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HomeMy WebLinkAbout4/14/2026 Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Meeting April 14, 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 March 10, 2026 New Business 2.Reschedule May 12, 2026 Meeting 3.Active Transportation Plan Update 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. 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: April 14, 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 March 10, 2026 Background Approve the Minutes from the Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Meeting of March 10, 2026. Recommendation Staff recommend that the commission approve the minutes from the Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Meeting of March 10, 2026. Attachments and Other Resources 1.Environmental Quality Energy Commission 2026 03 10 Vision Statement We believe Fridley will be a safe, vibrant, friendly, and stable home for families and businesses. ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MEETING March 10, 2026 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 7:03 p.m. Roll Call Present: Aaron Klemz Dustin Norman Emma Carter Avonna Starck Justin Foell Absent: Sam Stoxen Mark Hansen Others Present: Rachel Workin, Environmental Planner Approval of Agenda Motion by Commissioner Norman to approve the agenda. Seconded by Commissioner Carter. The motion carried unanimously. Approval of Meeting Minutes 1.Approval of February 10 Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Meeting Minutes Motion by Commissioner Norman to approve the February 10, 2026 meeting minutes with the corrected time and spelling of Commissioner Carter’s name. Seconded by Commissioner Carter. The motion carried unanimously. New Business 2.Active Transportation Plan Review Ms. Workin reviewed the current Active Transportation Plan. Commissioners discussed proposed changes in anticipation of a planned update. 3.Memorandum of Understanding with Xcel Energy for Phase Three of the Partners in Energy Program. Environmental Quality & Energy Commission Minutes Page 2 Meeting 3/10/2026 Ms. Workin shared an overview of the City’s involvement in the Partners in Energy program and discussed a proposed Memorandum of Understanding for Xcel Energy to provide additional planning support in anticipation of the 2050 Comprehensive Plan as well as additional implementation support. Motion by Commissioner Carter to recommend the signing of the MOU. Seconded by Commissioner Norman. The motion carried unanimously. Old Business 4.Streets for All Ms. Workin provided an update on the Streets for All project. 5.Energy Action Plan Updates Ms. Workin said that the Homeowner Open House was successful. 6.Grant Updates th Ms. Workin said that the 44 Avenue bridge was now open. 7.Outreach and Event Updates Ms. Workin said that the Seed Swap was successful. Other Items 8.Informal Status Reports Chair Klemz shared a letter to state representatives regarding the Met Council L32 lift station project that residents can sign. rd Ms. Workin shared that there was a Superfund Citizens Advisory Group meeting on April 23 at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall. Ms. Workin shared that the Locke Park GAC project will be starting this spring. Adjournment Motion by Commissioner Carter to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Commissioner Norman. The Motion carried unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 8:02 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ________________________________________________________ Rachel Workin Environmental Planner AGENDA REPORT Meeting Date: April 14, 2026 Meeting Type:Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Submitted By:Rachel Workin, Environmental Planner Title: Reschedule May 12, 2026 Meeting Background Staff recommend that the EQEC reschedule the May 12 meeting to May 19 to accommodate a joint EQEC-City Council meeting to discuss the Streets for All Plan. Recommendation Staff recommend that the EQEC reschedule the May 12 meeting to May 19. 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: April 14, 2026 Meeting Type:Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Submitted By:Rachel Workin, Environmental Planner Title: Active Transportation Plan Update Background The City's Active Transportation Plan (ATP) guides the City's installation and maintenance of infrastructure needed to achieve mobility equity and support opportunities for active transportation. The first edition of the plan was adopted in 2013 and then subsequently revised in 2020. The City is intending to update the plan in 2026 in conjunction with the recommendations gathered through the Fridley Safe Streets for All Plan process. During the meeting, the Commission will: Review community feedback received during the public engagement process Update the SWOT analysis for the ATP (found on page 6 of the current ATP) Review the proposed map for Streets Designated for Trails and Sidewalks/sidewalk gap map (attached), currently found on Page 46 of the ATP Discuss the proposed criteria for identifying focus areas for the next plan cycle. For reference, the previous focus areas were (Page 7 of current ATP): Discuss the proposed scoring criteria to determine priority focus areas for the next plan cycle. For reference, the previous scoring criteria was: The full ATP report can be found: https://www.fridleymn.gov/files/assets/city/v/1/community- development/documents/active-transportation-plan-final-no-watermark_202103221150069478.pdf Recommendation For discussion only. Attachments and Other Resources 1.Outreach Summary 2.Streets Designated for Trails and Sidewalks/Gap Map Vision Statement We believe Fridley will be a safe, vibrant, friendly, and stable home for families and businesses. AGENDA REPORT Meeting Date: April 14, 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: MOU with Xcel Energy to participate in Partners in Energy approved The following activities are projected to occur: Solar array on Water Treatment Plant #3 to be installed Solar array on Commons Park to be installed Solar charging benches to be installed at Commons Park Recommendation For discussion 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: April 14, 2026 Meeting Type:Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Submitted By:Rachel Workin, Environmental Planner Title: Grant Updates Background Grants in the Pre-Application Stage Met Council Water Efficiency Grant pt 5 Grants Under Review EV Charger at Commons Park Mississippi River Regional Trail Resurfacing (Anoka County Parks) 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 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 Mississippi Library Branch Seed Library (Anoka County Libraries) Well Sealing Grant Grants Closed (1/1/2026+) Local Climate Action Grant for an EV Charger at Moore Lake Park th Met Council Regional Solicitation Grant for 44 Avenue Bridge w/ Anoka County Recommendation For discussion 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: April 14, 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 (3/10/26-4/14/26) None Confirmed events and topics Environmental Fun Fair (5/2) Clothing Swap (7/28) Touch a Truck (8/18) Comp Plan Workshops- Climate and Natural Resources (9/8) Comp Plan Workshops- Climate and Natural Resources (9/19) Recommendation For discussion 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: April 14, 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 For discussion only. Attachments and Other Resources Vision Statement We believe Fridley will be a safe, vibrant, friendly, and stable home for families and businesses.