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HomeMy WebLinkAboutEQE 5/19/2026 Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Meeting May 19, 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.Safe Streets For All Action Plan, Policy Advisory Commission Meeting #2 Old Business 3.Energy Action Plan Updates 4.Grant Updates 5.Outreach and Event Updates Other Items 6.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: May 19, 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: May 19, 2026 Meeting Type:Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Submitted By: Title: Safe Streets For All Action Plan, Policy Advisory Commission Meeting #2 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. As part of the planning process, a Policy Advisory Commission (PAC) comprised of the City Council and Environmental Quality and Energy Commission was formed. The PAC held their first meeting on January 13, 2026 and discussed overall project goals and the approach to public engagement. During this meeting, the City's consultant will share an update on work done to date, a summary of public engagement, and discussion of the plan's leadership commitment. 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: May 19, 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: EV Charger grant application for Commons Park approved Planning for summer outreach event at Fridley Terrace initiated 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 EV Charger at Commons Park to be installed Summer outreach at Fridley Terrace 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: May 19, 2026 Meeting Type:Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Submitted By:Rachel Workin, Environmental Planner Title: Grant Updates Background Grants in the Pre-Application Stage None Active Transporation Plan grant for Gardena Avenue Trail Grants Under Review Met Council Water Efficiency Grant pt 5 Mississippi River Regional Trail Resurfacing (Anoka County Parks) Anoka County SCORE Bonus grant for textile and mattress recycling Sylvan Hills Art Bench Active Grants Recycling grant (ongoing) 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 Regional Solicitation Grant- Safe Routes to School 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 2026 Street Project Rain Gardens (now a hydrodynamic separator) Solar on Public Buildings Grant for Water Treatment Plant 3 DNR Community Planting Grant 2025 DNR ReLEAF Grant Well Sealing Grant CCWD grant for Ice Breaker for ice free trail maintenance Grants Closed (1/1/2026+) Local Climate Action Grant for an EV Charger at Moore Lake Park Met Council Regional Solicitation Grant for 44th Avenue Bridge w/ Anoka County Solar for Public Buildings Grant for Moore Lake Solar for Public Buildings Grant for Public Works BWSR Pollinator Pathways Grant with ACD Mississippi Library Branch Seed Library (Anoka County Libraries) 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: May 19, 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 (3/10/26-5/19/26) Toy Swap Environmental Fun Fair (5/2) Confirmed events and topics Gardena Avenue Trail Improvements open house (6/2) Water Bar at Creative Flow opening reception for Shared Currents opening reception (6/18) Rice Creek Watershed District Shoreline planting workshop at Moore Lake Park (6/23) Clothing Swap and Textile Recycling (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) Potential events Tree planting workshop Moore Lake planting event 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: May 19, 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.