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EQECM 10/13/2015 ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AND ENERGY COMMISSION Fridley Municipal Center, 6431 University Ave Ne Minutes October 13, 2015, 2015, 7:00 p.m. Minutes Location: Conference Room A (Main Level, Fridley City Hall) Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 7:01 p.m. by Chairman Todd Olin. Approve Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Minutes th Approve Minutes of September 8, 2015. th MOTION by Commissioner Westby and seconded by Commissioner Stoxen to approve the September 8, 2015 minutes of the Environmental Quality and Energy Commission was made. The motion passed unanimously. New Business The Commissioners met with two of the five Environmental Policy student groups who are working on projects for the City of Fridley in the fall of 2015. The Right of Way group is researching transportation agency grants and restrictions in order to identify opportunities to change out weeds and turf that the City is currently mowing to alternative plantings. The goal is to, after new plantings are installed, reduce labor, gas and equipment inputs and improve the environmental benefits and appearance of the corridor. The second group present was the parks group. This group is doing survey work about the future of parks for different ages and ethnicities in the community. They will present information to the Park & Recreation Commission and the Parks Director Jack Kirk after their research is concluded but wanted to ask for input from EQEC and city groups, as well. Next, the new GreenCorp Member, Erika Van Krevelen was introduced. She gave a quick overview of the program (11-month grant for Urban Forestry Re-Greening plan) and launched a discussion about areas of the City where tree populations can be augmented. Chairman Olin stated that commercial site opportunities should be part of any plan as their lawn panels and rights-of-way areas may be appropriate for planting by the businesses or if permissions are granted by volunteer groups. Contacting commercial building owners with information about programs might be appropriate but being creative about how companies might participate in programs is important. Seldom do businesses have time to send out employees to plant trees! Commissioner Hanson continued the discussion about encouraging private properties or commercial properties who install stormwater best management practices or install major tree plantings by offering the possibility of having stormwater fees reduced. That is not a currently an option with the City. Commission Westby then continued by brainstorming about ways to get greater quantities of trees with smaller calipers planted to ratchet up the numbers of trees being installed in the community. Service groups, Master Gardeners, High School Key Club members and others were mentioned as possibilities. Past decimations of the urban forest by two tornados, straight line winds and pest problems have led to a serious drop in the numbers of trees, plus few juvenile trees have been planted, which means the existing trees are, for the most part, older and mature. The presence of Emerald Ash Borer in Anoka County means that accelerating the Ash Borer Response Plan is important. The Urban Forestry group from U-MN will be working with Ms. Van Krevelen and Forestry and Environmental Planning staff to put together a plan draft for review by the end of December or early January. Old Business Staff reported that over 500 cars/residents participated in the fall Recycling Drop-off Event. Problem materials that are difficult for residents to dispose of by were collected for recycling, including 96 mattresses. Commissioners commented about the numbers consistently collected! Other Adjourn MOTION by Commissioner Westby and seconded by Commissioner Hansen to adjourn at 8:08. The motion passed unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Kay Qualley Environmental Planner City of Fridley