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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br />• HELD JULY 20, 1992 <br />STYROFOAM ORDINANCE - CONT. <br />Jim Dunn, Lakeshore Marina, noted that two years ago he installed <br />styrofoam docks after approval from the LMCD, DNR, and the <br />Watershed District. He felt the key to foam Is the density and <br />design. He reported that they lose less than a wastebasket full <br />per year. He said that management of the system Is a key issue. He <br />felt the City has not done enough homework on the Issue. <br />Beth Whittaker, Minnetonka Boat Works, stated they added to their <br />styrofoam docks three years ago after the necessary approvals. She <br />felt that the time frame and the expense will be major issues. She <br />felt that more research could be done, Including trying other <br />options to prevent the foam from breaking up. She stated It would <br />probably cost approximately $50,000 plus labor to change the docks. <br />Dunn said removal of the docks would be labor intensified because <br />utilities are built into the docks. <br />Whittaker felt that it was not viable to replace just a portion of <br />a dock as the buoyancy of the replacement section may not match the <br />buoyancy of the remaining styrofoam docks. <br />Jabbour stated his concern about this issue. He challenged Mr. Dunn <br />on the amount of pollution caused by the foam. He noted that at a <br />• recent meeting with the LMCD, he brought a piece of styrofoam and <br />asked it to be passed around the room. It was considerably smaller <br />after being passed around. Also, algae grows on the styrofoam, <br />which the ducks and muskrats feed on. He stated three years may be <br />unreasonable for replacement. He felt that the economic reasons are <br />insignificant as there are significant costs In the annual <br />maintenance of these docks. <br />Dunn stated that the City has not done its homework on the issue. <br />Jabbour reported that he has talked to Dow Chemical, attended to <br />4 -5 marina International shows, talked to NSP regarding the <br />hydrodam on the river, and has found many other alternatives on <br />the Issue. <br />E. Leo Bullock, 2940 Casco Point Road, asked if anything was being <br />done to collect the debris such as a silt fence. <br />Dunn said they currently do not have a collector system. <br />Robert Wilson, 4156 Highwood Rd, said he works for a company that <br />installs docks and that the company does not use non - encased styro- <br />foam because of the unstable aspects of the product during instal- <br />lation. <br />• - 2 <br />