EQECM 08/11/2015
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AND ENERGY COMMISSION
Fridley Municipal Center, 6431 University Ave Ne
Draft Minutes
August 11th, 2015, 7:00 p.m.
MINUTES
Location: Conference Room A (Main Level, Fridley City Hall)
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 7:06 p.m. by Vice Chairman Mark Hansen. Commissioners Westby and
Foell made the motions to commence.
Introductions
Commissioners proceeded with introductions and new EQE Commissioner Kyle Mulrooney was welcomed.
Approve Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Minutes of July, 2015.
MOTION by Commissioner Velin and seconded by Commissioner Westby to approve the July , 2015
Environmental Quality and Energy Commission minutes was made, after the request to amend and
correct the reference to Moore Lakes as the land bridge between the two lakes. The motion passed
unanimously with corrections.
New Business
Apartment Recycling and Solid Waste Abatement
Max Cowger, Sustainability and Recycling Intern presented the results of his apartment inspections. Cardboard
is almost uniformly not recycled. It doesn’t fit into round recycling carts and residents appear to be throwing
recyclables into the trash and trash into recycling containers. Records from the past six month show that while
the County and State are expecting each apartment resident to recycle 175 pounds per year, even the best
unit
apartments are recycling between 62 and 120 pounds per —which could be a one or two bedroom
apartment with multiple tenants. This is a major shortfall and a problem faced throughout Anoka County. The
County has been working with Fridley to produce some educational materials. Our SCORE grant allows for
some personalization of the recycling program and Max explained that he has convened a focus group of
apartment managers for tomorrow. They will discuss what are the common issues and possible solutions for
recycling and solid waste abatement, like bulky waste mattresses. After that Mr. Cowger will be working on
augmenting the County’s educational pieces (refrigerator magnet, posters, totes and recycling lists) by creating
special visually-oriented labeling for dumpsters and recycling carts. He will then create a checklist from which
apartment managers can select the educational pieces that work best for their operation. He will present his final
work product at the EQEC September meeting.
Old Business
University of Minnesota ESPM class
Dr. Gary Johnson, professor for the University of MinnesotaEnvironmental Sciences, Policy and Management
class has selected five small projects from the group suggested by City environmental planning staff. From
September through December of 2015, the students will provide research on the following areas:
1.Advancing Fridley’s pre-development review tools for stormwater management by creating a tool kit for
developers and site owners.
2.Update and reconcile existing language pursuant to city codes for overlay districts for wetlands, creek
and river critical corridor areas. The second part of their work will involve shoreline protection and
restoration to create a program of best management practices to reduce algae and pollutants in our lakes
and rivers by coordinating existing information and tailoring it for our City and website.
3.This group will work on urban forestry issues like producing an Emerald Ash Borer Response Plan and
will interface with our GreenCorps member (2015-2016 grant).
4.Parks are transitioning around the country to reflect changing demographics. What are the issues and
opportunities ahead for Fridley parks?
5.The right of way areas in the City need mowing and are populated with weeds and a type of grass that
isn’t salt tolerant. Could they look better and be more of a community asset? Would planting them with
other plant materials solve the problem and ultimately be lower maintenance and be more cost-effective?
What are the rules for ROW areas based on MnDOT and Anoka County? This group will examine the
data and make some recommendations.
GreenStep Cities Work Session
The remainder of the EQEC consisted of review of GreenStep Cities Best Management Practices and discussion
about focus areas.
Commissioner Westby talked about restricting lawn pesticides (a practice that some Twin Cities communities
are implementing on municipal properties). He asked for any information about continuing education in the
topic of water resource protection, to become better informed. Commissioner Velin initiated a short discussion
about raingardens.
Commissioner Hansen reiterated his offer to work on adoption of new stormwater standards (MIDS) much as
Coon Rapids has done. He will review the stormwater ordinance.
Commissioner Foell requested that the Strong Towns group be asked to make a presentation to the City and
mentioned that a proponent lived in Brainerd, MN and could possibly provide a presentation. Mr. Foell stated
that his goal in investigating this urban planning philosophy was to increase city efficiency, among other things.
It was suggested that their material be reviewed and a presentation coordinated for early in 2016.
Commissioner Mulrooney expressed an interest in Parks, identifying gaps in parks amenities and traits of the
parks.
Chairman Olin stated that the work sessions, after collecting information, needed to create a way to disseminate
the information and create measureable goals. He would like to categorize the speakers and topics we have had
the last few years.
Staff present mentioned that goals and the information gathered over the last two years will be valuable for
planning because mandatory Comprehensive Planning for 2040 was rapidly approaching. Also in September or
October, the Anoka County Water Resources specialist Bart Biernat will talk about the “Know the Flow”
website and update the EQEC.
Next Meetings/Announcements
th
Tuesday, August 11, 2015, 7:00 p.m., Conference Room A (Main Level, City Hall)
Adjourn
MOTION by Commissioner Velin and seconded by Commissioner Westby to adjourn at 8:09. The motion
passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Kay Qualley
Environmental Planner
City of Fridley