2001-08-27 EC AgendaAGENDA
GOLDEN VALLEY ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION
Regular Meeting
Golden Valley City Hall, 7800 Golden Valley Road
Council Conference Room
Monday, August 27, 2001
7:00 P.M.
Call to Order
II. Approval of Minutes — July 23, 2001
III. Discuss Possible Change of Meeting Day
IV. Draft Wetland Ordinance Discussion
V. Future Projects
VI. Other Business
VII. Adjourn
GAEnvironmental CommissionWgendas\082701.doc
GOLDEN VALLEY ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION
Regular Meeting
Minutes
July 23, 2001
Present: Richard Baker, David Fellman, Sue Hess, Dawn Hill, Alan Kuentz
City Staff: AI Lundstrom, Environmental Coordinator; Jeff Oliver, City Engineer;
Tracy Pharr, Administrative Secretary
Absent: Alicia Brown
I. Call to Order
Meeting called to order at 7:00 p.m.
II. Approval of Minutes — June 25, 2001
No changes.
MOTION: Moved by Hess, seconded by Kuentz, approve the minutes of the
June 25, 2001 meeting as submitted.
III. Meeting Day Change
Kuentz requested the Commission consider changing the meeting day so that members
could attend Park, Recreation and Open Space meetings held on the same days.
Oliver and Lundstrom stated that it was likely the regularly scheduled meetings of other
commissions would conflict with room availability. Baker asked staff to look into
availability. Members could then vote on days available. Hill also suggested scheduling
quarterly joint meetings with Park, Recreation and Open Space.
IV. Wetland Conservation Act Presentation
Mark Jacobs of Barr Engineering was in attendance to lead a Wetland Conservation Act
(WCA) presentation. Copies of the slides displayed and several wetland management
plans from surrounding cities were distributed to all. After the slide show, Mr. Jacobs
took questions for Commission Members. Hess asked who monitors wetlands
adherence to the WCA. Jacobs answered that the EPA, the DNR and local government
units do. Jacobs stated that a Natural Resources Inventory could be supplied to
developers to help eliminate problems before they start.
Oliver stated that in developing a wetlands ordinance, the vast majority of wetlands
would be on public property. Fellman asked if mitigation could be done on public
property. Oliver stated it could, but that it must be balanced. Kuentz asked about the
review process. Oliver answered that Planning and Public Works do the reviews.
Kuentz questioned how the public could get involved. Oliver stated that there were
public comment periods and appeals processes. Jacobs also noted that any citizen
could ask to be notified of future developments in a particular area. Kuentz asked as
clarification if he could request the City supply copies of applications for future
development. Lundstrom and Oliver responded yes. Fellman asked if PUDs were
exempt. Oliver stated that they too must comply with the WCA.
Commission Members briefly perused the examples of surrounding communities' plans
that were provided by Jacobs. Baker stated that the goal for the Environmental
Commission's development of a wetland ordinance for Golden Valley should be to
improve upon the WCA to meet the needs of the City. He asked members to think
about what the needs of Golden Valley are, and where and of what type the vulnerable
wetlands are. Oliver stated this had been broken down in the Storm Water
Management Plan that was previously distributed.
It was decided that prior to the August meeting, Commission Members would read the
Storm Water Management Plan, study the examples from other cities and the model
ordinance provided, and determine what items are important and rank them in a
prioritized order.
Baker requested to go through approximately one-half dozen case studies of specific
wetland areas in the city. Lundstrom stated that the Natural Resources Inventory had
not yet begun, and he is looking for the Commission to comment on this.
Fellman stated he would like to get a copy of the WCA. Oliver stated staff would get
copies of WCA and the WCA user's guide.
V. Draft Wetland Ordinance
The draft wetland ordinance was presented to the Environmental Commission as a part
of Agenda Item IV, Wetland Conservation Act Presentation.
VI. Viewing of Hidden Lakes Video
The Commission viewed Baker's presentation to the City Council on Hidden Lakes.
VII. Projects for the Future
This item was tabled until Commission Members could compile their ideas for future
projects.
VIII. Other Business
Items of Other Business:
• Hill thanked staff for their work on the recent City Open House.
No additional business was addressed.
IX. Adjourn
The next scheduled meeting will be on August 27, 2001 at 7:00 p.m.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Tracy Pharr
Administrative Secretary
Department of Public Works
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