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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2-10-2026 Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Meeting February 10, 2026 at 7 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 January 13, 2026 New Business 2.Election of 2026 Vice Chair of the Environmental Quality and Energy Commission 3.Natural Resources Update Old Business 4.Streets for All Plan Update 5.Energy Action Plan Updates 6.Grant Update 7.Outreach and Event Update Other Items 8.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 cove 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.gov or (763) 572-3450. AGENDA REPORT Meeting Date: February 10, 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 January 13, 2026 Background Approve the Minutes from the Environmental Quality and Energy Commission meeting of January 13, 2026. Recommendation Staff recommend that the commision approve the minutes from the Environmental Quality and Energy Commission meeting of January 13, 2026. Attachments and Other Resources 1.January 13, 2026 Environmental Quality Energy Commission Meeting Minutes Vision Statement We believe Fridley will be a safe, vibrant, friendly, and stable home for families and businesses. ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MEETING January 13, 2026 6:00 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 6:03 p.m. Roll Call Present: Aaron Klemz Sam Stoxen Emma Carter Mark Hansen Avonna Starck Justin Foell Dustin Norman Absent: Others Present: Rachel Workin, Environmental Planner Wally Wysopal, City Manager Jim Kosluchar, Director of Public Works Brandon Brodhag, Assistant City Engineer Patrick Faber, Deputy Director of Police Owen Lanrud, Communications Aaron Bartling, Bolton and Menk Patrick Vescio, Councilmember-At-Large Luke Cardona, Councilmember Ward 1 Ryan Evanson, Councilmember Ward 2 Ann Bolkcom, Councilmember Ward 3 Approval of Agenda Motion Starck by Commissioner to approve the agenda. Seconded by Commissioner Norman. The motion carried unanimously. Environmental Quality & Energy Commission Minutes Page 2 Meeting 1/13/2026 Approval of Meeting Minutes 1.Approval of October 14, 2025 Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Meeting Minutes Commissioners noted a misspelling of Commissioner Carter’s last name. Motion by Commissioner Foell to approve the October 14, 2025 meeting minutes with the spelling corrected. Seconded by Commissioner Hansen. The motion carried unanimously. New Business 2.Streets for All Action Plan Ms. Workin introduced the Streets for All process which will result in a new roadway safety action plan as part of the Safe Streets for All Program as well as updates to the City’s Active Transportation Plan. Aaron Bartling with Bolton and Menk guided the group through a discussion about the project and gathered commissioner’s feedback on data needs and goals for the program. 3.Winter Salt Week Proclamation Ms. Workin said that each year communities across the midwest hold a Winter Salt Week to acknowledge the environmental harm caused by oversalting and share strategies to reduce chloride pollution. Last year, the EQEC recommended the Council issue a proclamation recognizing Winter Salt th Week. This year, Winter Salt Week will be held the week of January 26. Ms. Workin shared a draft proclamation Motion by Commissioner Foell to approve the draft proclamation language and recommend that the City Council recognize January 26-30 as Winter Salt Week. Seconded by Commissioner Norman. The motion carried unanimously. Old Business 4.Energy Action Plan Updates Ms. Workin said that the solar installation at Moore Lake was live as was the EV Charger. She said that the Public Works array will be live soon. The City will be promoting energy programs at the Homeowner Open House on February 12. 5.Grant Updates Ms. Workin said that the City received an additional forestry grant. 1.Outreach and Event Updates Ms. Workin said that the Sustainable Fridley Awards were a success. Upcoming events are included in the packet. Other Items 2.Informal Status Reports Environmental Quality & Energy Commission Minutes Page 3 Meeting 1/13/2026 Commissioner Klemz shared that he met with staff and councilmembers to discuss the lift station project. Adjournment Motion by Commissioner Stoxen to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Commissioner Foell. The Motion carried unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 7:50 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ________________________________________________________ Rachel Workin Environmental Planner AGENDA REPORT Meeting Date: February 10, 2026 Meeting Type:Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Submitted By:Rachel Workin, Environmental Planner Title: Election of 2026 Vice Chair of the Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Background The vice chair for the Environmental Quality and Energy Commission must be elected each year. The vice chair serves a one-year term and is responsible for chairing commission meetings when the chair is unavailable. Recommendation Staff recommend that the commission nominate and select a vice chair. 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: February 10, 2026 Meeting Type:Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Submitted By:Rachel Workin, Environmental Planner Title: Natural Resources Update Background The City of Fridley has received multiple grants to support its management of natural resources and improvements to our urban forest. Staff will provide an update on work done to date and provide an overview for work planned in 2026. Staff will also present on a DNR Community Planting Program grant and ReLEAF grant application. Recommendation Staff recommend the approval of the Community Planting Program and ReLEAF grant applications. 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: February 10, 2026 Meeting Type:Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Submitted By:Rachel Workin, Environmental Planner Title: Streets for All Plan Update Background Staff will provide an update on the Streets for All Plan. Recommendation For informational purposes only. 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: February 10, 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: Solar array on Public Works went live The following activities are projected to occur: Solar array on Water Treatment Plant #3 to be installed Solar array on Commons Park Building to be installed Solar charging benches to be installed at Commons Park Recommendation For informational purposes only. 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: February 10, 2026 Meeting Type:Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Submitted By:Rachel Workin, Environmental Planner Title: Grant Update Background Grants in the Pre-Application Stage Grants Under Review EV Charger at Commons Park Mississippi Library Branch Seed Library (Anoka County Libraries) Mississippi River Regional Trail Resurfacing (Anoka County Parks) Mississippi River Regional Trail Extension Active Grants Recycling grant (ongoing) 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 th Met Council Regional Solicitation Grant for 44 Avenue Bridge w/ Anoka County 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 2025 DNR ReLEAF Grant Grants Closed (1/1/2026+) Local Climate Action Grant for an EV Charger at Moore Lake Park Recommendation For informational purposes only. 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: February 10, 2026 Meeting Type:Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Submitted By:Rachel Workin, Environmental Planner Title: Outreach and Event Update 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 (1/13-12/10) Sewing Machine Cleaning Class (2/5) Winterfest (2/7) Confirmed events and topics Homeowner Program Open House (2/12) Amazon Paint Tour (2/19) Seed Swap (3/7) Environmental Fun Fair (5/2) Potential Upcoming Events Recommendation For informational purposes only. 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: February 10, 2026 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 For informational purposes only. Attachments and Other Resources Vision Statement We believe Fridley will be a safe, vibrant, friendly, and stable home for families and businesses.