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EQEM 10/11/2016 ENVIRONMENTALQUALITYANDENERGYCOMMISSION FridleyMunicipalCenter,6431UniversityAveNe hĭƷƚĬĻƩЊЊͲЋЉЊЏͲАʹЉЉƦ͵ƒ͵ Location: City Hall, Conference Room A Call to Order: Chairman Mark Hansen called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. at Springbrook Nature Center In attendance: Commissioners Hansen (Chair), Foell (Vice Chair), Mulrooney, Westby, Velin and Stoxen. There was one guest, Heidi Ferris. Approve Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Minutes th Review September 13, 2016 minutes. MOTION TO APPROVE MINUTES Commissioner Westby made the motion to approve the minutes, which was seconded by Commissioner Mulrooney, and the minutes passed on a unanimous vote. New Business GreenStep Cities priorities, next projects. A review of the spreadsheet prepared by Chairman Hansen took place. Commissioner Stoxen stated that reducing old style turfgrass and using techniques for No-Mow, Low- Mow and lawn alternatives is an important priority for him. He has seen some Chicago demonstration gardens and great examples of this principle put into practice. A general discussion about how to break some of the projects down by neighborhood commenced. Getting the block captains involved or neighborhood champions could be useful. Old Business Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) Department of Natural Resources municipal tree grant update: plans for tree planting events with the Tree Trust for Oct. 20 and Oct. 22 are coming together slowly for planting of the 80 gravel bed nursery trees. The most likely locations are Riverview Heights Park and Craig Park. All of the gravel bed trees of various species did well, with the exception of the Bur Oaks, which do not look good. Staff will take a closer look to see if a cause for the problem can be identified. Medtronic has stated that they will be unavailable in October but could be available for planting around Nov. 4 with a large group, which would work if the weather continues mild. Medtronic had planted 35 trees in Commons Park in May and are interested in continuing to partner with the City. Karen Zumach from Tree Trust will create the planting plans and the Conservation Corps will pre-drill the holes which will greatly speed the planting. These two groups, along with the University of Minnesota and Hands-On Twin Cities, are all partners with the LCCMR-DNR grant projects through May of 2018. The other major planting site, the Mississippi River Trail at 694 location (Minnesota Department of Transportation landscaping grant), needs more help spreading bark and pulling weeds, plus tree wrapping is th needed. The group agreed to meet on Sunday, Oct. 15 at this location to do some of the work from 11-4 p.m. Staff will be present to help identify plants vs. weeds and to help direct the workflow if needed. Families and friends are welcome, since there is a lot of maintenance to do and bark mulch to move! Also, a brief discussion about how opt-in Organics collection is working in Minneapolis too place. Other Next Meetings/Announcements th The next EQEC meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 15, 2016 at 7:00 p.m., at the usual location, Conference Room A (Main Level, City Hall). Adjourn: MOTION TO ADJOURN The motion was made to adjourn by Commissioner Foell and seconded by Commissioner Westby. The motion passed and the meeting was adjourned at 8:08 p.m.