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Environmental Commission p
March 24, 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, Paul Klaas, Amelia
Schultz, Wendy Weirich, Ellen Brenna
Commissioners absent: Kari Cantarero
Council Members present: None
Staff present: Ethan Kehrberg, Sustainability Specialist;
Gunnar Laughlin, GreenCorps Member;
Carrie Nelson, Engineering Assistant.
4. Approval of March 24, 2025 Agenda
MOTION by Commissioner Galonska, seconded by Commissioner Brenna to approve the
agenda for March 24, 2025 as submitted and the motion carried.
S. Approval of February 24, 2025 Regular Meeting Minutes
MOTION by Commissioner Weirich, seconded by Commissioner Galonska to approve the
minutes of February 24, 2025 as submitted and the motion carried.
6. Old Business
A. Haha Wakpadan/Bassett Creek 2024 Efforts
i. Subcommittee Updates:
1. 2025 Creek Clean -Up Event Planning
1. The date is officially April 19, 2025, 10:00—12:00.
r l: This document is available in alternate formats upon a 72-hour request. Please call
-Awl 763-593-8006 (TTY: 763-593-3968) to make a request. Examples of alternate formats
may include large print, electronic, Braille, audiocassette, etc.
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City of Golden Valley �.nvironmental Commission Regular Meethil, 2
March 24, 2025 — 6:30 pm
2. The Communications Department is working on the flyer. They
also drafted an article for the Newsletter.
3. Staff are working on having a map available.
4. Still need to finalize with the Watershed and the Oral History
Project.
i. The Watershed will have their maps available as well as a
game and a cutout for photo ops.
5. There will be a waiver for participants to fill out.
6. Reached out to Pow Wow Grounds for muffins/tea. Also
reached out to Native Indigenous Food Lab in Global Market for
sunflower cookies,
7. Would like to have at least 4 members of the Commission to
help with set up and answer questions.
B. Annual Work Plan Evaluation & Prioritization
i. Commissioners ranked their 7 high priority work plan items from the Draft
2025 Work Plan:
1. Draft Procedure or Policy for Co -Naming Haha Wakpadar)/Bassett
Creek.
1. Commissioner Klaas will help lead this.
2. Update the City's Outdoor Lighting Ordinance.
3. Assist with Developing Climate Equity Plan.
1. The City Council has allocated $40,000 to begin work this year
and an additional $40,000 to continue work next year. Staff
have begun talking with other cities and counties to research
what needs to be done to begin developing the plan.
4. Sponsor 2026 Spring Tree Sale.
5. Apply in 2025 to Host the We are Water Minnesota Traveling Exhibit in
2026.
1. Applications open in the spring and fill up fast.
6. Perform an Audit of Brookview Golf Course using Audubon
International Environmentally Responsible Golf Course Criteria.
1. It is separate from the National Audubon Society.
2. Pay $1,000 up front to do the audit, which includes the first year
of membership, then $500 each year to renew the membership.
Brookview could decide not to become certified after the audit
depending on what needs to be done.
7. Reduce Styrofoam and Single Use Plastics, Bags, and Containers
(restaurants, stores, etc.), and Explore Implementing a Potential City -
Wide Fee on Certain Products.
1. Will take a lot of relationship building with businesses because it
will change how they currently do business.
2. It might be nice to do this as part of a coalition of western
communities or as part of a waste reduction initiative from the
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"Jolden Vaile-, Enviro,:g_ 1,�ntal Commissio Regular Meeting
March 24, 2025 - 6.30
County. We don't want to scare off a business from choosing to
be in another city vs Golden Valley because of a ban.
3. St. Louis Park requires compostables.
4. It is a part of the Hennepin County Zero Waste project.
Promote and educate about managed natural landscapes and planting for
pollinators is currently a Medium Priority. Should it be moved to high priority?
1. The Garden Club does a very good job and has already taken the lead
on this. Maybe Commissioner Weirich can talk to them to see if there
are ways we can support them.
iii. What is the Commission's current budget balance and the budget for next
year?
7. New Business
A. GreenStep Cities Update
i. Staff reviewed the information found in the March 24, 2025 Agenda.
ii. 3.1-Annual vehicle miles traveled for gasoline fleet -Why was there such a
huge increase?
1. We hired quite a few police officers recently. For a while we were using
Hennepin County officers.
iii. We really need to be a little bit more aggressive in encouraging people to plant
the right trees in the right spots.
iv. We'll hear back from the program about if we achieve Steps 4 & 5 again and
staff will bring the report as well as their full comprehensive state report back
to the Commission.
B. Organics Recycling Drop -Off Pilot
i. Staff reviewed the information on the Organics Recycling Drop -Off Pilot
Program at Fire Station #2 found in the March 24, 2025 Agenda.
ii. Information will be added to the website. We're slowly sharing information so
we're not getting more than we can handle or the wrong kind of materials.
iii. Fire Station #2 was chosen because of the number of multi -family residents
within walking distance. There's also easy access with the parking lot and
sidewalks. Staff also looked at Medley Park, City Hall, the Library, Fire Station
#3 in the NE corner of the city as possible locations for future sites.
iv. Drop off is open to anyone.
v. Since Fire Station #2 already had an organics cart, there are no additional fees
for this program.
C. GreenCorps Updates
i. Staff reviewed the information provided in the March 24, 2025 Agenda.
City of Golden Valle -
March 24, 2025 — 5:30 pro
D. Council Updates
i. None
E. Other Business
i. None
8. Adjournment
Environmental Commissior: ire ular Meeting �
MOTION by Commissioner Klaas, seconded by Commissioner Galonska to adjourn the meeting
at 7:23 pm and the motion carried.
ATTEST:
Carrie Nelson, Administrative Assistant
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