EQEM 01/31/2017
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AND ENERGY COMMISSION
Fridley Municipal Center, 6431 University Ave Ne
MINUTES
January 31, 2017, 7:00 p.m.
Location:City Hall, Conference Room A(Main Level, City Hall)
Call to Order
Approve Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Minutes
th
Review December 13, 2016minutes.After one change, from 2016 to 2017 for the meeting date at the bottom
of the last page, a motion to approve was entertained. Commissioner Westby so moved and the motion
was seconded by Commissioner Stoxen.
TH
MOTION PASSED TO APPROVE DECEMBER 13, 2016 MINUTES
New Business
1)Introduction of New Environmental Quality and Energy Commissionerswas the first agenda item. Heidi
Ferris is an environmental educator; her business is Green and Growing Hearts. Nick Olberding is
interested in several areas of sustainability, including stormwater abatement. He is a member of the
Mississippi Watershed Management Organization citizen advisory committee (CAG) and is a new
candidate for a Master Water Stewardship, as he is attending the next training. Heidi and Nick were
warmly welcomed by the other Commissioners and staff. Commissioner Westby mentioned that he had
been throughthe Master Water Steward training and highly recommended it, and is looking forward to
projects tied with Rice Creek Watershed District.
2)Speaker: Bart Biernat. Mr. Biernat is the Environmental Health Specialist at Anoka County
Environmental Services. Mr. Biernat stated that he is a facilitator and works in the Anoka County Health
area.Mr. Biernat presented information that Anoka County works with 40+ agencies to facilitate clean
water for drinking and natural spaces. The KnowYourFlow website is a collaborative effort with these
agencies and community groups to communicate findings and events around water. Water-related
resourcesfor businesses are also available through the KnowTheFlow website
http://www.knowtheflow.us/tools-for-businesses/
.Action Plans from Anoka County were: continue use
of website, breaking down of silos through communication/meetings/gathering of feedback, and
educationoutreachefforts 1x per year. This outreach is atWaterfest, a classroom demonstration event
for students to attend.Anoka County Water Task Forcecontinues to engage with members to cross-
pollinate work on water planning.TheCounty health board’s CHIP-5(Community Health Improvement
Plan) initiative contains the ten most important health issues of Anoka County, which will be useful in
the current Comprehensive Planning cycle.
3)Home Depot’s manager Adam said that he needs a month notice and can help with scheduling tree
planting volunteers from the Fridley Home Depot. Staff had made contact after a positive conversation
with a Home Depot employee. They will be part of the spring corporate planting team, along with
Medtronic.
4)Winter trail maintenance information from Public Worksis going well and the trail areas will be
moderately expanded by Public Works. Commissioner Foell was thanked for his efforts on behalf of the
preparation of the first Active Transportation plan and map.
Old Business
Safe Routes to School update: Julie Jones will be contacting Colin Harris from Alta Planning toward increasing
the rigor of the plan.
Arbor Day planting and ceremonyis currently the Saturday before the official Arbor Day, beingheld on April
rd
22, at or near the 73lawn panel adjacent to the frontage road. A tree sale will be held again. Ten volunteers
will be needed. Mark Hanson stated that, if Fridley participates in the Sustainability/Environmental Fair as a
member with Blaine and Coon Rapids, he would run that booth. Staff indicated that, without the University
students and a GreenCorps helper, it will not be possible to run Arbor Day and that volunteers must be sought
by Commissioners.
Pollinator planting project on University Ave.: Mark will be meeting with the Metro desk manager Sheila
th
Cowper (sp?) on Feb. 10and will be able to talk to her informally about the plans, with follow-up by staff,
subsequently.
Moore Lake Park preliminary concepts, master planning information drawings were shared. It was stated that
these are long-range plans and very preliminary at this time.
Other
Next Meetings/Announcements
Wednesday, February 15th, 2017at 7:00p.m.Normally group meets on a Tuesday, but Valentine’s Day is on a
Tuesday this week!
Adjourn