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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1/13/2026 Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Meeting January 13, 2026 at 6 p.m. Fridley Civic Campus, 7071 University Avenue NE 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.Safe Streets for All Action Plan 3.Winter Salt Week Proclamation Old Business 4.Energy Action Plan Updates 5.Grant Updates 6.Outreach and Event Updates Other Items 7.Informal Status Updates 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 cove neeg ua hauj lwm. Haddii aad u baahan tahay tarjumaad bilaash ah ama kaalmo tarjumaad, fadlan la xiriir shaqaalaha Magaalada. 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AGENDA REPORT Meeting Date: January 13, 2026 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 October 14, 2025 Background Approve the minutes from the Environmental Quality and Energy Commission meeting of October 14, 2025 Recommendation Approve the minutes from the Environmental Quality and Energy Commission meeting of October 14, 2025 Attachments and Other Resources 1.Environmental Quality Energy Commission Meeting Minutes- October 14, 2025 Vision Statement We believe Fridley will be a safe, vibrant, friendly, and stable home for families and businesses. ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MEETING October 14, 2025 7:00 PM Fridley Civic Campus, 7071 University Ave N.E. MINUTES Call to Order Chair Klemz called the Environmental Quality and Energy Commission to order at 7:08 p.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 Motion by Commissioner Hansen to approve the agenda. Seconded by Commissioner Stoxen. The motion carried unanimously. Approval of Meeting Minutes 1.Approval of Augst 12, 2025 Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Meeting Minutes Motion by Commissioner Stoxen to approve the August 12, 2025 meeting minutes. Seconded by Commissioner Hansen. The motion carried unanimously. 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 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 that the November meeting will be on Wednesday, November 12 due to the Veteran’s Day holiday. 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 AGENDA REPORT Meeting Date: January 13, 2026 Meeting Type:Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Submitted By:Rachel Workin, Environmental Planner Title: Safe Streets for All Action Plan Background As authorized under Resolution 2023-70, the City applied for and received a federal Safe Streets and Road for All (SS4A) grant to create a safety action plan to help prevent roadway fatalities and serious injuries amongst all transportation network users. This plan will be informed by public and policymaker feedback, local traffic data, previous planning efforts completed by MnDOT and Anoka County, and SS4A best practices. The plan will be used to help guide the ’s Capital Investment Program, city code, and updates to the Active Transportation Plan and Transportation chapter of the 2050 Comprehensive Plan, amongst other initiatives. During this initial planning meeting, the City’s consultant will provide more information on the SS4A program and guide participants in vision setting for the plan. Recommendation Staff recommend that the City Council and EQEC provide feedback on the Safe Streets for All Action Plan Attachments and Other Resources Vision Statement We believe Fridley will be a safe, vibrant, friendly, and stable home for families and businesses. AGENDA REPORT Meeting Date: January 13, 2026 Meeting Type:Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Submitted By:Rachel Workin, Environmental Planner Title: Winter Salt Week Proclamation Background There is growing awareness of the negative impacts from chloride (salt) pollution on our area’s 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 throughout the winter, it is estimated that current chloride use can be reduced by 30-50% through the implementation of best practices without compromising safety. In 2019, the City began upgrading its salt trucks with brine systems and automatic vehicle locating technology to reduce its chloride use and requires all and has since seen significant reductions in the quantity of deicer use and the associated cost. The City also requires all Public Works staff who apply chlorides to attend training through the MPCA’s 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 increased salt leads to greater safety, which is only true up to a certain point and certain scenarios. Growing initiatives including Low Salt, No Salt Minnesota aim to highlight chloride pollution and share strategies to safely reduce chloride use. Communities throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin as well as the th th State of Minnesota are designating the week of January 26 - 30 as Winter Salt Week to provide united messaging around chloride pollution. During Winter Salt Week, the City will share information on salt pollution through its outreach channels to build on previous education initiatives including annual newsletter articles, displaying the MPCA’s 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 Week at www.WinterSaltWeek.Org. Recommendation Staff recommend that the commission approve the draft proclamation language designating January 26-30 as Winter Salt Week Attachments and Other Resources 1.Winter Salt Week Proclamation (Draft) Vision Statement We believe Fridley will be a safe, vibrant, friendly, and stable home for families and businesses. PROCLAMATION: WINTER SALT WEEK JANUARY 26-30, 2026 WHEREAS, the City of Fridley relies on deicing salt as part of its winter maintenance program to maintain safe and accessible roadways; and WHEREAS, chloride contamination from deicing salt has been found in lakes, streams, and groundwater in Fridley’s watersheds and across the state; and WHEREAS, reducing overuse of deicing salt reduces damage to infrastructure and property, protects freshwater resources, and reduces harm to aquatic plants and animals; and WHEREAS, it is crucial to raise awareness among residents, businesses, and local government agencies about the responsible use of deicing salt to protect both public safety and the long-term health of our freshwater resources; and WHEREAS, Winter Salt Week provides an opportunity to educate our community about the responsible use of deicing salt, including environmental considerations and effective application methods; and WHEREAS, the City encourages all residents, businesses, and city departments to take part in activities and initiatives that promote the responsible use of deicing salt and encourage the adoption of winter maintenance strategies which maintain safety while reducing environmental harm; and WHEREAS, the City is committed to promoting a sustainable approach to winter maintenance for the benefit of present and future generations; NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved, that I, David Ostwald, Mayor for the City of Fridley do hereby proclaim January 26-30, 2026 as “Winter Salt Week” in the City of Fridley In witness whereof, I have set my hand and caused the seal of the City of Fridley to be affixed this 12th Day of January, 2026. __________________________________ David Ostwald, Mayor AGENDA REPORT Meeting Date: January 13, 2026 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: Kick off for solar array construction for Water Treatment Plant #3 Solar array on Moore Lake went live Solar array on Public Works installed Week of Facebook posts/Newsletter on energy programs EV Charger installed at Moore Lake The following activities are projected to 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 Vision Statement We believe Fridley will be a safe, vibrant, friendly, and stable home for families and businesses. AGENDA REPORT Meeting Date: January 13, 2026 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 Grants Under Review EV Charger at Commons Park 2025 DNR ReLEAF Grant Active Grants Recycling grant (ongoing) th Met Council Regional Solicitation Grant for 44 Avenue 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 Met Council Water Efficiency Grant (Equity Focus) for water efficient toilet replacement at Park Plaza Solar for Public Buildings Grant for Commons Park Solar for Public Buildings Grant for Public Works 2026 Street Project Rain Gardens Solar on Public Buildings Grant for Water Treatment Plant 3 DNR Community Planting Grant Grants Closed (1/1/2026+) Local Climate Action Grant for an EV Charger at Moore Lake Park Recommendation None Attachments and Other Resources Vision Statement We believe Fridley will be a safe, vibrant, friendly, and stable home for families and businesses. AGENDA REPORT Meeting Date: January 13, 2026 Meeting Type:Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Submitted By:Rachel Workin, Environmental Planner Title: Outreach and Event 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 Sewing Machine Cleaning Class (2/5) Amazon Paint Tour (2/19) Seed Swap (3/14) Potential Upcoming Events Recommendation None Attachments and Other Resources Vision Statement We believe Fridley will be a safe, vibrant, friendly, and stable home for families and businesses. AGENDA REPORT Meeting Date: January 13, 2026 Meeting Type:Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Submitted By:Rachel Workin, Environmental Planner Title: Informal Status Updates Background Staff and Commissioners will share informal status reports on programs happening in the City. Recommendation None Attachments and Other Resources Vision Statement We believe Fridley will be a safe, vibrant, friendly, and stable home for families and businesses.