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EC Agenda-3-25-2024 REGULAR MEETING AGENDA Remote Attendance: Members of the public may attend this meeting via Microsoft Teams by calling 1-872-256-4160 and entering access code 910 737 312#. 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 2. Land Acknowledgement We acknowledge and honor the Dakota nation, on whose ancestral land the City of Golden Valley is built, and whose land resources we use. We commit to counteracting the erasure of the cultural practices and presence of the Dakota people through education and by amplifying a wide range of indigenous voices. 3. Roll Call 4. Approval of Agenda 5. Approval of February 26, 2024 Regular Meeting Minutes (5 min) 6. Old Business A. Ȟaȟa Wakpadaŋ/Bassett Creek efforts (10 min) Action Requested B. Annual Work Plan (20 min) 7. New Business A. GreenStep Cities actions (10 min) Action Requested B. Program & Project updates (5 min) C. Council Updates (5 min) D. Other Business (5 min) 8. Adjournment March 25, 2024 – 6:30 pm City Hall Council Conference Room REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Remote Attendance: Members of the public may attend this meeting via Microsoft Teams by calling 1-872-256-4160 and entering access code 587 275 181#. 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 Commissioners absent: Ellen Brenna Council Members present: Sophia Ginis – in between Planning and EC Staff present: Eric Eckman, Environmental Resources Supervisor; Ethan Kehrberg, Sustainability Specialist; Carrie Nelson, Engineering Assistant. 4. Approval of February 26, 2024 Agenda MOTION by Commissioner Weirich, seconded by Commissioner Drawz to approve the agenda for February 26, 2024, and the motion carried. 5. Approval of January 22, 2024 Regular Meeting Minutes MOTION by Commissioner Galonska, seconded by Commissioner Yahle to approve the minutes of January 22, 2024, as submitted and the motion carried. 6. Old Business A. None 7. New Business A. Golden Valley Garden Club: Pollinator Pathways i. The Pollinator Pathways Initiative promotes a pesticide-free corridor of native plants that provides nutrition and habitat for pollinators and helps them to disperse into new habitats. Details and contact information can be found in the agenda packet. February 26, 2024 – 6:30 pm City of Golden Valley Environmental Commission Regular Meeting February 26, 2024 – 6:30 pm 2 ii. The City promotes Garden Club activities and provides storage space for them in the building under the water tower as part of a MOU. iii. The Garden Club provides education and outreach to the community. They help expand native vegetation/pollinator habitats to private properties and promote using less chemicals. B. GreenStep Cities MOTION by Commissioner Klaas, seconded by Commissioner Weirich to approve the GreenStep Cities Best Practice Actions 2.1, 18.3, and 23.5, and the motion carried with the following update: • Add the data we have for residents within ¼ mile of green space to Action 18.3. C. Solid Waste Reduction Update i. Staff gave an update on solid waste efforts happening at the state and county levels and reviewed information found in the Feb 26, 2024 agenda packet. ii. One of the biggest ways for cities to help the County reach its goals is to shift toward organized collection of waste/recycling/organics. 1. Maybe there will be incentives for cities to do this. 2. It could still be multiple haulers servicing a similar number of customers. Based on state statute, haulers can determine how to divide up and service the city. 3. Could it get to the point where the County works with haulers and contracts for organized collection throughout the county to be more efficient? iii. There are ideas/plans about what the County might do and what they want cities to do moving forward, but there have been no policy changes or mandates stating that cities must do these things now. iv. What is the county going to do with the recovered recyclables? 1. One of the big goals, especially related to compost, is requiring the compost be used in construction projects and development. 2. Minnesota does have recycling markets – especially cardboard. Minnesota is one of the few places where recycling does occur. v. Staff will continue to monitor these efforts and report back as more information becomes available. D. Program/Project Updates i. The private ash tree condemnation was discontinued due to the entire city being considered infested by the Mn Department of Agriculture. ii. The City will partner with Tree Trust to host a 2024 Spring Tree Sale. The sale is sponsored by the Environmental Commission based on its work and recommendation in 2023. A lottery system will be used for the opportunity to City of Golden Valley Environmental Commission Regular Meeting February 26, 2024 – 6:30 pm 3 purchase a tree. Funds from forfeited Tree Preservation Permit Security Deposits will be used to help fund the sale. iii. Staff is visiting multi-family properties to look for opportunities for energy efficiency, green infrastructure, and recycling improvements. There are a couple multi-family properties doing organics collection even though they aren’t required to do so. iv. Multifamily owners/managers attend quarterly STAR Program meetings. These meetings include an environmental & sustainability update. In March they talked about how to find resources for energy efficiency, renewable energy and charging stations, planting trees, green infrastructure, recycling/organics. Owners/managers know we’re here to help, not to look for violations. E. Council Updates i. Golden Valley City Manager, Tim Cruikshank, is retiring March 1. Interviews for an interim City Manager took place the week of February 19. The Council required applicants have previous City Manager experience in a city of similar size to Golden Valley. 1. The Interim City Manager is allowed to apply for the City Manager position. 2. A firm will be hired to lead the search for a new City Manager. 3. Could take 4-6 months to hire. ii. 2024 Council Goal Setting Session was held January 30, 2024. 1. 2024 is about ensuring we have leadership in the right places and focusing on plans to make good, informed decisions. 2. Economic health. 3. We need to have a comprehensive park planning process. What are the needs of our parks and how do they differ regionally? F. Other Business i. The Hennepin County Library has air quality & electrical meters available to rent. 8. Adjournment MOTION by Commissioner Yahle, seconded by Commissioner Drawz to adjourn the meeting at 8:11 pm and the motion carried. ATTEST: ________________________________ _______________________________________ Carrie Nelson, Administrative Assistant Dawn Hill, Chair Date: March 25, 2024 To: Environmental Commission From: Eric Eckman, Environmental Resources Supervisor Subject: Ȟaȟa Wakpadaŋ/Bassett Creek Awareness and Efforts The Environmental Commission’s work plan includes the advancement of environmental justice and land acknowledgement actions in our community. This includes raising awareness of the Dakota name for Bassett Creek (Ȟaȟa Wakpadaŋ, which has the meaning of ‘falls creek’) and the importance of clean water for all living beings. City and BCWMC staff regularly communicate with Crystal Boyd who is working with Indigenous community members, cultural advisors, and the Hennepin History Museum to administer grants and facilitate community conversations that help advance efforts around Ȟaȟa Wakpadaŋ. Below is a summary from the recent joint commission meeting and a brief list of upcoming events and actions that could help support this effort. Commissioners should review this information and consider which items they would like to pursue in 2024. Brief summary of suggested activities from the City's joint commission meeting in October 2023 • Dual naming for creek: verbal, written, signage. • Commission ask City Council to formally recognize Dakota name & support using dual language. • Host community forum. • Pursue community service, like a creek clean-up. • Partner on 2024 water ceremony. • For land back, review remnant City property to return to Tribes or co-manage Upcoming events and actions being considered in 2024: City • Creek clean-up event in Golden Valley – Planned for July 13 to coincide with creek clean- up in Minneapolis at confluence with Mississippi River (aligns with North Loop Neighborhood Association ‘Service Saturday’). Date can be flexible in Golden Valley if needed. • Water ceremony on Indigenous Peoples' Day. Might include the BCWMC and potentially VCPC, HHM, Breck, GVHS, etc. – October 14 • Ask commissions to explore next steps for raising awareness of the creek's Dakota name, like updating the City's communications style guide (if relevant), requesting that City Council formally recognize the Dakota name, etc. • Explore hosting a community forum (led by DEIC). • Explore adding support for Ȟaȟa Wakpadaŋ efforts to the commission's future work plans. BCWMC • Crystal Boyd presents Oral History Project to BCWMC on March 21. BCWMC considers approving a land and water acknowledgement statement. (This consideration and a conversation on dual naming for the creek was moved to the April BCWMC meeting.) • Continue to incorporate Ȟaȟa Wakpadaŋ into the 2024 watershed map update and the 2025 Watershed Management Plan. Crystal Boyd; Hennepin History Museum • Keep partners informed about opportunities for joint education & outreach. • Update cultural advisors about interest from the City, BCWMC, and other partners. • Continue emphasizing Indigenous history and consider how to share history about Joel Bassett. Date: March 25, 2024 To: Environmental Commission From: Eric Eckman, Environmental Resources Supervisor Subject: Annual Work Plan At its January 2024 meeting, the Environmental Commission reviewed the status and progress of its current work plan. The marked-up plan is attached to this memorandum for reference. At the March meeting, staff will help facilitate a conversation to prioritize the remaining items on the work plan as the Commission works though the plan in 2024. One item that might get added to the plan by City Council is the development of a Climate Action Plan. More information will be shared on this potential item when it becomes available. Commissioners should review the current work plan and come prepared to discuss their preferred items and how they can contribute to those items. BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS /2022 Annual Report 7 2023 PROPOSED WORK PLAN Proposed work plan priorities for 2023 are based on goals in the City’s 2023 Pyramid of Success, 2040 Com- prehensive Plan (including Resilience & Sustainability, Natural Resources, Water Resources, Transportation), Equity Plan, Energy Action Plan, Pollinator Protection Resolution, Climate Emergency Declaration, GreenStep &LWLHV3URJUDPDQG&LW\&RXQFLOoV/HJLVODWLYH3ULRULWLHV RECYCLING AND ORGANICS • Help develop a plan to increase participation rates for organics recycling and opportunities for multi-family UHF\FOLQJLQFOXGLQJRUJDQLFVDQGRQVLWHFRPSRVWLQJ • Work with Hennepin County to help develop and implement its Zero Waste Plan and explore ways to host zero waste HYHQWVLQWKHRUJDQL]DWLRQDQGWKHFRPPXQLW\ •6HHNRSSRUWXQLWLHVWRSDUWQHUZLWKQRQSURƮWVDQGRWKHUV to reduce Styrofoam and single use plastics, bags, and containers (restaurants, stores, etc), and explore LPSOHPHQWLQJDSRWHQWLDOFLW\ZLGHIHHRQFHUWDLQSURGXFWV • Start to research and engage the public in 2024 about City-contracted solid waste and yard waste services EHJLQQLQJLQRUODWHU ENERGY ACTION Help guide and participate in implementing the City’s Energy Action Plan, including: • monitoring and reporting on the progress of Xcel Energy’s Partners In Energy community collaboration program • reducing the number of households experiencing energy cost burden by 24 households through identifying, communicating, and connecting SHRSOHZLWKSURJUDPVRƬHUHGE\XWLOLW\FRPSDQLHVDQGRWKHUV •LQFUHDVLQJSDUWLFLSDWLRQLQHQHUJ\HƱFLHQF\SURJUDPVIRUUHVLGHQWVDQG businesses, which includes: • monitoring and enhancing the new energy hero recognition program IRUEXVLQHVVHV • extending the Residential Home Energy Squad program for another budget cycle, and/or shift funds over to business energy assessments and audits Photo by Jennifer Schmidt, Photo Posse DONE REVIEWED AND SUPPORTED PLAN; EXPLORED; HOSTED SMALL EVENT DISCUSS IN 2024 DISCUSS IN 2024 DONE DONE RESIDENTIAL- DONE; BUSINESS- DISCUSS IN 2024 DISCUSS IN 2024 8 City of Golden Valley 2023 PROPOSED WORK PLAN • exploring options for promoting, supporting, and developing renewable energy (solar) and electric vehicles and charging infrastructure, which includes: • hosting the second EV showcase event at City Hall in June 2023 (including electric lawn equipment) and exploring interest in a sustainable home tour (solar, electric heat pumps, etc) • exploring options to add rooftop solar to Brookview Golden Valley • increasing EVs and expanding charging infrastructure in the community (including legislation to clarify state law, city code updates, development standards, grants) •VXSSRUWLQJVWDWHDQGORFDOHƬRUWVWRXSGDWHEXLOGLQJFRGHVRU standards that advance energy performance in buildings *5((167(3&,7,(6Ǭ&/,0$7($&7,21 • Continue working on actions and metrics to address climate-related impacts, improve the environment, DQGUHGXFHHQHUJ\FRQVXPSWLRQDQGFRVWV • If awarded a MN GreenCorps Member in 2023-2024, work to complete GreenStep Cities actions related to FOLPDWHDFWLRQHQHUJ\DFWLRQDQGHQYLURQPHQWDOMXVWLFH • Look for ways to partner with Hennepin County to implement its Climate Action Plan, with a focus on SODQWLQJWUHHVDQGUHGXFLQJXUEDQKHDWLVODQGHƬHFW •:RUNZLWKHPHUJHQF\PDQDJHPHQWVWDƬWRLGHQWLI\SXEOLFZDUPLQJDQGFRROLQJFHQWHUVDQGZD\VWR FRPPXQLFDWHVXFKLQIRUPDWLRQWRWKHFRPPXQLW\ ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE • Continue to partner with the DEIC on joint projects, events, and forums through a subcommittee formed LQ&ROODERUDWLRQZLOOLQFOXGH • co-hosting a Building An Equitable Golden Valley forum to recognize Indigenous people, culture, and contributions in November 2023 (Native American Heritage Month) • discussing the drafting of an environmental justice resolution to include the environmental justice priority areas map • identifying a partner and sponsoring one green infrastructure project or event in a priority area • helping implement the land acknowledgment action plan by creating a pre-contact (pre-European settlement) map of natural and cultural resources, and working with Dakota community members to identify a location for a cultural/educational installation in the city DONE DISCUSS IN 2024 DISCUSS IN 2024 DONE DONE DONE MET, ID'D CENTERS, COMMUNICATION IN 2024 PLANNING FOR 2024 DISCUSS IN 2024 2024 CONTINUE TO DISCUSS IN 2024; POSSIBLE COLLAB W DEIC AND BCWMC BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS / 2022 Annual Report 9 COMMUNITY OUTREACH • Review City website for environmental content and clarity, better promotion of green volunteer programs, and best practices for yards and gardens while ensuring web pages are inclusive, equitable, and representative of the FRPPXQLW\ZHVHUYH • Use the Commission’s $3,500 budget WRZDUGRQHRUPRUHRIWKHIROORZLQJHƬRUWV • funding a joint project, event, or forum with the DEIC • helping to equitably fund the purchase and planting of trees to replace ash trees lost due to emerald ash borer WATER AND NATURAL RESOURCES • &RQWLQXHSURPRWLQJHGXFDWLRQDORSSRUWXQLWLHVLQFRRSHUDWLRQZLWKWKH*ROGHQ9DOOH\*DUGHQ&OXE • Continue to study ways to mitigate the loss of infested ash trees due to the emerald ash borer pest, HVSHFLDOO\LQHQYLURQPHQWDOMXVWLFHSULRULW\DUHDV • Address the issue of human encroachment into nature areas, and signage, as each area is enhanced RULPSURYHG • Explore and understand water use in the community; look into conservation measures like a lawn ZDWHULQJRUGLQDQFH • ([SORUHWKHNHHSLQJRIKRQH\EHHVDQGPDNHUHFRPPHQGDWLRQWR&RXQFLO 2023 PROPOSED WORK PLAN 2024 W/ GREENCORPS DONE LATER 2024 DONE DONE DISCUSS IN 2024 DISCUSS IN 2024 DONE 10 City of Golden Valley TRANSPORTATION • Work with Open Space & Recreation Commission to review Luce Line Trail connection under Highway 169 to Plymouth DQGRWKHUVXEVWDQGDUGWUDLOVHFWLRQV • Support and contribute to the City’s Bus 5DSLG7UDQVLWHƬRUWVDORQJ+Z\ • Provide input to Planning on its proposed XSGDWHVWRWKHRƬVWUHHWSDUNLQJFRGH Photo by Clara Alexander, Views of the Valley 2022 2023 PROPOSED WORK PLAN DISCUSS IN 2024 DONE DISCUSS IN 2024 Date: March 25, 2024 To: Environmental Commission From: Annie Knoll, GreenCorps Member Subject: GreenStep Cities Best Practice Action 10.5 The City is reporting an update to the GreenStep Cities Best Practice Action 10.5: Land Use Design for Natural Resource Conservation. This action requires adopting development ordinances or processes that protect natural systems and valued community assets. To reach three-star recognition, the City must provide funding to encourage private landowner easements; adopt or participate in a purchase of development rights or transfer of development rights program. At the time of last reporting in 2016, there were 13 conservation easements, totaling 25.7 acres. Since 2016, the City has established six additional conservation easements at the following locations, Golden Valley Business Center (751 Douglas Drive North), Greenway Villas (1100 & 1120 Greenway Pass), Greenway Villas (1100 Greenway Pass & Country Club Property), 760 Boone Avenue North, 1601 Noble Drive, and 1620 Noble Drive, totaling 194,764.55 square feet or 4.47 acres. Conservation easements now cover 30.17 acres in Golden Valley, representing a 17.39 percent increase from 2016. The dedication of conservation easements near floodplain areas helps preserve the natural and beneficial functions of floodplains and helps increase the City’s scoring in the Federal Emergency Management Agency Community Rating System program, resulting in discounts and savings on flood insurance premiums. The GreenStep Cities best practice details would read as follows: “As of 2016, the City has established 18 conservation easements that cover 31 properties. In addition to the 18 conservation easements, in 2007 the City granted a conservation easement of 3.07 acres for a wetland bank in the General Mills Nature Preserve to the Minnesota Land Trust to ensure it would be preserved in perpetuity.” After discussion, staff requests that the Commission consider making a motion to approve the update to the City’s Land Use Best Practice 10.5 for submission to the GreenStep Cities program. Date: March 25, 2024 To: Environmental Commission From: Annie Knoll, GreenCorps Member Subject: GreenStep Cities Best Practice Action 26.6 The City is reporting a new GreenStep Cities Best Practice Action 26.6: Resilient Economic and Community Development Renewable Energy. This action requires removing barriers to installation and encouraging renewable energy generation capacity installation. To reach two- star recognition, the City must report the generation capacity of installed private sector-owned renewable energy sites in kilowatts (kW). The 2022 Xcel Energy Annual Community Energy Report shows the addition of 38 private on- site solar installations (305 to 343 sites) in Golden Valley from 2021 to 2022. The 12.5% increase in installations resulted in an 11.5% increase in generation capacity (4,268 to 4,758 kW). The GreenStep Cities best practice details would read as follows: “There are 343 private on-site solar panels or arrays in Golden Valley, totaling 4,758 kW. 296 Xcel Energy customers also subscribe to solar gardens, totaling 10,424 kW.” After discussion, staff requests that the Commission consider making a motion to approve the update to the City’s Resilient Economic and Community Development Renewable Energy Best Practice 26.6 for submission to the GreenStep Cities program. PROGRAM/PROJECT UPDATES – March 2024 WATER AND NATURAL RESOURCES Spring Tree Sale Golden Valley is hosting its first ever tree sale with Tree Trust, thanks to the research and recommendation of the Environmental Commission. The sale includes equitable pricing based on a property’s location with respect to the city’s environmental justice priority areas. The lottery opened March 1 and tree pick-up is scheduled for May 30-31 at Lions Park. Commissioners may sign up to volunteer on pick-up days if interested. OUTREACH AND EDUCATION Multifamily Site Visits – Staff and the Minnesota GreenCorps member have been visiting multifamily properties to collect information that will help the City do more targeted outreach, including descriptions about recycling accessibility, chloride use, stormwater and green infrastructure, and impact of EAB and tree counts. Information about energy assistance, energy efficiency assessments, recycling labels and support, and other resources will be shared with property managers. STAR Meeting – Staff and the Minnesota GreenCorps member presented environmental and sustainability updates to the attendees at the most recent quarterly STAR meeting. Most attendees are multifamily property owners or managers, so it was a great opportunity to share resources, contacts, and programs that are available to them. The three main topics we touched on were recycling compliance, energy assessments, and tree health and management. SOLID WASTE & RECYCLING Hauler Licensing update – On March 19, City Council approved license renewals for eight companies that collect solid waste and recycling materials. Six of those companies are residential haulers. The licensed haulers are listed below: Residential Only: Curbside Waste Commercial Only: Darling Ingredients and Dicks Sanitation Both Residential and Commercial: Ace Solid Waste, Aspen Waste Systems, Republic Services, Suburban Waste, and Waste Management. March 27 Coffee Talk - Golden Valley seniors can find ways to reduce waste and make sense of waste sorting at this month's Coffee Talk event, held Wednesday, March 27, 10–11:15 am at Brookview, Valley North Room. This discussion will focus on the importance of recycling and organics recycling, what items are accepted, and how to get started. Coffee, juice, and treats will be provided. Attendees must register in advance either online at webtrac.goldenvalleymn.gov or by calling 763-512-2345. $2 payable at the door.