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09/12/2023 EQE Agenda Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Meeting September 12, 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 July 11, 2023. New Business 2.Public Arts Plan Feedback 3.Future Grant Applications 4.2024 Meeting Dates Old Business 5.Energy Action Plan Updates 6.Outreach and Events Updates 7.Grant Updates Other Items 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 persons who require auxiliary aidsshould contact the City at (763) 571-3450. 2 Jufn!2/ AGENDA REPORT Meeting Date:September 12, 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 of July 11, 2023. Background Approve the minutes from the Environmental Quality and Energy Commission meeting of July11, 2023 Recommendation Approve the minutes from the Environmental Quality and Energy Commission meeting of July11, 2023 Attachments and Other Resources Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Minutes-July11, 2023 Vision Statement We believe Fridley will be a safe, vibrant, friendly and stable home for families and businesses. 3 Jufn!2/ ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MEETING July 11, 2023 7:00 PM Fridley Civic Campus, 7071 University Ave N.E. MINUTES Call to Order Chair Klemzcalled the Environmental Quality and Energy Commissionto order at7:02p.m. Roll Call Present:Amy Dritz Nick Olberding Aaron Klemz Sam Stoxen Mark Hansen Absent:Justin Foell Heidi Ferris Others Present: Rachel Workin, Environmental Planner Approval of Agenda Motionby CommissionerHansen to approvethe meeting agenda. Secondedby CommissionerFerris. The motion carriedunanimously. Approval of Meeting Minutes 1.Approval of May9, 2023Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Meeting Minutes Motionby CommissionerDritz to approvethe May 9, 2023meeting minutes. Secondedby CommissionerStoxen.The motion carriedunanimously. New Business 2.Park System Improvement Plan Ms. Workin reviewed the draft Park System Improvement Plan Deconstruction Guidelines Motion by Commissioner Hansen to recommend the Park System Improvement Plan Deconstruction Guidelinesfor approval. Seconded by CommissionerFerris. The motion carriedunanimously. Old Business 3.Energy Action Plan updates 4 Jufn!2/ Environmental Quality & Energy Commission Minutes Page 2 Meeting 7/11/2023 Ms. Workin shared the City was preparing for the EV Showcase. Commissioners Dritz, Klemz, and Hansen indicated that they may be able to participate 4.!Grant updates Ms. Workin shared that she learned that the City did not get a grant for an EV Charger for Moore Lake Park, however there were other grant opportunities coming up. She also said that the City had applied for a SS4A grant for a Safety Action Plan. 5.!Outreach and Event updates Ms. Workin shared that the Tree and Native Plant Sale was open. Other Items 6.!Digital Collaboration Brainstorming No updates were shared 7.!Informal Status Reports Chair Klemz shared that the State was putting together a draft deconstruction ordinance. He also said that the State was looking to partner with Cities to pilot a new ordinance requiring that salt applicators be licensed by the City and required to take a smart salting course. The group discussed cancelling the August meeting. Motion by Commissioner Ferris to cancel the August meeting. Seconded by Commissioner Stoxen. The motion carried unanimously. Adjournment Motion by Commissioner Stoxen to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Commissioner Dritz. The Motion carried unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 7:50. 5 Jufn!3/ AGENDA REPORT Meeting Date:September 12, 2023 Meeting Type:Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Submitted By:Rachel Workin, Environmental Planner Title Public Arts Plan Feedback Background The City is undertaking a planning process to develop a Public Arts Plan. Art can be a useful tool in raising environmental awareness and inspiring action. Commissioners are requested to identify locations for environmentally-themed public art to the map and consider adoptinga statement recommending the inclusion of environmental-themes in public art in priority locations. https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/e67e14e41cea412d867a308494bd7a6d. Recommendation Staff recommend commissioners provide comment for the Public Arts plan 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:September 12, 2023 Meeting Type:Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Submitted By:Rachel Workin, Environmental Planner Title Future Grant Applications Background The Clean Energy Resource Team has released their bi-annual Seed Grant applicationwhich provides funding of $5,000-$10,000 for labor costs to support energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. The City is proposing to submit two applications: 1.We currently offer an insulation rebate that requires a Home Energy Squad visit prior to qualifying. I think the Home Energy Squad visit is helpful in developing a household energy upgrade plan and sets the resident on the right path to moving forward with the insulation work. The City currently buys down half of the HES visit but non-income qualifying residents still need to pay $35-50. Could we use CERTS seed grant funds to 1) do a blitzmailing to targeted neighborhoods in environmental justice areas about the HES program/insulation rebateand 2) pay for the remaining resident share cost of the Home Energy Squad visit which would provide the residents with an energy action plan and eligibility for the insulation rebate? 2.To pay a solar contractor to complete an engineering review of the Fridley Public Works building to determine feasibility for rooftop solar as well, determine what rooftop modifications would be needed to support a solar system, and outline financial scenarios for the system including behind the meter purchase, community solar, or power purchase agreements. Additionally, the DNR has open applications for the emerald ash borer mitigation work that can be used to fund ash removal and replacement on public property as well as private property owned by low- income residents. Staff is currently proposing to apply for $500,000 in funding with 90% directed to tree removal and replacement on private property, 7% directed to ash tree removal and replacement in natural areas; 2% directed to tree plantings, and 1% to promotional materials. Recommendation Staff recommend the EQEC provide feedback on grant structures 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:September 12, 2023 Meeting Type:Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Submitted By:Rachel Workin, Environmental Planner Title 2024 Meeting Dates Background Proposed 2024 meeting dates: Jan.Feb.Mar.AprilMayJuneJulyAug.Sept.Oct.Nov.Dec. 91312914119131081210 Recommendation Staff recommend the approval of the 2024 meeting dates 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:September12, 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: EV Showcase 9/9 The following activities are projected in the next month: Tabling at Senior Fair on 9/27 Recommendation None Attachmentsand Other Resources None Vision Statement We believe Fridley will be a safe, vibrant, friendly and stable home for families and businesses. 9 Jufn!7/ AGENDA REPORT Meeting Date:July 11, 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 (7/12-9/11) Kids Book Swap 7/26 Mississippi River Concert 8/8 Night to Unite Green Block Parties 8/1 EV Showcase 9/11 Confirmed events and topics Tree and Native Plant Sale 9/16 Critical Area Open House 9/19 Moore Lake Pollinator Planting 9/21 Commons Park Pollinator Planting 9/23 Senior Open House 9/27 Potential Upcoming Events Baby gear swap, February HRA Open House, February Garden gear swap, May Recommendation None Attachments and Other Resources None Vision Statement We believe Fridleywill be a safe, vibrant, friendly and stable home for families and businesses. : Jufn!8/ AGENDA REPORT Meeting Date:September 12,2023 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 CERTS Seed Grants Regional Solicitation Grant-Mississippi St Trail st Regional Solicitation Grant-61Avenue Trail DNR ReLeaf Grant DNR Shade Tree Grant 2024 Street Project Rain Gardens Grants Under Review Safe Streets and Roads for All Planning Grant to create a Safety Action Plan 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 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 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 Vision Statement We believe Fridley will be a safe, vibrant, friendly and stable home for families and businesses. 21 Jufn!8/ !Anoka County grant to include organics recycling at Moore Lake Park building !Dog Waste Stations in Moore Lake Park st !CDBG Grant for 61 Avenue Parcel !Sylvan Hills Park Feasibility Study Grants Closed (1/1/2021+) !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 !DNR Preparing for Emerald Ash Borer Grant pt. 2 th !RS grant for 7 St Trail Project !MnDOT Active Transportation Pilot Grant 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. 22 Jufn!9/ AGENDA REPORT Meeting Date:September12, 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