EC Minutes 02-26-20247800 Golden Valley Road I Golden Valley, MN 55427 city of
763-593-80271 TTY 763-593-39681763-593-8198 (fax) I www.goldenvalleymn.gov golden
ivane
En- , ronmental Commission Y
February 26, 2024 — 6:30 pm
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.
S. 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.
This document is available in alternate formats upon a 72-hour request. Please call
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City of Golden Valley Environmental Commission Regular Meeting 2
February 26, 2024 — 6:30 pm
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 % 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 3
February 26, 2024 — 6:30 pm
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
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 anew City Manager.
3. Could take 4-6 months to hire.
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.
S. 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
--I, but
Dawn Hill, Chair