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EQEA 03/13/2018 ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AND ENERGY COMMISSION Fridley Municipal Center, 6431 University Ave Ne AGENDA ağƩĭŷ ЊЌͲ ЋЉЊБ Location: Fridley City Hall, Conference Room A Call to Order Approve Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Minutes 1) Review February 13 minutes New Business 1) Partners in Energy- Energy Action Team 2) Environmental Fun Fair 3) National Trails Day 4) Old Business 1) Organics Update Other 1) Metro Environmental Commission Conference- April 7 Next meeting Tuesday, April 10, 2018 at 7:00 p.m., Fridley City Hall, Conference Room A Adjourn ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AND ENERGY COMMISSION Fridley Municipal Center, 6431 University Ave Ne MINUTES CĻĬƩǒğƩǤ ЊЌͲ ЋЉЊБ Location: City of Fridley City Hall, Conference Room A Call to Order Vice Chair Olberding called the meeting to order at 7:11PM Members present: Nick Olberding, Justin Foell, Heidi Ferris, Sam Stoxen; Absent: Mark Hansen, Kyle Mulrooney, Paul Westby Staff present: Rachel Workin, Environmental Planner Approval of Minutes Vice Chair Olberding moved to approve January 9, 2018 meeting minutes as written. Commissioner Stoxten seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED unanimously New Business Pollinator Friendly Fridley 1) Ms. Workin and commissioners discussed creating a resolution in support of a Pollinator Friendly Hospitality Garden to be installed by students in the new Civic Campus. Commissioner Ferris moved to present the Resolution to the Parks and Recreation Commission, Planning Commission, and City Council for approval. Commissioner Vice Chair Olberding seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED unanimously. U of M Student Groups 2) Ms. Workin stated the City would not be receiving technical assistance from U of M student groups this semester, but there is potential for the next semester. She also stated that the City had been accepted as a Partner in Energy City by Xcel Energy. This program, discussed in a previous meeting, is to assist the City in developing and implementing an Energy Action Plan. Ms. Workin said that they would be assembling an Energy Action Team and hope that members of EQEC would participate. Environmental Fun Fair 3) Meeting. Vice Chair Olberding will be compiling books to bring for the reading corner. Commissioner Ferris suggested a favorite book contest. National Trails Day 4) Commissioners discussed interest in event but group delayed planning to March meeting. Commissioners discussed need to align signs with Active Transportation Plan. Ms. Workin said to email her when they noticed discrepancies. The group discussed re-printing the maps and adding other features of interest (pollinator garden, digital version, etc). Old Business Organics Contract Approval 1) nd Ms. Workin said that the organics contract was approved January 22. They were waiting for Republic to set up an email address to send out fliers. Ms. Workin said she would be doing outreach to promote the event, Commissioner Ferris suggested incorporating statistics from Fridley Public Schools. Commissioners also discussed how to distribute compost to organics collection subscribers. EAB Update 2) th Ms. Workin shared that the EAB plan was approved at the February 12 Council meeting. Commissioner Ferris recommend promoting Hugelkultur as a method of re-purposing ash trees. Ms. Workin stated this could be put on website. West Moore Lake Trail Update 3) th Ms. Workin stated that the West Moore Lake Trail Project was approved at the February 12 Council meeting. Plans are included in the Council packet. Upcoming Events 1)March 10 Recycling Drop-Off and Paper Shredding 2)February 20 at 6 PM- Science Experiments in Environmental Education 3)March 11- Maple Sugaring Event 4)April 12 at 6 PM- Edible Landscaping 5)Discovery Dinner Series Adjournment Commissioner Foell moved to adjourn the meeting and Commissioner Stoxten seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned at 8:12. RESOLUTION NO. 2018 0___ A RESOLUTION I WHEREAS, the Fridley City Council recognizes that bees and other pollinators are integral to a healthy and resilient ecosystem and a wide diversity of essential foods, including fruits, nuts, and vegetables; and WHEREAS, pollinator populations are in decline due to habitat loss, land maintenance activities, pesticide use, pathogens and parasites; and WHEREAS, alternative land management practices to mowed turf grass are available that dramatically increase pollinator forage; and WHERAS, native plantings that provide high quality forage for pollinators also provide co- benefits related to water quality treatment, carbon sequestration, and soil stability; and WHEREAS, application of certain pesticides such as neonicotinoids and systemic herbicides may have unintended consequences against beneficial insects such as bees and other pollinators; and WHERAS, the City Council finds it is in the public interest and consistent with adopted City policy for the City to demonstrate its commitment to a safe and healthy community environment for people and pollinators. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Fridley: The City is hereby declared a Pollinator-Friendly Community. The City promotes healthy environments for pollinators including nutritional foods sources, clean water and habitat through existing programs and new opportunities. The City will pursue planting more pollinator forage in areas of city parks that are currently mowed turf grass. The City will design all new and renovated facilities with a consideration of adding natural areas with beneficial pollinator-friendly plants where possible. The City shall limit and minimize use of systemic pesticides, with emphasis on avoiding use of pesticides from the neonicotinoid family, on City property to the extent practicable. The City shall undertake best efforts to purchase plants that have not been pre-treated with pesticides. The City shall undertake best efforts to utilize its pollinator plantings as educational spaces and communicate to City residents, partner organizations, and businesses the importance of creating and maintaining a pollinator-friendly habitat. The City shall maintain a list of native and naturalized pollinator-friendly plants for reference by the community and encourage private developers and other landowners to incorporate pollinator-friendly plantings into required landscaping. City staff will provide the Environmental Quality and Energy Commission with an annual report on steps taken to create a more Pollinator-Friendly Fridley.