EC Agenda 4-22-2024
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 March 22, 2024 Regular Meeting Minutes (5 min)
6. Old Business
A. Ȟaȟa Wakpadaŋ/Bassett Creek efforts (10 min)
Action Requested
7. New Business
A. Home Energy Squad (10 min)
Action Requested
B. GreenStep Cities Annual Update (15 min)
C. Business Energy Efficiency (25 min)
D. Program & Project updates (5 min)
E. Council Updates (5 min)
F. Other Business (5 min)
8. Adjournment
April 22, 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
Commissioners remote: Paul Klaas – Commissioner Klaas attended from the lobby of the
Steigenberger Hotel Herrenhof located in Vienna, Austria.
Commissioners absent: Ellen Brenna
Council Members present: None
Staff present: Eric Eckman, Environmental Resources Supervisor;
Annie Knoll, GreenCorps Member;
Carrie Nelson, Engineering Assistant.
4. Approval of March 25, 2024 Agenda
MOTION by Commissioner XXX, seconded by Commissioner XXX to approve the agenda for March
25, 2024, and the motion carried with the following change:
• Move item 7A to 6A.
5. Approval of February 26, 2024 Regular Meeting Minutes
MOTION by Commissioner Weirich, seconded by Commissioner Galonska to approve the minutes of
February 26, 2024, as submitted and the motion carried.
6. Old Business
A. GreenStep Cities Actions
MOTION by Commissioner Yahle, seconded by Commissioner Galonska to approve
GreenStep Cities Actions 26.6 and 10.5, as submitted and the motion carried with the
following change:
March 25, 2024 – 6:30 pm
City of Golden Valley Environmental Commission Regular Meeting
February 26, 2024 – 6:30 pm
2
Add ‘As of 2022’ in front of “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” in step 26.6.
B. Ȟaȟa Wakpadaŋ/Bassett Creek efforts
A number of actions and events were discussed and considered by the Commission to
support this effort. The Commission recommended a few items for near future
consideration:
i. Exploring next steps for raising awareness of the creek’s Dakota name (i.e. updating
the City’s style guide, requesting that Council formally recognize the Dakota name,
etc). (Wait until after the BCWMC discusses dual naming this spring.)
ii. Explore co-hosting a community forum led by the DEIC.
iii. Exploring a contract for a paid cultural advisor/group to assist the City with various
efforts as needed – could be shared with GVHS, BCWMC, others.
The Commission approved the following actions:
MOTION by Commissioner Weirich, seconded by Commissioner Galonska to sponsor the
second annual Water Ceremony on October 14, 2024, and to allocate up to $500 of the
Commission’s budget to support the event and Indigenous community members leading
the ceremony, as submitted and the motion carried.
MOTION by Commissioner Galonska, seconded by Commissioner Drawz to sponsor a
creek clean-up event this summer with up to $500 of the Commission’s budget, with a
sub-committee and other partners, and the motion carried. Commissioners Yahle,
Weirich, Galonska, Drawz, and Klaas voted in favor of the motion and Chair Hill voted
against the motion.
C. Annual Work Plan
i. The City’s Management Team directed staff liaisons to boards/commissions that
their commissions will continue working on their current work plans and will not be
creating new work plans in 2024. City Council priorities, such as a Climate Action
Plan, may be added to the work plan during the year.
ii. Commissioners discussed prioritizing what is remaining on the 2023-24 Work Plan.
1. Staff will ask about the City’s interest in organized solid waste and yard waste
services.
2. Staff will likely propose that rooftop solar arrays at Brookview be added to
the CIP in 2025.
7. New Business
A. Program/Project Updates
i. None
City of Golden Valley Environmental Commission Regular Meeting
February 26, 2024 – 6:30 pm
3
B. Council Updates
i. None
C. Other Business
i. No Mow May has and will continue to be promoted in the City Newsletter, on the
City website, and on social media. Registration is open and free signs are available at
City Hall.
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: April 22, 2024
To: Environmental Commission
From: Eric Eckman, Environmental Resources Supervisor
Subject: Ȟaȟa Wakpadaŋ/Bassett Creek 2024 Actions
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) and the importance of clean water for all living
beings. At its March meeting, the Commission approved the sponsorship of two events in 2024.
• Creek clean-up event in Golden Valley this summer, possibly on July 13
• Water ceremony on Indigenous Peoples' Day on October 14
According to the Commission bylaws, the Chair may appoint commission members to serve on sub-
committees to work on specific items. Commission members Galonska and Drawz have expressed
interest in helping plan the creek clean-up event with Crystal Boyd. Members should come to the
meeting prepared to discuss their interest in both opportunities and the formation of one or two
sub-committees.
Date: April 22, 2024
To: Environmental Commission
From: Eric Eckman, Environmental Resources Supervisor
Subject: Home Energy Squad Program
For the past few years, Golden Valley has provided free or reduced cost Home Energy Squad
visits to its residents through an agreement with the Center for Energy and Environment (CEE).
Many residents have taken advantage of this incentive program to have energy efficiency
specialists come to their homes to complete an audit.
During the visit, the auditors assess and adjust water heater temperature, perform blower door
tests to measure the home for air leaks, inspect insulation in the attic and walls using an
infrared camera, perform a safety test on the home’s heating system and water heater, and do
free installation of a variety of energy-saving materials, including LED lightbulbs, door and attic
hatch weather-stripping, high-efficiency water fixtures, and even programmable or smart
thermostats.
In August 2023, the Environmental Commission approved a recommendation to extend the
agreement with the CEE for another two years with a total participation cost of $10,000 for the
contract term. After that recommendation, CEE informed the City that Xcel Energy and
CenterPoint Energy were bidding and negotiating a new contract for the Home Energy Squad
program and that partner cities like Golden Valley would have to wait until that process
concluded.
In April, CEE informed the City it was awarded a new contract with the utility companies and
that it could once again offer services to cities. CEE provided a new draft agreement to the City
and the cost for services is essentially the same as it was in the previous contract with one
exception. The program is now providing free visits to all households below 80% AMI
(previously free visits were provided only to those below 60% AMI). The City could accept the
cost structure as proposed by CEE or, to further decrease energy cost burden and increase
equity and access to energy efficiency, the City could propose to close the gap for households
between 80-100% AMI by funding some or all of the cost of the visits, while splitting the cost
evenly with households above 100% AMI. Please see the tables below from the proposed and
previous agreements.
Table from Draft 2024 Agreement
Table from 2021-2023 Agreement
CenterPoint Energy and Xcel Energy pay the full cost of the Energy Planner or Energy Saver visit for households who have
an annual income of less than 60% Area Median Income.
Commissioners should review the memo and come to the meeting prepared to discuss their
thoughts about the City’s cost share with residents. Following discussion, staff requests a
motion to recommend a cost structure for inclusion in the new agreement.
Date: April 22, 2024
To: Environmental Commission
From: Annie Knoll, GreenCorps Member
Subject: GreenStep Cities Annual Update
2023 marked another successful year of participation in GreenStep Cities. For the fourth year,
Golden Valley has received recognition in Steps Four and Five of the program. Green Step Cities
is a voluntary challenge, assistance, and recognition program to help cities achieve
sustainability and quality-of-life goals. Golden Valley was among 145 cities and Tribal Nations in
Minnesota taking collective action against climate change through community engagement and
cost savings and energy-use reduction initiatives.
GreenStep Cities awards Step Four recognition to cities reporting a minimum number of core
metrics for the previous calendar year. These metrics show the aggregate and quantitative
results of taking multiple GreenStep actions. Step Five cities must show improvement in the
Step Four metrics.
The following list outlines 15 GreenStep Cities metrics Golden Valley improved on from the
previous annual report. Metrics in bold qualified the City for Steps Four and Five recognition.
Steps 4 and 5 Metrics Improvements:
Buildings and Lighting: metrics 1.1, 1.3, 1B, 1.6, 1C
1.1: kBTU per square foot, per year: 8.12% decrease, from 118.33 kBTU/ft2-year in
2022 to 108.72 kBTU/ft2-year in 2023.
1.3: Ratio of actual energy use to predicted energy use: 7.84% decrease, from 1.02 in
2022 to 0.94 in 2023.
1B: Natural gas consumption for all city buildings: a 2.40% decrease, from 126,182.00
therms per year in 2022 to 123,157.07 therms per year in 2023.
1.6: Percentage of lighting using LEDs for City buildings and properties: 0.39% increase,
from 57.78% in 2022 to 58.17% in 2023.
1C: Electricity consumption for streetlights and traffic signals: 13.63% decrease, from
1,011,381.00 kWh per year in 2021 to 873,487.00 kWh per year in 2022.
Transportation: metrics 3.3, 3E, 5.1, 6.5, 6.9
3.3: Annual vehicle miles traveled for diesel fleet: 2.05% decrease, from 88,499.00 miles
per year in 2022 to 86,688.00 miles per year in 2023.
3E: Gallons of gasoline consumed by City fleet: 2.06% decrease, from 37,292.00 gallons
per year in 2022 to 36,525.00 gallons per year in 2023.
5.1: Number of public electric vehicle charging station ports: addition of 18 ports, from
16 ports in 2022 to 34 ports in 2023. (‘Public’ means available for public use)
6.5: Percentage of commuters who “drove alone:” 6.40% decrease, from 76.00% in 2021
to 69.60% in 2022.
6.9: Percentage of commuters who “worked at home:” 8.80% increase, from 12.60% in
2021 to 21.40% in 2022.
Environmental Management: metrics 9.1, 12.2A
9.1: Assessment number from the GreenStep Cities Municipal Stormwater
Management Assessment: 1.00% increase, from 57.00% in 2022 to 58.00% in 2023.
12.2A: Percent of water bodies in the city showing at least good clarity readings: 1.00%
increase, from 94.00% in 2022 to 95.00% in 2023.
Economic and Community Development: metrics 14.1, 14.2, 14.5
14.1: Number of city-owned and private renewable energy generation sites: 12.30%
increase, from 309 sites in 2021 to 347 sites in 2022.
14.2: Generation capacity of city-owned and private renewable energy sites: 13.36%
increase, from 4268.00 kW in 2021 to 4838.39 kW in 2022.
14.5: Number of non-city entities participating in renewable energy purchasing/green
power programs: 1.05% increase, from 1337 entities in 2021 to 1351 entities in 2022.
Date: April 22, 2024
To: Environmental Commission
From: Ethan Kehrberg, Sustainability Specialist
Subject: Business Energy Efficiency
The Environmental Commission work plan includes actions to improve business energy
engagement and efficiency in the community:
• increasing participation in energy efficiency programs for residents and businesses,
including:
o monitoring and enhancing the new energy hero recognition program for
businesses
o extending the Residential Home Energy Squad program for another budget cycle,
and/or shift funds over to business energy assessments and audits
At its September 2023 meeting, the Environmental Commission received an Energy Action Plan
progress report and indicated they would like to explore whether City funds should help
incentivize businesses and multifamily properties to perform energy assessments and
improvements. Following is information about possible options for business energy efficiency
engagement and incentives for the Commission to consider and discuss.
Energy Goals and Progress
The commercial and industrial sector of Golden Valley accounts for a large majority of energy
consumption in the city (Figures 4 and 5 from the Energy Action Plan below). Within the
commercial and industrial sector, the top quintile reports a large majority of the energy
consumption and energy savings (Figures 21 and 22 from the Energy Action Plan below).
Focusing on businesses, and especially the top consumers of energy in Golden Valley, should
yield more progress on the Energy Action Plan energy reduction goals. Strategy 5 of the Energy
Action Plan is “Conduct Business Outreach.”
CenterPoint Energy Commercial
and Industrial Programs 2019 2020 2021 2022
Commercial Foodservice
Equipment Rebates 7 5 4 3
C&I Heating and Water Heating
Rebates 74 53 702 163
C&I Custom Rebates 1 2 0 1
C&I Audit Services (Natural Gas
Energy Analysis and Steam Trap
Audits) 3 1 1 1
Energy Design Assistance 0 1 0 0
Code Compliance Support 0 0 0 0
Industrial Process and Commercial
Efficiency 0 0 0 0
C&I Training and Education 0 0 0 0
Benchmarking Services and
Certification Assistance 1 0 1 0
Recommissioning Study & Rebates 0 0 2 1
Multi-Family Building Efficiency 1 0 8 10
TOTAL Commercial and Industrial 87 62 718 179
Xcel Energy Commercial and
Industrial Programs 2019 2020 2021 2022
Computer Efficiency 2
Custom Efficiency 4
Data Center Efficiency 1 Efficiency Controls 1
Electric Rate Savings 4 13 1
Energy Design Assistance 1 1
Energy Information Systems Pilot 2 2
Fluid System Optimization 4 4 2
HVAC + R Efficiency 18 12 9 31
Lighting Efficiency 73 40 47 42
Multi-Family Building Efficiency 2 2 5 11
Process Efficiency 1
Recommissioning 1
Saver's Switch for Business 2 13 1 3
Small Business Lighting 22 22 35 14
Smart Thermostats for Business 9 6 3
Turn Key Services 1 3
TOTAL Commercial and Industrial 126 103 130 111
Progress on Commercial and Industrial program participation goals in the Energy Action Plan
based on 2022 data:
2022 C & I Program Participation Goal Progress % of goal
Lighting Efficiency 72 42 58%
Small Business Lighting 43 14 33%
CenterPoint Rebates 101 168 166%
Multi-Family Building Efficiency 1 21 2100%
The Energy Action Plan identified six programs that are targeted at commercial and industrial
premises which account for 88% of energy efficiency improvements in the sector: Lighting
Efficiency, Energy Design Assistance, Small Business Lighting, Efficiency Controls,
Recommissioning, and Data Center Efficiency. Staff will continue to promote these programs
and are looking at other options to reduce energy consumption that can advance progress.
Lighting is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to save energy, but many businesses have
already made the switch to LEDs so there are not as many opportunities for improvement in
that area.
Staff have reached out to businesses in a variety of ways, with varied levels of success. Some of
the strategies already in progress include: mailings to all small and medium-sized businesses,
emails and calls to business contacts, social media, flyers, newsletter, website newsfeed,
created and promoted Energy HERO Recognition Program, presentations to the GV Business
Council, GV Rotary Club, property managers and owners at STAR meetings. Staff are looking for
more ways to connect with businesses and motivate or incentivize energy action.
Potential Future Engagement and Incentive Options
Providing financial support for a program or initiative is something the Environmental
Commission has discussed and recommended in the past (i.e. Home Energy Squad, Rain Barrels,
Tree Sale, etc). The Energy Action Team developed the following recommendations, which are
listed in the Energy Action Plan:
• Incentivizing Golden Valley car dealers to sell more EVs
• Incentivizing businesses (and multi-family) to add EV chargers onsite
• Incentivizing businesses to add solar
• Increasing the number of solar/wind permits issued in GV per year over 10 years
• Facilitating a community solar garden for residents and others to buy into
There are also other options for incentivizing businesses to reduce energy consumption, save
money, and help the community make progress on its Energy Action goals. Staff looked at other
cities, organizations, and ideas for incentive structures and found the following:
• Cost-share certifications and trainings for sustainability, building operations, green
buildings, etc. to encourage development green jobs and energy efficiency projects
• Energy efficiency assistance and cost sharing for projects or installation
• Recognition program bonuses – once recognized, additional funding becomes available
• Rooftop solar reimbursement
• Cost-share tree planting program (residential and/or commercial) with larger discount
for trees planted/replaced in environmental justice priority areas
• Reduce certain fees if they reach certain qualifications (like STAR for multifamily)
• Business blitz – send energy assessment experts door to door to work with businesses
on site, meet them where they’re at
Commissioners should come to the meeting prepared to discuss options, propose ideas of their
own, and provide staff with feedback on which engagement methods and incentive options are
deserving of further analysis, including benefit-cost, resources required, potential funding
sources and implementation timeline.
PROGRAM/PROJECT UPDATES – April 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 for the lottery
winners is scheduled for May 30-31 at Lions Park. Commissioners may sign up to volunteer on pick-up days if
interested.
Garden Club Meeting
The Golden Valley Garden Club’s April meeting topic is “Curb Appeal and Front Entry Gardening” presented by
Diane McGann, award-winning garden writer and the “Ask the Expert” columnist for Northern Gardener
magazine. The event is perfect for beginners who want to create a front entry garden. Attendees will learn tips
on how to use landscaping to enhance curb appeal. The event is free and open to both members and non-
members. The meeting will take place on Tuesday, April 23, 6:30 pm at Brookview.
No Mow May
The Now Mow May initiative encourages residents to refrain from mowing lawns through the month of May
to allow temperatures to remain above 50 degrees for a period of about a week so that ground-nesting
insects, including various bee species, can emerge from hibernation. Delaying lawn mowing also allows
beneficial forbs to bloom to provide more abundant habitat and food sources to insects in the spring.
Interested residents can sign up on the City of Golden Valley’s Pollinator webpage and pick up a free sign at
city hall.
CLIMATE AND SUSTAINABILITY
Earth Month
April is Earth Month and EarthDay.org announced the theme of “Plastics vs Planet” for 2024.
Staff have been promoting different actions each week that community members can do to live more
sustainably. Week 1 focused on tree health and planting trees. Week 2 was about pollinators and native
plants. Week 3 discussed spring cleaning and recycling. Week 4 covers information about home energy
projects. You can find more information on the City of Golden Valley’s Earth Month webpage.
There are a few events happening in or near Golden Valley around Earth Day, including an Earth Day cleanup
at Theodore Wirth Park’s Trailhead on Saturday, April 20 from 9:30 to 12:00pm.