximum adaptability in the future. • • Light sharing: Building design allowing light to pass through the area by eliminating drop ceilings. • • Use of recycled- content materials: Materials that contain recycled- content including paint, carpet, and linseed linoleum, glass- aggregate replacing traditional bituminous surfaces, etc. • • Materials that require no additional covering or application of toxic chemicals: Materials include burnished block and other aesthetically pleasing, low maintenance materials. • • Plan for on -site recycling: Provide separated bins that are prominently labeled for each material or arrange for off -site material sorting. (A goal of between 30% to 50% recycling and/or reuse of excess materials generated on the site is appropriate) 2. Healthy Indoor Air Quality can be enhanced by utilizing materials that meet the following criteria: • • Minimal chemical emissions: Products that have minimal chemical emissions and emit low Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) levels. • • Moisture resistance: Products and systems that resist moisture or inhibit the growth of biological contaminants in the building. • • Healthfully maintained: Materials, components, and systems that require only simple, nontoxic or low -VOC methods of cleaning. EXAMPLES • • Use of low -VOC materials: Low -VOC materials include paints and finishes, carpeting, and cleaners. • • Specify materials that will discourage microbial growth: Moisture precautions should be considered in choosing air filters and humidifier pads, adhesives, ceiling tile coatings, paint, etc. in the locker rooms. • • Product cleaning requirements considered in selection: Choose products that are easily cleaned and low -VOC cleaners can be utilized. 3. Energy and Water Efficiency can be maximized and obtained by utilizing materials and systems that meet the following criteria • • Energy: Materials, components, and systems that help reduce energy consumption in buildings. • • Water: Products and systems that help reduce water consumption in the building and conserve water in landscaped areas. EXAMPLES • • Energy management and monitoring: A computerized energy management system with continuous monitoring and integrated occupancy sensors installed throughout the building to maximize the efficiency of lighting, heating, ventilation and air conditioning. The system monitors temperature, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide levels and uses that information to control the HVAC systems. In doing so, the energy management system maintains an optimum- working environment while minimizing energy use. • • Energy- efficient HVAC: The geo- exchange heat pump system requires less space than a traditional furnace. This system uses 120 60 -foot deep wells and a continuous, closed loop of piping filled with water and food -grade antifreeze runs through the wells. The ground remains at a fairly constant temperature of about 40 degrees year- round. In the winter, the geo- exchange system extracts heat from the ground and transfers the energy to 18 heat pumps that heat the air up to 100 degrees. In the summer, heat is extracted from the building and sent back into the ground that acts as a heat sink. (May be able to receive gas grants and /or rebates) • • Sky - lighting and day - lighting techniques: The capturing of natural light will reduce the building's energy load. The effectiveness of Tight captured can be maximized by exploring light bounce methods, light tracking systems, and light shelves. • • High efficiency lighting systems: This could include efficient T -8 fluorescent and metal halide light fixtures, and integrated occupancy and daylight sensors. Sensors monitor daylight and occupancy to switch lights on and off as needed. (May be able to receive electric grants and /or rebates) • • Gray water systems: These systems are used to reduce the use of potable water on the site and /or within the building. Use rainwater and /or gray water for non - potable water uses such as irrigation, toilets, vehicle washing, sewage transport, HVAC /process make -up water, etc. Technologies could include constructed wetlands, basins, and ponds; cisterns; a mechanical re- circulating sand filter; and gray water reclamation and plumbing systems. 4. Site Design can result in minimal maintenance and stormwater management by incorporating natural landscaping that meet the following criteria: • • Manage storm run -off: System that can prevent run -off from entering the storm sewer system. • • Water conservation: Landscape design that requires minimal to no watering after establishment. • • Minimal fertilizer application: Vegetation that requires minimal to no additional fertilizer after establishment. EXAMPLES • • Stormwater Management: Use biologically based stormwater management features such as swales; sediment control ponds, pools, and wetlands along drainage courses; and infiltration basins to retain and treat stormwater on site. • • Green Roof: System that helps to retain stormwater and increases the insulation value of the roof through soil and vegetation. • • Xeriscaping: Landscaping that does not require additional watering that can be accomplished by using native prairie vegetation (also requires no fertilizers and very little maintenance). The Commission members and I hope that both you and the design team will allow us to work with you in providing a Central Park and Community Center facility which incorporates both innovative and environmentally friendly design features. We will be happy to assist in providing further research, ideas or input throughout this process as is appropriate. Please feel free to contact me or Joanna Foote, the Commission's staff liaison if we can provide further assistance. Sincerely, Rick Patraw Chair, Waste Reduction Advisory Commission