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EQEA 4/11/2023 Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Meeting April 11, 2023 7:00 PM Fridley Civic Campus, 7071 University Ave N.E. Agenda Call to Order Approval of Agenda Approval of Meeting Minutes 1.Approve the Minutes from the Environmental Quality and Energy Commission meeting of March 14, 2023. New Business 2.Chair Election 3.GreenStep Cities 2022 Metric Review Old Business 4.Energy Action Plan Updates 5.Grant Updates 6.Outreach and Events Updates Other Items 7.Digital Collaboration Brainstorming 8.Informal Status Reports Adjournment Upon request, accommodation will be provided to allow individuals with disabilities to participate in any City of Fridley services, programs, or activities. Hearing impaired persons who need an interpreter or other personswho require auxiliary aids should contact the City at (763) 571-3450. 2 Jufn!2/ ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MEETING March14, 2023 7:00 PM Fridley Civic Campus, 7071 University Ave N.E. MINUTES Call to Order Chair AmyDritzcalled the Environmental Quality and Energy Commissionto order at7:02p.m. Roll Call Present:Amy Dritz Sam Stoxen Nick Olberding Justin Foell Aaron Klemz Absent:Heidi Ferris, Mark Hansen Others Present: Rachel Workin, Environmental Planner Approval of Agenda Motionby CommissionerKlemzto approvethe meeting agenda. Secondedby Commissioner Olberding.The motion carriedunanimously. Approval of Meeting Minutes 1.Approval of February7, 2023Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Meeting Minutes Motionby CommissionerKlemzto approvethe February7, 2023meeting minutes. secondedby CommissionerStoxen.The motion carriedunanimously. New Business 2.Recodification of Chapter 105 Landscape Maintenance to Chapter 304 Landscape Maintenance Motionby CommissionerKlemzto approvethis item to ensure that plants falling within that definition provide the same ecological function as native plants. Secondedby CommissionerStoxen. Themotion carriedunanimously. 3.Recodification of Chapter 104Tree Maintenanceto Chapter 319 Tree Maintenance Commissioner Foell notedMotionby Commissioner Klemz to approve this item.Secondedby CommissionerFoell. The motion carried unanimously. 3 Jufn!2/ Environmental Quality & Energy Commission Minutes Page 2 Meeting 3/14/2023 4.!Ethylene Oxide from Commercial Sterilizers Ms. Workin provided background on ethylene oxide emissions from commercial sterilizers. Old Business 5.!Grant Updates Ms. Workin shared that the City received grant funding for the street sweepings screener, Apex Pond, st and the 61 Avenue Parklet. 6.!Event and Outreach updates Ms. Workin shared that the HRA open house was very successful. She also said that the City was planning to offer native plants as part of the 2023 Tree Sale. 7.!Energy Action Plan updates Ms. Workin shared that the City presented the SolSmart bronze award to the City Council on February 27. She also said that the WindUp Challenge had started March 1 sign ups, people may be out in the next couple of weeks which should also increase participation. Ms. Workin shared that the City was awarded most rebates received per capita for 2022of the 26 cities that partner with Xcel Energy. Other Items 8.!Informal Status Reports Ms. Workin reminded the Commissioners of the appreciation dinner on April 17. Commissioner Foell shared that a local kayaking group was planning a clean up event on Rice Creek and would share more information as available. Commissioner Foell also asked for more information to be provided. Commissioner Foell shared that he has been seeing a bill credit from Xcel Energy for participation in renewable energy programs. Commissioner Klemz said that he has been looking into models for city ordinances related to building deconstruction. He shared that Milwaukee and Portland have ordinances Adjournment Motion by Commissioner Stoxen to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Commissioner Olberding. The Motion carried unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 8:04 PM. 4 Jufn!2/ AGENDA REPORT Meeting Date:April 11, 2023 Meeting Type:Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Submitted By:Rachel Workin, Environmental Planner Title Approve the Minutes from the Environmental Quality and Energy Commission meeting ofMarch14, 2023. Background Approve the Minutes from the Environmental Quality and Energy Commission meeting of March14, 2023. Recommendation Approve the Minutes from the Environmental Quality and Energy Commission meeting of March14, 2023. Attachments and Other Resources Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Minutes-March 14, 2023 Vision Statement We believe Fridley will be a safe, vibrant, friendly and stable home for families and businesses. 5 Jufn!3/ AGENDA REPORT Meeting Date:April11, 2023 Meeting Type:Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Submitted By:Rachel Workin, Environmental Planner Title Chair Election Background Commissioner Amy Dritz submitted a notice of resignation as Chair of the Environmental Quality and Energy Commission. Staff would like to extend their thanks to Commissioner Dritz for their time and leadership while serving in the role. A new chair needs to beelected. Recommendation Staff recommends that the EQEC elect a new chair. Attachments and Other Resources None Vision Statement We believe Fridley will be a safe, vibrant, friendly and stable home for families and businesses. 6 Jufn!4/ AGENDA REPORT Meeting Date:April11, 2023 Meeting Type:Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Submitted By:Rachel Workin, Environmental Planner Title GreenStep Cities 2022 Metric Review Background The GreenStep Citiesprogram is a voluntary challenge program organized by the MPCA and a coalition of other groups to recognize Cities for their sustainability efforts as well as to provide technical assistance on best practices. Fridley joined the program in 2014 and was awarded Step 4 in 2022. To maintain Step 4 status, the City must submit an annual report on April 4 each year detailing the previous Staff will Recommendation For information purposes only Attachments and Other Resources None Vision Statement We believe Fridley will be a safe, vibrant, friendly and stable home for families and businesses. 7 Jufn!5/ AGENDA REPORT Meeting Date:April11, 2023 Meeting Type:Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Submitted By:Rachel Workin, Environmental Planner Title Energy Action Plan Updates Background At the November 9, 2021 meeting, the EQEC recommended adoption of Phase 2 of the Energy Action Plan. The following activities were completed this past month: Receive CEE award for most rebates per capita in Intercity Challenge Continue WindUp Challenge Continue loaning Energy Efficiency Kits The following activities are projected in the next month: May newsletter on solar Tabling at Environmental Fun Fair Continue WindUp Challenge Continue loaning Energy Efficiency Kits Recommendation None Attachments and Other Resources None Vision Statement We believe Fridley will be a safe, vibrant, friendly and stable home for families and businesses. 8 Jufn!6/ AGENDA REPORT Meeting Date:April11,2023 Meeting Type:Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Submitted By:Rachel Workin, Environmental Planner Title Grant Updates Background The purpose of this item is to provide Commissioners updates on sustainability grants held by the City. Grants in the Pre-Application Stage Anoka County grant to include organics recycling at Moore Lake Park building Grants Under Review Active Grants Recycling grant (ongoing) th Met Council Regional Solicitation Grant for 44Avenue Bridge w/ Anoka County BWSR/RCWD grant for Moore Lake IESF project RCWD grant for road diet on University Ave Service Rd rd LRIP grant for 53Avenue Trail Project th RS grant for 7St Trail Project (missing section in front of Community Center, will resume following school release) University Avenue Lighting Project rd Met Council Climate Mitigation grant for feasibility study of 73Ave BWSR HELP grant for native plant restoration on Commons Park hillside Met Council Water Efficiency Grant pt 3 MDH Well Sealing Grant pt 3 DNR grant for mitigating impacts of EAB MnDOT Active Transportation Pilot Grant RCWD grant for sumps in Farr Lake neighborhood MnDOT Active Transportation Infrastructure Grant for University Avenue CCWD Water Quality Grant for Sweepings Screener CCWD Water Quality Grant for Apex Pond DNR Preparing for Emerald Ash Borer Grant Pt. 3 Grants Closed (1/1/2021+) Vision Statement We believe Fridley will be a safe, vibrant, friendly and stable home for families and businesses. 9 Jufn!6/ !SHIP grant for wayfinding kiosk !MDH Well Sealing Grant pt 2 !SHIP grant for bike fleet (SNC/Recreation) !CCWD grant for Craig Park improvements !Lawns to Legumes grant for Craig Park Bee Lawn !RCWD grant for 6 raingardens in Rice Creek Terrace neighborhood !Lawns to Legumes Demonstration Neighborhood Grant (ACD grant in partnership with Coon Rapids, and Lino Lakes) !SHIP grant for Civic Campus orchard !CCWD grant for hydrodynamic separator in 2022 Street Project Area !Met Council Water Efficiency Grant pt 2 Recommendation !None Attachments and Other Resources !None Vision Statement We believe Fridley will be a safe, vibrant, friendly and stable home for families and businesses. : Jufn!7/ AGENDA REPORT Meeting Date:April11, 2023 Meeting Type:Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Submitted By:Rachel Workin, Environmental Planner Title Outreach and Events Updates Background Outreach at community events is an important strategy to build environmental awareness and increase engagement. Events that have been completed since the last meeting as well as upcoming outreach events are listed below. Completed events (3/14-4/10) None Confirmed events and topics Environmental Fun Fair (4/22) Rice Creek TH Pick Up Event (5/25) Tree and Native Plant Sale (9/9 Pick Up) Mississippi River Concert 8/8 Potential Upcoming Events Kids Book Swap Pollinator Planting at Commons Park Pollinator Planting at Moore Lake 5 year Anniversary Celebration for Civic Campus th 7Avenue trail ribbon cutting Moore Lake Park ribbon cutting Recommendation None Attachments and Other Resources None Vision Statement We believe Fridley will be a safe, vibrant, friendly and stable home for families and businesses. 21 Jufn!8/ AGENDA REPORT Meeting Date:April11, 2023 Meeting Type:Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Submitted By:Rachel Workin, Environmental Planner Title Digital Collaboration Brainstorming Background This item is intended as a brainstormingspace to discuss opportunities for digital collaboration and community engagement Recommendation For information purposes only Attachments and Other Resources None Vision Statement We believe Fridley will be a safe, vibrant, friendly and stable home for families and businesses. 22 Jufn!9/ AGENDA REPORT Meeting Date:April11, 2023 Meeting Type:Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Submitted By:Rachel Workin, Environmental Planner Title Informal Status Reports Background Staff and Commissioners will share informal status reports on programs happening in the City. Recommendation None Attachments and Other Resources None Vision Statement We believe Fridley will be a safe, vibrant, friendly and stable home for families and businesses. 23