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HomeMy WebLinkAbout6/9/2026 Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Meeting June 9, 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 May 19, 2026 New Business 2.Gardena Avenue Trail 3.East River Road Trail 4.Safe Streets For All Resolution Old Business 5.Energy Action Plan Updates 6.Grant Updates 7.Outreach and Event Updates Other Items 8.Informal Status Updates Adjournment Accessibility Notice: If you need free interpretation or translation assistance, please contact City staff. Upon request, accommodations will be provided to allow individuals with disabilities or those needing interpretation services to participate in City of Fridley services, programs or activities. If you are in need of an interpreter or require auxiliary aids, contact the City at 763-572-3450 at least five business days in advance to ensure arrangements can be made. A solicitud, se darán adaptaciones para permitir que las personas con discapacidades o las que necesiten servicios de interpretación participen en los servicios, programas o actividades de la Ciudad de Fridley. Si necesita un intérprete o requiere ayudas auxiliares, comuníquese con la Ciudad al 763-572-3450 al menos cinco días hábiles de antelación para asegurar que se puedan hacer los arreglos. Markii la codsado, adeegyo caawimaad ah ayaa la siin doonaa dadka naafada ah ama kuwa u baahan adeegga turjumaadda si ay uga qayb qaataan adeegyada, barnaamijyada, ama hawlaha magaalada Fridley. Haddii aad u baahan tahay turjubaan ama qalabka caawiya dadka naafada ah, kala xiriir Magaalada taleefankan 763-572-3450 ugu yaraan shan maalmood oo shaqo kahor, si loo hubiyo in qabanqaabada laguu sameeyo. Raws li kev thov, yuav muaj kev pab tshwj xeeb rau cov neeg xiam oob qhab lossis cov uas xav tau kev pab txhais lus kom lawv tuaj koom tau nrog Nroog Fridley (City of Fridley service) cov kev pab cuam, cov kev kawm, los sis cov dej num sib txawv. Yog koj xav tau neeg txhais lus los sis xav tau lwm yam kev pab, thov hu rau lub Nroog ntawm 763-572-3450 kom tsis pub tsawg tshaj tsib hnub ua hauj lwm ua ntej, xwv kom peb thiaj li npaj tau rau koj raws li lub sij hawm ntawv. AGENDA REPORT Meeting Date: June 9, 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 May 19, 2026 Background Approve the Minutes from the Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Meeting of May 19, 2026. Recommendation Staff recommend that the commission approve the minutes from the Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Meeting of May 19, 2026. Attachments and Other Resources 1.Environmental Quality Energy Commission 2026 05 19 Vision Statement We believe Fridley will be a safe, vibrant, friendly, and stable home for families and businesses. ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MEETING May 19, 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 7:00 p.m. Roll Call Present: Aaron Klemz Emma Carter Justin Foell Sam Stoxen Absent: Avonna Starck Dustin Norman Others Present: Luke Cardona, Councilmember- Ward 1 Ann Bolkcom, Councilmember- Ward 3 Patrick Vescio, Councilmember- At-Large Wally Wysopal, City Manager Jim Kosluchar- Director of Public Works Brandon Brodhag, Assistant City Engineer Rachel Workin, Environmental Planner Patrick Faber- Deputy Public Safety Director Owen Lanrud- Communications Specialist Aaron Bartling, Bolten & Menk Approval of Agenda Motion by Commissioner Hansen to approve the agenda. Seconded by Commissioner Foell. The motion carried unanimously. Approval of Meeting Minutes 1.Approval of March 10 Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Meeting Minutes Environmental Quality & Energy Commission Minutes Page 2 Meeting 5/19/2026 Motion by Commissioner Hansen to approve the March 10, 2026 meeting minutes. Seconded by Commissioner Stoxen. The motion carried unanimously. New Business 2.Safe Streets for Al Policy Advisory Commission Meeting #2 Aaron Bartling presented an update on the work done to date for the Safe Streets for All Project and shared a draft resolution . Old Business 3.Streets for All Ms. Workin provided an update on the Streets for All project. 4.Energy Action Plan Updates Ms. Workin said that the City received funding for an EV Charger grant at Commons Park and was planning to do outreach this summer at Fridley Terrace. 5.Grant Updates Ms. Workin said that the City was planning to apply for grant funding for the Gardena Avenue Trail and would be bringing a letter of support to the June Commission meeting. She also said the City applied for funding for textile and mattress recycling. 6.Outreach and Event Updates Ms. Workin said that the Toy Swap was a success. She said that there would be an open house on June 2 for a trail on Gardena Avenue as well as a shoreline planting event at Moore Lake on June 23. Other Items 7.Informal Status Reports Commissioner Klemz shared an update from the Superfund Community Advisory Group. Adjournment Motion by Commissioner Hansen to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Commissioner Stoxen. The Motion carried unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 7:44p.m. Respectfully submitted, ________________________________________________________ Rachel Workin Environmental Planner AGENDA REPORT Meeting Date: June 9, 2026 Meeting Type:Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Submitted By:Rachel Workin, Environmental Planner Title: Gardena Avenue Trail Background The City of Fridley’s Active Transportation Plan guides the long range vision for the City’s trail and sidewalk network. A trail along Gardena Avenue is listed as a focus route in the plan to provide grade-separation for pedestrians and bicyclists from vehicles. Additionally, the Safe Streets For All plan lists Gardena Avenue as a high priority street. The City is currently preparing an Active Transportation Grant application to fund the construction of this trail along the southern side of Gardena Avenue from Central Avenue to the eastern city-limit (Stinson Boulevard). More information is available at FridleyMN.gov/GardenaAvenue. Recommendation Staff recommend that commissioners recommend the submittal of an Active Transportation grant to construct a trail on Gardena Avenue. Attachments and Other Resources 1.Gardena Avenue Trail Improvements Flyer Map 20260513 Vision Statement We believe Fridley will be a safe, vibrant, friendly, and stable home for families and businesses. AGENDA REPORT Meeting Date: June 9, 2026 Meeting Type:Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Submitted By:Rachel Workin, Environmental Planner Title: East River Road Trail Background The City of Fridley’s Active Transportation Plan guides the long range vision for the City’s trail and sidewalk network. A trail along the eastside of East River Road between Rice Creek Way and Mississippi Street NE is listed as a focus route in the plan to provide grade-separation for pedestrians and bicyclists from vehicles. The City is currently preparing an Active Transportation Grant application to fund the construction of this trail. More information can be found at https://fridleymn.gov/eastriverroad. Recommendation Staff recommend that commissioners recommend the submittal of an Active Transportation Grant Application to construct a trail on East River Road. Attachments and Other Resources 1.East River Rd Trail Gap Project Map 20260601 Vision Statement We believe Fridley will be a safe, vibrant, friendly, and stable home for families and businesses. AGENDA REPORT Meeting Date: June 9, 2026 Meeting Type:Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Submitted By:Rachel Workin, Environmental Planner Title: Safe Streets For All Resolution 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 meet on January 13 and May 19, 2026 to discuss the project, including a required leadership commitment to meet a Toward Zero Death goal. As required by the grant process, a draft resolution has been developed to formalize the City Council's support of achieving zero traffic fatalities. Recommendation Staff recommend that commissioners recommend the draft resolution for approval. Attachments and Other Resources 1.Draft Resolution Vision Statement We believe Fridley will be a safe, vibrant, friendly, and stable home for families and businesses. AGENDA REPORT Meeting Date: June 9, 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: Planning for fall outreach event at Fridley Terrace Solar charging benches to be installed at Commons Park 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 EV Charger at Commons Park to be installed Fall outreach at Fridley Terrace HESP Newsletter article Recommendation For discussion only. Attachments and Other Resources 1.Fridley Community Energy Dashboard 2025 Q4 Vision Statement We believe Fridley will be a safe, vibrant, friendly, and stable home for families and businesses. AGENDA REPORT Meeting Date: June 9, 2026 Meeting Type:Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Submitted By:Rachel Workin, Environmental Planner Title: Grant Updates Background Grants in the Pre-Application Stage Active Transportation Plan grant for Gardena Avenue Trail Active Transportation Plan grant for East River Road Trail Grants Under Review 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 Met Council Water Efficiency Grant pt 5 Anoka County SCORE Bonus grant for textile and mattress recycling Sylvan Hills Art Bench 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: June 9, 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 (5/19/26-6/9/26) Gardena Avenue Trail Improvements open house (6/2) Streets for All Open House (6/9) Confirmed events and topics East River Road Trail Open House (6/16) Water Bar at Creative Flow opening reception for Shared Currents opening reception (6/18) Creative Water Day at Creative Flow 6/20 Rice Creek Watershed District Shoreline planting workshop at Moore Lake Park (6/23) Pocket Watershed Workshops (6/26 at Torg Brewery and 7/19 at Springbrook Nature Center) Clothing Swap and Textile Recycling (7/28) Make a Frog, Toad, or Polliwog (8/1 and 9/17) Touch a Truck (8/18) Tree Planting Workshop (9/1) Comp Plan Workshops- Climate and Natural Resources (9/8) Comp Plan Workshops- Climate and Natural Resources (9/19) Potential events 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: June 9, 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.