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EQEA 12-12-2023 Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Meeting December 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 November 14, 2023 New Business 2.Pilot Boulevard Tree Planting Program 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) 571-3450. 2 Jufn!2/ AGENDA REPORT Meeting Date:December12, 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 November 14, 2023 Background Approve the minutes from the Environmental Quality and Energy Commission meeting of November 14, 2023. Recommendation Approve the minutes from the Environmental Quality and Energy Commission meeting of November 14, 2023. Attachments and Other Resources Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Minutes-November14, 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 November14,2023 7:00 PM Fridley Civic Campus, 7071 University Ave N.E. MINUTES Call to Order Chair Klemzcalled the Environmental Quality and Energy Commissionto order at7:00p.m. Roll Call Present:Aaron Klemz Mark Hansen Heidi Ferris Nick Olberding Justin Foell Sam Stoxen Absent:Amy Dritz Others Present: Rachel Workin, Environmental Planner Approval of Agenda Motionby CommissionerHansento approvethe meeting agenda. Secondedby CommissionerStoxen. The motion carriedunanimously. Approval of Meeting Minutes 1.Approval of October 10, 2023Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Meeting Minutes Motionby Commissioner Hansento approvethe October10, 2023meeting minutes. Secondedby Commissioner Ferris.The motion carriedunanimously. New Business 2.Letters of Support for Trail Projects Ms. Workin reviewed the Mississippi Street Reconstruction and Safe Routes to School projects that were discussed at the October 10, 2023 meeting and shared draft letters of support. CommissionerHansen stated the importance of addressing the drainage issues under theoverpass if the project moves forward. Two revisions to the letter were recommended: 1)CommissionerFerris recommended adding thatlocations of significant community value including the library, schools, and history centerwere located along the corridor and 4 Jufn!2/ Environmental Quality & Energy Commission Minutes Page 2 Meeting 11/14/2023 2)! 2) Street. Motion by Commissioner Stoxen to sign letters of support for grant funding for the Mississippi Street Reconstruction projects and the Safe Routes to School projects with the amendments suggested. Second by Commissioner Foell. The motion carried unanimously. 3.!Emerald Ash Borer Treatment Program program as the City prepares to release a Request for Proposal (RFP) for Emerald Ash Borer Treatment services. rge number of trees scheduled for treatment to obtain lower pricing for residents within the RFP. Commissioners also discussed the importance of replacement of ash trees that are removed. Ms. Workin shared that while the City has a tree sale to incentivize tree replacement, more smaller trees are sold than larger trees that replicate the ecological function of ash. It was recommended that the City modify the pricing in the tree sale to make heritage trees more desirable, consider a tree giveaway, and amplify messaging on the benefits of large trees. Old Business 4.!Energy Action Plan updates Ms. Workin shared that the City distributed 100 light bulbs at the Coats from Cops event. 5.!Outreach and Event updates Ms. Workin shared that there was an open house for neighbors near the proposed Safe Routes to School Project. 6.!Grant Updates Ms. Workin shared that the City received the SS4A grant for a safety action plan as well as grants from the DNR to support forestry work. Other Items 7.!Informal Status Reports rd Commissioners provided positive feedback on the 53 Avenue roundabout. Adjournment Motion by Commissioner Hansen to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Commissioner Stoxen. The Motion carried unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 7:53 p.m. 5 Jufn!3/ AGENDA REPORT Meeting Date:December12, 2023 Meeting Type:Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Submitted By:Rachel Workin, Environmental Planner Title Pilot Boulevard Tree Planting Program Background The City of Fridley is considering a pilot boulevard tree planting program to increase forest. The need for this program is based on the benefits provided by trees alongside the significant loss of ash trees due to emerald ash borer. Recommendation Staff recommend that commissioners providefeedbackon how the boulevard tree planting program should be structured. Attachments and Other Resources FridleyMN.gov/EmeraldAsh 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:December12, 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: Solar meeting for Moore Lake Park Community Building The following activities are projected: 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. 7 Jufn!5/ AGENDA REPORT Meeting Date: December 12,2023 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 (11/15-12/12) None Confirmed events and topics Winterfest 1/20/2024 HRA Open House 3/27/2024 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. 8 Jufn!6/ AGENDA REPORT Meeting Date:December12,2023 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 MWMO Grants and RCWD Grants for hydrodynamic separators in 2024 Street Project Grants Under Review CERTS Seed grant for solar feasibility analysis CERTS Seed grant to promote home energy squad visits LRIP Mississippi ST 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 University Avenue Lighting Project 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 MnDOT Active Transportation grant for University Avenue Trails DNR Preparing for Emerald Ash Borer Grant Pt. 3 Dog Waste Stations in Moore Lake Park st CDBG Grant for 61Avenue Parcel Sylvan Hills Park Feasibility Study DNR ReLeaf Grant Safe Streets and Roads for All Planning Grant to create a Safety Action Plan Vision Statement We believe Fridley will be a safe, vibrant, friendly and stable home for families and businesses. 9 Jufn!6/ !DNR Shade Tree Grant 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 !MnDOT Active Transportation Infrastructure Grant for University Avenue !CCWD Water Quality Grant for Sweepings Screener !Anoka County grant to include organics recycling at Moore Lake Park building rd !Met Council Climate Mitigation grant for feasibility study of 73 Ave rd !LRIP grant for 53 Avenue Trail Project !RCWD grant for road diet on University Ave Service Rd 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:December12, 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. 21