EC Agenda 8-26-2024
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 an d by amplifying a wide range of
indigenous voices.
3. Roll Call
4. Approval of Agenda
5. Approval of July 22, 2024 Regular Meeting Minutes (5 min)
6. Old Business
A. Ȟaȟá Wakpádaŋ-Bassett Creek 2024 efforts
i. Subcommittee updates
1. Clean-up event (5 min)
2. Water Blessing (5 min)
ii. Dakota plant walks (5 min)
iii. BCWMC co-naming update (5 min)
7. New Business
A. Energy Action progress report (25 min)
B. GreenStep Cities statewide annual report (10 min)
C. Hennepin County 2024 Solid Waste Management Plan (10 min)
D. Council Updates (5 min)
E. Other Business (5 min)
8. Adjournment
August 26, 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 Yahle at 6:30 pm.
2. Land Acknowledgement
3. Roll Call
Commissioners present: Debra Yahle, Sarah Drawz, Ellen Brenna, Wendy Weirich,
Paul Klaas, Tonia Galonska
Commissioners absent: Kari Cantarero
Council Members present: None
Staff present: Eric Eckman, Environmental Resources Supervisor
Ethan Kehrberg, Sustainability Specialist;
Annie Knoll, GreenCorps Member;
Carrie Nelson, Engineering Assistant.
4. Approval of July 22, 2024 Agenda
MOTION by Commissioner Weirich, seconded by Commissioner Galonska to approve the
agenda for July 22, 2024 as submitted and the motion carried with the following change:
5. Approval of June 24, 2024 Regular Meeting Minutes
• Commissioners asked about how much of the $1,750 budget was used in the 2024
Spring Tree Trust Sale.
o Because we sold a few less trees than planned, we prorated the amount so it
ended up being a little less than $1,750. Both the EC portion and the portion
from the tree mitigation fund were decreased on a prorated basis.
o The remaining money that wasn’t used is still available to use on other priorities.
If we don’t use it in 2024, we would lose it. It doesn’t roll over.
MOTION by Commissioner Brenna, seconded by Commissioner Galonska to approve the
minutes of June 24, 2024 as submitted and the motion carried.
July 22, 2024 – 6:30 pm
City of Golden Valley Environmental Commission Regular Meeting
July 22, 2024 – 6:30 pm
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6. Old Business
A. Ȟaȟa Wakpadaŋ-Bassett Creek 2024 Efforts
i. The Watershed Commission has been working on the advancement of
Environmental Justice and Land Acknowledgement Actions in our community
and that includes increasing awareness of the usage of Ȟaȟá Wakpádaŋ and
the importance of clean water for all living things.
ii. The BCWMC approved the sponsorship of two events and formed sub-
committees to help plan the events – Creek Clean-Up and Water Ceremony
(now referred to as Water Blessing).
iii. Subcommittee Update
1. Creek Clean-Up
1. First meeting back in May. Sarah, Tonia, and Crystal attended.
2. Need to work on site location, date/time, name for the event,
opportunities for other partnerships, equipment needed,
promotion, educational opportunities.
3. EC is sponsoring and will be doing most of the work. Crystal and
the BCWMC will support. The Ȟaȟá Wakpádaŋ Oral History
Project may have some money left over from their July 13 clean-
up to put toward this. Tonia will verify this.
4. Date – Next Spring with snow melt and before the leaves and
vegetation grow may be the best time. It’s harder to see and
maneuver in the creek corridor when the vegetation is fully
grown. The creek tends to be clearer in the spring. It would also
allow time to organize and promote properly.
5. Location – Maybe spread the locations out to different
parks/areas. Volunteers won’t be in one central location which
would impact resources, tables and promotional materials. Will
need to think about parking options.
6. How many volunteers?
7. Maybe make it a less formal event on Earth Day 2025 where
residents clean up their properties and neighborhoods, and
dispose of collected trash on their own. Volunteer forms and
background checks wouldn’t be needed.
8. If it’s more formal with specific sites:
i. Volunteers will need to ‘register’ by filling out volunteer
forms and background checks.
ii. The City would pick up any trash collected.
iii. If an organization is coordinating, they may need to
apply for a $50 Right of Way Temporary Access Permit.
2. Water Blessing
1. Scheduled for October 14, 2024, 10:00-11:00 at Bassett Creek
Park in Crystal.
2. EC is not leading the event – just supporting.
3. It’s not planned yet who will be invited/included.
City of Golden Valley Environmental Commission Regular Meeting
July 22, 2024 – 6:30 pm
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4. $500 has been approved by the EC to help sponsor and support,
if needed.
iv. Watershed Co-Naming Update
1. The Watershed Educational Committee met and received historical
information from Jim Rock, one of the cultural advisors working with
the Watershed Commission on the Ȟaȟá Wakpádaŋ watershed and the
importance of its location.
2. The information from Jim will go toward updating the new Watershed
map that will include a lot of Indigenous and cultural information.
3. The sub-committee within the Watershed will talk about dual naming
and what that will look like.
4. Where will it happen? It still hasn’t been decided for sure.
1. The new map will have it.
2. The website.
3. Will the signs along County roads be changed?
5. Will the City follow the Watershed’s lead on co-naming so it’s
consistent?
1. Council member Ginis said Council gave direction to staff to use
the name Ȟaȟá Wakpádaŋ along with the name Bassett Creek.
i. The City used it in an article last year [it was published as
Bassett Creek (Ȟaȟa Wakpadaŋ)].
ii. Communications staff received some guidance, but
nothing formal.
2. The Watershed Commission hasn’t determined how it will be
done yet.
3. Could the EC make a recommendation to the Council based on
what the Watershed Commission and cultural advisors
recommend?
v. Dakota Plant Walks
1. The EC has been asked if they would be interested in partnering with
Dakota Plant Specialist, Tara Perron, who would lead some native plant
walks to look at native vegetation and talk about the importance of
different plants to the native community.
2. Two walks this fall and three next summer have been planned so far in
Minneapolis.
1. Most of this would be walks along the Mississippi River, but they
can happen anywhere in the Watershed or upstream with the
thought that it’s all connected.
2. One of the 2025 summer walks is potentially going to be at
Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden in Theodore Wirth Park, right
on the GV border.
3. Minnetonka Historical Society is one of the partners. Mississippi Park
Connection is also involved.
City of Golden Valley Environmental Commission Regular Meeting
July 22, 2024 – 6:30 pm
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4. Partnering would potentially involve advertising on City social media,
newsletter, and website. Also, the use of the GV Environmental
Commission’s name on their materials as a sponsor. There isn’t a dollar
amount being asked for at this point.
5. Maybe make a motion to approve the partnership with up to $500
worth of sponsorship if appropriate or if asked.
6. The Mississippi Watershed Management Organization (MWMO) is the
funding organization contributing $5,000.
7. Walks are open to the public, but may need to register.
8. The Hennepin History Museum is leading this, with funding from the
MWMO.
MOTION by Commissioner Brenna, seconded by Commissioner Klaas for the Environmental
Commission of Golden Valley to partner on the Dakota Plant Walks with a discretionary budget
of $500, if necessary, and the motion carried.
7. New Business
A. Recycling Progress Report
i. Staff reviewed information found in the July 22, 2024 agenda packet.
ii. Tonnages and weights are down due to packaging being lighter. It doesn’t
mean less is being recycled.
iii. Traditional Recycling Composition Study
1. Staff Member, Ethan Kehrberg, was at the composition study done by
Republic Services.
2. The 4% residual garbage number is one of the best the recycling auditor
has seen.
1. Mostly consisted of bagged material – possibly recyclable items
contained in a plastic bag – and food waste.
2. Can we put this out to the residents along with the education?
iv. Education, Outreach, & Future Initiatives
1. If you want to e-mail your neighborhood group, consider doing so as a
citizen, not an EC Member.
2. CCX Media – When they hear about something new when watching
council meetings or websites, they reach out to communities to do a
story. They did a story on organics in the early stages. We did an
environmental update with them in May.
3. We only get 1 page each newsletter (every two months) for everything
environmental – Forestry/Pollinators/Water
Resources/Sustainability/Recycling & Organics… We’ll refer people back
to a City webpage for more information.
v. Hennepin County Solid Waste Management Plan
1. Bulk item reuse - City could explore promoting a specific day once a
year where residents would put out free items to give away.
City of Golden Valley Environmental Commission Regular Meeting
July 22, 2024 – 6:30 pm
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B. GreenCorps Member Service Term Summary
i. GreenCorps Member, Annie Knoll, reviewed the information found in the July
22, 2024 agenda packet on what she’s accomplished in the past 11 months
with the City.
ii. Tree Health & Emerald Ash Borer Outreach will be a big part of what our new
GreenCorps Member will do.
C. Council Updates
i. None
D. Other Business
i. Native Vegetation Permits - $100 – if more than 50% of your yard is native
vegetation.
1. Our rules are supposed to support our values and this doesn’t exactly
reflect our values.
2. Staff is reviewing city code and state statutes regarding native
vegetation landscapes.
3. The Lawn Maintenance Ordinance is one that staff proposed in the EC
work plan as needing to be refreshed to reflect our values.
1. Starting to become tough to manage and enforce.
2. Look at Rain Gardens, too.
i. If it’s in the public right of way, it’s more complicated
with permits and agreements.
ii. If it’s on private property, it’s less complicated.
iii. If it’s over 4000 square feet and over 30 Cubic Yards of
cut or fill, it will trigger a stormwater permit.
4. Native environments still need managing and can take a lot of work.
ii. Lead pipe survey
1. It’s a public works initiative based on a Federal mandate.
2. Staff is not aware of City properties have lead service pipes.
1. Check with public works for more information on lead pipes.
8. Adjournment
MOTION was made to adjourn the meeting at 8:25 pm. After a 6-0 vote, the motion carried.
ATTEST:
________________________________ ____________________________________
Carrie Nelson, Administrative Assistant Debra Yahle, Chair
Date: August 26, 2024
To: Environmental Commission
From: Eric Eckman, Environmental Supervisor
Subject: Ȟaȟá Wakpádaŋ/Bassett Creek: 2024 Actions
The Environmental Commission’s work plan includes the advancement of environmental justice
and land acknowledgement actions in the community. This includes increasing awareness and
usage of the Dakota name for Bassett Creek (Ȟaȟá Wakpádaŋ) and the importance of clean water
for all living beings. At its March and April meetings, the Commission approved the sponsorship
of two events and formed sub-committees to help plan and participate in these events.
• Creek clean-up in Golden Valley (Date TBD)
• Water Blessing on Indigenous Peoples' Day (October 14, 2024)
At its July meeting, the Commission approved the participation and sponsorship of another
event (series of events) beginning this fall.
• Dakota native plant walks
Staff and sub-committee members will be present to give updates and receive feedback on these
items.
Staff will also share information on another item the Environmental Commission has expressed
interest in pursuing. The item is currently being discussed by the BCWMC Education Committee
and EC liaison Eckman currently serves on the sub-committee working on this item.
• Study co-naming opportunities for Ȟaȟá Wakpádaŋ/Bassett Creek (receive updates on
BCWMC progress; consider recommendations to city council)
Date: August 23, 2024
To: Environmental Commission
From: Ethan Kehrberg, Sustainability Specialist
Eric Eckman, Environmental Supervisor
Subject: Energy Action Progress Report
Every year, staff brings an energy report to the Environmental Commission to provide an
update on a variety of topics, including current energy consumption in city buildings and across
the community, ongoing or planned efficiency improvements, renewable energy development,
progress on our Energy Action Plan, and other energy-related data or information.
Municipal Energy Update
As part of the U.S. Mayor’s Climate Protection Agreement that was adopted by Golden Valley’s
City Council on January 22, 2008, staff began collecting energy consumption data for Golden
Valley’s buildings and facilities. The data is tracked using the Minnesota B3 Benchmarking
program. In addition to collecting consumption data, the City has been actively implementing
energy-saving projects to help reduce the City’s costs and carbon emissions. These projects
have been accomplished by using a combination of City funds, state and federal grant money,
and public and private partnerships. These ongoing efforts began before the community’s
Energy Action Plan was adopted and help the community accomplish the overall goals and
objectives outlined in the plan.
City Building Energy Use
Below is a year-over year analysis of energy consumed at City buildings. This information is
derived from utility bills and the B3 Benchmarking dashboard. A 5-year snapshot is shown here
to highlight energy use since the 2019 baseline used in the City’s Energy Action Plan. It is also
the first full year of reporting with the new Brookview Community Center. As of 2023, there are
22 active buildings tracked in B3.
Year Electricity
Consumed (kBtu)
Natural Gas
Consumed (kBtu)
Total Energy
Consumed (kBtu)
Difference from
2019
2019 6,874,874 11,363,435 18,238,310 -
2020 6,734,476 12,377,931 19,112,407 +4.79%
2021 7,500,971 12,494,215 19,995,186 +9.63%
2022 7,686,485 12,936,745 20,623,230 +13.07%
2023 7,776,116 12,552,135 20,328,251 +11.45%
Table 1: Energy Consumption at City Buildings
Image 1: Golden Valley’s B3 Benchmarking Dashboard
Over the years, the City has made numerous improvements to its buildings in an effort to
reduce consumption. In 2013, the City Hall parking lot lighting was replaced with LEDs. In 2015,
two 40-kW solar arrays became operational. In 2016, the City Hall lower-level remodeling
project was completed, and two more 40-kW solar arrays were added to City buildings. In 2018,
the new, more energy efficient Brookview Community Center opened. In 2023, a more efficient
boiler was installed at City Hall to reduce natural gas consumption. Some of the recent increase
in energy consumption may be attributed to the addition of more electronic technology and
equipment for employees and the public.
In 2023, each of the four 40-kW solar arrays on city buildings generated an estimated 39,000
kWh of energy, for a total of approximately 156,000 kWh of energy. This reduces costs and
helps meet Minnesota’s goal of deriving 100 percent of its electricity from renewable sources
by 2040. It also increases Golden Valley’s resilience to energy supply and price shocks by
developing locally generated energy sources.
In 2019, Golden Valley received Solsmart Bronze designation by meeting the following criteria
to make solar more accessible in our community:
• creating an online permitting checklist, increasing transparency for community
members and solar installers
• reviewing local zoning codes and identifying restrictions that intentionally or
unintentionally prohibit solar PV development
• Allowing solar by-right accessory use in all zones (so solar installations don’t require
special permits or hearings)
• Cross-trained both inspection and permitting staff on solar PV
• Provided a streamlined permitting pathway for small PV systems
City Building Carbon Dioxide Emissions
While energy consumption in city buildings has increased in recent years, carbon emissions
have remained relatively consistent. Lower natural gas usage with installation of the new boiler
at City Hall as well as the cleaner energy generation of Xcel Energy’s grid have mitigated
emissions increases.
Year CO2 Emissions
Electricity (tons)
CO2 Emissions Nat.
Gas (tons)
Total
CO2 Emissions
Change From 2019
2019 1,010.94 603.57 1,614.51 -
2020 883.06 657.45 1,540.51 -4.58%
2021 999.94 663.63 1,663.56 +3.04%
2022 963.74 687.13 1,650.88 +2.25%
2023 974.98 666.70 1,641.69 +1.68%
Table 2: CO2 Emissions from City Buildings
Solar Energy
In 2023, 43 solar permits were issued for residential properties ($332,384 total valuation), as
well as 3 permits for commercial sites ($901,770 total valuation). This is a significant increase
from the 28 permits issued in 2022.
Year # of Solar
Permits
Cumulative
Total
<2011 1 1
2011 3 4
2012 3 7
2013 1 8
2014 3 11
2015 6 17
2016 5 22
2017 30 52
2018 14 66
2019 19 85
2020 23 108
2021 16 124
2022 28 152
2023 46 195
Table 3: Solar Permits in GV Chart 1: Annual Solar Permits in GV
Integrated solar material used in Golden Valley for the first time with the Tesla Solar Roof. The
roof tiles are durable and visually indistinguishable from traditional roofing material, except
they are also capable of generating clean energy.
Image 2: Example rendering showing integrated solar roof
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
2011201220132014201520162017201820192020202120222023Number of Solar Permits
Community Energy Consumption and Renewable Energy Production
Table 4: GreenStep Cities Renewable Energy Data through 2022 (most up-to-date report)
Energy Action Plan Progress
The Energy Action Plan (EAP) went into effect in the summer of 2021. Since then, staff has
tracked progress on the City’s goals in the plan and annually publishes a progress report.
The chart below is from the data report provided by the Partners in Energy (PIE) team. It shows
overall electricity consumption each year compared to the number of cooling degree days
(CDD). Energy consumption has decreased compared to the 2019 baseline, even while CDD
have increased.
Units 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
Annual
Change
14.1 Number of sites 24 65 118 127 147 309 347 12.30%
14.2 kW 273 839 1133 1402 1421 4268 4838.39 13.36%
14.2a kW 0 0 0 0
M.
CO2e MWhr/year 88 155 155 155 169 165 165
14.4 MWhr/year 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
14.5 Number of entities 438 701 895 1028 1129 1337 1351 1.05%
14.6 %2.7%4.4% 5.1% 5.7% 5.1% 5.2%
14.7 %0.00% 0.00% 0.00%0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
Generation capacity of city-owned and private renewable
energy sites
Storage and off-grid capacity of renewable energy,
generated by city-owned and private renewable energy
sites
Annual production at city-owned renewable energy generation
sites
#14 Renewable Energy CORE
Number of city-owned and private renewable energy
generation sites
Annual renewable energy purchases for city operations
Number of non-city entities participating in renewable energy
purchasing/green power programs
Percent of total city operations energy use that is generated and
purchased renewable energy
Percent of total city operations energy use that is purchased from
a community solar garden
Chart 2: Electricity Consumption (kWh) and Cooling Degree Days
Staff are waiting for updated data on the three main goals of the Energy Action Plan, but we
can share some numbers about participation in various energy programs. First, with 82
participants in Home Energy Squad last year, Golden Valley greatly exceeded the EAP goal of
getting 43 residents to sign up for HES visits in 2023.
Chart 3: Home Energy Squad participants compared to annual goal in EAP
68 63
82
41 42 43
2021 2022 2023
Home Energy Squad Sign-Ups
Progress Goal
Some other highlights include:
• 395 Residential Smart Thermostat participants in 2023, up from 185 in 2022 and only 5 in 2020.
• 8 Multifamily Building Efficiency participants in 2023, with the goal of reaching 1 per year
• 1010 participants in Xcel’s Demand Side Management (DSM) programs, the highest count yet
There are 435 electric vehicles (EVs) registered in Golden Valley as of January 2023, up from
272 in 2022, an increase of 160%. Electric vehicles charging at home and continued
electrification of other appliances leads to emissions reductions, a cleaner energy grid, and
greater efficiency. Beneficial electrification is catching on, but it may also lead to higher
demand for electricity, even as efficiency and availability of clean energy improves.
Next Steps
Recent state and federal legislation provide many new opportunities for businesses and
residents to save energy and reduce costs with energy projects. Visit the city’s Energy webpage
for more information and explore these resources below.
• CERTs Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Guide
• Minnesota Dept. of Commerce Rebates
• U.S. Dept. of Energy Guide to Solar Tax Credit
• Xcel Home Energy Rebates
• CenterPoint Home Energy Rebates
With the data report, the Partners in Energy staff also offered some recommended actions for
Golden Valley to continue making progress:
• Promote Renewable*Connect Flex to increase emissions savings
• Focus on Commercial & Industrial participation to increase savings
o HVAC+R rebates
o Lighting programs
o Construction side – Energy Design Assistance will get you a lot of kWh savings.
• Residential – continue to promote HES (saw good increase last year) and follow up with
heating/cooling rebates
The Home Energy Squad (HES) agreement with Center for Energy and Environment (CEE) is
nearing completion and will be reviewed at an upcoming City Council meeting soon.
Once the remaining EAP data is available, the city’s sustainability staff will collaborate with
communications staff to summarize this report and present a simplified version in the annual
Energy Action Progress Report to post on the website. You can access the 2022 EAP progress
report here: https://www.goldenvalleymn.gov/DocumentCenter/View/2088/EAP-Progress-
Update?bidId=
Date: August 6, 2024
To: Environmental Commission
From: Ethan Kehrberg, Sustainability Specialist
Eric Eckman, Environmental Supervisor
Subject: GreenStep Cities Statewide Annual Report
The GreenStep Cities program recently released their 2024 Annual Report with metrics from all
participating cities and Tribal nations across the state of Minnesota. Some highlights from the
report include:
• 148 city and Tribal nation participants (covering 54% of the state's population)
• A shoutout about Golden Valley’s Medley Park improvements (page 3)
• 5,363 total cumulative actions for all cities
• 8,516 new trees planted
• 834 new municipal and private renewable energy generation sites
• 97.3% of residents live within one mile of a bike route
View the 2024 GreenStep Cities Annual Report here.
Date: August 23, 2024
To: Environmental Commission
From: Eric Eckman, Environmental Supervisor
Ethan Kehrberg, Sustainability Specialist
Subject: Hennepin County Solid Waste Management Plan
The Environmental Commission work plan includes efforts to increase recycling opportunities in
the community, including discussing state and county solid waste plans that can impact city
goals, policies, and implementation actions.
In early 2024, the MPCA adopted a new Solid Waste Management Plan and each county is
required to implement actions to achieve the goals of that plan. Last week, the county
published a draft of its 2024 Solid Waste Management Plan for public review. The plan, which
will guide the county’s waste management strategies for the next six years, emphasizes
accelerating efforts towards a zero-waste future.
Residents are encouraged to provide their feedback on the plan by completing the comment
form by Thursday, September 5. The final plan will incorporate public input and be submitted
for approval by the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners before their October 29
deadline.
Environmental commissioners are encouraged to review the plan and submit comments on
their own. They can also bring comments and questions to the meeting for discussion. The
County engaged with City staff during plan development and solicited input at an earlier date.
Staff may submit additional comments now that the plan is in final draft form.