2023 Work Plan2022 ANNUAL REPORT | 2023 WORK PLAN
THE CITY OF GOLDEN VALLEYENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION
2 City of Golden Valley
PURPOSE, MISSION,
& PRESCRIBED DUTIES
The Environmental Commission has been established to advise and make recommendations
to the City Council in matters relating to and affecting the environment and human health.
BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS / 2022 Annual Report 3
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
4 2022
Accomplishments
7 2023 Proposed
Work Plan
Cover photo by, John Charles Farrell,
Views of the Valley, 2022
COMMISSIONERS
Wendy Weirich, Chair (2023)
Shannon Hansen, Vice Chair (2023)
Tonia Galonska (2025)
Dawn Hill (2024)
Jim Stremel (2023)
Debra Yahle (2025)
Kenna Brandt, Student (2023)
Rachel Zuraff, Student (2023)
Note: Terms run May 1-April 30
COUNCIL LIAISON
Kimberly Sanberg
CITY STAFF
Eric Eckman, Environmental Resources Supervisor
Drew Chirpich, Water and Natural Resources Specialist
Ethan Kehrberg, Sustainability Specialist
Carrie Nelson, Engineering Assistant
Mars Muehleis, MN GreenCorps Member
4 City of Golden Valley
CURBSIDE RECYCLING AND ORGANICS COLLECTION
• Helped guide and receive information about the
participation study completed in cooperation with
Republic Services in fall 2022. The study showed that
approximately 45 percent of households participate
in organics recycling and approximately 97 percent
participate in traditional recycling (cardboard, aluminum,
glass, paper).
• Supported the delivery of finished compost to Hampshire
Park for pickup by residents in spring 2022, showing how
food waste can become a marketable product for use in
yards and gardens.
• Toured the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community
industrial compost site to observe the composting
process in action, from delivery of organics recycling materials to packaging of finished compost.
ENERGY ACTION
• Reviewed data from Xcel Energy and helped draft a summary of the City’s first six months of progress under
its Energy Action Plan. www.goldenvalleymn.gov/DocumentCenter/View/2088/EAP-Progress-Update
• Hosted an Electric Vehicle Showcase event in June 2022.
• Explored and recommended participating in a program to increase the City’s EV charging infrastructure.
• Developed an energy hero recognition program for businesses that complete an energy assessment and
implement recommendations.
• Recommended extending the Residential Home Energy Squad program another budget year.
2022 ACCOMPLISHMENTS
BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS / 2022 Annual Report 5
GREENSTEP CITIES/CLIMATE ACTION
Maintained Step 5 status in the GreenStep Cities Program,
including advancement in the following topic areas:
View the summary of Golden Valley’s GreenStep Cities
progress at https://greenstep.pca.state.mn.us/city-
detail/12069?ctu_code=2394924
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
• With the City’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Commission
(DEIC), co-hosted a Building An Equitable Golden Valley
forum on environmental justice in May 2022.
• Collaborated with the DEIC through subcommittee to
update source data and recommend approval of an
environmental justice prioritization map to help identify
partners and guide green infrastructure planning, events,
and investment in the community.
• Reviewed the City’s Land Acknowledgment resolution and
action plan and identified actions to explore further with the
DEIC and Dakota community.
• Hosted a conversation with Crystal Boyd, facilitator of the
Ȟaȟa Wakpadaŋ (Bassett Creek) Oral History Project, to
learn about the project, hear from Indigenous community
members in their own words, increase awareness, and
provide the Environmental Commission with additional
context and perspective as it works to protect and improve
the environment and human health.
2022 ACCOMPLISHMENTS
• buildings and lighting
• renewable energy
• land use
• transportation and fleet
• surface water
• green buildings
• solid waste and recycling
• local food production
• home energy squad visits
6 City of Golden Valley
WATER AND NATURAL RESOURCES
• Researched and recommended participation in the No
Mow May pollinator campaign.
• Promoted numerous education and outreach
opportunities in cooperation with the Golden Valley
Garden Club.
• Provided input and feedback to the Bassett Creek
Watershed on water resources issues and concerns
facing cities and residents, which will help develop
goals and priorities for the Watershed’s 10-year plan.
• Received update on emerald ash borer and the City’s
management plan and explored potential funding
sources for addressing the problem.
• Reviewed and recommended support for a fall tree
sale with Tree Trust, including a tiered price structure
based on environmental justice priority areas.
• Explored ways to reduce cost burden for residents
with condemned ash trees due to emerald ash borer.
2022 ACCOMPLISHMENTS
BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS / 2022 Annual Report 7
2023 PROPOSED WORK PLAN
Proposed work plan priorities for 2023 are based on goals in the City’s 2023 Pyramid of Success, 2040 Com-
prehensive Plan (including Resilience & Sustainability, Natural Resources, Water Resources, Transportation),
Equity Plan, Energy Action Plan, Pollinator Protection Resolution, Climate Emergency Declaration, GreenStep
Cities Program, and City Council’s 2023 Legislative Priorities.
RECYCLING AND ORGANICS
• Help develop a plan to increase participation rates for
organics recycling and opportunities for multi-family
recycling, including organics and onsite composting.
• Work with Hennepin County to help develop and implement
its Zero Waste Plan and explore ways to host zero waste
events in the organization and the community.
• Seek opportunities to partner with nonprofits and others
to reduce Styrofoam and single use plastics, bags,
and containers (restaurants, stores, etc), and explore
implementing a potential city-wide fee on certain products.
• Start to research and engage the public in 2024 about
City-contracted solid waste and yard waste services
beginning in 2027 or later.
ENERGY ACTION
Help guide and participate in implementing the City’s Energy Action Plan, including:
• monitoring and reporting on the progress of Xcel Energy’s Partners In Energy community collaboration
program
• reducing the number of households experiencing energy cost burden
by 24 households through identifying, communicating, and connecting
people with programs offered by utility companies and others
• increasing participation in energy efficiency programs for residents and
businesses, which includes:
• monitoring and enhancing the new energy hero recognition program
for businesses.
• extending the Residential Home Energy Squad program for another
budget cycle, and/or shift funds over to business energy assessments
and audits
Photo by Jennifer Schmidt, Photo Posse
8 City of Golden Valley
2023 PROPOSED WORK PLAN
• exploring options for promoting, supporting, and developing renewable energy (solar) and electric vehicles
and charging infrastructure, which includes:
• hosting the second EV showcase event at City Hall in June
2023 (including electric lawn equipment) and exploring interest
in a sustainable home tour (solar, electric heat pumps, etc)
• exploring options to add rooftop solar to Brookview
Golden Valley
• increasing EVs and expanding charging infrastructure in the
community (including legislation to clarify state law, city code
updates, development standards, grants)
• supporting state and local efforts to update building codes or
standards that advance energy performance in buildings
GREENSTEP CITIES/CLIMATE ACTION
• Continue working on actions and metrics to address climate-related impacts, improve the environment,
and reduce energy consumption and costs.
• If awarded a MN GreenCorps Member in 2023-2024, work to complete GreenStep Cities actions related to
climate action, energy action, and environmental justice.
• Look for ways to partner with Hennepin County to implement its Climate Action Plan, with a focus on
planting trees and reducing urban heat island effect.
• Work with emergency management staff to identify public warming and cooling centers and ways to
communicate such information to the community.
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
• Continue to partner with the DEIC on joint projects, events, and forums through a subcommittee formed
in 2020. Collaboration will include:
• co-hosting a Building An Equitable Golden Valley forum to recognize Indigenous people, culture,
and contributions in November 2023 (Native American Heritage Month)
• discussing the drafting of an environmental justice resolution to include the environmental justice
priority areas map
• identifying a partner and sponsoring one green infrastructure project or event in a priority area
• helping implement the land acknowledgment action plan by creating a pre-contact (pre-European
settlement) map of natural and cultural resources, and working with Dakota community members to
identify a location for a cultural/educational installation in the city
BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS / 2022 Annual Report 9
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
• Review City website for environmental
content and clarity, better promotion
of green volunteer programs, and best
practices for yards and gardens while
ensuring web pages are inclusive,
equitable, and representative of the
community we serve.
• Use the Commission’s $3,500 budget
toward one or more of the following efforts:
• funding a joint project, event, or forum with the DEIC
• helping to equitably fund the purchase and planting of trees to replace ash trees lost
due to emerald ash borer
WATER AND NATURAL RESOURCES
• Continue promoting educational opportunities in cooperation with the Golden Valley Garden Club.
• Continue to study ways to mitigate the loss of infested ash trees due to the emerald ash borer pest,
especially in environmental justice priority areas.
• Address the issue of human encroachment into nature areas, and signage, as each area is enhanced
or improved.
• Explore and understand water use in the community; look into conservation measures like a lawn
watering ordinance.
• Explore the keeping of honeybees and make recommendation to Council.
2023 PROPOSED WORK PLAN
10 City of Golden Valley
TRANSPORTATION
• Work with Open Space & Recreation
Commission to review Luce Line Trail
connection under Highway 169 to Plymouth
and other substandard trail sections.
• Support and contribute to the City’s Bus
Rapid Transit efforts along Hwy 55.
• Provide input to Planning on its proposed
updates to the off-street parking code.
Photo by Clara Alexander, Views of the Valley 2022
2023 PROPOSED WORK PLAN