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Home My WebLink About12-9-25 Environmental Quality and Energy Commission December 09, 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 October 14, 2025 New Business 2.Proclamation for Winter Salt Week 3.Electric Vehicle Charger 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. 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:December9, 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 October14, 2025 Background Approve the minutes from the Environmental Quality and Energy Commission meeting of October14, 2025 Recommendation Approve the minutes from the Environmental Quality and Energy Commission meeting of October14, 2025 Attachments and Other Resources Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Minutes-October14, 2025 Vision Statement We believe Fridley will be a safe, vibrant, friendly and stablehome for families and businesses. 2 Jufn!2/ ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MEETING October14,2025 7:00 PM Fridley Civic Campus, 7071 University Ave N.E. MINUTES Call to Order Chair Klemzcalled the Environmental Quality and Energy Commissionto order at7:08p.m. Roll Call Present:Aaron Klemz Sam Stoxen Emma Carter Mark Hansen Absent: Avonna Starck Justin Foell Dustin Norman Others Present: Rachel Workin, Environmental Planner Approval of Agenda Motionby CommissionerHansento approve the agenda. Seconded by CommissionerStoxen.The motion carriedunanimously. Approval of Meeting Minutes 1.Approval of Augst12,2025EnvironmentalQuality and Energy Commission Meeting Minutes Motionby CommissionerStoxen to approvethe August12,2025meeting minutes. Secondedby CommissionerHansen.The motion carriedunanimously. New Business 2.Sustainable Fridley Awards Ms. Workin shared the nominees for the Sustainable Fridley Awards.The Commission recommended for awards: Individual: Tim Kelly, Coon Creek Watershed District Youth: Hayes Elementary School Business: Mortenson Properties/Hyde Development Institution: Park Plaza Cooperative 3 Jufn!2/ Environmental Quality & Energy Commission Minutes Page 2 Meeting 10/14/2025 Motion by Commissioner Hansen to nominate the above recipients. Seconded by Commissioner Carter. 3. August 2026 Meeting Date Ms. Workin said that the adopted August 11 2026 date was the date of the primary election and needed to be rescheduled. Motion by Commissioner Carter to change the August 11 meeting date to August 12. Seconded by Commissioner Stoxen. The motion carried unanimously. Old Business 4. Energy Action Plan Updates Ms. Workin said that the solar installation at Moore Lake was complete and should be live soon. The Public Works array will be installed by the end of the year and Commons will be installed in 2026. The City also submitted a Solar on Public Buildings Water Treatment Plant #3. Ms. Workin also said that the City had successful outreach events including having the City EVs at Touch a Truck and promoting energy programs at the Fire Department Open House. Ms. Workin also shared that she had been partnering with Park Plaza Co-operative to promote the Home Energy Savings Program. 1. Grant Updates Ms. Workin said that new street sweeping equipment will be utilized this fall. She also said that the City was planning to apply for additional DNR Forestry grants. 2. Outreach and Event Updates Ms. Workin said that in addition to the events discussed in the energy section, that the City had hosted successful pollinator planting events at Moore Lake and Community Park as well as a sewing machine repair class. Other Items 3. Informal Status Reports Aaron Klemz shared about his attendance at the Superfund Community Advisory Group. Mr. Klemz said he would like to see the EQEC weigh in on public comment period for permits related to Superfund Site. th The commissioners also asked for an update on the 44 Avenue Bridge. Ms. Workin shared a reminder Adjournment Motion by Commissioner Hansen to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Commissioner Carterr. The Motion carried unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 8:02 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ________________________________________________________ Rachel Workin Environmental Planner 4 Jufn!3/ AGENDA REPORT Meeting Date:December9, 2025 Meeting Type:Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Submitted By:Rachel Workin, Environmental Planner Title Proclamation for Winter Salt Week Background There is growing awareness of the negative impacts from chloride (salt)pollution on waterbodies.Excess salt can alter the taste of drinking water, increase the cost of drinking water treatment, and harm aquatic ecosystems. Once surface or groundwater is contaminated with chlorides, there is no cost-effective treatment method. In 2024,Springbrook Creek was newly listed as impaired for aquatic life by the MPCA due to excess chlorides. While chlorides are necessary to maintain safe driving and walking conditions throughoutthe winter, it is estimated that current chloride use can be reduced by30-50% through the implementation of best practices without compromising safety. In 2019, theCity began upgrading its salt trucks with brine systems and automatic vehicle locating technology to reduce its chloride useand requires all and has since seen significant reductions in the quantity of deicer use and the associated cost.The City also requires allPublic Works staff who apply chlorides to attend training through the Smart Salting program. Additionally, the City updated Chapter 504 Winter Maintenance during the recodification process to include language on bulk deicer storage and accumulated deicer removal. One of the biggest drivers of oversalting is public perception that increasedsalt leads to greater safety, which is only true up to a certain pointand certain scenarios. Growing initiatives including Low Salt, No Salt Minnesota aim to highlightchloride pollution and share strategiesto safely reduce chloride use. Communities throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin as well as the State of Minnesota are designating the thth week of January 26-30as Winter Salt Week to provide united messaging aroundchloride pollution. During Winter Salt Week, the City willshare information on salt pollution through its outreach channels to build on previous education initiatives including annual newsletter articles, displaying Smart Salting Exhibit at Springbrook Nature Center, and hosting Smart Salting Trainings for contractors. Additionally, Commission and Councilmembers are encouraged to attend webinars throughout Winter Salt Weekat www.WinterSaltWeek.Org. Vision Statement We believe Fridley will be a safe, vibrant, friendly and stable home for families and businesses. 5 Jufn!3/ Recommendation Staff recommend that the commission approve the draft proclamation language designating January 26-30 as Winter Salt Week Attachments and Other Resources Draft Proclamation Language Vision Statement We believe Fridley will be a safe, vibrant, friendly and stable home for families and businesses. 6 Jufn!3/ PROCLAMATION:WINTERSALTWEEK JANUARY26-30,2026 WHEREAS,theCityofFridleyreliesondeicingsaltaspartofitswintermaintenance programtomaintainsafeandaccessibleroadways;and WHEREAS,chloridecontaminationfromdeicingsalthasbeenfoundinlakes,streams, andgroundwaterinwatershedsandacrossthestate;and WHEREAS,reducingoveruseofdeicingsaltreducesdamagetoinfrastructureand property,protectsfreshwaterresources,andreducesharmtoaquaticplantsandanimals; and WHEREAS,itiscrucialtoraiseawarenessamongresidents,businesses,andlocal governmentagenciesabouttheresponsibleuseofdeicingsalttoprotectbothpublic safetyandthelong-termhealthofourfreshwaterresources;and WHEREAS,WinterSaltWeekprovidesanopportunitytoeducateourcommunityabout theresponsibleuseofdeicingsalt,includingenvironmentalconsiderationsandeffective applicationmethods;and WHEREAS,theCityencouragesallresidents,businesses,andcitydepartmentstotake partinactivitiesandinitiativesthatpromotetheresponsibleuseofdeicingsaltand encouragetheadoptionofwintermaintenancestrategieswhichmaintainsafetywhile reducingenvironmentalharm;and WHEREAS,theCityiscommittedtopromotingasustainableapproachtowinter maintenanceforthebenefitofpresentandfuturegenerations; NOW,THEREFORE,beitresolved,thatI,DavidOstwald,MayorfortheCityofFridley doherebyproclaimJanuary26-30,2026as WinterSaltWeek intheCityofFridley Inwitnesswhereof,Ihavesetmy handandcausedthesealoftheCityof Fridleytobeaffixedthis12thDayof January,2026. __________________________________ DavidOstwald,Mayor 7 Jufn!4/ AGENDA REPORT Meeting Date:December9,2025 Meeting Type:Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Submitted By:Rachel Workin, Environmental Planner Title Electric Vehicle Charger Grant Application Background Supporting access to electric Additionally, as part of the Park System Improvement Plan, the City is increasing the variety of amenities -available EV Charger was recently installed at Moore Lake Park with support from a Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) Local Climate Action grant. The new - designated parking spots. However, there is not currently budget to install the actual charger. The MPCA has a new Local Climate Action grant application open for which an EV Charger would be an eligible expense. Recommendation Staff recommend that the EQEC recommend that the City apply for a MPCA Local Climate Action grant for a Level 2Electric VehicleCharger at Commons Park. Attachments and Other Resources None Vision Statement We believe Fridley will be a safe, vibrant, friendly and stable home for families and businesses. 8 Jufn!5/ AGENDA REPORT Meeting Date:December9, 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 Grant forWater Treatment Plant #3approved by City Council Solar array on Moore Lakewent live Solar array on Public Works installed Week of Facebook posts/Newsletter on energy programs EV Charger to be installed at Moore Lake The following activities are projectedto occur: Solar array on Public Works to go live Solar array on Water Treatment Plant #3 to be installed Solar array on Commons Park to be installed 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. 9 Jufn!6/ AGENDA REPORT Meeting Date:December9,2025 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 EV Charger at Commons Park Grants Under Review 2025 DNR ReLEAF Grant Community Planting Grant Active Grants Recycling grant (ongoing) th Met Council Regional Solicitation Grant for 44Avenue Bridge w/ Anoka County MnDOT Active Transportation grant for University Avenue Trails 2024 DNR ReLeaf Grant Safe Streets and Roads for All Planning Grant to create a Safety Action Plan DNR Shade Tree Grant Met Council Water Efficiency Grant pt 4 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 MPCA Climate Resilience Implementation Grant for Commons Park Local Climate Action Grant for an EV Charger at Moore Lake Park Met Council Water Efficiency Grant (Equity Focus) for water efficient toilet replacement at Park Plaza Vision Statement We believe Fridley will be a safe, vibrant, friendly and stable home for families and businesses. 10 Jufn!6/ Solar for Public Buildings Grant for Commons Park Solar for Public Buildings Grant for Public Works 2026 Street Project Rain Gardens Waste containers at Commons Park Solar on Public Buildings Grant for Water Treatment Plant 3 Grants Closed (1/1/2025+) BWSR/RCWD grant for Moore Lake IESF project DNR Preparing for Emerald Ash Borer Grant Pt. 3 MPCA Resiliency Grant for Electric Lawn Mower 2024 Street Project Rain Gardens MPCA Electric Landscaping Equipment Campaign CCWD grant for improved street sweeping equipment University Avenue Lighting Project Sylvan Hills Park stormwater system 2026 Street Project Rain Garden Design 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. 11 Jufn!7/ AGENDA REPORT Meeting Date: December9,2025 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 (10/15-12/9) Presentation of Sustainable Fridley Awards Confirmed events and topics Amazon Paint Tour (2/19) Seed Swap (3/14) 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. 12 Jufn!8/ AGENDA REPORT Meeting Date:December9, 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 statusreports 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. 13