EC Minutes 04-24-20237800 Golden Valley Road I Golden Valley, MN 55427 city 0f
763-593-8027 1 TTY 763-593-39681763-593-8198 (fax) I www.goldenvalleymn.gov golden valley
Environmental Commission
April 24, 2023 — 6:30 pm
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Remote Attendance: Members of the public may attend this meeting via Webex 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, Tonia Galonska, Dawn Hill, Jim Stremel, Shannon Hansen
Commissioners absent: Debra Yahle, Rachel Zuraff, Kenna Brandt
Council Members present: None
Staff present: Eric Eckman, Environmental Resources Supervisor;
Drew Chirpich, Water & Natural Resource Specialist;
Mars Muehleis, GreenCorps Member;
Carrie Nelson, Engineering Assistant.
4. Approval of Agenda
MOTION by Commissioner Hill, seconded by Commissioner Stremel to approve the agenda for April 24,
2023, and the motion carried.
5. Approval of March 27, 2023, Regular Meeting Minutes
MOTION by Commissioner Galonska, seconded by Commissioner Hansen to approve the minutes of
March 27, 2023, as submitted and the motion carried with the following change:
• Take out the extra parenthesis in section 6.B.iv.
6. Old Business
A. 2022 Accomplishments & 2023 Work Plan
i. The City Council approved the EC's 2022 Annual Report and 2023 Work Plan at their
April Council Work Session.
1. They congratulated the EC for the work they accomplished and have planned.
2. On the topic of researching City -contracted Solid Waste Collection:
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City of Golden Valley Environmental Commission Regular Meeting 2
April 24, 2023 — 6:30 pm
1. There will be new council members starting in January 2024. It might be
a good idea to wait and see how the new council feels about it.
2. The council believes it would be a good idea to get community input and
feedback with better survey questions.
7. New Business
A. GreenStep Cities Step 4 and 5 Metrics
i. The City is being recognized for GreenStep Cities steps 4 and 5 again this year. It's the
third year the City has received these.
ii. The Metrics that qualified the City for Steps 4 and 5:
1. The percentage of streetlights owned by the City and Utility using LEDs went up
7.17%.
2. One additional private green certified building in GV.
iii. The City also improved in the following ways:
1. Dollars spent on energy by the City per square foot/year went down by
$0.19/square foot/year.
2. Electricity consumption for all City buildings is down 244,788 kWh/year.
3. Three more buildings in GV are LEED certified.
B. Keeping of Honeybees
i. The University of MN is pro -honeybee.
ii. More cities in the surrounding area allow beekeeping than not.
1. Ask peer cities how it's going?
1. Is there anything they would change?
2. How many households are participating?
iii. Should we require the colony owner to have liability insurance?
1. This hasn't come up with research into other programs.
2. Insurance is typically a private matter that the city does not get involved with.
Many owners carry additional insurance to cover various items or activities on
their properties — pools, trampolines, etc.
iv. "Property Owners"
1. Religious facility, School, Business, Home.
1. Could a rooftop or land be rented out?
2. If renting you would need the owner's consent/signature on application.
v. It is just fine to have just one colony. A colony equals 1 set of boxes.
vi. Should there be a process to get consent from neighboring properties?
1. Written approval?
2. Physical proof of notification?
3, It isn't required for the keeping of chickens. Should we be consistent with that?
vii. We should also include a strong campaign to plant native, bee -friendly plants on
properties. Require this for residents with bee licenses?
viii. Include a license fee like we do with chickens to pay for staff time.
ix. Chicken applications don't go to council. They are approved at a staff level. Keep this
the same with bees?
City of Golden Valley Environmental Commission Regular Meeting
April 24, 2023 — 6:30 pm
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x. Could we have a map available to the public with the locations of bee colonies? Several
cities do this.
A. Should we require proof of training/course completion in how to be a beekeeper?
xii. Staff will work on a draft ordinance.
C. Business Meeting in May
i. New members will be introduced.
ii. We will do a re -orientation.
iii. We will elect new officers — Chair and Co -Chair.
iv. We might have a new council liaison.
v. We'll review our bylaws if needed.
D. Program/Project Updates
E. Council Updates
i. None
F. Other Business
i. Boards & Commission Recognition Dinner — April 27, 6:00-7:30, in the Bassett Creek
Room at Brookview.
ii. This was the last meeting for Commissioners Hansen and Stremel.
iii. Medley Park Community Garden — May 2 ribbon cutting ceremony — 5:30-7:00.
iv. May 20 —12:00 — 3:00 — Annual Plant Sale at Brookview.
v. June 25 — Pollinator Day at Market in the Valley.
vi. Compost will be delivered to Hampshire Park the week of May 1.
vii. No Mow May starts the week of May 1.
viii. GV is still second per capita in EV Cars in Hennepin County.
ix. Does the commission want to do any summer field trips?
8. Adjournment
MOTION by Commissioner Stremel, seconded by Commissioner Hansen to adjourn the meeting at 8:10
pm and the motion carried.
ATTEST:
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Carrie Nelson, Administrative Assistant Wendy Weirich, Chair