EQEA 11-14-2023
Environmental Quality and Energy
Commission Meeting
November 14, 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
October 10, 2023
New Business
2.Letters of Support for Trail Projects
3.Emerald Ash Borer Treatment Program
Old Business
4.Energy Action Plan Updates
5.Outreach and Events Updates
6.Grant Updates
Other Items
7.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.
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AGENDA REPORT
Meeting Date:November14, 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 October 10,
2023
Background
Approve the minutes from the Environmental Quality and Energy Commission meeting of October 10,
2023.
Recommendation
Approve the minutes from the Environmental Quality and Energy Commission meeting of October 10,
2023.
Attachments and Other Resources
Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Minutes-October10, 2023
Vision Statement
We believe Fridley will be a safe, vibrant, friendly and stable home for families and businesses.
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ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY
COMMISSION MEETING
October 10,2023
7:00 PM
Fridley Civic Campus, 7071 University Ave N.E.
MINUTES
Call to Order
Chair Klemzcalled the Environmental Quality and Energy Commissionto order at7:01p.m.
Roll Call
Present:Amy Dritz
Aaron Klemz
Mark Hansen
Heidi Ferris
Absent:Nick Olberding
Justin Foell
Sam Stoxen
Others Present: Rachel Workin, Environmental Planner
Approval of Agenda
Motionby CommissionerHansento approvethe meeting agenda. Secondedby CommissionerDritz.
The motion carriedunanimously.
Approval of Meeting Minutes
1.Approval of September 12, 2023Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Meeting
Minutes
Motionby CommissionerDritz to approvethe September 12, 2023meeting minutes. Secondedby
CommissionerHansen.The motion carriedunanimously.
New Business
2.Safe Routes to School Implementation Update
School grant application.
Old Business
3.Energy Action Plan updates
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Environmental Quality & Energy Commission Minutes Page 2
Meeting 9/12/2023
Ms. Workin shared that the City tabled on energy efficiency at the Senior Fair and was planning to
distribute light bulbs at the Coats from Cops event.
4.!Outreach and Event updates
Ms. Workin shared that the Pollinator Planting events in September were successful.
5.!Grant Updates
Ms. Workin shared that the City was waiting to hear back on forestry grants from the DNR.
Other Items
6.!Informal Status Reports
Adjournment
Motion by Commissioner Hansen to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Commissioner Dritz. The
Motion carried unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 8:03 p.m.
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AGENDA REPORT
Meeting Date:November 14, 2023 Meeting Type:Environmental Quality and Energy Commission
Submitted By:Rachel Workin, Environmental Planner
Title
Letters of Supportfor Trail Projects
Background
The City is in the process of preparing grant applications for two projects that were discussed at the
October 10, 2023 meeting:
1)In partnership with Anoka County, the City is applying for funding under several programs including the
Regional Solicitationprogram, the Local Roads Improvement Program, and the Highway Safety
Improvement Program for the reconstruction of Mississippi Street in conformance with the Mississippi
St Roadway Modification Studythatwas approved in 2020. This study recommended a four to three
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lane conversionthroughout the majority of the corridor, replacing four-way stops at 7Street, Monroe
Street, and Central Avenue with mini-roundabouts, adding a trail along the southside of the road,
expanding the sidewalk on the northside of the road, and increasing boulevard space.
2)The Cityis applying for Safe Routes to School funding through the Regional SolicitationProgram to
implement several projectsidentified in the Safe Routes to School Plans for Hayes Elementary School
and Fridley Middle School, including:
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A trail on the northside of 61Aven between the University Avenue Service Road and Fridley
Middle School
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A trail on the eastside of 7Street between 61Avenue and Mississippi Street
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Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons at 7Street and Monroe Street
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A trail connection along the northside of Commons Park/Fridley Middle School between 7
Street and Jackson Streets
School Plans.More information on the Safe Routes to School project can be found at
FridleyMN.gov/SafeRoutesToSchool
Recommendation
Staff recommend approval of the attached letters of support for these grant applications.
Attachments and Other Resources
Draft Letters of Support
Vision Statement
We believe Fridley will be a safe, vibrant, friendly and stable home for families and businesses.
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AGENDA REPORT
Meeting Date:November 14, 2023 Meeting Type:Environmental Quality and Energy Commission
Submitted By:Rachel Workin, Environmental Planner
Title
Emerald Ash Borer Treatment Program
Background
The City(EAB) Mitigation Plan guides the City to treat high quality public
Request for Proposal for EAB treatment services which was awarded to Rainbow Treecare (RTC) for 2019-
2020 and then extended 2021-2023. The number of trees treated through the program were:
City Non-City Trees
Trees
2019 (Group A, Year 1) 255214
2020 (Group B, Year 1)185116
2021 (Group A, Year 2)227274
2022 (Group B, Year 2)194185
2023 (Group A, Year 3)213TBD
The City is preparing to issue another Request or Proposal to select a contractor to treat trees for the
2024-2026seasons.
Recommendation
Staff recommend that commissioners provide feedback on the EAB treatment program
Attachments and Other Resources
FridleyMN.gov/EmeraldAsh
Vision Statement
We believe Fridley will bea safe, vibrant, friendly and stable home for families and businesses.
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AGENDA REPORT
Meeting Date:November14, 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:
November newsletter on fall energy efficiency
Coats from Cops light bulb kit distribution event
The following activities are projected:
Doorknocking 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.
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AGENDA REPORT
Meeting Date: November 14,2023 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 importantstrategy 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 (10/11-11/14)
Coats from Cops 10/26
SRTS Project Open House 11/14
Confirmed events and topics
Potential Upcoming Events
HRA Open House, February
Baby gear swap, Summer
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.
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AGENDA REPORT
Meeting Date:November14,2023 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
CERTS Seed grant for solar feasibility analysis
CERTS Seed grant to promote home energy squad visits
DNR Shade Tree Grant
Active Grants
Recycling grant (ongoing)
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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
CCWD Water Quality Grant for Apex Pond
DNR Preparing for Emerald Ash Borer Grant Pt. 3
Anoka County grant to include organics recycling at Moore Lake Park building
Dog Waste Stations in Moore Lake Park
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CDBG Grant for 61Avenue Parcel
Sylvan Hills Park Feasibility Study
Vision Statement
We believe Fridley will be asafe, vibrant, friendly and stable home for families and businesses.
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!DNR ReLeaf Grant
!Safe Streets and Roads for All Planning Grant to create a Safety Action Plan
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
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!RS grant for 7 St Trail Project
!MnDOT Active Transportation Pilot Grant
!BWSR HELP grant for native plant restoration on Commons Park hillside
!MnDOT Active Transportation Infrastructure Grant for University Avenue
!CCWD Water Quality Grant for Sweepings Screener
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.
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