EC Minutes 03-25-2024REGULAR 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 was made to approve the agenda for March 25, 2024. After a 6-0 vote, 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
Environmental Commission Regular Meeting City of Golden Valley
March 25, 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.Added after motion at the 4-22-24 meeting – ‘Having heard this directive, some
commissioners expressed the view that the City staff lacks the authority to direct the
Environmental Commission not to create a 2024 Work Plan. Some commissioners
stated their understanding that the Environmental Commission advises and reports
to the City Council, not the City Staff. Chair Hill indicated that she would seek
direction from the City Council, particularly the commission’s City Council liaison,
Sophia Ginis, as to whether the Environmental Commission should pr epare and
execute a 2024 Work Plan or not.’
iii.Commissioners discussed prioritizing what is remaining on the 2023-24 Work Plan.
Environmental Commission Regular Meeting City of Golden Valley
March 25, 2024 – 6:30 pm
3
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
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