EQEA 11/14/2017-packet
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AND ENERGY COMMISSION
Fridley Municipal Center, 6431 University Ave Ne
AGENDA
November 14, 2017, 7:00 p.m.
Location:City Hall, Conference Room A
Call to Order
Approve Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Minutes
1)Review October 10,2017minutes
New Business
1)2017 Water Resource Management Re-Cap
2)Parks and Trails Comp Plan Chapter review
3)Organics Update
Old Business
1)Environmental Fun Fair Meeting Re-Cap
Other Informational Items
1)Partners in Energy Application
2)MnTAP intern deadline-January 2018
Next Meetings/Announcements
Tuesday, December 12, 2017at 6:00p.m., Springbrook Nature Center
Adjourn
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AND ENERGY COMMISSION
Fridley Municipal Center, 6431 University Ave Ne
MINUTES
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Location: City Hall, Conference Room A (Main Level, City Hall)
Call to Order
Commissioner Nick Olberding called the meeting to order at 7:02 pm.
Members present: Nick Olberding, Kyle Mulrooney, Paul Westby, Justin Foell, Heidi Ferris
Staff present: Rachel Workin, Environmental Planner
Absent: Mark Hansen, Sam Stoxen
Approval of Minutes
Commissioner Ferris moved to approve the September 12 2017 meeting minutes as written. Commissioner
Olberding seconded the motion.
MOTION PASSED Unanimously
New Business
1)2018 EQEC Meeting Dates:
Commissioner Mulrooney moved to approve the 2018 EQEC meeting dates as written. Commissioner Foell
seconded the motion.
MOTION PASSED Unanimously
2)Organics Update
Ms. Workin provided an update that the City had released a Request for Proposal for organic material collection
service. She also stated that the City would be collecting pumpkins for composting at Springbrook Nature
stth
Center from November 1- 6. Commissioner Ferris recommended advertising the drop-off in Pumpkin Night
in the Park materials as well as asking local pumpkin retailers if we could advertise at their store.
Old Business
1)Tree Planting Re-Cap
Ms. Workin advised the EQEC that the City had hosted three tree plantings since the previous meeting,
reaching their goals for the LCCMR grant. Commissioner Westby provided an updated on the rain garden
planting at Redeemer Church. Commissioner Westby also recommended that the City partner with local
institutions to develop institution-managed community gardens etc. on under-utilized park land in the City. Ms.
Workin stated that she would be happy to determine the feasibility of this initiative with interested groups.
2)October 7 Fall Recycling drop-off recap
Ms. Workin stated that 423 cars came through the recycling drop-off. This was a decrease from the 554 cars at
the 2016 fall drop-off event, although the 2016 number included participants in paper shredding. We do not
have a count for paper shredding at the 2017 event. Ms. Workin stated that staff is developing a plan for drop-
offs in 2018 while City Hall is under construction.
Other Informational Item
Ms. Workin provided information on the following events:
1) October 20 CERT Seed Grant application due
2) October 24 Environmental Fun Fair meeting at SNC
3) 2040 Comp Plan
Commissioners stated that in addition to the approved EQEC recommendations that they recommend
developing a corridor plan for landscaping along University and Highway 65 to provide a cohesive look. They
recommended that businesses along these corridors could save money by planting low-maintenance landscaping
and trees. It was suggested that a sustainability section of the business newsletter be included.
Additionally, Commissioners recommended that the City take a stronger look at its own facilities management
and work practices (i.e. telecommuting) to serve as a demonstration and decrease its environmental footprint.
Commissioner Ferris emphasized the usefulness of social media in messaging and increasing community pride.
Adjournment
Commissioner Westby moved to adjourn the meeting and Commissioner Foell seconded the motion. The
meeting adjourned at 7:48 p.m.
Memorandum
Planning Division
_____________________________________________________________________
DATE:November 9, 2017
TO:Environmental Quality and Energy Commission members
FROM:Rachel Workin, Environmental Planner
2040 Comprehensive Plan-Parks and Trails draft
SUBJECT:
Background
The following is a draft version of the Trends, Goals, and Policies to be included in the chapter on Parks
and Trails in the 2040 Comprehensive Plan. Additional information on trails will be included in the
Transportation chapter (forthcoming).
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the EQEC review the draft and provide recommendations at the
th
November 14meeting