EQEM 11/12/24
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 October 8, 2024 EnvironmentalQuality and Energy Commission Meeting Minutes
Motionby Commissioner Dritz to approvethe October 8, 2024 meeting minutes. Secondedby
Commissioner Hansen. 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 accepting a Solar 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.
Environmental Quality & Energy Commission Minutes Page 2
Meeting 11/12/2024
Motion by Commissioner Dritz to submit an application to the Minnesota Department of Commerce’s
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. There’s also been 28 solar arrays participating in SolarRewards 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 decreases the City’s
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,
Environmental Quality & Energy Commission Minutes Page 3
Meeting 11/12/2024
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Rachel Workin
Environmental Planner