EC Minutes 08-28-20237800 Golden Valley Road I Golden Valley, MN 55427 fly of 01
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August 28, 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 Hill at 6:30 pm.
2. Land Acknowledgement
3. Roll Call
Commissioners present: Dawn Hill, Debra Yahle, Wendy Weirich, Tonia Galonska, Sarah Drawz, Paul
Klaas, Ellen Brenna, Kenna Brandt
Commissioners absent: Rachel Zuraff
Council Members present: None
Staff present: Eric Eckman, Environmental Resources Supervisor;
Carrie Nelson, Engineering Assistant.
4. Approval of August 28, 2023, Agenda
MOTION by Commissioner Weirich, seconded by Commissioner Galonska to approve the agenda for
August 28, 2023, and the motion carried.
S. Approval of July 24, 2023, Regular Meeting Minutes
MOTION by Commissioner Galonska, seconded by Commissioner Brandt to approve the minutes of July
24, 2023, as submitted and the motion carried.
6. Old Business
A. Cooling Centers
L GV Library and Brookview are listed on the Hennepin County website as cooling centers
in Golden Valley.
1. Are there any others that aren't listed? Maybe non -profits?
ii. Staff are exploring different options for sharing alerts and information with community.
iii. This will be back on the agenda in a couple of months when staff has more information.
B. Land Acknowledgement— Exploring Haha Wakpadaq / Bassett Creek
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City of Golden Valley Environmental Commission Regular Meeting
August 28, 2023 — 6:30 pm
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7. New Business
DEIC is thinking of doing the joint meeting for a presentation in October. The
Commission members prefer to cancel their October meeting if this happens on a day
other than their regular meeting day.
Also looking to Co -Host the Building an Equitable Golden Valley Forum Honoring
Indigenous People and Culture in November.
A. Outdoor Lighting Code
L Commissioner Klaas reviewed a PowerPoint presentation with the Commission he
prepared on light pollution and Golden Valley's outdoor lighting ordinance.
ii. We can't become sustainable without updating the Lighting Ordinance.
iii. If the lighting is done correctly, you don't need a ton of it.
1. Lights should point down and be fully shielded.
2. Police studies have shown that bigger, brighter lighting isn't effective in providing
enhanced security. Studies show motion detecting lights are extremely effective.
iv. Many cities have been actively engaged in updating their ordinances.
1. Duluth, New Prague, Royalton, Richfield, Plymouth, Bloomington, Sauk Rapids,
and Scandia. Some were listed in a Star Tribune article from December 22, 2022.
v. Light Pollution is global and local
1. Light Trespass — Unwanted light intruding onto a person's property or area of
concern.
2. Glare — Excessive brightness that causes visual discomfort. There's no value to
this light.
vi. There is currently no model ordinance for cities to refer to when creating their own.
1. Minn. Stat. 1613.328 gives an outline of items that should be addressed in a
lighting ordinance.
2. Staff can check with League of Mn Cities.
vii. Organizations to look potentially consult:
1. IESNA — Illuminating Engineering Society of North America
1. Professional society of lighting engineers.
2. International Dark -Sky Association —Dark sky advocates who have a list of
principals for guidance.
1. The City could become Dark Sky Certified.
3. Dark Sky Consulting, Inc —They advise municipalities creating new ordinances.
There is a fee involved.
1. Possibly have them look at the code once updated?
4. Starry Skies North —The local Chapter of International Dark -Sky Association.
viii. The Lighting Ordinance is in the Zoning Code.
1. The EC can recommend changes based on environmental factors.
11 reading of a new ordinance would go to the Planning Commission. The 2"d
reading would go to council.
ix. The updated code should be less complicated and more enforceable. Sim li !
1. Measurement of 0.5 footcandle vs. Can your neighbor seethe bulb? Might need
both for various circumstances.
City of Golden Valley Environmental Commission Regular Meeting 3
August 28, 2023 — 6:30 pm
2. Switch from watts to lumens.
x. Five principals for outdoor lighting:
1. Useful —All light should have a clear purpose.
2. Targeted — Light should be directed only where needed.
3. Low Light Levels — Light should be no brighter than necessary.
4. Controlled — Light should be used only when it is useful.
5. Color - Use warmer color lights where possible.
1. Blue light is more harmful —the warmer the light the more pleasant it is.
2. Use 3000K or less. This is missing in our current ordinance. Golden Valley
worked hard to get 3000K LEDs in street lighting rather than 4000K
proposed by Xcel Energy. This delayed implementation but was important
to the commission and community.
A. Q & A brainstorm session.
1. Color temperature matters
2. Don't want to be the 'light police'
3. Reflect values of community; have enjoyable public spaces and quality of life
4. Easy fixes can be done internally
5. Balance between simple and enforceable
6. What about decorative lights, sign lights, etc?
7. Is there an accepted calculator to estimate the community's potential reduction
in energy/costs/CO2 emissions if we update the code? Like the rooftop solar
capacity tool and others. Check with Partners in Energy staff.
B. Program/Project Updates
I. There have been no new reports of rejected organics loads.
ii. Republic Services will be conducting an annual participation study in October for both
traditional recycling and organics recycling.
C. Council Updates
i. Council approved the ballot language for the sales tax initiative. Check out the website
for more information.
ii. Council voted to revoke the Conditional Use Permit at Shapco Printing, Inc. —1109 Zane
Ave N due to a landscape buffer not being installed.
iii. Elections —Find a link to a list of candidates running for Golden Valley Mayor and
Council.
1. League of Women Voters holding a Golden Valley Mayor and City Council
Candidate Forum on September 28, 7:00-8:45, at City Hall.
iv. Council has started the process of approving the City Budget.
D. Other Business
i. Next meeting is September 18, 2023 —was moved to avoid Yom Kippur.
ii. Tonight is Youth Member Kenna Brandt's last meeting.
iii. Beekeeping
1. No council date yet.
2. The Star Tribune had an article on beekeeping in the 8-27 edition.
City of Golden Valley Environmental Commission Regular Meeting
August 28, 2023 — 6:30 pm
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8. Adjournment
iv. PIE has a webinar on "Equity in Energy, Engagement, and Planning" on 9-21, 12:30-1:30.
Commissioner Galonska shared a sign-up link.
MOTION by Commissioner Brandt, seconded by Commissioner Yahle to adjourn the meeting at 8:05 pm
and the motion carried.
ATTEST:
Carrie Nelson, Administrative Assistant Dawn Hill, Chair