EC Minutes 05-22-20237800 Golden Valley Road I Golden Valley, MN 55427 1 if
v of
ws
763-593-80271 TTY 763-593-39681763-593-8198 (fax) I www.goldenvalleymn.govgo
I de.vall Environmental Commission y
May 22, 2023 — 6:30 pm
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Remote Attendance: Members of the public may attend this meeting via Webek 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, Beckman@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, Debra Yahle, Ellen Brenna,
Sarah Drawz, Paul Klaas, Kenna Brandt
Commissioners absent: Rachel Zuraff
Council Members present: None
Staff present: Eric Eckman, Environmental Resources Supervisor;
Drew Chirpich, Water & Natural Resource Specialist;
Ethan Kehrberg, Sustainability Specialist;
Mars Muehleis, GreenCorps Member;
Carrie Nelson, Engineering Assistant.
4. New Members Ellen Brenna, Sarah Drawz, Paul Klaas
A. Commissioners Brenna, Drawz, and Klaas were sworn into the Commission. Chair Weirich lead
them in their Oath of Office.
5. Approval of May 22, 2023, Agenda
MOTION by Commissioner Brenna, seconded by Commissioner Yahle to approve the agenda for May
22, 2023, and the motion carried.
6. Approval of April 24, 2023, Regular Meeting Minutes
MOTION by Commissioner Hill, seconded by Commissioner Galonska to approve the minutes of April
24, 2023, as submitted and the motion carried.
f This document is available in alternate formats upon a 72-hour request. Please call
763-593-8006 (TTY: 763-593-3968) to make a request. Examples of alternate formats
4 - may include large print, electronic, Braille, audiocassette, etc. f.
City of Golden Valley Environmental Commission Regular Meeting 2
May 22, 2023 — 6:30 pm
7. Old Business
A. Keeping of Honeybees
i. The City Council and City Manager asked us to add this to our work plan after a resident
request.
ii. There will be an article in the next City Newsletter about the Environmental Commission
looking into the Keeping of Honeybees and asking for community comments and
feedback.
iii. Are corner lots not allowed to have bees since they don't technically have a back yard?
Possibly build exceptions and setback distances into the code or the ability to go to the
Board of Zoning Appeals.
iv. Require Licensee to have some sort of bee food sources?
v. There are currently 5 active chicken licenses in the city.
1. These don't require a lot of staff time.
2. There have been no inspections of coops in the last 3.5 years.
3. There has only been one complaint since chickens have been allowed. It was in
Dec 2019. Hens were running free, and waste was not picked up.
vi. Staff will move forward with drafting an ordinance for the Commission to review.
8. New Business
A. Consider Updates to Composting Code
L The city code currently permits residential properties up to four dwelling units to have
composting on -site.
ii. Be sure to differentiate between Organics collection service and backyard composting.
iii. Could we open this up to more properties who aren't currently included in Organics
recycling?
iv. Is backyard composting hot enough for paper products?
v. Add noxious and invasive species to the list of prohibited materials?
vi. Could we allow different sizes of compost bins based on residential vs commercial?
vii. Staff will bring an updated draft of the ordinance to June's meeting.
B. Commission Re -Orientation
L Commissioners reviewed the Boards -Commissions Orientation Power Point and the
Commission's Bylaws.
C. Election of Officers
MOTION by Commissioner Yahle, seconded by Commissioner Galonska to elect Commissioner
Dawn Hill as Chair and the motion carried.
MOTION by Commissioner Galonska, seconded by Commissioner Weirich to elect Commissioner
Debra Yahle as Vice -Chair and the motion carried.
City of Golden Valley Environmental Commission Regular Meeting
May 22, 2023 — 6:30 pm
3
D. Program/Project Updates
i. The new GreenCorps member will start in September.
There will be a recap of the Compost pick-up at Hampshire Park at next month's
meeting.
E. Council Updates
i. None
F. Other Business
9. Adjournment
i. Agenda items come from a variety of places. Mostly seasonal or timely based on the
work plan. Others can come from resident requests/interest but have to go through the
staff liaison and chair.
MOTION by Commissioner Galonska, seconded by Commissioner Brandt to adjourn the meeting at 8:16
pm and the motion carried.
ATTEST:
co,� ns_�
Carrie Nelson, Administrative Assistant
Dawn Hill, Chair