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EQEM 04/04/2017 ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AND ENERGY COMMISSION Fridley Municipal Center, 6431 University Ave Ne MINUTES April 4, 2017, 7:00 p.m. Location: City Hall, Conference Room A Transitions in Environmental Planning As the group was assembling, Kay Qualley (Environmental Planning staff liaison for the Environmental Quality & Energy Commission) announced that she has resigned her position at the City of Fridley. Ms. Qualley has accepted a position as Winona County Director of Planning and Environmental Services as of May 1, 2017. Ms. Qualley thanked the Commissioners for their volunteerism for the community and asked for their support for upcoming outreach and activities. Call to Order EQEC Chair Mark Hansen called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Introductions of Commissioners, Staff and Guests All Commissioners were present except Commissioner Foell who had called in his absence in advance. One guest speaker, Erin Rupp of Pollinate Minnesota, introduced herself. Approve Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Minutes After Commissioners reviewed the March 7, 2017 minutes, a motion was entertained by Commissioner MOTION PASSED Mulrooney and seconded by Commissioner Westby to approve the minutes as written. UNANIMOUSLY TO APPROVE THE MARCH 7, 2017 MINUTES. New Business 1)Bees and current City ordinancesGuest Speaker, Erin Rupp of Pollinate Minnesota. , A local couple recently attended a Fridley Council meeting with a request that the City revise its ban on the ability to keep bees in the City. Also, beekeeping along with pollinator planting is part of GreenStep Cities best management practices (e.g. Best management Practice for GreenStep Cities #27.2 on website). In order to become more informed about the issues guest speaker Erin Rupp of Pollinate Minnesota consented to be a guest speaker for EQEC. She provided in-depth information about bee- keeping. Ms. Rupp stated that it is useful to have the ability to have a temporary third hive in the event of a swarm, rather than having a potential ordinance restricting the number to only 2 at all times. Ms. Rupp provided some sample ordinances. She mentioned that the Twin Cities was extremely fortunate to have renowned University of MN bee researcher Marla Spivak in the area. Ms. Rupp said, “That she is in our area is like Michael Jordan teaching basketball camp here!” Ms. Rupp recommended checking out the University of MN bee webpages for additional information. As part of the discussion it was mentioned that Fridley had begun planting some pollinator plants in public spaces, so why not promote the other half of the equation: bees! The Commissioners asked staff if the EQE Commission needed to take action to move an ordinance change forward. Staff stated that Council may want this ordinance revisited, anyway and that Julie Jones will see if EQEC action is needed. 2) An Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) clinic for property owners will be held on Thursday, Announcement : th April 13 at 6:30 p.m. at Springbrook Nature Center.with the Minnesota Department Jennifer Burington of Agriculture and Jeffery Hahn from the U of M Extension Service will present EAB information. Commissioners were asked to spread the word and pack the house since new discoveries of EAB in Coon Rapids and Blaine mean that these ash tree-killing bugs are on Fridley’s doorstep. Commissioners asked that more EAB information be posted on the website, along with maps of neighborhood ash tree locations. 3)Street tree planting grant projects for 2017 : The Department of Natural Resources Grant volunteer tree plantings will first concentrate on adding trees to the Hyde Park neighborhood, likely with rd Medtronic volunteers and the Tree Trust. The terrace area of 73 Ave. would be another potential planting project, likely June 1, with BMO Harris Bank, as organized by Commissioner Mulrooney. Possibly in the fall, another location for trees would be the 2017 Street Project if it is in a state of readiness. 4)Anoka County business recycling. Religious institution incentive funding programs have been instituted by Anoka County. Lewis Segl (Lewis.Segl@co.anoka.mn.us) at Anoka County Integrated Waste Solutions has been working with schools and faith-based institutions on recycling and organics collection. 5)Final 2016 recycling tonnage numbers are down for Fridley from 2015. Staff explained that a drop in recycling tonnage was partially due to the poor attendance at the July drop off event likely due to bad weather and having to shut down early. Normally the three recycling events bring in close to 200 tons/year, which will be challenging to attain into the future as no provision has been able to be made to run these events at the new City Hall. 6)New City Hall complex timetable. Groundbreaking for the civic complex portion of the project will th take place around May 10, 2017. The yard at public works will be fenced off and eventually that building will be torn down. (Addendum to minutes, the groundbreaking has been changed to May 20 to coincide with a Town Hall meeting date at City Hall). Old Business 1)The Green Expo will be held on Saturday, April 22 from 9-2 at the National Sports Center in Blaine. There will be a Master Water Steward helping with a kids water display, Julie Jones, Planning Manager will supervise the booth and help residents with recycling, organics and Emerald Ash Borer information. The suggestions was made by Commissioner Ferris that a “Join the Fridley Tree Board” or volunteer to be a tree steward could be available at these events. th 2)Plant Sale and Arbor Day event on Saturday, April 29. Chairman Hansen and Commissioners Stoxen will attend. 3)Tree Steward training and activities will be conducted by Ashley Reichard as part of the Department of Natural Resources tree grant. It was decided, because of staff changes, to push the training (which is free to residents and can lead to a Certified Tree Inspector certification exam, if desired) to late summer. Julie Jones or the new Environmental Planner will make contact. th 4)Recycling Drop-Off event will be held on Saturday, May 6 from 9-1 p.m. at the usual location, st 400-71 Ave., for one last time. A reminder was given that raw wood pallets and 2” x 4” pieces will be accepted, but no landscape timbers, treated or stained wood, please. 5)Commissioner Stoxen, in his update on a possible workplace tree planting event with his group, stated that a fall activity for him and his work colleagues would work best; early September was preferable to early October. 6)A group of Active Transportation subcommittee members will be meeting about the Fridley Bike & Hike. Staff booked Grandpa’s Ice Cream for the Springbrook end of the ride. Kathy Simmons is the contact at Grandpa’s: 651-470-3310; she can also be reached at grandpas@grandpasicecream.bix. Other Commissioner Ferris mentioned that Springbrook Nature Center in Fridley is the site of 2 environmental STEM trainings on nature play teacher training, which will be held on April 20th and May 1st. These are open to leaders of children such as teachers, scout leaders, child care providers, media specialists, watershed instructors, etc. (Addendum to minutes: registration is now available at: http://growinggreenhearts.com/registration/). The idea is to promote fun outside learning. Spread the word, as we need to get more kids outside! Next Meetings/Announcements nd Tuesday, May 2, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. Location is Conference Room A at City Hall, main floor. Staff contact will be Julie Jones, Planning Manager. Adjourn The meeting was ended by a motion by Commissioner Westby and seconded by Commissioner Mulrooney at 8:38 p.m.