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EQEA 12/10/2024 Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Meeting December 10, 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 November 12, 2024 New Business 2.Renewable Energy Ordinance Language Old Business 3.Energy Action Plan Updates 4.Grant Updates 5.Outreach and Events Updates Other Items 6.Update on Partnership between Growing Green Hearts and Fridley Public Schools 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. Yog tias koj xav tau kev pab txhais lus los sis txhais ntaub ntawv dawb, ces thov tiv tauj rau Lub Nroog cov 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. 1 Jufn!2/ AGENDA REPORT Meeting Date:December10, 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 November 12, 2024 Background Approve the minutes from the Environmental Quality and Energy Commission meeting of November 12, 2024. Recommendation Approve the minutes from the Environmental Quality and Energy Commission meeting of November 12, 2024. Attachments and Other Resources Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Minutes-November12, 2024 Vision Statement We believe Fridley will be a safe, vibrant, friendly and stable home for families and businesses. 2 Jufn!2/ ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MEETING November12,2024 7:00 PM Fridley Civic Campus, 7071 University Ave N.E. MINUTES Call to Order Chair Klemzcalled the Environmental Quality and Energy Commissionto order at7:01p.m. Roll Call Present:Aaron Klemz Sam Stoxen Amy Dritz Mark Hansen Avonna Starck Justin Foell Absent: Heidi Ferris Others Present: Rachel Workin, Environmental Planner Emily Mashuga, Ampact Intern Approval of Agenda Motionby CommissionerHansen to approvethe meeting agenda. Secondedby CommissionerDritz. The motion carriedunanimously. Approval of Meeting Minutes 1.Approval of October8,2024 EnvironmentalQuality and Energy Commission Meeting Minutes Motionby CommissionerDritzto approvethe October8,2024meeting minutes. Secondedby CommissionerHansen.The motion carriedunanimously. New Business 2.Solar on City-Owned Buildings Update Ms. Workin shared proposed plans to add solar to City facilities. Motion by CommissionerFoellto recommend acceptingaSolar on Public Buildings grant from the Minnesota Department of Commerce for$72,000 to construct a solar array at the Moore Lake Park Community Building. Seconded by CommissionerHansen. The Motion carried unanimously. 3 Jufn!2/ Environmental Quality & Energy Commission Minutes Page 2 Meeting 11/12/2024 Motion by Commissioner Dritz to submit an application to the Solar on Public Buildings grant program for $72,000 each to construct a solar array at the Public Works and Commons Park building. Seconded by Commissioner Foell. The Motion carried unanimously. 3. Community Resilience Grant Application Ms. Workin shared plans to apply for a community resilience grant from the MPCA. Old Business 4. Energy Action Plan updates Ms. Workin shared that CEE did another round of tabling at Fridley Terrace and distributed energy kits to 100 households. She also shared that there was information in the packet from Xcel Energy on city participation in different programs as well as citywide energy usage. There was a 137% increase in participants in energy efficiency programs as well as a 33% increase in renewable energy program participations from 2022 to 2023. 2023 was also a strong year for small business lighting projects and HVAC efficiency projects. ThereSolarRewards added since 2020. It was requested to see energy use by premise data. Commissioner Klemz also suggested that increased electrical use may be influenced by fuel switching from natural gas which decr overall greenhouse gas emissions. 5. Grant Updates Ms. Workin shared that the City was working with Rice Creek Watershed District to apply for a planning grant to update the stormwater retrofit analysis for Moore Lake. 6. Outreach and Event updates Ms. Workin shared that the baby gear swap at the ECFE Fall Festival was successful. Other Items 7. Informal Status Reports Commissioner Dritz shared that this was her last meeting as she was moving out of Fridley. The Commissioners and staff thanked Amy for her time on the EQEC. Ms. Workin shared that the City will be adopting a requirement of a two-foot freeboard above the regulatory floodplain elevation as recommended by the EQEC. Ms. Workin also shared that MnDOT would be hosting an update on the PEL on December 3 at Fridley City Hall from 5-7 p.m. Adjournment Motion by Commissioner Dritz to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Commissioner Stoxen. The Motion carried unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 8:02 p.m. Respectfully submitted, 4 Jufn!2/ Environmental Quality & Energy Commission Minutes Page 3 Meeting 11/12/2024 ________________________________________________________ Rachel Workin Environmental Planner 5 Jufn!3/ AGENDA REPORT Meeting Date:December10, 2024 Meeting Type:Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Submitted By:Rachel Workin, Environmental Planner Title Renewable Energy Ordinance Language Background The City of Fridley is updating its zoning code as part of a comprehensive recodification process. This chapter outlines requirements for renewable energy systems including solar arrays and wind energy generators. The current code includes language within each chapter specifying that roof-mounted solar arrays are allowed by right and that ground-mounted solar arrays and wind energy generators are allowed with a conditional use permit. The proposed language consolidates the ordinance language into oneSolarEnergy and Wind Energy sectionwith the following changes: Consideration of solar carport structures Codification of the solar electrical permit Specification ofheight and setback standards Added provisionsforthe removal ofabandoned structures Recommendation Staff recommend that the commission approvethe proposed renewable energy ordinance language. Attachments and Other Resources Draft Renewable Energy Ordinance Language Vision Statement We believe Fridley will be a safe, vibrant, friendly and stable home for families and businesses. 6 Jufn!3/ 7 Jufn!3/ 8 Jufn!3/ 9 Jufn!4/ AGENDA REPORT Meeting Date:December 10, 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 EQEC recommended adoption of Phase 2 of the Energy Action Plan. The following activities were completed since the previous EQEC Meeting: Submitted applications for Commons Park and Public Works for the Solar on Public Buildings Grant Submitted Energy Efficient Buildings application for Commons Park The following activities are projectedto occur: ICF to begin performing HES visits Electric Landscaping Equipment campaign 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. 10 Jufn!5/ AGENDA REPORT Meeting Date:December10,2024 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 MPCA Climate Resilience Implementation Grant for CommonsPark Grants Under Review Solar for Public Buildings Grant for Commons Park Solar for Public Buildings Grant for Public Works Wood Waste Utilization Grant for Custom Furniture Piece at Commons Park MPCA-Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Grants for Moore Lake Stormwater Retrofit Analysis Updatein partnership with RCWD Solar for Public Buildings Grant for Moore Lake(conditionally awarded) Regional Solicitation Grant-Safe Routes to School(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 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 MPCA Resiliency Grant for Electric Lawn Mower Vision Statement We believe Fridley will be a safe, vibrant, friendly and stable home for families and businesses. 11 Jufn!5/ CCWD grant for improved street sweeping equipment 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 RCWD grant for sumps in Farr Lake neighborhood RCWD grant for hydrodynamic separator in 2024 Street Project MWMO Grants in 2024 Street Project 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. 12 Jufn!6/ AGENDA REPORT Meeting Date: December 10,2024 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 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 (11/12-12/10) None Confirmed events and topics EnvironmentalFun Fair (5/17) Potential Upcoming Events Winterfest (1/25) 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. 13 Jufn!7/ AGENDA REPORT Meeting Date: December 10,2024 Meeting Type:Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Submitted By:Rachel Workin, Environmental Planner Title Update on Partnership between Growing Green Hearts and Fridley Public Schools Background Commissioner Ferris will share updates on the collaboration between Growing Green Hearts, Rice Creek Watershed District, and Fridley Public Schools including citizen science efforts conducted by FPS students. 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. 14 Jufn!8/ AGENDA REPORT Meeting Date:December10, 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. 15