4-22-13 MinutesGOLDEN 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 2 of 3
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/Proiect 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. Adjourn
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.
9-"I-za 0"LtW-
Lisa
Nesbitt
Administrative Assistant