1-28-13 MinutesGOLDEN VALLEY ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION
Regular Meeting
Minutes
January 28, 2013
Present: Commissioners Tracy Anderson, Rich Baker, Jim Stremel, Damon
Struyk, Debra Yahle; Jeannine Clancy, Public Works Director; Eric
Eckman, Public Works Specialist; Eric Seaburg, Graduate Engineer;
and Sheila Hayes, Office Clerk
Absent: Commissioners Lynn Gitelis (attended via conference call) and
Dawn Hill
1. Call to Order
Baker called the meeting to order at 6:59 pm.
2. Approval of Joint and Regular Meeting Minutes — December 10, 2012
MOVED by Stremel, seconded by Struyk, and the motion carried unanimously to
approve the minutes of the December 10, 2012 meetings.
3. Section 10.32 Study
The Commissioners reviewed the draft report and suggested some corrections/
modifications to the ordinance provisions. Seaburg will provide a break -down of
the estimated 96 additional hours per year of staff time that would be required to
administer the ordinance the ordinance, if the ordinance was amended to allow
chickens. Clancy will define "impaired body of waters". Clancy and Eckman will
re -work Paragraph 5.0 regarding the Environmental Commission's recommend -
dation and provide it to Baker for distribution. Commissioners discussed whether
the 0.5 acre parcel size was too restrictive. Eckman will run percentages for 0.4
acres and 0.25 acres, and create additional alternatives (maps) for properties
eligible to keep fowl. This will help put different parcel sizes into perspective and
better show how a typical, residential lot can accommodate a coop/run within
the setbacks.
4. U of M Student Project Summary
Eckman asked Commissioners to consider recommendations made by students
from the U of M's Environmental Sciences, Policy, and Management program
when developing future work plans. The Environmental Commission will include
this work in their work planning effort in March.
5. Wood As Heating Source
Anderson presented information on wood -burning fireplaces, stoves, and
Outdoor Wood Boilers (OWB) being used as primary heating sources, along with
the associated health effects and air pollution it creates. She would like to see
permits required for new wood -burning fireplaces or stoves, more community
education on the topic, and articles in the City Newsletter. Anderson will provide
Clancy with a written summary of her concerns that can be presented to the City
Council. Gitelis mentioned that she is a member of the Minnesota Clean Air
Coalition and she will provide Anderson with additional information and contacts.
Minutes of the Environmental Commission
January 28, 2013
Page 2 of 2
6. Program/Project Updates
Summary on -file.
7. Commission Member Council Reports
Gitelis mentioned TMDL changes.
8. Other Business
None.
9. Adjourn
MOVED by Baker, seconded by Struyk, and the motion carried to adjourn.
The meeting adjourned at 8:50 pm. The next scheduled meeting will be
February 25, 2013 at 7 pm.
Sheila Hayes
Office Clerk