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EQEM 12/12/23 ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MEETING December 12, 2023 7:00 PM Fridley Civic Campus, 7071 University Ave N.E. MINUTES Call to Order Chair Klemz called the Environmental Quality and Energy Commission to order at 7:07 p.m. Roll Call Present: Aaron Klemz Heidi Ferris Nick Olberding Justin Foell Sam Stoxen Amy Dritz Absent: Mark Hansen Others Present: Rachel Workin, Environmental Planner Approval of Agenda Motion by Commissioner Olberding to approve the meeting agenda. Seconded by Commissioner Dritz. The motion carried unanimously. Approval of Meeting Minutes 1. Approval of November 14, 2023 Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Meeting Minutes Motion by Commissioner Ferris to approve the November 14, 2023 meeting minutes. Seconded by Commissioner Foell. The motion carried unanimously. New Business 2. Pilot Voluntary Boulevard Planting Program Ms. Workin shared that the City was interested in piloting a voluntary boulevard tree planting program that any resident could opt into. She shared that the City would pilot the program with 25 trees. In the event that more than 25 trees were requested, commissioners recommended prioritizing trees that were in areas that had both low canopy coverage and were mapped as environmental justice areas by Environmental Quality & Energy Commission Minutes Page 2 Meeting 12/12/2023 the MPCA. Commissioner Ferris recommended considering fruiting trees and reaching areas with low canopy coverage by phrasing outreach as an invitation and an opportunity to build community. Old Business 3. Energy Action Plan updates Ms. Workin shared an update on adding solar to the Moore Lake Park Community Building. 4. Outreach and Event updates Ms. Workin shared that she planned to attend Winterfest to talk about recycling. 5. Grant Updates Ms. Workin shared that the Moore Lake Biochar and Iron Enhanced Sand Filter is constructed but operations had not started due to supply chain issues delaying the delivery of the control panel for the pump/getting power to the site. She said that it should be operational this spring. Other Items 6. Informal Status Reports Ms. Workin shared items she planned to bring to the EQEC in 2024 and asked for commissioner feedback on work activities and speakers. Ideas suggested including looking at rule changes to include training requirement for salt applicators and deconstruction. Suggested speakers included someone who could speak to the history of the river as well as representatives from the Fridley High School or Middle School Grean Team. Ms. Workin said she would contact the schools and asked for assistance identifying speakers on the topic of the river. Commissioners also discussed assembling a 2024 self- guided sustainability tour. It was recommended that the commission discuss locations at a future meeting. Adjournment Motion by Commissioner Dritz to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Commissioner Olberding. The Motion carried unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 7:53 p.m.