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05/17/2005 - 00028008CALL TO ORDER: CITY OF FRIDLEY ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MEETING MAY 17, 2005 Chairperson Johns called the May 17, 2005, meeting to order at 7:08 p.m. ROLL CALL: Members Present Members Absent: Others Present Anne Andrews, Del Jenkins, Barb Johns, Barbara Kovacic, Rich Svanda, Jack Velin, Paul Westby Rachel Harris, Environmental Planner APPROVAL OF APRIL 12, 2005, ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MINUTES: MOTION by Commissioner Svanda, seconded by Commissioner Andrews, to approve the April 12, 2005, Environmental Quality & Energy Commission minutes as amended. The Roll Call was incorrect; Anne Andrews was not present at the March 15 meeting. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON JOHNS DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------- IOI��i��=1���101��? Moore Lake Restoration Plan Additional shoreland restoration work on the east side of Moore Lake has been proposed. The project would occur over two growing seasons and be completed in two phases. Ms. Harris spoke with Gregg Thompson of Anoka Conservation District regarding matching funds for the Moore Lake Restoration Plan. Mr. Thompson stated that ACD has $2,500 in matching funds per project available in 2005. Before the project can go forward, Ms. Harris needs to confirm proposed plans with the Parks department to learn whether the plantings would interfere with park maintenance procedures. In Phase 1, aquatic plantings would fill about 125 feet of the inlet to filter run-off from streets and driveways before that run-off water reaches the swimming area. Also, both sides of the water inlet would be lined with a 15 foot buffer on the southern edge and 25 foot buffer on the northern edge. As with the 2001 project, Ms. Harris will invite high school biology students from Totino Grace and Fridley High School to plant the plugs. If the plan and funding are approved, plantings would occur in September. While in Phase 2, a fifteen foot buffer over 500 feet long would stretch from the edge of the 2001 Buffer Planting to the water inlet. Page 1 of 4 Mr. Westby asked when the Commissioners would learn more. Ms. Harris replied that she will update Commissioners at the next meeting. Ms. Johns commented that some plantings are better than none. Additionally, she suggested that the City could obtain $1000 we could start a project with the aid of matching funds from the Anoka Conservation District. Fridley Commuter Rail Station Development and Northstar Commuter Rail Workshop Ms. Harris said she wanted to make Commission members aware of the planned development at the newly designated Fridley Commuter Rail Station. The handout described 4 options for the site. The Planning Commission decided to pursue choice D, a mixed use development including housing, parking, and retail. Ms. Kovacic, 6100 block of Rainbow Drive NE, noted that she and neighboring residents are concerned about ambient commuter rail noise generated from an increase in rail traffic since they live a few blocks from the proposed Fridley site. Ms. Harris replied that the commuter rail line in Fridley will operate during peak hours (approximately 6am -9am and 4pm-7pm) not continually around the clock like the Hiawatha Light Rail line. Ms. Kovacic also expressed apprehension about the possible increase in traffic around the intersection of 61St Avenue NE and Main Street. Ms. Harris responded with a description of the parking lot layouts. As the plan proposes, the eastern parking lot will be accessed off of Main Street. Pedestrians will have access from one side of the station to the other via a pedestrian walkway in the form of a bridge or tunnel. The western parking lot will obtain access off of 61St Ave NE. Ms. Johns replied that the proposed mix of residential and commercial development would be a good use of that site. Mr. Westby suggested a design element for the proposed plan: included rain gardens where the ponding is planned. Then the ponding would become more attractive like the rain gardens in the City of Maplewood. Ms. Andrews said, "It's great for Fridley to attract younger working professionals who can enjoy new housing and work downtown [Minneapolis]." Ms. Johns thinks, "Small shops would do well." Mr. Westby, Ms. Andrews and Ms. Johns agreed that multi-story transit-oriented development seemed the best approach for the site, given the range of options. Review Shoreland Overlay District Draft 2 Ms. Harris reported to the Commission that staff is still determining the percentage of impervious surface for residential lots. Likely, staff will recommend an increase from the current 25% that includes the house, garage and out-buildings to 35% that will include the aforementioned plus driveways and patios. Ms. Harris requested a postponement of discussing the draft ordinance until the May meeting. Commission members considered the requested and nodded in agreement that discussion a Page 2 of 4 complete ordinance would be better than Mr. Jenkins inquired about response from the community of New Hope as the city maneuvered through the shoreland ordinance adoption. Mr. Jenkins suggested that EQEC members would benefit from knowing about similar successes and hurdles faced in another community. Ms. Harris replied that she would investigate New Hope's shoreland ordinance adoption process. Mr. Velin inquired if the recent attention to shoreland restoration at Locke Lake spurred staff to begin work on a city-wide shoreland ordinance. Ms. Harris responded no. Work on a city-wide shoreland ordinance began in 1997, but the proposed ordinance language did not pass City Council. The new version that you have been asked to review is based on New Hope's successfully adopted shoreland ordinance. The Department of Natural Resources also approved the language in New Hope's ordinance. Since the DNR has the authority to rebuke a City's shoreland ordinance, gaining the DNR's approval is vital. 49ers Day Parade Ms. Harris responded to Ms. Johns' request for details about the 49ers Day Parade on June 16, 2005. Ms. Harris had confirmed with the parade coordinator that the Environmental Quality and Energy Commission had been registered for the June parade. The parade coordinator stated that instructions will be distributed one week in advance. The Commission members will receive short sleeve polo shirts courtesy of BFI for use during the parade. The BFI recycling truck will also participate in the parade. Mr. Velin asked if a golf cart had been reserved for the EQEC to use during the parade. Ms. Harris affirmed that a golf cart had been reserved through the Recreation Department. OLD BUSINESS ReTAP Assessment at Wellspring, 6425 Hwy 65, Fridley The ReTAP service reviews electrical, plumbing, cooling and heating in businesses and identifies opportunities for business owners to reduce energy consumption costs. Mr. Westby discussed the results of the Retired Engineers Technical Assistance Program (ReTAP) visit to his business, located at 6425 NE Highway 65. He did not have the specific results on hand to share, but summarized the efficiency review. He stated that the energy and electrical audit went well, but that not many efficiency improvements were needed since the building was so new. Ms. Johns asked, "How much time did the engineer spend there?" Mr. Westby said, "About two hours." Ms. Johns asked, "Is ReTAP for businesses only?" Page 3 of 4 Ms. Harris interjected, "Yes." Ms. Kovacic suggested that Ms. Johns contact the Center for Energy and Efficiency to request a residential energy audit. OTHER BUSINESS Medical Waste Reports Ms. Harris passed around the Anoka County Medical Waste report from the month of April. There were no issues to report. ADJOURNMENT MOTION by Ms. Kovacic, seconded by Mr. Jenkins, to adjourn the meeting. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON JOHNS DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED AND THE MAY 17, 2005, ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MEETING ADJOURNED AT 8:10 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Rachel A. Harris Staff Liaison Page 4 of 4