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EQEM 03/12/2019 ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AND ENERGY COMMISSION Fridley Municipal Center, 7071 University Ave Ne MINUTES ağƩĭŷ ЊЋͲ ЋЉЊВ Location: City of Fridley Civic Campus, Banfill Room Call to Order Chair Hanson called the meeting to order at 7:03 PM Members present: Nick Olberding, Justin Foell, Sam Stoxen, Heidi Ferris, Mark Hansen Absent: Paul Westby Staff: Rachel Workin, Environmental Planner Other: Approval of Minutes Chair Hansen provided comments regarding the February 12, 2019 meeting minutes. He recommended Stoxen recommended the University of Minnesota recycling guide. Ms. Workin shared a Facebook album by the City of St. Louis Park and said that they could expand the upcoming newsletter article about plastic bags to include other frequently wish-cycled items. Chair Hansen also asked about the relationship between the Active Transportation Plan and the Living Streets Policy. Ms. Workin clarified that the Living Streets Policy would be a part of the Active Transportation Plan. Ms. Workin said that progress in the Active Transportation Plan had stalled while the City developed a plan to collect public input. She shared the Social Pinpoint tool which the City was planning to use. Commissioner Stoxen Energy Action Plan, had the City thought about looking at plant-based diets due to the emissions associated with meat production. Commissioner Foell also mentioned the greenhouse gas emissions associated with food waste. Commissioner Stoxen encouraged the City to provide vegetarian and vegan options at City functions. It was discussed that Springbrook Nature Center did frequently provide vegetarian options, but that didn to other City events. Ms. Workin said she would speak with the City Manager. Commissioner Ferris stated that there were groups that the City could partner with to address food waste, such as the Augsburg University Community Kitchen. Ms. Workin recommended that Commissioners continue this discussion on what role the City and EQEC could play. Commissioner Foell moved approval of the February 12, 2019 meeting minutes. Commissioner Stoxen seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED unanimously New Business 1) University Avenue Corridor Study Chair Hansen discussed the University Avenue Corridor Study meetings that had been attended by himself and Commissioners Foell and Olberding. It was discussed that the meetings highlighted citizen interest in a more walkable and visually appealing corridor. Highway 96 in Shoreview was often mentioned in meetings. The group discussed the need to balance design standards with maintenance and safety concerns. Commissioner Foell shared that he was impressed with the number of people attending. Chair Hansen stated that he had attended a meeting for a Towards Zero Death coalition and that the coalition had been tasked with bringing someone else to the next meeting. The TZD group would discuss issues related to safety such as the role of transit and lighting as well as work to publicize information related to safety. Commissioner Ferris said that the comfort of shelters was an important safety issues as some riders must engage in risky behavior due to snow accumulation or lack of separation with the roadway. Chair Hansen said the TZD group expressed their concerns regarding maintenance to Metro Transit at the meeting. Ms. Workin shared that two more meetings will be held in the Corridor Study workshop series. 2) Osborne Rd Ms. Workin shared that the County would be having an open house for the reconstruction of Osborne Rd to be th constructed in 2020 on April 4. She shared the proposed plans for the reconstruction which includes a 4 land to 3 lane construction with the addition of shoulders and removal of the stop signs. The group provided the following comments: 1) Very enthusiastic about the repaving of the bike trail in Spring Lake Park that was in poor condition 2) Concern about lack of stormwater management; interest in including stormwater management treatment within the right-of-ways. 3) Concern regarding the length of center turn lane, preference that portions of center turn lane away from intersections be converted into landscaped medians or stormwater management features. 4) Concern that the pedestrian signal at Woodcrest Elementary is touch-activated, as children may not remember to press the button. Preference for a more visible signal such as a HAWK beacon. 5) Appreciative of the redesign of the Van Buren intersection. Ms.Workin said she would share contact info to provide additional comments. 3) Trails Day coordinating with the bike ride. She asked if there was interest in continuing the Trails Day in an alternative format. Ms. Workin said she would check about coordinating with the bike helmet clinic. There was interest in riding through the Locke County park trails if the event was at the Civic Campus. 4) Streetview capture Ms. Workin shared that many of the trails within the Rice Creek trail system were not available on Streetview. She provided the cameras that were supported by Streetview, but let the commission know the City did not have a sufficient camera. Commissioner Olberding asked if Google loaned out equipment. Ms. Workin said she would check. Old Business 1) Tree Sale Ms. Workin said that the City had sold 15 of 100 trees. The Commissioners commented that the website was not very intuitive and made recommendations to update the website. Ms. Workin said that the website was run using Park and Recreation software and said that she would speak with the Recreation department about incorporating these changes. 2) Fun Fair- May 4 Ms. Workin said that planning continued for the Fun Fair and asked if Commissioners would be available to volunteer. 3) Energy Action Plan update Ms. Workin said that the updates to the Energy Action Plan were in the minutes. Commisioner Ferris said that she planned to attend the Business Energy Breakfast. Other 1) Does anyone know resident with solar panels? Ms. Ferris stated that her neighbors had a geothermal energy system and would also be good candidates to talk to. 2) University Ave Wkshp 3- Marc 21 3) University Ave Wkshp 4- April 4 4) Osborne Rd Open House- April 4@ 430- 630 at Emmanuel Lutheran Adjournment Commissioner Olberding moved to adjourn the meeting and Commissioner Stoxen seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned at 8:18 pm.