EQEA 12/08/20
PUBLIC NOTICE
City of Fridley City Environmental Quality and Energy Commission
Meeting Notice of Meeting by Telephone or Other Electronic Means
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Environmental Quality and Energy Commission (Commission) of
the City of Fridley will hold its regularly scheduled meeting on December 8, 2020 at 7:00 pm via
telephone or other electronic means.
In accordance with the recommendations of -99,
which recommends remote meetings whenever possible, the December 8, 2020 EQEC Commission
meeting will be held via Zoom meeting.
Public Comment Before a Meeting
If you have public comments to submit before a meeting, please send your comments to
rachel.workin@fridleymn.gov or 7635723594. Public comments will be received up until noon on
the day of the meeting. Comments will be compiled and delivered to the Commission.
Public Comment During a Meeting
During the meeting, members of the public that wish to comment may join the meeting on the Zoom
webinar platform. Attendees will be able to click the "raise hand button" and alert City staff that they
wish to comment. When it is time for comments, individuals will be recognized, and their
microphones will be enabled, allowing them to comment. Zoom meeting information may be found
on the first page of the meeting agenda.
Link to the meeting: https://zoom.us/j/97697502399
Posted: November 23, 2020
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AND ENERGY COMMISSION
Fridley Municipal Center, 7071 University Ave Ne
AGENDA
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Location: Online Zoom Meeting, 7:00 PM
Call to Order
Approve Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Minutes
1) Review November 10 Minutes
New Business
1) Craig Park enhancement project
2) 2021 Tree Sale
Old Business
1) Organics program outreach
Other
Next meeting January 12 via Zoom
Adjourn
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AND ENERGY COMMISSION
Fridley Municipal Center, 7071 University Ave Ne
MINUTES
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Location: Zoom Webinar
Call to Order
Chair Hanson called the Environmental Quality and Energy Commission to order at 6:34 p.m.
Present: Amy Dritz, Mark Hanson, Justin Foell, Nick Olberding, Heidi Ferris, Sam Stoxen,
Absent: Paul Westby
Staff: Rachel Workin, Environmental Planner
Other: David Elvin, MnDOT- Principal Planner
Approval of Minutes
Chair Hansen called for a motion to adopt the minutes from the October 13, 2020 Environmental Quality and
Energy Commission minutes.
Commissioner Dritz made a motion to approve the minutes and Commissioner Stoxen seconded the motion to
approve the minutes with the above-mentioned corrections.
MOTION PASSED unanimously
New Business
1. Presentation by Mr. David Elvin, Principal Planner- Minnesota Department of Transportation
Mr. Elvin shared the attached presentation regarding the current PEL study on University Ave and Highway 65.
Commissioner Ferris recommended extending focus area 1 to include Osborne Road. She also supported focus
area 2 based on the increase in residential uses in that area. Ms. Ferris recommended that the study look at
connectivity on the Mississippi as well as including safe routes to the River. She noted that the trails that teach,
including public art and landscaping should be considered. Commissioner Hansen recommended extending
education to pedestrians as many pedestrians exhibit unsafe crossing behaviors in the corridor, although he
noted that level of service issues likely contribute to a lot of unsafe pedestrian activity. He wondered if
countdown times to the walk sing would be feasible in the corridor. Mr. Hansen also recommended improving
winter maintenance. Commissioner Foell agreed that signal timing and low levels of service contributed to
unsafe pedestrian behavior. He noted that Fridley had two large corridors running through it and asked if the
study would look at creating different identities for the two corridors. Mr. Elvin said it would. Commissioners
agreed over the transition to residential along much of University. Commissioner Hansen noted that there was a
lot of right-of-way space available along the corridors, particularly in the north, that could be put to better use.
Commissioner Dritz commented that the approaches to many of the bus routes were very unsafe and should be
improved. Commissioner Olberding described his bike route to work which is very circuitous to avoid unsafe
riding areas. Commissioner Foell noted that unlike Minneapolis and Columbia Heights, Fridley does not have a
grid system, so riders must choose between busy roads or long detours.
2. Metro Blooms Planting Project
This item was tabled
Adjourn
Commissioner Stoxen moved to close the meeting at 7:12 PM, Commissioner Dritz seconded.
MOTION PASSED unanimously
MEMORANDUM
Date/2020
To:
From:
Craig Park Study
RE:
Craig Park is a neighborhood park located in the northwest corner of the City. The park is
located in a regional low point with poor soils and a high groundwater table; characteristics that
indicate that the area is likely a historic wetland. In recent years, the City has had issues with
flooding in the park that have precluded maintenance and use, including frequent standing
water near the tennis courts throughout the year and periodic standing water in the ballfield
following heavy rainfall events. This standing water negatively impacts both adjacent neighbors
and park users as well as creates maintenance issues for city staff. Predicted increases in the
frequency of severe rain events are expected to exacerbate these issues. The City recently
contracted with Bolton &
Addressing these stormwater issues presents an opportunity to reimagine the Craig Park
experience and integrate focus initiatives identified through the Parks Master Planning process.
Rather than creating a standalone stormwater project, the City drainage
solution that is integrated within the park and functions as a park amenity. On October 20,
Bolton & Menk provided the City with the attached technical memorandum detailing proposed
drainage and water quality improvements. The proposed stormwater management plan creates
distinct upland play areas and lowland dry bio-swales. The plan also provides water quality
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treatment by diverting 79 runoff from the storm sewer system into the bio-swales,
creating more capacity within the storm sewer system near the tennis court.
Within the technical memorandum, Bolton & Menk present three concept park plans
integrating the swales to be refined prior to community engagement. The current plans feature
improved access into and through the park, visual interest, gathering spaces, and play features,
consistent with the goals of the Parks Master Plan.
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Figure 1 - Location and Drainage Area Map
Craig Park Improvements
Fridley, MN
October 2020
T NE
LOW S
ONGFEL
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ELLOW ST NE
LONGF
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860
Craig Park
Storm CB
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Storm Pipe
Sub-06
3.3 AC
Subbasin
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"
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Feet
Source:
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Sub-01
2.3 AC
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Sub-05
1.5 AC
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Sub-03
Sub-04
7.2 AC
2.1 AC
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Sub-02
4.7 AC
Figure 2 - Curent Anticipated Innundation Map
Craig Park Improvements
Fridley, MN
October 2020
"
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79TH
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Legend
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Craig Park
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Storm CB
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Storm Pipe
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ELEVATION
838.79 (1-Year)
"
/
838.88 (2-Year)
839.04 (5-Year)
839.17 (10-Year)
839.69 (50-Year)
839.9 (100-Year)
Countours
Major Contour
Minor Contour
0100
Feet
Source:
CRAIG PARK PRECENDENT IMAGERY PRECENT IMAGES
R
CITY OF FRIDLEYOCTOBER, 2020
BIORETENTION CELLBOARDWALK/BRIDGECRUSHED LIMESTONE PATH
MOWING DIETPOLLINATOR GARDENSOCCER FIELD/FLEX OPEN LAWN
NATURAL PLAY ELEMENTSNATURAL PLAYSCAPE
NATURAL PLAY ELEMENTS
SITE PLAN NOTES:
- DRAIN TILE ALL AREAS OF PARK
- MINIMIZE REMOVALS / EXCAVATION
- DISCUSS LIGHTING WANTS / NEEDS
- DISCUSS FENCING
WORKOUT STATIONS