5/13/2025
Environmental Quality and Energy
Commission
May 13, 2025
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 April
8, 2025
New Business
2.Solid Waste Abatement Program and Recycling Contracts Updates
Old Business
3.Energy Action Plan Updates
4.Grant Updates
5.Outreach and Events Updates
Other Items
6.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, programsor 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:May 13, 2025 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 April8,2025
Background
Approve the minutes from the Environmental Quality and Energy Commission meeting of April 8, 2025
Recommendation
Approve the minutes from the Environmental Quality and Energy Commission meeting of April 8, 2025
Attachments and Other Resources
Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Minutes-April 8, 2025
Park Plaza Cooperative PowerPoint Presentation
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
April8,2025
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
Avonna Starck
Justin Foell
Heidi Ferris
Absent: Dustin Norman
Mark Hansen
Others Present: Rachel Workin, Environmental Planner
Representatives from the Park Plaza Cooperative
Representatives from the Metropolitan Council
Approval of Agenda
Motionby CommissionerFerris to approve the agenda. Seconded by CommissionerStarck.The motion
carriedunanimously.
Approval of Meeting Minutes
1.Approval of March11,2024 EnvironmentalQuality and Energy Commission Meeting Minutes
Motionby CommissionerStarckto approvethe March11,2025meeting minutes. Secondedby
CommissionerStoxen.The motioncarriedunanimously.
New Business
2.Presentation by Park Plaza Cooperative on Climate Planning Workshops
As part of planning efforts for the regional climate action plan, the Metropolitan Council has been
engaging with community organizations to identify local climate priorities. Park Plaza Cooperative
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Environmental Quality & Energy Commission Minutes Page 2
Meeting 04/8/2025
recently completed a workshop series and presented their results to the commission. The
representatives presented on themes of building trust and increasing access to programs. The group
recommended:
1) No drive days
2) Solar panel recycling
3) Tree planting
The Commission discussed:
1) Upcoming tree planting at Park Plaza
2) Increasing outreach
3)
manufactured housing residents.
Powerpoint attached. No action was taken.
3. GreenStep Cities Annual Report
Ms. Workin shared that the GreenStep Cities annual report was included in the packet for review.
No action was taken.
Old Business
4. Grant Updates
Ms. Workin shared that the City submitted a grant application to the Met Council to retrofit toilets in
Park Plaza.
5. Energy Action Plan updates
Ms. Workin shared that the HRA program open house went well. She also said that the City will be
moving forward to develop contracts with Cedar Creek for the Commons Park solar array and Apadana
for the Public Works solar array.
6. Outreach and Event updates
Ms. Workin shared that the seed swap was very successful. She also encouraged commissioners to
bring toys for the Community Toy Swap at the Environmental Fun Fair.
Other Items
7. Informal Status Reports
Ms. Workin asked Commissioners to RSVP for the commiss
done so.
Adjournment
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Environmental Quality & Energy Commission Minutes Page 3
Meeting 04/8/2025
Motion by Commissioner Klemz to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Commissioner Stoxen. The
Motion carried unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 7:59 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
________________________________________________________
Rachel Workin
Environmental Planner
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AGENDA REPORT
Meeting Date: May7,2025 Meeting Type:Environmental Quality and Energy Commission
Submitted By:Rachel Workin, Environmental Planner
Title
Solid Waste Abatement Program and Recycling Contracts Updates
Background
The City of Fridley administers a Solid Waste Abatement Program to reduce the amount of trash entering
the waste stream
Elements of the program include the collection of traditional and organics recycling, recycling dropoff
days, recycling containers for City-owned facilities, and public education.The program has an adopted
budget of $566,200in 2025. The majority of these funds are appliedtowardcontracted services for the
curbside collection oftraditional and organicsrecycling.Republic Services currently holds the seven-year
contracts for both programs which are currently set to expireon April 30, 2026.
Waste Abatement Program
activities, share updates on proposed changes to waste policy at the State and County level, and gather
feedback on the upcoming organics and recycling contracts.
Recommendation
For discussion purposes only
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:May 13, 2025 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:
Solar on Public Buildings Round 2 grant applications submitted for Commons Park and Public
Works
Moore Lake EV Charger grant awarded
The following activities are projectedto occur:
Solar on Public Buildings Round 3 applications for Water Treatment Plant 3 and Commons Park
ground reservoir.
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:May13,2025 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
Met Council Water Efficiency Grant (Equity Focus) for water efficient toilet replacement at Park
Plaza
Solar on Public Buildings Grant for Water Treatment Plant 3
Solar on Public Buildings Grant for Commons Ground Reservoir
Grants Under Review
Solar for Public Buildings Grant for Commons Park
Solar for Public Buildings Grant for Public Works
Active Grants
Recycling grant (ongoing)
th
Met Council Regional Solicitation Grant for 44Avenue Bridge w/ Anoka County
University Avenue Lighting Project
MnDOT Active Transportation grant for University Avenue Trails
DNR ReLeaf Grant
Safe Streets and Roads for All Planning Grantto create a Safety Action Plan
DNR Shade Tree Grant
MPCA Resiliency Grant for Electric Lawn Mower
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
Vision Statement
We believe Fridley will be a safe, vibrant, friendly and stable home for families and businesses.
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Solar for Public Buildings Grant for Moore Lake
Regional Solicitation Grant- Safe Routes to School
BWSR Pollinator Pathways Grant with ACD
MPCA- Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Grants for Moore Lake Stormwater Retrofit
Analysis Update in partnership with RCWD
2026 Street Project Rain Garden Design
MPCA Climate Resilience Implementation Grant for Commons Park
Local Climate Action Grant for an EV Charger at Moore Lake Park
Grants Closed (1/1/2025+)
BWSR/RCWD grant for Moore Lake IESF project
DNR Preparing for Emerald Ash Borer Grant Pt. 3
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: May13,2025 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 (4/9-5/12)
Arbor Month Celebration at North Park Elementary School
Confirmed events and topics
Environmental Fun Fair (5/17)
Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event (5/31)
Potential Upcoming Events
KidBook Swap
EVs at Touch-a-Truck
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:May 13, 2025 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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