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12/10/2024 ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MEETING December10,2024 7:00 PM Fridley Civic Campus, 7071 University Ave N.E. MINUTES Call to Order Chair Klemzcalled the Environmental Quality and Energy Commissionto order at7:03 p.m. Roll Call Present:Aaron Klemz Sam Stoxen Heidi Ferris Mark Hansen Absent: Justin Foell Avonna Starck Others Present: Rachel Workin, Environmental Planner Cara Clagget, PYP Coordinator-Hayes Elementary Approval of Agenda Motionby CommissionerUpdate on Partnership between Growing Green Hearts and Fridley Public Schools. Secondedby Commissioner Hansen.The motion carried unanimously. Motion by Commissioner Stoxen to approve the agenda as amended. Seconded by Commissioner Ferris.The motion carriedunanimously. Approval of Meeting Minutes 1.Approval of November12,2024 EnvironmentalQuality and Energy Commission Meeting Minutes Motionby CommissionerHasen to approvethe November12,2024meeting minutes. Secondedby CommissionerStoxen.The motion carriedunanimously. New Business 2.Update on Partnership between Growing Green Hearts and Fridley Public Schools Cara Clagget of Hayes Elementary School presented ontheenvironmental work being conducted by students of Hayes Elementaryand how it integrated into the schools IB curriculum. 3.Renewable Energy Ordinance Language Environmental Quality & Energy Commission Minutes Page 2 Meeting 12/10/2024 Ms. Workin shared proposed ordinance language related to renewable energy to be incorporated as . The Commissioners discussed the need to incorporate a drainage plan into the conditions for a conditional use permit for a ground mounted solar array. The Commissioners discussed recommending that native plants be established underneah ground mounted solar arrays and to include that information on the website. It was also recommended that trees being removed during the installation of the ground mounted arrays be replaced with opportunities for cash in lieu if there is not available planting space. Motion by Commissioner Ferris to approve the proposed Renewable Energy Ordinance Language with the proposed additions of a requirement for a drainage plan and tree replacement plan. Seconded by Commissioner Stoxen. The Motion passed unanimously. Old Business 4. Energy Action Plan updates Ms. Workin shared that the City submitted grant applications for solar on the Commons Park and Public Works building. She also shared that the City had submitted the Energy Efficient Buildings program application for Commons Park and was reviewing the report. 5. Grant Updates Ms. Workin shared that no grants had been awarded or denied in the past month. 6. Outreach and Event updates Ms. Workin shared that the Environmental Fun Fair had been scheduled for May 17. Other Items 7. Informal Status Reports Ms. Workin shared that the City was working with Bauer Brothers to salvage playground equipment in its park projects. Ms. Workin shared that Minnesota Commercial Rail received a $15.8 million grant to be used toward replacing its existing trains, including the one in Fridley, with a new train meeting Tier 4 standards. Ms. Workin shared that the City will be accepting applications for the vacancy on the EQEC will extend a few more days. Ms. Workin shared that MnDOT will be hosting a virtual meeting on TH47 on December 13 on the TH47 project. Mr. Hansen shared that a working group of the American Public Works Association- MN was considered strategies to reduce public carbon. Commissioner Klemz shared that he would be facilitating a webinar on climate resilience and climate hope and would share the link to interested members. Environmental Quality & Energy Commission Minutes Page 3 Meeting 12/10/2024 Commissioner Ferris outreach initiatives. Commissioner Klemz shared that the state would be participating in Winter Salt Week. Ms. Workin shared that she would suggest the idea of doing a proclamation for the Fridley City Council. Adjournment Motion by Commissioner Ferris to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Commissioner Hansen. The Motion carried unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 8:22 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Ejhjubmmz!tjhofe!cz!Sbdifm! Xpsljo! Sbdifm!Xpsljo Ebuf;!3136/12/26!19;5:;68!.17(11( ________________________________________________________ Rachel Workin Environmental Planner