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EC Agenda 06-23-2025 June 23, 2025 — 6:30 PM Council Conference Room Golden Valley City Hall 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 and by amplifying a wide range of indigenous voices. 3.Approval of Agenda 3.A.June 23, 2025 Agenda 4.Approval of Meeting Minutes 4.A.Approve May 19, 2025 Minutes 5.Business 5.A.Introductions 5.B.Commission Organization and Operation 5.C.Presentation about Bassett Creek Watershed Management Commission's (BCWMC) Watershed Management Plan from BCWMC Commissioner Paula Pentel 5.D.Haha Wakpadan/Bassett Creek Co-Naming Policy Discussion (draft policy attached) 5.E.Climate Equity Plan Update 5.F.2026 Spring Tree Sale Update 5.G.Council Communications 5.H.Commissioner/Staff Communications 6.Adjournment ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION MEETING AGENDA City of Golden Valley Environmental Commission Meeting June 23, 2025 — 6:30 PM 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Community Development 763-512-2345 / 763-512-2344 (fax) Golden Valley Environmental Commission Meeting June 23, 2025 Agenda Item 4.A. Approve May 19, 2025 Minutes Prepared By Ethan Kehrberg, Sustainability Specialist Recommended Action Motion to approve the minutes. Supporting Documents 2025-05-19_EC_Minutes 2 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 Vice Chair Drawz at 6:30 pm. 2.Land Acknowledgement 3.Oath of Office A.New Commissioners Adam Wold and Hannah Byl were sworn in by Vice Chair Drawz. 4.Roll Call Commissioners present: Sarah Drawz, Paul Klaas, Ellen Brenna, Adam Wold, Hannah Byl Commissioners absent: Amelia Schulz Council Members present: None Staff present: Eric Eckman, Environmental Resources Supervisor; Carrie Nelson, Engineering Assistant. 5.Approval of May 19, 2025 Agenda MOTION by Commissioner Brenna, seconded by Commissioner Wold to approve the agenda for May 19, 2025 as submitted and the motion carried. 6.Approval of March 24, 2025 Regular Meeting Minutes MOTION by Commissioner Brenna, seconded by Commissioner Byl to approve the minutes of March 24, 2025 as submitted and the motion carried. 7.Business A.Commissioner (Re) Orientation i.Staff reviewed the New Board/Commission Member Welcome Packet found in the May 19, 2025 EC Agenda as a reminder of the City’s Values, Welcome Statement, and Guiding Principles, and a reminder of the roles and responsibility of commission members. May 19, 2025 – 6:30 pm 3 City of Golden Valley Environmental Commission Regular Meeting May 19, 2025 – 6:30 pm 2 ii. Commissioners were reminded to use their City e-mail for commission-related communications, and to e-mail the staff liaisons instead of the entire group so you don’t violate open meeting laws. iii. City’s core set of values – Communication, Community, Inclusion, Integrity, Respect, Innovation, Courage, and Accountability. iv. We use Robert’s Rules of Order – It’s not necessarily spelled out in our by-laws but may be in City Code. It’s something local governments typically use. B. Election of Officers MOTION by Commissioner Brenna, seconded by Commissioner Byl to appoint Commissioner Paul Klaas as Chair and Commissioner Adam Wold as Vice Chair and the motion carried. C. Review Commission Bylaws i. Staff asked the Commissioners if they had any questions about the Commission Bylaws found in the May 19, 2025 Agenda Packet. It’s required we review them every three years. 1. Attendance is taken at meetings. There are some rules about how many meetings Commissioners should attend each year. The City wants them to be actively participating in and helping to conduct City business. D. Ȟaȟá Wakpádaŋ/Bassett Creek Subcommittee Update: 2025 Watershed Clean-up Event i. It was an event to help clean up the creek and honor the importance of water to the indigenous communities that used to live in this area. ii. Participants met at City Hall to get supplies like grabbers, gloves, and reflective gear for safety. There was a map available to show where the creek runs through Golden Valley, what areas are available for clean-up, and which areas had a higher volume of trash to pick up. iii. There were at least 30 community members who participated. iv. The Oral History Project and Bassett Creek Watershed staff set up tables with information. v. It seemed people weren’t very interested in the educational materials because they were there to grab the materials they needed to get out and pick up trash. vi. Would need to decide by December if the Commission would like to do this again. MOTION by Commissioner Wold, seconded by Commissioner Byl to dissolve the Ȟaȟá Wakpádaŋ/Bassett Creek Subcommittee and the motion carried. E. Annual Work Plan Development 4 City of Golden Valley Environmental Commission Regular Meeting May 19, 2025 – 6:30 pm 3 i. Staff asked Commissioners to review and confirm the final ranking of the seven high priority items and discuss Potential EC Project Leads for each item. These will make up the Annual Work Plan. ii. Commissioners decided to leave the order of the seven high priority as is and to spend time filling in the Potential EC Project Leads. 1. Draft procedure or Policy for Co-Naming Ȟaȟá Wakpádaŋ / Bassett Creek. 1. EC Lead – Commissioner Klaas 2. Update the City’s Outdoor Lighting Ordinance. 1. EC Lead – Commissioner Klaas 3. Assist with Developing Climate Equity Plan. 1. Taking all the information from the existing Resilience and Sustainability Plan, GreenStep Cities Steps, and Energy Action Plan and rolling it into one reimagined plan along with new information. 2. An RFP went out to find a consultant to help lead the City in the development of this plan. 3. There will be surveys and open houses for residents to participate. 4. EC Lead – Commissioner Brenna 4. Sponsor 2026 Spring Tree Sale. 1. EC Lead – Commissioner Brenna 5. Apply in 2025 and Host We Are Water Minnesota’s Traveling Exhibit in 2026. 1. The application deadline is June 26. 2. EC Lead – Commissioner Byl 6. Perform Audit of Brookview using Audubon International Environmentally Responsible Golf Course Criteria. 1. We will look at spending $1000 of the EC budget to have the initial audit done. The $500/year would be if we’re certified and want to maintain that certification. 2. EC Lead – Commissioner Wold 7. Continue Supporting Hennepin County’s Zero Waste Efforts by reducing styrofoam and single use plastics, bags, and containers (restaurants, stores, etc), and explore implementing a potential city-wide fee on certain products (carryover from 2023-24 plan) Council Communications. 1. EC Lead – Commissioner Drawz iii. Once we hear more information from leadership on what the draft work plan should look like, we’ll transfer the information from the matrix to the work plan. In the meantime, Commissioners can start to research and discuss the top 7 items. F. Council Communications 5 City of Golden Valley Environmental Commission Regular Meeting May 19, 2025 – 6:30 pm 4 i. None G. Commission Communications i. Tonight’s meeting will be Staff Liaison Eric Eckman’s last meeting. He has taken a new position and his last day with the City of Golden Valley will be May 30, 2025. Ethan Kehrberg will most likely be taking over as staff liaison. ii. The Commissioners shared their appreciation for the work done by former Commissioners Debra Yahle, Tonia Galonska, Wendy Weirich, and Kari Cantarerro. 8. Adjournment MOTION by Commissioner Wold, seconded by Commissioner Byl to adjourn the meeting at 8:02 pm and the motion carried. ATTEST: __________________________________ __________________________________ Carrie Nelson, Administrative Assistant Paul Klaas, Chair 6 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Community Development 763-512-2345 / 763-512-2344 (fax) Golden Valley Environmental Commission Meeting June 23, 2025 Agenda Item 5.C. Presentation about Bassett Creek Watershed Management Commission's (BCWMC) Watershed Management Plan from BCWMC Commissioner Paula Pentel Prepared By Ethan Kehrberg, Sustainability Specialist Recommended Action No action required. Supporting Documents BCWMC Plan Outreach Spring 2025 7 Protecting and enhancing lakes and streams in the Ȟaȟá Wakpádaŋ / Bassett Creek Watershed 8 ▪Minneapolis ▪Golden Valley ▪Plymouth ▪Crystal ▪New Hope ▪Robbinsdale ▪St. Louis Park ▪Minnetonka ▪Medicine Lake Regional government organization formed in 1969 to focus on flood control along Ȟaȟá Wakpádaŋ/Bassett Creek. Now also focused on improving and protecting water quality of the lakes and streams in the tributary area. Includes 9 member cities with one Commissioner and Alternate Commissioner per city: Photo: Dan Johnson 9 •40 square miles, tributary to the Mississippi River •4 priority streams: Bassett Creek, Plymouth Creek, North Branch, Sweeney Lake Branch •10 priority lakes: Medicine, Sweeney, Twin, Parkers, Lost, Northwood, Westwood, Wirth, Crane, Sunset 10 Second Street Tunnel 1978 Historic Flooding 1950s and 1960s Third Ave. Tunnel 1990 Double Box Culvert 1992 11 •Constructed 1976 - 1992 •$80 million project (2019 dollars) •2.4 miles of tunnel with 35 foot drop structure •18 additional flood control structures throughout watershed •Partnership: BCWMC and member cities, MnDNR, Army Corps of Engineers 12 •Monitor and model water quality and quantity; perform studies •Implement capital improvement projects •Ensure water management standards are met for developments/redevelopments •Inspect and maintain Flood Control Project •Provide education and watershed-wide coordination and “point of contact”13 •Operating budget ~ $850,000 •Contributions from 9 member cities •Development review fees •Grants •Capital improvement program budget ~ $2.3M •Tax levy through Hennepin County •Grants •Potential for maintenance levy $3.6M in grant funds since 2013! 14 ✓Updated every 10 years: last plan = 2015 ✓Developed with input from cities, agency partners, public ✓Sets goals and policies ✓Prioritizes areas of focus ✓Lists projects and programs 15 •2022 Online survey (165 responses) •Feb 2023 Public open house (56 attendees) 80% of respondents say lakes & streams are very important to quality of life Suggestions for improvements: •Less trash in lakes and streams •Lower chloride levels (less salt!) •Less streambank and shoreline erosion •More education of residents •Better access to the creek •Incentives for native plantings and other best practices Priority concerns: •Flooding & water levels •Water quality & pollution 16 •Impaired waters (degraded water quality) •Chloride pollution (winter deicers) •Impact of climate change on hydrology,water levels, and flood risk •Bassett Creek Valley flood risk reduction and stormwater management opportunities •Organizational capacity and staffing •BCWMC funding mechanisms •Progress assessment 17 •Chloride •Crane Lake •Parkers Lake •Sweeney Lake •Wirth Lake •Bassett Creek •Plymouth Creek •Nutrients •Lost Lake •Medicine Lake •Northwood Lake •Bacteria •Bassett Creek •North Branch Bassett Cr •Plymouth Creek •Sweeney Branch Bassett Cr •Biologic Integrity •Medicine Lake •Bassett Creek •Plymouth Creek 18 Erosion AIS Wetlands Groundwater Equity Education Uplands Recreation Carbon footprint 19 •Medicine Lake off impaired waters list for nutrients •Significantly improve water quality in Lost and Northwood Lakes •Improve/maintain water quality and ecology in all other lakes and streams •Reduce chloride in Bassett Creek by 10% •Reduce flood risk in vulnerable areas •Enhance climate resiliency •Collaborate on regional improvements in Bassett Creek Valley •Assess organizational structure, staffing needs, and funding mechanisms; implement recommendations •Assess progress toward plan goals 20 PartnershipsDevelopment requirements Flood Control Project Mgmt Monitoring, modeling, studies Capital Projects Education & Engagement Other Tools: Operations, Admin Technical Assist Planning & Collaboration AIS Management Evaluation 21 •Requirements for developments and redevelopments (cities enforce through their permits) •Appropriate stormwater management – infiltration and treatment •No impacts to 100-year floodplain •Stream and wetland buffers •Winter maintenance plans required •Construction erosion control •Flood Control Project – rigorous inspections, maintenance as needed, cooperation with cities 22 •Monitoring, modeling, studies •Routine, robust monitoring on lakes: water quality, vegetation, zooplankton, phytoplankton (Monitoring Program: Appendix B) •Hydrologic model and floodplain maps updated and maintained •Subwatershed assessments, surveys, mapping •Capital Improvement Program (CIP) •36 projects scheduled in 10-year CIP •Feasibility study informs final project; design & construction typically by city (may expand to include public-private partnerships) •Streambank restorations, stormwater pond creation/expansion, stormwater reuse, flood risk reduction •Incorporate Indigenous land and water care practices, as appropriate 23 •Education and Engagement •Education and Engagement Plan •Watershed map and creek co-naming •Augment city water education programs •Partner with West Metro Water Alliance and Hennepin County •Commissioner training opportunities •Volunteer opportunities •Signage and incorporation of Indigenous art •Website, reports, handouts 24 •June: Gather feedback from cities, neighborhoods, interested partners - YOU! •August – September: 60-day formal review period for technical review agencies, cities, partners, public •October – December: Review comments; respond to each comment in writing •January – March 2026: 90-day review period and presentation to MN Board of Water and Soil Resources •April 2026: Adoption by BCWMC 25 www.bassettcreekwmo.org Laura Jester BCWMC Administrator laura.jester@keystonewaters.com 952-270-1990 GV Commissioner: Name Paula Pentel Email paula@paulapentel.com Phone 763-522-6628 26 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Community Development 763-512-2345 / 763-512-2344 (fax) Golden Valley Environmental Commission Meeting June 23, 2025 Agenda Item 5.D. Haha Wakpadan/Bassett Creek Co-Naming Policy Discussion (draft policy attached) Prepared By Ethan Kehrberg, Sustainability Specialist Recommended Action Discuss the draft policy language and vote on recommendation to City Council. Supporting Documents Co-Naming Policy (Draft) 27 DRAFT CO-NAMING HAHA WAKPADAN/BASSETT CREEK POLICY Policy Description: Co -name the creek with the English name “Bassett Creek” with its Dakota name, “Ȟaȟá Wakpádaŋ.” Purpose: To acknowledge and honor the Dakota nation, on whose ancestral land the City of Golden Valley is built, and whose land and water resources we use. Definition: “Ȟaȟá Wakpádaŋ” is the Dakota name for the creek with the English name “Bassett Creek.” Attachments Needed: - Copy of the Bassett Creek Watershed Management Commission’s “Creek Co -Naming Practices: Approved December 2024” is attached. Policy Language: − The City of Golden Valley approves and applauds the Bassett Creek Watershed Management Commission’s decision to use both the Dakota and English names for the creek with the English name “Bassett Creek.” − To the extent it is within the authority of the City of Golden Valley, and to the extent it is consistent with the practices and policies of the Bassett Creek Watershed Management Commission: − Both the Dakota and English names shall be used on the main stem of the creek; − The Dakota name shall be placed first, then a slash (rather than a hyphen), then the English name: Ȟaȟá Wakpádaŋ / Bassett Creek; − This co-naming shall be used wherever possible, particularly on public facing documents and places, including signs at road crossings, signs at project sites, and in parks. − In addition to the name, using Dakota artwork shall be considered on signs and other appropriate places. 28 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Community Development 763-512-2345 / 763-512-2344 (fax) Golden Valley Environmental Commission Meeting June 23, 2025 Agenda Item 5.E. Climate Equity Plan Update Prepared By Ethan Kehrberg, Sustainability Specialist Supporting Documents Climate Equity Plan Update 29 Date: To: From: Subject: June 23, 2025 Environmental Commission Ethan Kehrberg, Sustainability Specialist Climate Equity Plan Update Golden Valley’s Resilience and Sustainability Chapter in the 2040 Comprehensive Plan identifies “Complete a City-wide climate action plan” as one of its implementation actions. The Environmental Commission had also identified this as one of their priorities. This year, the City is moving forward with that effort. In May, city staff posted a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a consultant to support the development of a Climate Equity Plan. The City completed interviews on the week by June 13 and are working through the review process for the Professional Services Agreement to select a finalist. The agreement is tentatively scheduled to go to City Council on Tuesday, July 1 for approval once the consultant is selected and the PSA is reviewed. There is currently $55,000 available in the budget to complete the development of a Climate Equity Plan by the end of 2025 before implementation begins in 2026. Community members in Golden Valley, the Environmental Commission, city staff across all departments, and many others in the city will be asked to participate in the creation of the community’s Climate Equity Plan over the next few months. Pending City Council’s approval of the PSA for the consultant to support this work, staff will have more information about the community engagement plans and timeline of work available at the next Environmental Commission meeting. v 30 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Community Development 763-512-2345 / 763-512-2344 (fax) Golden Valley Environmental Commission Meeting June 23, 2025 Agenda Item 5.F. 2026 Spring Tree Sale Update Prepared By Ethan Kehrberg, Sustainability Specialist Recommended Action No action required. Supporting Documents Spring Tree Sale Update 31 Date: To: From: Subject: June 23, 2025 Environmental Commission Ethan Kehrberg, Sustainability Specialist 2026 Spring Tree Sale Update In 2023, the Environmental Commission recommended that City Council approve a partnership with Tree Trust for a Spring Tree Sale to help mitigate the loss of thousands of trees due to emerald ash borer. In both 2024 and 2025, the Environmental Commission agreed to sponsor the tree sale and dedicate up to $1,750 of its $3,500 annual budget for the effort. Trees are available to all Golden Valley residents and cost $80 each, but are sold at a discounted price of $40 for residents living in an environmental justice (EJ) priority area. In 2024, 81 trees were sold, including 16 with the EJ discount. In 2025, 99 trees were sold and all 25 EJ discounts were used. Residents picked up their trees at the Lions Park east parking lot in the evening. The pickup event was well-staffed and efficient, and feedback was positive. More information about the tree sale can be found on the City website here: https://www.goldenvalleymn.gov/784/Spring- Tree-Sale The map below shows where the trees sold through the 2025 sale were distributed throughout the city. v 32 33 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Community Development 763-512-2345 / 763-512-2344 (fax) Golden Valley Environmental Commission Meeting June 23, 2025 Agenda Item 5.H. Commissioner/Staff Communications Prepared By Ethan Kehrberg, Sustainability Specialist Summary The Commission and staff will provide verbal updates on the following work plan items: Outdoor lighting ordinance [Chair Paul Klaas] We Are Water exhibit [Commissioner Hannah Byl] Audubon audit [Vice Chair Adam Wold] Styrofoam/single-use plastics, bags, and containers [Commissioner Sarah Drawz] Staff and GreenCorps updates [Staff] Supporting Documents Staff and GreenCorps Updates 34 Date: June 23, 2025 To: Environmental Commission From: Ethan Kehrberg, Sustainability Specialist Subject: Staff and GreenCorps Updates Recycling Composition Study The annual recycling composition study completed on June 6th at Republic Services’ Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) in Minneapolis. A sample was taken from one route in Golden Valley and manually sorted by one of the workers to determine the breakdown of material collected. Ethan and Gunnar were there to ensure the sample was from Golden Valley and that the sort was being completed accurately. They were also given a tour of the MRF to see how it sorts and processes different kinds of materials for recycling. A detailed report of the findings will be available in the annual recycling report provided to the Environmental Commission at a future meeting. Brookview Solar The City has money in the budget to add rooftop solar to Brookview. Staff have been working on a request for proposals (RFP) to post so we can gather proposals from solar companies. It is currently being reviewed. As of June 17th, the RFP has not been posted but staff are hopeful it will be posted prior to the June 23rd Environmental Commission meeting. Staff can provide additional updates at the meeting. Community Events City staff were present at Golden Valley Pride on June 14 th at Brookview Park with tables from different departments and commissions. Ethan and Gunnar were tabling with the City’s Associate Planner, Steven Okey, to talk with residents about city projects, sustainability initiatives, and hand out wildflower seed packets. During April to celebrate Earth Month, the City also hosted and co-hosted two cleanups. The first was in junction with the Haha Wakpadan/Bassett Creek Watershed Commission. Over 25 residents participated in the cleanup and over 700 pounds of waste were collected from v 35 different areas near Golden Valley’s bodies of water. The City also hosted a cleanup for staff on Earth Day. Over 50 staff members from various departments participated and collected over 5,000 pounds of waste from public land around the city. GreenCorps Program Updates In late April, federal AmeriCorps funding for Minnesota GreenCorps was terminated. MN GreenCorps runs on a combination of federal and state funds, so they continued to operate despite the federal funding freeze. MN GreenCorps members, including Golden Valley’s member, continued to serve their communities, but not as official AmeriCorps members. On June 5, a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction that instructs AmeriCorps to restore the terminated grants and members in the 24 states (including Minnesota) that are parties in the lawsuit. The MPCA is awaiting guidance, but they hope to reinstate MN GreenCorps members in AmeriCorps later in June, which will help them resume access to AmeriCorps benefits until the August 12 program end date. MPCA is still working out budget scenarios, but they anticipate operating a non-AmeriCorps MN GreenCorps program of smaller scale, with a start date later in the fall. The City was awarded a member for the 2025-26 service year prior to the AmeriCorps cuts, but staff will wait to hear whether the City remains on the list of host sites if the program size shrinks. MN GreenCorps has provided an exceptional amount of value to the community through the projects members complete, additional capacity for city staff to take on innovative initiatives, and professional development for the members who serve the city. Pollinator Week Gunnar prepared a proclamation for Pollinator Week and presented it at City Council on June 17th. He also handed out wildflower seed packets that staff had left over from the tabling effort at Golden Valley Pride so Councilmembers and other attendees could plant wildflowers in their yards or gardens. Organics Drop-Off Site Since setting up the pilot drop-off site for organics recycling at Fire Station #2, the city has seen relatively consistent use with almost no contamination. We will continue to reach out to property managers in the next few weeks to remind them that their residents have access to this drop site, or that the city and county have resources available to help them establish their own collection service for their buildings. 36