2025-02-24_EC_Minutes7800 Golden Valley Road I Golden Valley, MN 55427
763-593-8027 1 TTY 763-593-3968 1 763-593-8198 (fax) I www.goldenvalleymn.gov
Environmental Commission
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
city of!
goldvalley
February 24, 2025 — 6:30 pm
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, Paul Klaas, Amelia
Schultz
Commissioners absent: Wendy Weirich, Kari Cantarero, Ellen Brenna
Council Members present: Sophia Ginis (part of meeting)
Staff present: Eric Eckman, Environmental Resources Supervisor;
Carrie Nelson, Engineering Assistant.
4. Approval of February 24, 2025 Agenda
MOTION by Commissioner Galonska, seconded by Commissioner Klaas to approve the agenda
for February 24, 2025 as submitted and the motion carried.
5. Approval of January 27, 2025 Regular Meeting Minutes
MOTION by Commissioner Galonska, seconded by Commissioner Drawz to approve the
minutes of January 27, 2025 as submitted and the motion carried with the following change:
• Clarify 7A.vi.3 — Change 'Sponsor 2026 Spring Tree Sale er other community tree -
planting
o Sponsor 2026 Spring Tree Sale or other community tree planting event.
■ Change to just 'Sponsor 2026 Spring Tree Sale' and create a new work
plan idea for a community tree planting event.
This document is available in alternate formats upon a 72-hour request. Please call
J763-593-8006 (TTY: 763-593-3968) to make a request. Examples of alternate formats
may include large print, electronic, Braille, audiocassette, etc. 6
City of Golden Valley Environmental Commission Regular Meeting 2
January 27, 2025 — 6:30 pm
6. Old Business
A. Haha Wakpadaq/Bassett Creek 2024 Efforts
i. Subcommittee Updates:
1. 2025 Creek Clean -Up Event Planning
1. The Communications Department has Commissioner Galonska's
summary proposal for review and feedback. The event may or
may not make the April 19t" date depending on how long
Communications needs to develop a newsletter article. It could
happen later like May, or in the fall.
ii. Watershed Map & Co -Naming Update
1. The map is complete and printed. We have a stack at the Community
Development counter. This would be ready for a creek clean-up event.
7. New Business
A. City Council 2030 Strategic Directives
i. Staff reviewed the City of Golden Valley 2030 Strategic Directives created by
the Council at their January 28, 2025 visioning session and approved by the
Council at their February 18, 2025 meeting.
ii. Staff highlighted the items that overlap with the Commissions mission and
duties.
B. Annual Work Plan Evaluation & Prioritization
i. Added a column to the work plan matrix to identify which ideas go along with
the Council's 2030 Strategic Directives.
ii. Look at each item and try to fill in blank cells and then prioritize each as high,
medium, or low priority.
iii. Filling in the Blanks on the Matrix - City 2030 Strategic Directive and/or EC
Priority:
1. Sponsor 2026 Spring Tree Sale:
1. Priority: High
i. We've done it before, and it's been successful.
2. Draft Procedure or Policy for Co -Naming Haha Wakpadaq/Bassett
Creek:
1. Priority: High
i. Quick and achievable. Piggyback on what the Watershed
has already put in place.
3. Explore Organized Solid Waste and Yard Waste:
1. Directive: Prioritize quality infrastructure designed to last,
emphasizing environmental sustainability and climate resiliency.
2. Priority: Medium
4. Urban Forest Management:
1. Plant More Trees, Sponsor/Host a Tree Planting Event:
i. Priority: Low
2. Educational Materials for Invasive Species:
City of Golden Valley Environmental Commission Regular Meeting 3
January 27, 2025 — 6:30 pm
i. Directive: Leverage City events and projects to reflect
our environmental values.
ii. Priority: Low
5. Assist with Strategic Parks Planning:
1. Priority: Low
i. Complex and would take a lot of time and effort.
ii. More appropriate for the Parks & Rec department. They
can collaborate with the EC, as needed.
6. Assist with Developing Climate Equity Plan:
1. Priority: High
7. Outdoor Lighting Ordinance:
1. Directive: Prioritize quality infrastructure designed to last,
emphasizing environmental sustainability and climate resiliency.
2. Priority: High
i. Commissioner Klaas has expertise and has completed a
lot of the work already.
8. Increase Organics Recycling Participation with New Initiatives:
1. Directive: Leverage City events and projects to reflect our
environmental values.
2. Priority: Medium
9. Certify Brookview as an Audubon International Environmentally
Responsible golf course:
1. Change this to just completing the audit to help determine
whether or not getting certified makes sense.
2. Action or Goal in Existing Plan = Parks & Natural Resources
Chapter of Comp Plan.
3. Add the Open Space & Recreation Commission to the
Departments/Divisions involved.
4. Directive: Strategically use park land to offer diverse amenities
that fulfill community needs while advancing environmental
goals.
5. Priority: High
10. Review and Update the City's Winter Maintenance Chloride
Management Policy:
1. Directive: Prioritize quality infrastructure designed to last,
emphasizing environmental sustainability and climate resiliency.
2. Priority: Low
11. Promote and Educate about Managed Natural Landscapes and
Plantings for Pollinators:
1. Directive: Leverage City events and projects to reflect our
environmental values.
2. Priority: Medium (edging on high)
12. Apply in 2025 and Host the We Are Water Minnesota's Traveling Exhibit
in 2026:
City of Golden Valley Environmental Commission Regular Meeting 4
January 27, 2025 — 6:30 pm
1. Priority: High
i. The exhibit is already put together. We fill out an
application. If we're awarded the exhibit, we'll need a
space to host it for approximately 10 days and possibly
ask volunteers to work at the exhibit.
13. Work Towards Becoming a Blue Zones Project Community:
1. Directive: Retain and actively engage local businesses,
recognizing their role as vital community members.
2. Priority: Medium
i. We don't know a lot about it. Similar to Partners in
Energy. It will take a lot of time and money.
14. Continue Supporting Hennepin County's Zero Waste Efforts by:
1. Reducing Styrofoam and Single Use Plastics, Bags, and
Containers:
i. Add Commissioner Drawz's name as EC Lead.
ii. Directive: Leverage City events and projects to reflect
our environmental values.
iii. Priority: High
2. Investigating Joining the Hennepin Recycling Group Joint Powers
Organization:
i. Directive: Foster partnerships with nearby jurisdictions
to collaboratively tackle infrastructure challenges
affecting Golden Valley.
ii. Priority: Low
1. A lot of staff time.
3. Looking into Market in the Valley Hosting Secondhand Swaps
each month:
i. Priority: Medium
15. Host 2026 Earth Day Fair or Environmental Day Fair:
1. Priority: Low
16. Explore and Understand Potable Water Use in the Community:
1. Directive: Prioritize quality infrastructure designed to last,
emphasizing environmental sustainability and climate resiliency.
2. Priority: Medium
i. High staff time and cost because of the analysis and all
the different staff and departments involved.
ii. Possibly includes an ordinance change.
iv. 7 High, 6 Medium, 6 Low Priority Actions
C. Council Updates
i. There is a lot of work happening on many fronts for our municipal facilities.
ii. Overall City Staff —we have a lot of our key positions filled now.
iii. The cultural work for City staff is continuing. We have some Employee
Resource Groups set up.
City of Golden Valley Environmental Commission Regular Meeting
January 27, 2025 — 6:30 pm
iv. The last time the Council gathered in 2024 the goal was to keep the City
running and functioning. In 2025 it feels like we are back in a place to rebuild
and regroup.
D. Other Business
i. Eric will not be at the next meeting. Ethan and Gunnar will attend.
8. Adjournment
MOTION by Commissioner Drawz, seconded by Commissioner Schultz to adjourn the meeting
at 8:11 pm and the motion carried.
ATTEST:
Debl-a yahte
Debra Vah I, (Apr 16, 2025 09:29 CDT)
Carrie Nelson, Administrative Assistant Debra Yahle, Chair