Environmental Commission 05-23-11 Meeting MinutesGOLDEN VALLEY ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION
Regular Meeting
Minutes
May 23, 2011
Present: Commissioners, Baker, Gitelis, Hill, Stremel, Sunde; Jeannine
Clancy, Director of Public Works; Al Lundstrom, Park Maintenance
Supervisor; Joe Hogeboom, City Planner; Michael Simmons,
Planning Intern; and Pat Schutrop, Administrative Assistant
Absent: Commissioners Anderson and Pawluk
1. Call to Order
Baker called the meeting to order at 7 pm.
Introduction of New Member
Baker introduced Paula Sunde. She is currently a Masters of Public Affairs
candidate at the University of Minnesota with concentration in the areas of social
and environmental justice. She moved to Golden Valley two years ago.
2. Approval of Regular Meeting Minutes – April 25, 2011
MOVED by Stremel, seconded by Gitelis, and the motion carried unanimously to
approve the minutes of the April 25, 2011.
3. Residential Solid Waste and Recycling Study
Discussion regarding proposal to limit collection days – Staff researched the
possibility of limiting the collections days to coincide with the recycling pick-up.
Potential outcomes were discussed. The three remaining goals will be brought to
a Council/Manager meeting at the same time.
Licensing requirements – Staff contacted the haulers regarding the special
services discussed last month and most of the haulers indicated they could meet
the requests (detailed summary on file). Staff will ask the City Attorney for further
clarification on electronics collection.
Collection requirements – The Assistant City Attorney indicated that it is legal to
require residents to contract with a solid waste hauler (memo on file). Staff will
ask for further clarification on the meaning of “environmentally sound alternative
waste removal”. Staff will ask the haulers if they offer minimum service plans and
the ability to suspend collection services. They will also ask what type of fuel they
use.
Status update on recycling contract negotiations - The City of Plymouth has been
given direction from their council to work with Golden Valley and Minnetonka in
negotiating a contract with Waste Management for recycling services. The cities
are working with Waste Management on cost and the long term viability of bins
vs. the cart program.
Minutes of the Environmental Commission
May 23, 2011
Page 2 of 2
The Communications Manager outlined in a memo (on file) the reasons why
services offered by the haulers cannot be posted on the city website. Hogeboom
will ask the Communications Manger if the licensing requirements discussed are
adopted, if they could be listed on the website. The Commission asked
Hogeboom to relay their disappointment that the Communications Manager did
not attend the meeting so that the issue could be discussed.
4. Program/Project Updates
A. TMDL – Brownie Lake has been de-listed from the impaired water
list
B. I/I – no update
C. Private Development Update – summary on-file
D. DeCola Ponds – The City Engineer prepared a memo to the
Commission regarding the DeCola Ponds study (on-file).
5. Commission Member Council Reports
None
6. Other Business
Gitelis attended a “Zero Waste” seminar. She will be getting the presentations
electronically and will make available to the rest of the commission. She also
reported that the Fresh Water Society is looking for volunteers to help with
community based cleanup activities.
7. Adjourn
MOVED by Hill, seconded by Stremel, and the motion carried to adjourn.
The meeting adjourned at 9 pm. The next scheduled meeting will be June 27,
2011 at 7 pm.