EQEA 02/11/2020
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AND ENERGY COMMISSION
Fridley Municipal Center, 7071 University Ave Ne
AGENDA
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Location:Fridley Civic Campus,Banfill Room,7:00 PM
Call to Order
Approve Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Minutes
1)Review January 14 Minutes
New Business
1)2020 Meeting Schedule
2)Art X Water residency
3)Mississippi St meeting
Old Business
1)Renewable energy breakfast
Other
1)Disclosure forms
2)Mississippi St Meeting-February 18 (4-6 PM)
3)Renewable Energy breakfast-February 27 (7:30-9:00 AM)
Next meeting March10at7:00 PM at Fridley Civic Campus
Adjourn
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AND ENERGY COMMISSION
Fridley Municipal Center, 7071 University Ave Ne
MINUTES
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Location:City of Fridley Civic Campus, Banfill Room
Call to Order
Chair Hansoncalled the Environmental Quality and Energy Commission to orderat 7:04p.m.
Present:Amy Dritz, Mark Hanson, Justin Foell,Nick Olberding, Heidi Ferris
Absent:Sam Stoxen,Paul Westby
Staff: Rachel Workin, Environmental Planner
Additional: Alyssa Kruzel, Community EngagementSpecialist
Approval ofMinutes
Chair Hansen called for a motion to adopt the minutes from theDecember 10, 2019Environmental Quality and
Energy Commission minutes.
Commissioner Dritz notedthat her last name was misspelled in two locations. Shealsosaid that the word
avoid
the sidewalk right along the curb.
CommissionerFerrismade a motionto approve the minutes andCommissioner Foellseconded the motionto
approve the minuteswiththeabove-mentioned corrections.
MOTION PASSED unanimously
New Business
1)Presentation by Alyssa Kruzel, Community Engagement Specialist
Ms. Kruzel provided information on her positionas the Community Engagement Specialist anddemographic
information related to Fridleythat would inform her work. She explained the difference between outreach and
engagement whereinthe goal of outreachis increasing awareness with the goal of achieving participation while
engagement involvesthe active organization of individuals and organizations in the planning process. Ms.
Kruzel provided information on different forms of community engagement and her workplan in Fridley. She
also provided information on the census. Commissioner Ferris asked if this information had been shared with
the schools, noting that the dual Spanish-English flier might be good to introduce at Woodcrest Elementary.
Chair Hansen said that his wife was involved with the PTO and would be agood contact. Ms.
Ferris also said that discussions on the census could be a successful social studies lesson. Commissioner Foell
asked if about best practices related to engagement that could be brought to programs that the EQEC would
like to promote including the organics program and energy outreach. Ms. Kruzel said that she would be happy
to work with the EQEC on a work plan for those items.
2)Active Transportation Plan
Ms. Workin brought back the trail versus sidewalk alongUniversity Avenue following council discussion on
rd
the issue. She shared long term plans for thearea including the extension of the road to 73whichwould open
up the trail. She also shared that there would be cross walks across the road connecting the trail to the Civic
Campus. Chair Hansen asked if there would be any concernsabout flooding from the trail. Ms. Ferris shared
that she had heard concerns fromMetro HeightsAcademy related to crossing University. She noted that many
of the students left and arrived at the school at non-traditional hours. The commissioners asked about the
impacts of a crosswalk to oliday from the sidewalk. Ms. Workin said they had not studied the site
lines related to a potential crosswalk. Commissioner Foellsaid he saw the sidewalk getting more use. Chair
Hansen said that as a biker, he did not feelunsafeon the service road. Ms. Ferris asked if it would be possible
to plant trees along the service road as a wind break. Ms. Workin said shewas not sure.Thecommission
recommended the sidewalk as the preferredalternativesincetrails along University Avenue aremoreexposed
which makes them less recreational and enjoyable.
3)PACE Financing
Ms. Workin shared that PACE financing was now available in Anoka County. She said that religious
institutions and non-profits can take advantage. She
encouraged commissioners to let groups know of this program. She mentioned that the City and Xcel
Energy are planning a renewable energy breakfast for February 27 to share information about the
program.
Old Business
1)Energy Action Plan update
Ms. Workin said the information was in the packet.
2)Lawns to Legumes
Ms. Workin shared that the community Lawns to Legumes grant had been submittedand thatthe individual
grant was still open. Commissioner Dritz asked if she should continue to share information. Ms. Workin
encouraged commissioners to share information on the individual program but wait to share on the
community program until they learned whether they had received funding.
Other
1)Disclosure Forms
Ms. Workin distributed disclosure forms
2)Environmental Commission Gathering
Ms. Workin shared that there was an environmental commission gathering through the Alliance for
Sustainability 2/13 in Roseville. Commissioner Foell forwarded information.
Adjournment
Commissioner Dritzmoved to adjourn the meeting and Commissioner Foell seconded the motion. The meeting
of the Environmental Quality and Energy Commissionadjourned at8:27p.m.
Memorandum
Planning Division
_____________________________________________________________________
DATE:February6, 2019
TO:Environmental Quality and Energy Commission members
FROM:Rachel Workin, Environmental Planner
Energy Action Plan
SUBJECT:
th
OnNovember 26, 2018the City Council approved an Energy Action Plan for the City of Fridley. In
order to achieve the goals of the plan, an implementation plan was drafted. The below is a monthly update
to the EQEC on progress toward completing the implementation plan:
January2019
1 social media post
Continued discussions for community solar subscription
Letter to 300 businesses on energy programs and
updates
Email to Cops and Clergy group
UpcomingEvents
Energy breakfast 2/27