9-24-12 EC MinutesGOLDEN VALLEY ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION
Regular Meeting
Minutes
September 24, 2012
Present: Commissioners Tracy Anderson Rich Baker, Dawn Hill, Jim Stremel,
Damon Struyk; Jeannine Clancy, Public Works Director; Eric
Eckman, Public Works Specialist; Eric Seaburg, Graduate Engineer,
and Lisa Nesbitt, Administrative Assistant
Absent: Commissioners Lynn Gitelis (attended via conference call) and Debra
Yahle
2. Approval of Regular Meeting Minutes — August 27, 2012
MOVED by Hill, seconded by Stremel, and the motion carried unanimously to
approve the minutes of the August 27, 2012 meeting.
3. Section 10.32 Study
Guests Police Chief Stacy Carlson, Fire/Property Maintenance inspector Josh
Kunde and Planning Director Mark Grimes discussed how the proposal to
change Ordinance 10.32 to allow chickens will impact each of their departments.
Carlson said the Police Department currently serves as animal control for the city
and they are not in favor of amending the ordinance. Most of the calls received
by the department are livability issues and she believes the addition of chickens
in the city will add to the workload. In addition she expressed concern regarding
a higher call volume (due to noise, smell, etc.), the logistics of having to transport
chickens to the Humane Society due to the lack of impound facilities for chickens
and the potential for attracting predators.
Kunde echoed some of the same concerns but also added the concern for fire
hazards caused in heating coops and the additional time staff time required for
licensing and inspecting. Each license may require multiple visits to the property.
The initial inspection may only be one visit but if there are complaints then
multiple inspections may be necessary as a follow up.
Grimes said harboring animals is outside of the zoning code but Planning may be
involved due to the fact that coops would be considered an accessory building
and property owners are limited to a total of 1,000 square feet for all accessory
buildings.
Q&As are listed separately.
Commissioners reviewed the study timeline. An open house will not be done as a
public hearing is required for ordinance changes should council decide to move
forward. Seaburg will add to the timeline, the date for the presentation to Council
(March). He will also draft an outline for the final report for the next meeting.
Baker will serve the role of wild life expert at the next meeting.
Minutes of the Environmental Commission
September 24, 2012
Page 2 of 2
4. Program/Promect Updates
Summary on -file. Additionally:
Private Developments — Council approved the Triton Drive PUD, the BP remodel
and addition at Boone Avenue and TH 55; the Golden View development on
Sweeney Lake, and the Tiburon development.
Recycling — Baker asked if staff could report on the St. Louis Park organics
recycling program. He also asked that the cost of expanding the spring brush
pick up program be brought to a future meeting.
Wetland Management — the City issued a notice of decision to the Minneapolis
Park Board on their wetland application for the re -vegetation effort. There will be
no loss to the wetland for the maintenance of the large pipe that needs repair.
5. Commission Member Council Reports
None
6. Other Business
The December meeting will be moved to December 10th to accommodate the
presentation of the final project by the U of M students.
7. Adjourn
MOVED by Hill, seconded by Struyk, and the motion carried to adjourn.
The meeting adjourned at 8:50 pm. The next scheduled meeting will be
October 22, 2012 at 7 pm.