2025-01-27_EC_Minutes7800 Golden Valley Road I Golden Valley, MN 55427 Ci � � 0
763-593-80271 TTY 763-593-39681763-593-8198 (fax) I www.goldenvalleymn.gov -V 11 4r
golden
Environmental Commissioner- valley
January 27, 2025 — 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 774 327 980#.
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, Tonia Galonska, Ellen Brenna, Paul
Klaas, Kari Cantarero, Amelia Schultz
Commissioners absent: Wendy Weirich
Council Members present: None
Staff present: Eric Eckman, Environmental Resources Supervisor;
Carrie Nelson, Engineering Assistant.
4. Approval of January 27, 2025 Agenda
MOTION by Commissioner Galonska, seconded by Commissioner Brenna to approve the
agenda for January 27, 2025 as submitted and the motion carried.
5. Approval of December 16, 2024 Regular Meeting Minutes
MOTION by Commissioner Drawz, seconded by Commissioner Galonska to approve the
minutes of December 16, 2024 as submitted and the motion carried.
6. Old Business
A. Baba Wakpadag/Bassett Creek 2024 Efforts
i. Subcommittee Updates:
1. 2025 Creek Clean -Up Event Planning
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City of Golden Valley Environmental Commission Regular Meeting 2
January 27, 2025 — 6:30 pm
1. Commissioner Galonska put together a synopsis of what the
event could look like, where participation from others would be
needed, and budget needed.
i. It may be placed on the February meeting agenda.
ii. Sub -committee and staff will meet to discuss before the
February meeting.
ii. Watershed Map & Co -Naming Update
1. Commission Map is not quite finalized.
1. Mapping items need to be adjusted.
2. The title of the map needs to be updated.
2. Co -Naming Practices (not a formal policy).
3. The approved co -naming is Haha Wakpadag / Bassett Creek.
4. The legal name of the BCWMC is still Bassett Creek Watershed
Management Commission. BCWMC and cultural advisors are not
looking to formally change the name of the creek or the organization at
this time.
5. The new map should be printed and available by earth day.
6. Is there a City policy template for this?
1. Co -naming is a potential 2025 work plan item. Draft a formal
policy or standard operating procedure for the City to follow.
7. New Business
A. Annual Work Plan Ideas
i. Commissioners reviewed the matrix included in the agenda packet to fill in any
gaps, make any necessary revisions, and eventually get to a one -page work
plan with 3-4 priority items that are achievable and supported by Council.
Could possibly include an appendix with the matrix or list of the next items to
work on if the priority items are completed ahead of schedule.
ii. The Council has a visioning session on January 28. The Commission should try
to align the work plan with the Council's priorities.
iii. GreenStep Cities — May be left off the work plan because EC can't do it all.
Staff and the GreenCorps member will still support and maintain it, unless
directed otherwise.
iv. Climate Equity Plan — Staff asked Council for permission to apply for a grant
from the MPCA to start to develop the framework for this plan and do
community engagement.
v. Two commissioners — Tonia and Debra -will be leaving after the April meeting.
They cannot be listed as project leads for work plan items.
vi. Work Plan Idea Matrix:
1. Add "Potential" to EC Project Lead column.
2. Grey items are already approved and in progress.
3. Sponsor 2026 Spring Tree Sale or other community tree planting event.
1. Change to 'Sponsor 2026 Spring Tree Sale' and create anew
work plan idea for a community tree planting event.
City of Golden Valley Environmental Commission Regular Meeting 3
January 27, 2025 — 6:30 pm
4. Add Commissioner Klaas for the EC Project Lead for the 'Draft
Procedure or Policy for co -naming Haha Wakpadaq / Bassett Creek.'
5. Urban Forest Management
1. Break into separate action items to make this more
manageable:
i. Planting More Trees/Tree Planting Event.
1. Commissioner Brenna would be the EC Project
Lead.
ii. Update Educational Materials on Invasive Species
(buckthorn) Management. Update the website.
6. Organized Solid Waste and Yard Waste:
1. What does the outcome look like? What are you trying to
achieve? What does success look like? Need more specificity.
i. Here's what we propose to do / Here's our role. Do
research on relevant data and do a Golden Valley
specific analysis? Look at environmental impacts
specifically?
7. Strategic Park Planning:
1. We need more information from Parks & Rec and Council.
8. Climate Equity Plan:
1. We need to see if we receive the grant. We need to determine
our role in this effort either way.
9. Outdoor Lighting Ordinance:
1. Take existing ordinance and update it and modernize it.
10. Increase Organics Recycling Participation:
1. Add Commissioner Klaas as the EC Project Lead.
2. Tie in education with the one-time event of offering free bags.
11. Certify Brookview as Environmentally Responsible Golf Course:
1. Certification offered by the Audubon Society.
2. There is a description on the Audubon website.
3. The cost to certify is $1,000.00 if you meet the environmental
management standards. What are other costs/projects/time
associated with making improvements to become certified?
4. Could this work item be modified to simply have the Audubon
Society come and do the audit of Brookview?
12. Review and Update the City's Winter Maintenance Chloride
Management Policy:
1. Add Commissioners Brenna and Cantarerro as the EC Project
Leads.
2. City policy is a little older and might deserve a fresh look.
13. Natural Landscapes and Planting for Pollinators:
1. Put Commissioner Weirich as the EC Project Lead.
City of Golden Halley Environmental Commission Regular Meeting
January 27, 2025 — 6:30 p
2. Focus on the recent state statute and the City possibly not
requiring a permit anymore.
14. Host We Are Water Minnesota's Traveling Exhibit in 2026:
1. Put Commissioner Cantarerro as the EC Project Lead.
15. Blue Zones Project Community:
1. We need to learn more about this.
2. It involves the entire community.
3. Put Commissioner Cantarerro as the EC Project Lead.
16. Hennepin County Zero Waste Efforts:
1. Reduce Styrofoam and single use plastics:
i. On previous work plan.
ii. Charge a bag fee?
iii. A lot of education, monitoring, and support from staff.
17. Host a 2026 Earth Day or Environmental Day Fair:
1. This would be a pretty big effort for staff.
2. Partner organizations within and outside our community.
18. Potable Water Use and Water Conservation:
1. This is in the existing work plan.
2. This could come off the list.
3. If the Commission is interested, Commissioner Brenna's name
can be put down as the EC Project Lead.
B. Council Updates
i. None
C. Other Business
8. Adjournment
4
i. Great Northern Festival Climate Solutions Series websites:
1. Minnesota CliMAT
1. Climate. umn.edu/MN-CliMAT
2. University of Minnesota Climate Adaptation Partnership Community
Climate Leaders Program:
1. Climate.umn.edu/community-climate-leaders
3. Project Drawdown:
1. Drawdown.org
4. Wildones.org has a free webinar on February 20, 2025 at 6:00 pm —
"Bees Beyond Honey: Understanding Native and Managed Pollinators"
MOTION by Commissioner Galonska, seconded by Commissioner Brenna to adjourn the
meeting at 8:22 pm and the motion carried.
ATTEST:
City of Golden Valley Environmental Commission Regular Meeting
January 27, 2025 — 6:30 pm
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Carrie Nelson, Administrative Assistant Debra Yahle, Chair