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EQEA 12/11/2018 (2) ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AND ENERGY COMMISSION Fridley Municipal Center, 7071 University Ave Ne MINUTES 5ĻĭĻƒĬĻƩ ЊЊͲ ЋЉЊБ Location: City of Fridley Civic Campus, Banfill Room Call to Order Chair Hansen called the meeting to order at 7:01 Members present: Nick Olberding, Justin Foell, Sam Stoxen, Heidi Ferris, Mark Hansen, Paul Westby Absent: Approval of Minutes Commissioner Westby moved approval of the October 9, 2018 meeting minutes as written and Commission member Foell seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED unanimously New Business 1) Nature-Based Play areas- Heidi Ferris Ms. Ferris provided an overview of natural playgrounds following a workshop she attended regarding nature-based play. In contrast to manufactured playgrounds, natural playgrounds involve mostly natural materials and tend to be more flexible spaces that can be altered and moved. Pop-up natural playgrounds at Minneapolis parks found that visitors spent more time at natural playgrounds as compared to manufactured playgrounds and led to more intergenerational interactions. Ms. Ferris also shared that natural playgrounds tend to be safer than manufactured playgrounds because they are ground-based and more stimulating, so children do not engage in risky behaviors out of boredom. She also stated findings from the workshop that liability can be minimized depending on signage. The group discussed the use of ash trees cut down during the EAB mitigation process in these areas, it was determined that using ash trees would not result in increased EAB habitat. Chair Hanson inquired about the different maintenance that the natural playgrounds required. Commissioner Ferris responded that the type of maintenance depended on the structure of the - fulfill an ecological principle by breaking down on their own. Commissioner Foell recommended a pop-up event to let people try out the spaces. Commissioner Stoxen recommended looking into examples of natural playgrounds for adults as well. Ms. Workin said that the City is undertaking a Parks Master Planning Process and this is something that could be included in this process. She also shared that the City would likely be looking for an EQEC member to participate in this process. Ms. Workin said she would share this information with the Director of Community Engagement and Employee Resources and Operations Director-Parks with the intent of bringing this information to the Parks and Recreation Commission. 2) Active Transportation Plan update planning assistance of an Active Transportation Committee. She shared that two of the key pieces of the plan are a map of areas designated for sidewalks and trails and a map of priority trail projects. She shared that the majority of the priority trails have been completed or funded. Staff has discussed updating the plan in early 2019 with the assistance of the EQEC rather than reforming the Active Transportation Committee. Ms. Workin said that she would provide more updates as the plan progressed, but encouraged EQEC members to familiarize themselves with the ATP and be on the lookout for areas that they view as priorities for trails and sidewalks. 3) 2019 Environmental Fun Fair Ms. Workin shared that Anoka 4-H was interested in continuing the partnership related to the Fun Fair. She said the event would be similar to the previous years with a few additional items and an art contest. Commissioner Olberding recommended including prizes to increase participation. The group also th recommended including an adult category. Ms. Workin asked the commissioners to reserve the 4 for volunteering. 4) 2019 Recycling Drop-off update Ms. Workin shared that the City was planning to continue hosting events at Green Lights since participation recommended that the City ask GLR what items were turned away with the most frequency to determine how to expand collected items. Old Business 1) Pollinator Friendly Fridley update Ms. Workin shared that an update on this policy was included in the packet. 2) Energy Action Plan update Ms. Workin shared that an update on this policy was included in the packet. She also requested volunteer th help at the January 26 Winterfest. She said that she would send out additional email information. Commissioner Ferris suggested an energy themed photobooth. Other 1) Smart Salting grant award Ms. Workin shared that the City received grant funding from MWMO to upgrade our snow plows to use less salt and keep better track of data. She also shared that we were selling brine to Columbia Heights so that they could decrease their salt use as well. 2) 2019 Meeting Dates Commissioner Foell mentioned that the group did not take action on the 2019 meeting dates during the October meeting. The meeting dates of the second Tuesday of the month (January 8, February 12, March 12, April 9, May 14, June 11, July 9, August 13, September 10, October 8, November 12, and December 10) were provided. Commissioner Westby moved to approve the provided dates as the 2019 meeting dates. Commissioner Foell seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED unanimously Adjournment Commissioner Westby moved to adjourn the meeting and Commissioner Olberding seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned at 8:13pm.