Loading...
EQEM 03/10/2020 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 7:03 p.m. Members Present: Amy Dritz, Justin Foell, Nick Olberding, Sam Stoxen, Heidi Ferris Members Absent: Paul Westby, Mark Hansen Staff: Rachel Workin, Environmental Planner APPROVE ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AND ENERGY COMMISSION MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 11, 2020 Commissioner Foell made the MOTION to approve the minutes as submitted. Commissioner Stoxen SECONDED the MOTION. The MOTION PASSED unanimously. NEW BUSINESS 1) Introduction of Krista Peterson – Recording Secretary Wally Wysopal, City Manager, is supporting a recording 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 user is. 1 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 nd Event is on May 2 from 10-2. EQEC table has been useful and could offer helpful information about general energy assistance. Email Rachel if you are able to help with the event. OLD BUSINESS 1) Summer Meeting Schedule rd 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 OTHER 1) Resilient Yards Workshop – April 30 Open through the Blue Thumb website. 17 people signed up so far. 2) Tree Sale 2 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 3