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EQEA 09/12/2017-packet ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AND ENERGY COMMISSION Fridley Municipal Center, 6431 University Ave Ne AGENDA September 12, 2017, 7:00 p.m. Location:City Hall, Conference Room A Call to Order Approve Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Minutes 1)Review August 8, 2017minutes New Business 1)Update on Civic Campus construction 2)2040 Comprehensive Plan EQEC recommendations 3)Springbrook event planning re-cap 4)Simple Recycling inquiry Other Informational Items 1)September 14 Medtronic Tree Planting 2)September 14 RCWD Master Water Steward info session at Urban Boat Builders 3)September 16 Citizens for Sustainability/Alliance for Sustainability Volunteer Meet Up, St. Anthony Village City Hall (10-noon) 4)September 22 BAE Systems Tree Planting 5)September 23 Fridley and Columbia Heights Rotary Tree Planting 6)October 7 Fall Recycling Drop-off 7)October 20 CERT Seed Grant application due Next Meetings/Announcements Tuesday, October 10, 2017at 7:00p.m., City Hall, Conference Room A Adjourn ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AND ENERGY COMMISSION Fridley Municipal Center, 6431 University Ave Ne MINUTES August 8, 2017 Location:City Hall, Conference Room A(Main Level, City Hall) Call to Order President Mark Hansencalled the meeting to order at 7:02 pm. Members present: Nick Olberding, Kyle Mulrooney, Paul Westby, Mark Hansen, Justin Foell, Sam Stoxen Staff present: Julie Jones, Planning Manager; Rachel Workin, Environmental Planner Absent: Heidi Ferris Approval ofMinutes President Hansen moved to approve the July 11, 2017 meeting minutes as written. Commissioner Westby seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY New Business 1)EAB Plan Foresty intern, Chris Titus, discussed the results of 2017 EAB Response Plan Pilot Program and the initial draft version of the EABPlan. Mr. Titus described the goals of the project as 1) minimizing safety risks from the death of a large number of ash trees and 2) maintaining the benefits of our urban canopy and 3) improving our species diversity to be more resilient in the future. Mr. Titus discussed that, as part of the pilot, homeowners who had an ash tree removed fromthepublic boulevard adjacent to their property were able to select from a variety of tree species to be planted in the boulevard (bare root) or in their front yard (potted). He explained that while bare roottrees are initially not as developed as potted trees, within two years they meet the same health indicators. Commissioners asked if there would be a warranty on trees planted in the public boulevard and if the City would allow residents to accept cash-in-lieu to purchase a different type of tree than offered. Commissioners also questioned the diversity of trees chosen by the residents, to which Mr. Titus responded that residents typically requested only a couple of the offered species. It was recommended to investigate other means to encourage species diversity, such as limiting the number of specimens to be planted from a given species, asking residents to rank species choice, or offering different options to different residnets. Commisioners also recommended that outreach to residents included informationon safely treating private ash treesand clarity on the City’s role vs resident’s role.The EQEC also expressed interest on serving as an advisory role in the implementation of the EAB plan. 2)2040 Comprehensive Plan feedback: Rachel Workin discussed the integration of resiliency into the Comprehensive Plan through integration into different Plan chapters as well as through explicit development of the City’s solar goals, policies and strategies. The group discussed the need for achieving a representative voice of the City in planning by reaching out to diverse communities to increase engagement. Comissioners were advised to provide feedback on the Comp Plan using the GreenStep Cities framework. President Hanson shared GreenStep Cities goals identified by Comissioners. Ms. Workin also asked if the group would want to advise on updates to the Active Transportation. Plan.Commissioners expressed interest in serving in an advisory role. It was also mentioned that bike signs need to be installed to reflect the Plan. 3)Environmental Fair : Rachel Workin relayed that there was a possibility of hosting an environmentally- themed event at Springbrook Nature Center with 4-H that would integrate aspects of Arbor Day and Trails Day. Commissioners expressed interest in pursueing the event. Details on any future coordination meeting will be distributed to EQEC members. Old Business 4)July 22 Recycling Drop-off Event Update: Rachel Workin shared that 272 Fridley carswent through the Summer drop-off event.There was a large increase in heavy items and large TVs, likely as a result of the Coupon system. Other 5)Master Water Stewards: Rachel Workin shared that there are upcoming information sessions on the Master Water Steward program at Mississippi Watershed Management Organization headquarters on thth August 29or at Urban Boat Builders on September 14. Applications for the next class of Master th Water Steward are due September 30. Adjournment Commissioner Westbymoved to adjourn the meeting and CommissionerOlberdingseconded the motion. The meeting adjourned at 8:49 pm. Memorandum Planning Division _____________________________________________________________________ DATE:September 7, 2017 TO:Environmental Quality and Energy Commission members FROM:Rachel Workin, Environmental Planner Simple Recycling SUBJECT: Background Simple Recycling is a for-profit service that offers turn-key collection of textile and household goods. The program provides mailings and bags to residents, and then collects the bags in a Ford Transit vanin accordance with the City’s recycling schedule. The company then weighs the material at its local facility and pays $20 a ton to the City. Simple Recycling is in operation in many of Fridley’s neighboring communities including Brooklyn Park, Brooklyn Center, Crystal, New Hope, St. Louis Park, Shorewood, Mounds View, Shoreview, Robbinsdale, Stillwater, and Coon Rapids. Ham Lake, Lakeland, and Arden Hills are in discussion to begin the program soon. Staff met with a representative of Simple Recycling to discuss the implementation of this program in Fridley. Materials from this meeting are attached describing Simple Recycling’s services. Recommendation Staff is requesting a discussion by the EQEC as to whetherSimple Recycling could complement current recycling and donation options.