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EQEA 10/10/2023 Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Meeting October 10, 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 September 12, 2023 New Business 2.Safe Routes to School Implementation Update Old Business 3.Energy Action Plan Updates 4.Outreach and Events Updates 5.Grant Updates Other Items 6.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 aids should contact the City at (763) 572-3450. 2 Jufn!2/ AGENDA REPORT Meeting Date:October10, 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 September 12, 2023 Background Approve the minutes from the Environmental Quality and Energy Commission meeting of September 12, 2023. Recommendation Approve the minutes from the Environmental Quality and Energy Commission meeting of September 12, 2023. Attachments and Other Resources Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Minutes-September 12, 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 September12, 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 at7:03 p.m. Roll Call Present:Nick Olberding Aaron Klemz Sam Stoxen Mark Hansen Justin Foell Heidi Ferris Absent:Amy Dritz Others Present: Rachel Workin, Environmental Planner Approvalof Agenda Motionby CommissionerHansen to approvethe meeting agenda. Secondedby CommissionerFerris. The motion carriedunanimously. Approval of Meeting Minutes 1.Approval of July11, 2023Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Meeting Minutes Motionby CommissionerOlberdingto approvethe July11, 2023meeting minutes. Secondedby CommissionerHansen.The motion carriedunanimously. New Business 2.Public Arts Plan Feedback Ms. Workin shared that the City was collecting feedback to create a Public Art Plan for the City of Fridley. Commissioners added suggested art to the map and adopted a statement in support of environmentally-themed public art. Motion by CommissionerFerristo recommendthe statement for approval. Seconded by Commissioner Olberding. The motion carriedunanimously. 4 Jufn!2/ Environmental Quality & Energy Commission Minutes Page 2 Meeting 9/12/2023 3.!Future Grant Applications Applications. Ms. Ferris recommended including a video about HES visit to outreach materials. 4.!2024 Meeting Dates Motion by Commissioner Hansen to approve the 2024 meeting dates. Seconded by Commissioner Stoxen. The motion carried unanimously. Old Business 5.!Energy Action Plan updates Ms. Workin shared the City hosted an EV Showcase and was preparing to table at the Senior Fair. 6.!Outreach and Event updates Ms. Workin shared that there will be a pollinator planting at Commons Park on 9/23. 7.!Grant Updates Ms. Workin shared that the City had completed the third round of its EAB Management grant and was evaluating rain garden locations for the 2024 street project. Other Items 8.!Informal Status Reports Ms. Workin shared that the City was looking for feedback on its website. She also said that Northstar would be expanding service in Fridley. Adjournment Motion by Commissioner Foell to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Commissioner Hansen. The Motion carried unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 8:11 p.m. 5 Jufn!3/ AGENDA REPORT Meeting Date:October10, 2023 Meeting Type:Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Submitted By:Rachel Workin, Environmental Planner Title Safe Routes to School Implementation Update Background Safe Routes to Schools (SRTS) is a nationwide program to promote walking and biking to school through The City and Fridley Public Schools worked with a MnDOT-hired consultant to create SRTS plans for Hayes Elementary, Stevenson Elementary, and Fridley Middle School, which were approved in 2017. Additionally, a number of Mississippi St Roadway Modification Studywhich was approved in 2020. This study expanded the recommendation to convert Mississippi Street from four to three lanes withinthe SRTS study area to encompass the entirety of the roadway betweenEast River Road Central Avenue (the roadway is two lanes east of Central th Avenue). Additionally, the Anoka County study proposed adding roundaboutsat 7Street, Monroe Street, and Central Avenue to improve traffic flow. Anoka County received funding throughthefederal Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) to construct roundabouts at Central Avenue and Monroe Street; however, their HSIP application for the roadway conversion wasnot successful. The County and City have contracted with Bolton and Menk to prepare grant applications under the Regional Solicitation-Roadway Modernizationprogramand Local Roads Improvement Program to complete the four tothree lane conversion, add a trail, and add the Monroe Street roundabout. Additionally, the City is completing a Regional Solicitation-Safe Routes to Schools grant application to add Rectangular Rapid th Flashing Beacons at the roundabouts, connect the 7Street trail to Mississippi Street, add a trail stst connection along 61Avenue, and improve a crosswalk at the stadium grandstand on 61Avenue. A list of the originally recommended projects and current status is attached. Recommendation Staff recommend that commissioners review the proposed projects and provide comments. Staff are preparing a letter of support to bring to the November meeting Attachments and Other Resources SRTS Implementation Progress Vision Statement We believe Fridley will be a safe, vibrant, friendly and stable home for families and businesses. 6 7 Jufn!3/ application r PEL StatusNot complete, coordination needed with Anoka CountyNot complete, coordination needed with Anoka CountyNot complete, coordination needed with Anoka CountyNot completeBrush periodically trimmedTo be included in SRTS Complete, speed feedback signs and traffic calming installedComplete, pedestrian median installedTo be included in SRTS applicationPlanned for installation by MnDOTBeing evaluated undeCompleteCity access road to wellhouse functions as sidewalk in Commons Park ignage IssueGaps in sidewalk networkPedestrian median at 61stLarge driveway apronFormalize path with lighting and sTrail access obscured by cars and brushNo bicycle facilitiesHigh vehicle speedsLong crossing distanceNo conveneient walking route between middle and high schoolUnsafe crossingUnsafe crossingNo sidewalkNo sidewalk grandstand LocationEast River Rd, westside of street, north of 61st WayEast River Rd at 61st WayDriveway at schoolPedestrian path extending from the noth west side of campus to 62nd WayChase Island Rd at Anna Avenue61st Avenue from University Avenue to Moore Lake Drive61st Avenuefrom 7th St to Carol Dr61st and Moore Lake Drive61st midblock at stadium 61st and UniversityW Moore Lake Dr and University Avenue7th St from 57th to 54th AveNorthside of of school campus and Commons between 7th and Jackson St Stevenson ABCDE Fridley Middle SchoolABCDGHIJ 8 Jufn!3/ RS application to include roundabout at 7th Street to include pedestrian refuge; SRTS application to include RRFBSchool zone to be installed following roadway modernizationTo be included in SRTS applicationAwarded HSIP grant to Anoka County includes roundabout at Monroe; SRTS grant to include RRFBNot completeRS application to include 4 to 3 lane conversionRS 4 to 3 lane conversion will shorten crossing and improve visiblity; RRFB not being pursued to interest in RRFB at roundaboutRS to include reduction of corner radii, being evaluated under the PELPlanned for installation by MnDOT crossing Unsafe High speedsMissing sidewalk connectionsUnsafe crossingMissing sidewalk connectionsHigh speeds/unsafe lane changesUnsafe crossingUnsafe crossingUnsafe crossing Mississippi rd Avenue and issippi St and University Mississippi St and 7thMississippi St between 7th and Monroe St7th between 63Mississippi StMississippi St and Monroe StMonroe between St and Bennet DrMississippi St from Highway 65 to University AvenueMississippi and Jackson StMississippi St and Highway 65Miss HayesABCDE F GH I Jufn!4/ AGENDA REPORT Meeting Date:October10, 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: Tabling at Senior Fair The following activities are projected: November newsletter on fall energy efficiency Coats from Cops light bulb kit distribution event Door knocking Fridley Terrace (Spring 2024) 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. 9 Jufn!5/ AGENDA REPORT Meeting Date:October10, 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 (9/12-10/20) 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 Confirmed events and topics Coats from Cops 10/26 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 Fridley will be a safe, vibrant, friendly and stable home for families and businesses. : Jufn!6/ AGENDA REPORT Meeting Date:October12,2023 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 Regional Solicitation Grant-Mississippi St Trail Regional Solicitation Grant-Safe Routes to School 2024 Street Project Rain Gardens Grants Under Review Safe Streets and Roads for All Planning Grant to create a Safety Action Plan CERTS Seed grant for solar feasibility analysis CERTS Seed grant to promote home energy squad visits DNR ReLeaf Grant DNR Shade Tree Grant 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 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!6/ !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 !BWSR HELP grant for native plant restoration on Commons Park hillside 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!7/ AGENDA REPORT Meeting Date:October10, 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 statusreports 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