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EQEM 09/12/2017 ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AND ENERGY COMMISSION Fridley Municipal Center, 6431 University Ave Ne MINUTES September 12, 2017 Location: City Hall, Conference Room A (Main Level, City Hall); Meeting moved to Conference Room B at 6:50 to accommodate meeting in Council Chambers Call to Order Co-Chair Nick Olberding called the meeting to order at 7:02 pm. Members present: Nick Olberding, Kyle Mulrooney, Paul Westby, Justin Foell, Sam Stoxen, Heidi Ferris Staff present: Scott Hickok, Community Development Director (partial meeting); Rachel Workin, Environmental Planner Absent: Mark Hansen Approval of Minutes Commissioner Stoxen moved to approve the August 8 2017 meeting minutes as written. Commissioner Mulrooney seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED Unanimously New Business 1)Civic Campus Construction Scott Hickok presented updates on the construction of the new civic campus. He described various aspects of environmental design including incorporation of LEED standards, bird safe glass and the potential for an electric vehicle charging station. While geothermal energy was not financially feasible for this project, the roof of the new Public Works building is solar ready. Mr. Hickok also indicated that a meeting would be held Thursday night with community residents and EQEC commissioners were invited to attend. Commissioner Westby asked questions regarding the installation of a holding cell as well as the community gardens, to which Mr. Hickok described the safety features of the police station and that community gardens would be incorporated into the plan. Commissioner Ferris asked questions regarding the soccer field; Mr. Hickok responded that soccer fields were not feasible on the site due to lack of parking, but had been re-programmed to other facilities. Commissioner Ferris also recommended incorporation of tall native plantings along the water feature to deter geese. Mr. Hickok described native plantings reflecting the native oak savanna throughout the site as well as the more natural landscaping along the eastern side of the water feature. Commissioner Foell asked for more detail on the water feature. Mr. Hickok explained the intent of the water feature as a community space incorporating trails and was designed to function with the site’s high groundwater table. Ms. Workin mentioned that Rice Creek Watershed District had been awarded a Metropolitan Council grant to incorporate stormwater best management practices into the design including an iron-enhanced sand filter. Commissioner Foell asked about parking at the new facility. Mr. Hickok responded that parking studies were considered and indicated a space that was meant to function on as an event space as well as parking. Commissioners recommended that pedestrian and bicyclist safety be prioritized at the University intersection as well as trail connectivity to the regional trail. Following the meeting, Commissioner Ferris asked if the proposed patio homes would be designed with passive solar or as a community solar garden and what was the proposed lighting-style of the campus. Ms. Workin stated that she would check with Mr. Hickok and follow-up at the next meeting. 2)2040 Comprehensive Plan EQEC Recommendations: The following recommendations for the 2040 Comprehensive Plan EQEC were discussed and compiled: EQEC 2040 Comprehensive Plan Recommendations th Approved during the September 12, 2017 EQEC meeting Land Use 1)Solar Resource Development Desired Conditions- Goals and Polices (Required Component) Goals:  Support the State of Minnesota’s goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 80% by 2050 from 2005 levels and to have solar energy comprise 10% of electric retail sales by 2030.  Encourage the use of solar energy, especially on under-utilized spaces, in a manner in keeping with Fridley’s character.  Ensure equitable access to alternative energy and energy efficiency programming across the City. Policies/Action Steps  Encourage investment in electric grid infrastructure and solar development that makes electric service more reliable and resilient to weather-related disruptions.  Become certified as a “solar-ready” community under the Department of Energy’s SolSmart program.  Remove zoning barriers for the installation of solar energy on under-utilized spaces (i.e. Brownfields, parking lots, etc.) where appropriate.  Encourage the development of community solar gardens for residents and businesses that have limited on-site solar resources.  Capture co-benefits alongside solar energy development such as pollinator-habitat.  Design public buildings to incorporate renewable energy or to “solar ready” standards.  Require electric vehicle charging stations on parking lots over 100 stalls in size.  Integrate green building best practices information and assistance into the building permit process.  Participate in programs to promote/incentivize energy efficiency and renewable energy, including but not limited to: Utility rebate and green power purchasing programs; o Energy challenges and best practices education; and o PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy). o 2)Urban Landscape Policies/Action Steps  Update City code to specify tree diversity requirements for plantings on commercial, industrial, and manufacturing property.  Adopt/reference Emerald Ash Borer response plan.  Support volunteer tree plantings on City Parks and Right-of-Ways.  Update City code to promote water-wise and native landscaping (see Water Resources section).  Install pollinators plantings on City Parks (see Parks and Recreation section).  Encourage the installation of pollinator plantings on private property.  Become certified as a Tree City USA.  Mitigate soil compaction during construction.  Establish tree planting requirement for single-family home properties.  Integrate environmental education into outdoor spaces.  Utilize public art as a way of communicating environmental messages. 3)Food Security Policies/Action Steps  Support local farmer’s market and co-op buying clubs.  Increase community gardens/orchards/pollinator plantings on City land, particularly in areas with increased density of low-income housing.  Decrease food deserts in the City. 4)Lighting Policies/Action Steps  Update zoning code to reduce ambient light. Housing  Maintain and promote programs increasing residential energy efficiency. Transportation Policies/Action Steps  Adopt a Complete Streets policy that addresses alternative transportation, trees, and stormwater.  Identify a street to be remodeled using Complete Streets policy.  Identify, prioritize and remedy gaps and lack of connectivity within City sidewalk and trails network.  Update the Active Transportation Plan every 5 years using input from the EQEC.  Promote the installation of additional bike racks in parks, local businesses, and transit stops.  Increase the number of employers promoting multi-modal commuting options through education and incentives.  Encourage Metro Transit to add bus infrastructure, such as signage, benches, shelters, park and ride lots, and real-time arrival data-streaming.  Reduce the amount of under-utilized parking through comprehensive site planning, reduction of parking requirements, and co-use of parking lots.  Evaluate the reduction of street parking requirements within zoning code.  Install, assist with or promote one or more public fueling stations for plug-in hybrid and full electric vehicles, flex-fuel ethanol vehicles, CNG vehicles.  Recognize driverless cars as a mode of transportation.  Evaluate the addition of bike lanes during restriping projects. Parks and Trails Policies/Action Steps  Install low maintenance turf grass and native landscaping/pollinator planting in strategic areas of parks.  Work with partners to increase recreational access to the Mississippi River and Rice Creek.  Support a canoe-sharing program on Anoka County Park land.  Support a bike-sharing program.  Adopt pollinator/monarch-safe policies in natural areas of City parks.  Integrate low-impact design standards for parks and trails.  Co-use parks for stormwater management where appropriate.  Investigate water reuse for irrigation on City parks. Water Resources Policies/Action Steps  Incentivize stormwater management and water conservation through the stormwater utility and the participation in purchasing programs such as WaterSense.  Adopt a Complete Streets policy that addresses alternative transportation, trees, and stormwater.  Integrate low-impact design standards for parks and trails.  Support the use of water-reuse and surface/rain water for irrigation.  Promote the use of native planting/buffer strips along shoreline/streambanks.  Adoption of MIDS/MWMO Standards.  Adoption of MIDS on sites <than 1 acre.  Reduce of street widths where appropriate.  Require variances on shoreland properties go through the Shoreline Rapid Assessment Model in order to meet various vegetative management standards based on percentage of shoreline eroded.  Amend wetland overlay zoning district to require wetland buffers.  Establish hardcover limitations and other methods of stormwater management on single family home properties. Public Facilities Policies/Action Steps  Design public buildings to incorporate renewable energy or to “solar ready” standards.  Require by city policy that new city-owned buildings built in the future use a green building framework.  Plan for reuse of large-format retail buildings, or work with a local school to either add-on space or repurpose space into non-school uses.  Evaluate the purchase electric vehicles within the City’s fleet.  Install electric vehicle charging facilities in lots of public facilities.  Adopt a sustainable purchasing policy.  Establish a local purchasing preference.  Provide organics collection to all Fridley residents.  Analyze organized garbage collection again.  Incorporate organics collection at City events and festivals  Perform energy benchmarking of public buildings to identify cost effective energy saving measures.  Develop emergency plans for extreme weather events at various public facilities. Redevelopment/Economic Competitiveness Policies/Action Steps  Customize a model sustainable building policy and adopt language governing new private development projects that receive City financial support  Integrate green building best practices information and assistance into the building permit process.  Provide a financial or other incentive to private parties who build new buildings that utilize a green building framework.  Support new/emerging green businesses and green jobs through targeted assistance and new workforce development.  Promote shared parking/access, recreation, and childcare in master-planned districts.  Encourage private sector action and incentivize investment in preventive approaches that reduce risk and minimize impacts of extreme weather and the changing climate for human health and the built environment. General City Policy Policies/Action Steps  Increase social connectedness through environmental volunteer opportunities related to pollinator plantings, food security, tree planting, recycling, etc.  Integrate climate resilience into city policy, operations, and budgeting processes. Commissioner Westby moved to adopt these recommendations as the EQEC’s Recommendations for the 2040 Comprehensive Plan. Commissioner Stoxen seconded the motion. Motion approved unanimously. 3)Environmental Fun Fair Re-Cap : Ms. Workin shared that herself and members of the EQEC met with Anoka 4-H and Springbrook Nature Center nd to discuss the EQEC partnering on the 2 annual Environmental Fun Fair. Anoka 4-H is contacting previous exhibitors to determine the best date. Ms. Workin relayed Commissioner Hansen’s suggestion to maintain an independent Hike and Bike celebration. 4)Simple Recycling Ms. Workin provided information from Simple Recycling on their textile and home goods recycling services. Commissioners expressed interest in providing a textile recycling option to residents, but requested more information regarding Simple Recycling’s program. Ms. Workin stated that she would contact a representative of Simple Recycling for more information. Other Informational Item Ms. Working provided information on the following events: 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 and Paper Shredding 7)October 20 CERT Seed Grant application due Adjournment Commissioner Foell moved to adjourn the meeting and Commissioner Westby seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned at 8:34 p.m.