EQEA 06/09/2020
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AND ENERGY COMMISSION
Fridley Municipal Center, 7071University Ave Ne
AGENDA
June 9, 2020
Location: Fridley Civic Campus, Fireside Room, 7:00 PM
Call to Order
Approve Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Minutes
1) Review March 10 Minutes
New Business
1) Presentation by Stacy Stromberg on Planning Commission
2) Greenstep Cities 4 and 5 discussion – lead by Amy
Old Business
1) Sold 65 trees through tree sale
Other
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July 14 meeting options:
1) A Watershed tour at SNC or of their new iron enhanced sand filter at Pleasure Creek
2) Clean-up at Redeemer Raingarden
Adjourn
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AND ENERGY COMMISSION
Fridley Municipal Center
7071 University Ave NE, Fridley MN 55432
MINUTES
March 10, 2020
CALL TO ORDER
Vice Chairperson Olberding called the Environmental Quality and Energy Commission
meeting to order at 7:03p.m.
Members Present:Amy Dritz, Mark Hansen, Justin Foell, Nick Olberding, Sam Stoxen,
Heidi Ferris
Members Absent: Paul Westby
Staff: Rachel Workin, Environmental Planner
APPROVE ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AND ENERGY COMMISSION MINUTES OF
FEBRUARY 11, 2020
Commissioner Foellmade theMOTION to approve the minutes as submitted.
Commissioner Stoxen SECONDEDthe MOTION. The MOTION PASSED unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS
1)Introduction of Krista Peterson – Recording Secretary
Wally Wysopal, City Manager, is supporting arecording secretary for all of the
commissions.
2) Recap of Commissioner Meeting
Commissioner Dritz and Commissioner Olberding attended. They shared the
following:
Met potential partner in starting a green team at Medtronic.
The city could set an example for energy use and then start a second phase
to volunteer businesses to do benchmarking for energy use and then roll
out a new ordinance. Requiring all businesses above a certain size to
benchmark their energy use and submit it, then send out non-compliance
letters. Other cities are doing something similar.
Implement stricter building codes. The city estimates how much energy
businesses are using but don’t know who the largest useris.
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3)Community Solar Gardens Subscription
Unfortunately, there are not enough roofs to offer this on-site for city owned
facilities and not a lot of land for a land mount. Community solar gardens are a
possibility, but this option doesn’t offer renewable energy credits. Community
solar is managed through a solar reward program. You own part of a solar garden
and pay for a subscription and they would sell solar energy, send a credit to Excel
who in turn would give the city a credit on the energy bill. This cannot be claimed
because Excel is selling this to their customers or claiming it for themselves. This
is regulated by the public utilities commission and you can only subscribe to
gardens in your city or adjoining cities. It is limited to how much energy you can
subscribe, 120% of your city’s energy use. The savings could be used for energy
conservation projects or better lighting on streets and trails. A workshop was held
with Council and they were favorable to the idea. They like the idea of saving
money and putting it toward other projects needed in the city.
4) Citizens Utility Board Presentation
Workshops would be posted so citizens could bring in their energy bill and get
educated on how to read their bill. This could be available in October for energy
conservation month and maybe do a presentation here or at the senior center.
Could be offered during the day to reach more seniors and evening for families.
5) Environmental Fun Fair
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Event is on May 2 from 10-2. EQECtable has been useful and could offer
helpful information about general energy assistance. Email Rachel if you are able
tohelp with the event.
OLDBUSINESS
1)Summer Meeting Schedule
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Planning Commission meets the 3 Wednesday of the month at 7pm in the Council
chambers and are recorded.
2) Renewable Energy Breakfast
20 attendees and the PACE program was discussed. The room wasn’t set up great
for networking, maybe try roundtables for next time.
3)Energy Plan
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OTHER
1)Resilient Yards Workshop – April 30
Open through the Blue Thumb website. 17 people signed up so far.
2)Tree Sale
Sold over 30 trees.
Next meeting April 14 at 7:00 PM at Fridley Civic Campus
ADJOURN
Commissioner Foell made a MOTION to adjourn. Commissioner Stoxen SECONDED the
MOTION. The MOTION PASSED unanimously and meeting adjourned at 8:09 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Krista Peterson, Recording Secretary
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