EC Minutes 10-24-20227800 Golden Valley Road I Golden Valley, MN 55427 �'� ty
763-593-8027 1 TTY 763-593-3%81 763-593-8198 (fax) I www.goldenvalleymn.gov4r,
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vaEn► ironmental Commission
October 24, 2022 — 6:30 pm
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Remote Attendance: Members of the public may attend this meeting ain XnIoh-- by calling 1-415-655-
0001 and entering access code 1773 93 4642.
Questions/Comments: Members of the public who have questions about the commission or any
items on the agenda should contact the staff commission liaison — Eric Eckman, Environmental
Resources Supervisor, eeckman@goldenvalleymn.gov, 763-593-8084.
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by Chair Weirich at 6:30 pm.
2. Land Acknowledgement
3. Roll Call
Commissioners present: Wendy Weirich, Shannon Hansen, Tonia Galonska, Dawn Hill, Debra Yahle,
Jim Stremel, Scott Seys, Kenna Brandt
Rachel Zuraff left at 8:10.
Commissioners absent: None
Council Members present: Kimberly Sanberg
Staff present: Eric Eckman, Environmental Resources Supervisor;
Drew Chirpich, Water & Natural Resource Specialist;
Carrie Nelson, Engineering Assistant.
4. New Youth Member — Kenna Brandt
A. New youth member, Kenna Brandt, was sworn in by Chair Weirich.
S. Approval of Agenda
MOTION by Commissioner Hill, seconded by Commissioner Galonska to approve the agenda for
October 24, 2022 and the motion carried.
6. Approval of August 22 Regular Meeting Minutes
MOTION by Commissioner Stremel, seconded by Commissioner Zuraff to approve the minutes of
August 22, 2022 as submitted and the motion carried.
7. Old Business
A. Environmental Justice Collaboration
i. The Prioritization Map has been given to the DEIC sub -committee members for review.
We would like approval from the subcommittee and possibly the DEIC.
This document is available in alternate formats upon a 72-hour request. Please call
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City of Golden Valley Environmental Commission Regular Meeting 2
October 24, 2022 — 6:30 pm
ii. The DEIC staff liaison, Kiarra Zackery, says they might have time to collaborate on an
environmental justice resolution after the new year.
B. Land Acknowledgement Actions
i. Working to identify sites for cultural/educational installments on public property, along
Bassett Creek or along City trails.
1. Creating a map of the City's natural resources, waterways, wetlands, and trails
and important cultural sites as they may have existed before European
settlement.
1. Involve and get feedback from the Native Community.
2. Add Land Acknowledgement to this map.
8. New Business
A. Introduction of new GreenCorps Member
L Mars Muehleis will be working on:
1. Reforestation efforts due to the loss of tree canopy from EAB.
2. Energy Action Plan.
3. Recycling & Organics.
4. Assisting Ethan with GreenStep Cities.
B. EAB Update
i. Emerald Ash Borer was first discovered in GV in 2018.
ii. Staff has inspected about 2% of properties. 850 Ash trees were identified. Remaining
properties may yield an additional 41,650 ash trees.
Tree Inventory - Ash Tree Removals
300
200
100
0 .
2018
i Public
Unsure
2019 2020
Private Other Agency
C. No -Mow May Initiative
2021
No Data
2022
City of Golden Valley Environmental Commission Regular Meeting
October 24, 2022 — 6:30 pm
3
i. Don't mow until temps remain above 50 degrees for a week so ground insects can wake
up from hibernation. This also allows beneficial forbs to bloom that provide habitat and
food for the insects.
ii. Violations from 1-1-2016 to 9-20-2022:
1. Long Grass — 370 total — 53/year average
1. Cutter was sent 52 total — 7/year average
2. Cutter was sent 7 total times for 3 or more violations in 12 months
2. By Month:
1. April = 2 total
2. May = 93 total
3. June = 194 total
4. July = 24 total
5. August = 35 total
3. Cost:
1. 11t violation - $125/hour — 3-hour minimum = $375
2 2"d or more- $250/hour— 3-hour minimum = $750
4. Average time for the 2 PW Staff for each violation is approximately 1.5-2 hours.
iii. Have residents register online to participate. Will residents who don't register get in
trouble for participating?
1. Staff would like residents to register so they have a resource to look at when out
in the field or when a complaint is received. It's also a way to track how many
people participate and if the program is successful.
2. Link to register will also let residents know they will still need to take care of
noxious weeds.
iv. Some benefits, aside from it being good for pollinators, include conservation of water,
and less fertilizing and pesticides.
v. Could we provide signs for residents who sign up?
1. Edina gives out signs until they run out.
2. Volunteers could help staff and help spread the word.
3. The No Mow May website has signs residents could print. A link on the sign-up
page could bring them to this site.
4. Could we use some of the EC budget for signs?
vi. Will need to modernize and update City Code in the future.
MOTION by Commissioner Hill, seconded by Commissioner Stremel to approve sending the
No Mow May Resolution to Council. Upon a vote the following voted in favor: Weirich,
Hansen, Seys, Yahle, Galonska, Stremel, and Brandt. The following voted against: Hill.
Motion carried with the following stipulations:
• Look at the wording of the paragraph starting with 'To temporarily suspend
enforcement...' prior to sending to Council.
• There is a plan in place for an educational campaign on pollinators that the EC has the
opportunity to review.
City of Golden Valley Environmental Commission Regular Meeting
October 24, 2022 — 6:30 pm
4
D. Program/Project Updates
i. RETAP is available to small businesses. Could we put this on the City website to make
small businesses aware of this program?
Sustainability Day at the Market is hosted by the Golden Valley Community Foundation,
not the City. They contacted Ethan about the opportunity to participate in the event
after the September meeting.
E. Council Updates
i. None
F. Other Business
i. Term Limits:
1. Youth terms will begin October 1.
2. Commissioners may serve up to two consecutive terms. A 12-month break will
be required after serving two terms. Commissioners can then be re -appointed to
a commission after the 12-month break.
3. Current commissioners who have served more than two terms will finish their
current term and be eligible for appointment to one additional term.
6300 Olson Memorial Hwy — Optum Health Site
1. The Planning Department, with permission from the Council, applied for two
grants on behalf of the developer to clean up the soil at this site. They were
awarded grants from the Met Council and the Department of Employment and
Economic Development (DEED).
9. Adjournment
MOTION by Commissioner Hill, seconded by Commissioner Yahle to adjourn the meeting at 8:36 pm and
the motion carried.
ATTEST:
1. C�
Carrie Nelson, Administrative Assistant Wendy Weirich, Chair