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EQEM 10/8/2019 ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AND ENERGY COMMISSION Fridley Municipal Center, 7071 University Ave Ne MINUTES October 8, 2019 Location: City of Fridley Civic Campus, Banfill Room Call to Order Chair Hanson called the Environmental Quality and Energy Commission to order at 7:00 p.m. Present:Amy Dritz,Heidi Ferris, Mark Hanson, Justin Foell, Paul Westby Sam Stoxen Absent:Nick Olberding Staff: Rachel Workin, Environmental Planner Other: Alex Carlson, Metropolitan Mosquito Control District Approval ofMinutes Chair Hansen called for a motion to adopt the minutes from the September 10 Environmental Quality and Energy Commission minutes. CommissionerDritz stated that “racks” needed to be changed to “gaps” on page 4. Following this revision, Commissioner Foell made a motion to approve the minutes and Commissioner Dritz seconded the motion to approve the minutes. MOTION PASSED unanimously New Business 1) Metropolitan Mosquito Control District(MMCD) Alex Carlson, with the MMCD- Public Affairs gave a presentation to the EQEC. The MMCD serves the 7- county metro and is overseen by a board of county commissioners. He provided information related to mosquito biology, the MMCD’s work, and what citizens could do to reduce mosquito disease. He stated that mosquitos are able to survive through freezing cold temperatures since their eggs can last up to 7 years; he also provided the example of cattail mosquitos whose larvae can survive over winter. Mr. Carlson said that the MMCD survey 364 sites in Fridley. Most of the MMCD’s work is focued on larvicide using BTI or Methoprene rather than spraying for adult mosquitos. When they spray for adults, they primarily use chemicals containing the compound pyrethrin.They treat 211 acres in Fridley using larvicide and 3.4 acres for adults. MMCD also samples for diseases carrying west nile virus (WNV). In 2018, there were 68 cases of WNV; in 2019, there were just 3 cases of WNV, likely due to resistance building up in avian transmitters. Mr. Carlson shared the MMCD mapping website, where the public can see what sites are inspected and treated. He said that if a site isn’t being treated, that they would encourage residents to call as that is treated as a data point. Mr. Carlsonsaid that the best thing that citizens can do is dump any standing water from containers. He said that mosquitos can breed in just a small amount of water if left standing for 7 days.Commissioner Stoxen asked if there was any concern about mosquitos developing resistance to Bti, since the corn borer moth developed resistance to Bt corn. Mr. Carlson said he was not aware of any concern for resistance and that Bt corn had been used for a number of year. 2)Approve 2020 Meeting Dates CommissionerFoell made a motion and Commissioner Dritz seconded the motion to approve the meeting dates. MOTION PASSED unanimously Old Business 1) Energy Action Plan update Ms. Workin said the information was in the packet. She thanked Commissioner Dritz for attending the Partners in Energy meeting that she was unable to attend. Ms. Workin shared that they had presented at the Senior Center and were still calling apartment complexes. Commissioner Dritz asked who was doing that work. Ms. Workin said that she presented at the Senior Center using a powerpoint provided by PiE, but that their recycling intern was calling the apartment complexes as part of her recycling outreach. 2) Mississippi St Meeting recap Ms. Workin shared that theirwas good turnout and the County was analyzing this information to develop preferred sections. Commissioner Foell asked what the next steps would be. Ms. Workin shared that the st County’s next meeting would likely be a presentation sharing preferred options based on feedback from the 1 meeting. Other 1) New resident mixer- October 12 Ms. Workin said that the event was still planned; however they hadn’t had a large number of RSVPs. Commissioner Stoxen asked if all residents were invited or just new residents. She said all residents were invited; initial communication was targeted to new residents but it’s open to all. Commissioner Foell offered to help with a table. rd 2) 53Ave Trail open house- October 26 th Ms. Workin shared that there had been a 7 St trail project that evening that went well. Adjournment Commissioner Westbymoved to adjourn the meeting and Commissioner Stoxen seconded the motion. The meetingEnvironmental Quality and Energy Commissionadjourned at 8:00 p.m.