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EQECM 03/10/2015 ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AND ENERGY COMMISSION Fridley Municipal Center, 6431 University Ave Ne Agenda Packet March 10, 2015, 7:00 p.m. MINUTES Location: Conference Room A (Main Level, Fridley City Hall) Call to Order Chairman Todd Olin called the meeting to order at 7:15 p.m. Introduction of New Members Commissioner Westby welcomed new Commissioners Justin Foell and Mark Hansen. The Commissioners shared their backgrounds, areas of the city, work and interests in the Environmental Quality and Energy Commission. Approve Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Minutes: October 28, 2014 MOTION by Commissioner Westby and seconded by Commissioner Olin to approve the Oct. 28, 2014 minutes. The motion passed unanimously. New Business GreenStep Cities Best Management Practices were reviewed. The April EQEC meeting will include a break- out session to work on prioritization of the practices which will be the most cost-effective and useful for the City. Individual Commissioners may have special skills to help further some of these best management goals. As an example, new Commissioner Mark Hansen, (civil engineer for the City of Coon Rapids) volunteered to look at Greenstep Cities BMP #17 regarding MIDS stormwater language and City Code. A few announcements were made:  New Climate Change information is available from the Environmental Quality Board for supplemental reading and background. th  Springbrook Nature Center, volunteers needed for March 28 electronics collection and paper shredding event. Commissioners were going to check schedules and staff was asked to send out reminders. For 2015 Earth Week and Arbor Day potential activities, school interactions were encouraged. Commissioner Hansen mentioned that raingarden maintenance was an issue and that the large raingardens near the Middle School might be idea candidates for an Earth Day cleanup event. Staff will contact the school about them purchasing hardwood shredded bark. A discussion ensued about the availability and quality of free bark through private contractors who grind up trees and twigs versus purchased hardwood shredded bark. Staff and the EQEC discussed “Fridley Celebrates National Trails Day” on Saturday June 6. Centering on activities at Banfill-Locke Center for the Arts, Islands of Peace Park and Riedel House (all assets contained in the Fridley node of National Parks Mississippi River Trail), the event will need EQEC volunteers in order to make it a success. Commissioner Foell indicated he would work with the trail ride and get volunteers. He was rd commended for his work in organizing past Fridley Annual Bike Rides. The group discussed having the 3 Annual Fridley Bike Ride start at Islands of Peace Park after the Mayor’s proclamation for National Trails day and leading hikes and other events for the afternoon. The community band has been contacted to see if they would be able to play. Old Business th The Fridley Raingarden Workshop will be held on April 16. The goal is to have at least 40 attendees. Small postcards were available and the bulk of them were taken for distribution by Commissioner Westby. For information only: the Columbia Arena re-development opportunities and listening sessions are March 11, March 25, April 8, April 22 to provide input and meet with citizens at the Fridley Community Center. Commissioners are encouraged to attend as many sessions as may be practical. Recycling Drop-off Dates, recycling rates and issues with apartments were discussed. Environmental Planner Qualley reviewed the SCORE grant and the last 2 years’ results of 90% and near 84% (respectively), apartment th recycling being the main issue. Staff gave details about the dates of the Drop-off Events: March 28, Springbrook Nature Center only electronics and paper shredding; Full City-wide Drop-off Events are May 2, th July 25 and Oct. 3. The July 25 event will be a Multi-City event hosted by the City of Fridley with partners Spring Lake Park, Hilltop and Columbia Heights. The Home and Garden show was reviewed. The afternoon was slow but there were more attendees than last year. Other No one had other points for the group. Next Meetings/Announcements Tuesday, April 14, 2015, 7:00 p.m., Conference Room A (Main Level, City Hall) Adjourn MOTION by Commissioner Westby and seconded by Commissioner Hansen to adjourn at 8:02 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Kay Qualley Environmental Planner City of Fridley