EQEA 11-12-2024
Environmental Quality and Energy
Commission Meeting
November 12, 2024
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 8, 2024
New Business
2.Solar on City-Owned Buildings Update
3.Community Resilience Grant Application
Old Business
4.Energy Action Plan Updates
5.Grant Updates
6.Outreach and Events Updates
Other Items
7.Informal Status Reports
Adjournment
Accessibility Notice:
If you need free interpretation or translation assistance, please contact City staff.
Si necesita ayuda de interpretación o traducción gratis, comuníquese con el personal de la ciudad.
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neeg ua hauj lwm.
Haddii aad u baahan tahay tarjumaad bilaash ah ama kaalmo tarjumaad, fadlan la xiriir shaqaalaha
Magaalada.
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 CityClerk@FridleyMN.govor (763) 572-3450.
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AGENDA REPORT
Meeting Date:November12, 2024 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 October8,
2024
Background
Approve the minutes from the Environmental Quality and Energy Commission meeting of October 8,
2024.
Recommendation
Approve the minutes from the Environmental Quality and Energy Commission meeting of October8,
2024.
Attachments and Other Resources
Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Minutes-October8, 2024
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
October8,2024
7:00 PM
Fridley Civic Campus, 7071 University Ave N.E.
MINUTES
Call to Order
Chair Klemzcalled the Environmental Quality and Energy Commissionto order at7:12p.m.
Roll Call
Present:Aaron Klemz
Sam Stoxen
Amy Dritz
Mark Hansen
Absent: Heidi Ferris
Avonna Starck
Justin Foell
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 10,2024 EnvironmentalQuality and Energy Commission Meeting
Minutes
Motionby CommissionerDritzto approvethe September 10,2024meeting minutes. Secondedby
CommissionerStoxen.The motion carriedunanimously.
New Business
2.Floodplain Ordinance Update
Ms. Workin shared proposed revisions to the Floodplain ordinanceoccurring as part of the
recodification process.Commissionmembers asked why the optional provision of requiring
nonconforming structures experiencing repetitive losses to be built to the Regulatory Floodplain
. Ms. Workinshared that it is difficult to track repetitive losses and
it may cause a significant impact to the homeowner in proportion to two losses of 25% of the structure
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Environmental Quality & Energy Commission Minutes Page 2
Meeting 10/8/2024
value. Ms. Workin shared that there was required regulation that nonconforming structures
experiencing a one-time loss of 50% of the structure value must be rebuilt to the RFPE. Commissioner
Hansen recommended changing the RFPE for new construction to be equal to the base flood elevation
(BFE) plus two feet instead of one. The commission discussed the advantages of this approach being
additional protection of property in the face of increasing storm intensity; however, there are
disadvantages of increased floodplain fill, cost, as well as potential difficulty in achieving the standard
on small lots. Motion by Commissioner Hansen to approve the proposed floodplain ordinance with
additional staff review on the feasibility of changing the RFPE to be the BFE plus two feet instead of
one. Seconded by Commissioner Stoxen. The motion passed unanimously.
3. Critical Area Ordinance Update
Ms. Workin shared proposed revisions to the Critical Area ordinance. Motion by Commissioner Stoxen
to approve the proposed Critical Area ordinance. Seconded by Commissioner Hansen. The motion
passed unanimously.
4. Shoreland Ordinance Update
shoreland ordinance for discussion. Motion by
Commissioner Dritz to approve the proposed Shoreland Ordinance Update. Seconded by Commissioner
Stoxen. The motion passed unanimously.
Old Business
5. Energy Action Plan updates
Ms. Workin shared that the City submitted its grant application for a solar array on the Moore Lake
building. She will be providing an update at the next meeting on potential applications for Round 2.
6. Grant Updates
Ms. Workin shared that the Anoka Conservation District had received funding for its Pollinator Pathways
grant application. The City will have an AmeriCorps intern starting on October 21 to assist with trees
and native plant projects. The City also received support from Coon Creek Watershed District for dog
waste stations in Craig Park, Riverview Heights Park, and along Riverview Terrace.
7. Outreach and Event updates
Ms. Workin shared that the City is collecting baby gear items in October.
Other Items
8. Informal Status Reports
No informal status reports were shared.
Adjournment
Motion by Commissioner Stoxen to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Commissioner Hansen. The
Motion carried unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 8:17 p.m.
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Environmental Quality & Energy Commission Minutes Page 3
Meeting 10/8/2024
Respectfully submitted,
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________________________________________________________
Rachel Workin
Environmental Planner
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AGENDA REPORT
Meeting Date:November12, 2024 Meeting Type:Environmental Quality and Energy Commission
Submitted By:Rachel Workin, Environmental Planner
Title
Solar on City-Owned Buildings Update
Background
renewable energy projects back through the direct payprovision of the Inflation Reduction Act as well as
the new Solar on Public Buildings grant makes solar projects more financially feasible. Staff will share the
potential for solar projects on different City facilities.
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:November12, 2024 Meeting Type:Environmental Quality and Energy Commission
Submitted By:Rachel Workin, Environmental Planner
Title
Community Resilience Grant Application
Background
The MPCA has $5,000,000 in grant funding to distribute to communities for non-stormwater and non-
wastewater projects that increase community resilience to the impacts of climate change including
extreme heat mitigation, renovations and upgrades to resilience hubs. Staff will share plans for a proposed
grant application at Commons Park to depave a parking lot to decrease heat, add shade structures, and
add solar-powered charging tables,
Recommendation
None
Attachments and Other Resources
https://www.pca.state.mn.us/grants-and-loans/implementation-grants-for-community-
resilience
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:November12, 2024 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 EQECrecommended adoption of Phase 2 of the Energy Action
Plan. The following activities were completed since the previous EQEC Meeting:
Round 2 of Tabling at Fridley Terrace with CERTS and CEE
o 98 Xcel lighting kits and 101 CenterPoint kits distributed
Begin planning for solar at Commons Park buildingand Public Works Building
Xcel Energy also provided an executive summary for 2023 as well as Q1-Q2 of 2024 which is attached. Of
note, regarding the Q1-Q2 data:
The 2024 Renewable*Connect and Renewable*Connect Flex data is under review and unavailable
on this mid-year dashboard. These data points are not included in the renewable energy
participation, kWh savings, and total GHG throughout the dashboard.
Some of the program participation may be underestimated because of some delays in when the
data is uploaded to Xcel Energy systems.
The following activities are projected:
ICF to begin performing HES visits
Electric Landscaping Equipment campaign.
Recommendation
None
Attachments and Other Resources
Fridley 2023 Executive Summary
Fridley 2024 Q1-Q2 Implementation Dashboard
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:November12,2024 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
Solar for Public Buildings Grant for Commons Park
Solar for Public Buildings Grant for Public Works
MPCA-Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Grants for Moore Lake Stormwater Retrofit
Analysis Update
MPCA Climate Resilience Implementation Grant for CommonsPark
Grants Under Review
Solar for Public Buildings Grant for Moore Lake(conditionally awarded)
Regional Solicitation Grant-Safe Routes to School(awarded awaiting signature)
MPCA Resiliency Grant forElectric Lawn Mower (awarded awaiting signature)
BWSR Pollinator Pathways Grant with ACD(awarded awaiting signature)
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
RCWD grant for sumps in Farr Lake neighborhood
MnDOT Active Transportation grant for University Avenue Trails
DNR Preparing for Emerald Ash Borer Grant Pt. 3
DNR ReLeaf Grant
Safe Streets and Roads for All Planning Grant to create a Safety Action Plan
DNR Shade Tree Grant
Vision Statement
We believe Fridley will be a safe, vibrant, friendly and stable home for families and businesses.
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CCWD grant for improved street sweeping equipment
RCWD grant for hydrodynamic separator in 2024 Street Project
MWMO Grants in 2024 Street Project
Sylvan Hills Park stormwater system
2024 Street Project Rain Gardens
Met Council Water Efficiency Grant pt 4
MPCA Electric Landscaping Equipment Campaign
Grants Closed (1/1/2024+)
CCWD Water Quality Grant for Apex Pond
Met Council Water Efficiency Grant pt 3
MDH Well Sealing Grant pt 3
Dog Waste Stations in Moore Lake Park
st
CDBG Grant for 61 Avenue Parcel
SHIP grant for Bike Fix-It Station at Edgewater Gardens
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: Nov12,2024 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 (10/8-11/12)
Baby Gear Swap at ECFE Fall Festival (11/9)
Confirmed events and topics
Potential Upcoming Events
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:November12, 2024 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.
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