EQECM 11/10/2015
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AND ENERGY COMMISSION
Fridley Municipal Center, 6431 University Ave Ne
Minutes
November 10, 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 7:04 p.m. by Vice Chairman Mark Hanson (Chairman Olin having called in
as excused).
Approve Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Minutes
Approve Minutes of October 13, 2015.
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MOTION by Commissioner Westby and seconded by Commissioner Stoxen to approve the October 13, 2015
minutes of the Environmental Quality and Energy Commission was made. The motion passed
unanimously.
New Business
Commissioner Westby is working toward the Master Water Steward certification through a program offered by
the City’s water resource partner, Mississippi Watershed Management Organization. He stated that he was very
impressed by the program and it furthers his interests in water quality issues and improves his skill set in that
regard.
In other new business, acting Chair Mark Hanson asked that Commissioners state their goals for the coming
year to prepare a working plan of priorities for EQEC, fulfillment of Greenstep Cities steps, etc. He asked that
each Commissioner come to the December EQEC meeting on Dec. 8 with their top three goals for 2016.
Commissioner Hanson stated that stormwater reduction would be one of his top goals. Commissioner Westby
mentioned water usage, as well as increasing the number and quality of raingardens and emphasized the
importance of incorporating Low Impact Development techniques throughout the City for both public and
private property, especially for the re-development of the expanded Columbia Arena site.
Commissioners also mentioned trail/walk gap identification & prioritization and park use/urban forestry as
emphasis areas.
Staff handed out maps of Congested Principal Arterial roads showing 2013 and the same map projected for
2040, as excerpted from the 2040 Metropolitan Council Transportation Policy Plan (attached). The use of
alternate forms of transportation for errands and work will need to increase in priority, based on these
projections.
Old Business
Staff member Kay Qualley gave an update of the projects that Greencorp Member Erika Van Krevelen is
working on, including inventorying all City park trees, which will be completed on November 25, and trees on
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school grounds, which was completed on November 13. This information will be used to determine the
number of Ash trees in the urban canopy to use as input into management strategies for Emerald Ash borer.
Other
The University of Minnesota students will be confirming soon if they are able to make a presentation to the
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EQEC, prior to their final presentation to City Council at the Dec. 14 Council meeting. All EQEC member are
encouraged to attend the Council meeting, as well, in support of their hard work and research on behalf of the
City. The EQEC meeting will start a half hour earlier than usual, at 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 8.
Adjourn
MOTION by Commissioner Stoxin and seconded by Commissioner Westby to adjourn at 8:35. The motion
passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Kay Qualley
Environmental Planner
City of Fridley