Minutes - Environmental Policy Board - 09/10/2012

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5.02: Article and Space Filler Discussion Associate Planner/Environmental Coordinator Anderson presented the staff report. He advised that the draft article requested by the LRRWMO was drafted by Board Member Stodola. Associate Planner /Environmental Coordinator Anderson also noted that at last month's meeting there was a request for everyone to develop some "space fillers" for use in the newsletter and that he has provided a half dozen or so for review by the Board. Board Member Lewis commented that he was able to find some interesting environmental facts on the interne. Chairperson Max believed that it is good for these "space fillers" to be available to the editor, as open space in the newsletter could then easily be filled with environmental information. Board Member Lewis noted that the article could be highlighted by the icon, once developed, which would easily mark the item as environmental information. Associate Planner /Environmental Coordinator Anderson further discussed the recycling article and the recycling goals set by Anoka County each year. Board Member Lewis stated that it might be beneficial to highlight the reimbursement, which the City receives from the County by meeting those goals. He explained that residents might be willing to put more effort into recycling if they knew that the City is able to receive funding from the County for reaching those recycling goals. Associate Planner/Environmental Coordinator Anderson commented that approximately 90 percent of residents are recycling to some extent. He stated that the greater gain would be to focus on those who are already recycling and educate them on additional items that can be recycled, rather than trying to recruit those who do not recycle. Board Member Bentz advised that some residents on his block have downgraded to a smaller garbage can because of the amount they are recycling, which is a tangible benefit of recycling. He noted that his neighbors would really like the City to contract with one hauler for garbage services to avoid the number of different garbage trucks running through the neighborhoods. Associate Planner/Environmental Coordinator Anderson stated that he did not believe that is likely to happen. He commented that he would incorporate some of the items discussed tonight into the articles and questioned if the Board feels that any other issues should be spotlighted in the upcoming issue of the newsletter. Chairperson Max commented that he believed it would be beneficial to have a standalone article that focuses on holiday recycling. He also noted that it could be beneficial to have an article, which focuses on the many items that can be recycled, and some of the creative local re -uses for those materials. Associate Planner /Environmental Coordinator Anderson confirmed that the November /December article would focus on holiday recycling. He confirmed that the Board would meet again prior to the deadline for the January /February newsletter. Environmental Policy Board / September 10, 2012 Page 3 of 6