2025-06-23_EC MinutesCity of Golden Valley
June 23, 2025 -6:30 pm
Environmental Commission Regular Meeting 3
o It's focusing on the impacts of climate change and what we can do to mitigate and adapt to
climate change and not losing sight of how we can go about this in an equitable manner.
5.F. 2026 Spring Tree Sale Update
•We're still a way out from this. Our new City Forester will take this over so there may be a different
approach next year. This will be brought back to the Commission when it's ready to be voted on.
6.G. Council Communications
•None
7.H. Commissioner/Staff Communications
•The EC has a $3,500 budget this year. $236.96 has been spent so far.
• A briefing on the State of Science for Outdoor Lighting provided by Chair Klaas was e-mailed to the
Commissioners to review.
•Commissioner Byl gave an update on hosting the We are Water Exhibit. The City cannot sponsor the
exhibit. It needs to be hosted by a community organization/non-profit group/library.
o The Minneapolis Downtown Improvement District is hosting this in a couple of weeks.
•Commissioner Wold reached out to Greg Simmons and Janelle Crossfield at Brookview about the
potential Audubon Audit. Ethan can possibly set up a meeting with Greg and Janelle to discuss this.
They will be the staff to recommend going forward with this or not.
•No update on the· Styrofoam/Single-Use Plastics, Bags, and Containers. Commissioner Drawz will look
into this before the next meeting and possibly put together a recommendation summary to pass
along to Council.
•Staff reviewed the information found on the Staff and GreenCorps Updates Memo in the July 21,
2025 Agenda.
•Hennepin County has a Tree Planting Grant Program. Golden Valley wasn't listed as receiving a grant.
Is this something we pursue, or do we have a tree planting program?
o We did partner with Hennepin County to do some tree plantings in some of our nature areas.
A lot of this is shifting to our new City Forester so she's been looking more into these
opportunities. Engineering is working on a policy to implement more plantings with street
projects and have more green grass along boulevards.
o Hennepin County has a goal to plant 1 million trees by 2030. They're almost halfway there
already.
6.Adjournment
MOTION by Commissioner Wold, seconded by Commissioner Byl to adjourn the meeting at 7:59 pm and
the motion carried.
ATTEST:
Carrie Nelson, Administrative Assistant Paul Klaas, Chair
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