5-20-13 Agenda PacketAGENDA
GOLDEN VALLEY ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION
Regular Meeting
Golden Valley City Hall, 7800 Golden Valley Road
Council Conference Room, Monday, May 20, 2013
7:00 PM
1. Call to Order
2. Approval of Regular Meeting Minutes — April 22, 2013
3. 2013 Priorities
4. Program/Project Updates (Staff)
a)
TMDL
b)
1/1
c)
Private Development Update
d)
Decola Ponds
e)
Recycling Update
f)
Wetland Management
g)
Bottineau Transitway
5. Commission Member Council Reports (Commissioners)
6. Other Business
7. Adjourn
This document is available in alternate formats upon a 72 -hour request. Please call
763-593-8006 (TTY: 763-593-3968) to make a request. Examples of alternate formats
may include large print, electronic, Braille, audiocassette, etc.
GOLDEN VALLEY ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION
Regular Meeting
Minutes
April 22, 2013
Present: Commissioners Tracy Anderson, Dawn Hill, Jim Stremel, Kyle
Turner, Debra Yahle; Jeannine Clancy, Public Works Director, Eric
Eckman, Public Works Specialist; and Lisa Nesbitt, Administrative
Assistant
Absent: Commissioners Lynn Gitelis and Damon Struyk
1. Call to Order
Stremel called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
2. Approval of Regular Meeting Minutes — February 25, 3013
MOVED by Hill, seconded by Anderson, and the motion carried unanimously to
approve the minutes of the February 25, 2013 meeting.
3. Organizational Business
Introduction of New Member
Kyle Turner is a GIS/IT specialist for the Air Force. He lived overseas for two
years, returning last September. Prior to moving to moving overseas he was a
member of Plymouth's Environmental Quality Committee.
Appoint Chair and Vice Chair
Hill nominated Stremel for position of Chair. Stremel nominated Yahle for position
of Vice Chair. The nominations were closed. Stremel asked for a vote. Stremel
and Yahle were unanimously voted in the positions of Chair and Vice Chair.
Annual Report
The annual report was reviewed by the commission. A motion to approved the
annual report was MOVED by Hill, seconded by Anderson, and the motion
carried unanimously. Stremel will present the report at the Council/Manager
meeting on May 14tH
2013 Priorities
The commission reviewed the priorities identified in the April 17, 2012 memo to
Council from Baker (on -file) along with the recommendations from the Natural
Resource Manage project by the U of M students. Staff provided an update on
the priority regarding solar panels. The city was approached by Adolfson &
Peterson Construction regarding funding for solar panels on city buildings. If the
funding becomes available, and the city elects to proceed with the project, this
priority would be accomplished. A memo outlining this project is on -file.
Additionally, Clancy reported that the legislature is in the process of reviewing the
current law regarding organized solid waste hauling, with the goal to streamline
the process. If legislation is passed and if the council decides to move forward
with a solid waste study, then the commission's goal regarding composting could
be linked with that study if so directed by the Council.
Minutes of the Environmental Commission
April 22, 2013
Page 2of3
The goals identified for 2013 are:
First Priority: Natural Area Management Plans
• Convert current Natural Area Management practices into a Natural Area
Management policy.
• Conversion of under-utilized open space parcels (e.g. community gardens,
develop an adopt -a -park program).
• Identify opportunities for educating Golden Valley residents about the use
and management of the City's natural areas.
Second Priority: Composting (if the City moves to organized solid waste hauling)
• Institute city-wide kitchen waste collection
• Amend composting ordinance to include schools, businesses, and
multiple -family residential developments.
• Study City -sponsored composting, as was implemented in Hutchinson
Third Priority: Transportation Alternatives
• Identify actions to improve the transportation and recreational alternatives
of commuting non-resident employees of large Golden Valley employers,
and to incent employees to engage in alternative and mass transit options.
• Identify actions to promote use of transportation alternatives by Golden
Valley schools and students.
• Identify actions to improve biking and walking opportunities in Golden
Valley (e.g., bike lanes and sidewalks).
• Identify improvements to bus routing and other community transportation
options in Golden Valley, and begin planning access to Bottineau Line.
• Identify improvements to better meet the needs of Golden Valley seniors
and others in accessing shopping and mass transit connections (explore
possibility of support/collaboration with Hennepin County Active Living
Initiative).
• Identify actions to promote Golden Valley citizens' understanding and use
of existing transportation alternatives (e.g., Five -Cities Transit Program).
Staff will draft the priorities and will send to Stremel in preparation for the May
Council/Manager meeting.
4. Program/Project Updates
Summary on -file.
5. Commission Member Council Reports
Hill and Anderson attended the Council/Manager meeting when the 10.32 study
results were presented. Anderson presented concerns regarding wood burning at
the same meeting.
6. Other Business
Minutes of the Environmental Commission
April 22, 2013
Page 3 of 3
Stremel signed a letter to Baker, on behalf of the commission, thanking him for
his service with the commission.
7. Adiourn
MOVED by Hill, seconded by Yahle, and the motion carried to adjourn.
The meeting adjourned at 8:20 pm. The next scheduled meeting will be
May 20, 2013 at 7 pm.
Lisa Nesbitt
Administrative Assistant
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MEMORANDUM
Public Works Department
763-593-8030 / 763-593-3988 (fax)
Executive Summary
Golden Valley Council/Manager Meeting
May 14, 2013
Agenda Item
2. Annual Report — Environmental Commission
Prepared By
Jeannine Clancy, Director of Public Works
Summary
The Environmental Commission has prepared its 2012 annual report which includes a summary of
its work on the keeping of chickens and curbside recycling. Chair Jim Stremel will be in
attendance to present the report. The Commission also completed its 2013 work plan
highlighting priorities for the remainder of 2013. The work plan includes the following items:
First Priority: Develop Natural Resources Management Plan
• Review current natural resource management practices and convert into formal policies.
• Explore alternative uses for City -owned open space parcels scattered throughout the
community (e.g., potential for development, adopt -a -lot program, conversion to native
vegetation or low maintenance turf, buckthorn busting, community gardens).
• Review and update current ordinances impacting natural resources (such as invasive
species).
• Identify opportunities for educating residents about the use and management of the
City's natural areas.
Second Priority: If so directed, provide support to City Council on Organized Solid Waste
Collection study to include composting
• Institute City-wide kitchen waste collection.
• Amend composting ordinance to include schools, businesses, and multiple -family
residential developments.
• Study City -sponsored composting, as was implemented in Hutchinson.
G:\Executive Summary\2013\Council_Manager\EnvironmentalCommission_2013_Update_051413.docx
Third Priority: Transportation Alternatives
• Identify actions to improve the transportation and recreational alternatives of commuting
non-resident employees of large Golden Valley employers, and to incent employees to
engage in alternative and mass transit options.
• Identify actions to promote use of transportation alternatives by Golden Valley schools
and students.
• Identify actions to improve biking and walking opportunities in Golden Valley (e.g., bike
lanes and sidewalks).
• Identify improvements to bus routing and other community transportation options in
Golden Valley, and begin planning access to Bottineau Line.
• Identify improvements to better meet the needs of Golden Valley seniors and others in
accessing shopping and mass transit connections (explore possibility of
support/collaboration with Hennepin County Active Living Initiative).
• Identify actions to promote Golden Valley citizens' understanding and use of existing
transportation alternatives (e.g., Five -Cities Transit Program).
Please provide feedback on the report and direction on the 2013 priorities.
Attachment
• 2012 Annual Report - Environmental Commission (2 pages)
G:\Executive summary\2o13\councii_Manager\EnvironmentalCommission_2013_Update_051413.docx
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2012 ANNUAL REPORT
GOLDEN VALLEY ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION
Prepared by Jim Stremel, Vice Chair
April 2013
In accordance with Section 2.50, Subd. 4 of the Golden Valley City Code, the Golden Valley
Environmental Commission submits the following report of its 2012 activities, organized by the
Commission's duties and responsibilities.
Summary
The primary focus of the Environmental Commission during 2012 was collecting, reviewing, and
ultimately making a recommendation to the City Council regarding a change to Section 10.32 of
the City Code in regard to chicken keeping within the City. The Environmental Commission also
received updates on the City's new curbside recycling program.
At the monthly Commission meetings, program and project updates were routinely received
from staff. Updates provide the Commission with an opportunity to review and provide input to
staff from an environmental standpoint, and to identify issues the Commission might want to
address.
Chickens
At the request of the City Council, in May 2012, the Environmental Commission began studying
the hobby of backyard chicken keeping. As part of the study, the Commission heard from
professionals who spoke on behalf of the benefits, drawbacks, wildlife impacts, and
enforceability of amending the City Code to allow residents to participate in the hobby.
After hearing testimony from many points of view and conducting individual research work,
Commissioners deliberated over the issue. As with any topic, both positive and negative aspects
of chicken keeping were identified. The challenge the Commissioners addressed was weighing
these factors against the greater environmental considerations for the City. In January 2013, on
a 4-3 vote, the Commission decided to recommend to the City Council a modification to
Section 10.32 of the City Code to allow the keeping of chickens.
Environmental Commission Chair Rich Baker presented the Commission's final report and
recommendation at the March 12, 2013 Golden Valley Council/Manager meeting.
Curbside Recycling
January 1, 2012 was the start of the City's new curbside recycling program. In 2011, the
Environmental Commission provided feedback to staff about components of the new program.
Items requested to be included in the program were:
G:\Environmental Comm ission\An n ual Report\2012 GVEC Annual Report.docx
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• Curbside pick-up of electronics
0 Environmentally -sound practices and efficiency
• 100% revenue sharing
• A selection of wheel containers
• Added materials as recommended by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
The City's new curbside recycling program incorporated all of these requested items.
Comparing 2011 to 2012, the amount of material collected increased 20% (an additional
795,520 pounds of material was collected). The City received $74,514.64 in revenue sharing
from the sale of the recycled materials, which covered just over two months of recycling costs
for the City.
GAEnviron mental Commission\Annual Report\2012 GVEC Annual Report.docx
PROGRAM/PROJECT UPDATES — May 2013
TMDL
No updates
II
Point of Sale inspections are up so inspections are now being done four days per week.
PRIVATE DEVELOPMENTS
Culver's Restaurant
A local Culver's Restaurant franchisee has a purchase agreement in place for the former Piazza's
Restaurant site at 88517th Avenue North. Staff has met with the Culver's representatives and
has discussed the necessary requirements for the proposal. Culver's intends to remove the
former Piazza's building and construct a new, 4,200 square -foot restaurant. Because Culver's
will have a drive through window, it will be required to obtain a Conditional Use Permit.
Culver's has made application for the CUP permit, and hopes to begin construction this
summer.
Multi -Family Residential Development Update
The Tiburon and the Arcata projects have received approval by the City Council. The Arcata has
applied for an amendment to its PUD Plan because it will be shifting the location of the building
slightly. The 3.9.4 is expected to go before the City Council for final approval in June.
DECOLA PONDS
The Crystal City Council recently discussed the Phase 2 Study of DeCola Ponds. The Crystal City
Manager has indicated that a letter summarizing the discussion will be mailed to the Cities of
New Hope and Golden Valley in the near future.
RECYCLING UPDATE
Recycling in the Parks
Recycling in the Parks started May 1.
Curbside Recycling Update
The amount of material collected January through April of 2013, as compared to that same time
period in 2012, is up 6.7% (nearly 100,000 pounds).
WETLAND MANAGEMENT
No updates
BOTTINEAU TRANSITWAY
On May 8, The Metropolitan Council officially incorporated the Bottineau LRT into the Region's
Transportation Policy Plan. This action allows the Bottineau LRT project to move ahead for
further study and engineering. At the May 14 Council/Manager meeting, staff discussed Station
Area Planning, conclusion of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement and a possible tour of
the Hiawatha LRT.
Nesbitt, Lisa
From: City of Golden Valley <no-reply@wufoo.com>
Sent: Wednesday, May 08, 2013 4:45 PM
To: Nesbitt, Lisa; Seaburg, Eric
Subject: Feedback Form: Raising Chickens In Golden Valley [#701
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Due By: Monday, May 13, 2013 8:00 AM
Flag Status: Flagged
Name * Dara Walter
Address 1951 Regent Ave N
*
City * Golden Valley
Comments *
What is the status of the review of keeping chickens in Golden Valley?
I am in favor of allowing limited keeping of laying hens and ducks, but not roosters. The city should allow the keeping of
poultry and provide guidelines based upon the size of the property. I believe that anyone keeping poultry should be
required to attend training and possess a license (like a dog license) and that waste should be composted into garden
fertilizer along with other vegetation. Golden Valley should do what it can to promote sustainable organic urban
agriculture, including small scale poultry, dairy goats, and bee keeping where land volume is sufficient.
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