10-28-13 Joint Meeting MinutesJoint Meeting of the
Golden Valley Environmental Commission, and Open Space and Recreation
Commission
October 28, 2013
A joint meeting of the Environmental Commission and Open Space and Recreation
Commission was held at the Golden Valley City Hall, Council Chambers, 7800 Golden
Valley Road, Golden Valley, Minnesota, on Monday, October 28, 2013. Chairs Jim
Stremel and Jerry Sandler called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
Those present were, Environmental Commissioners Anderson, Galonska, Gitelis, Hill,
Stremel and Yahle; Open Space and Recreation Commissioners Bergman, Mattison,
Rosenquist, Sandler, Speltz and Steinberg; City Council Member Clausen,. Also present
was Director of Parks & Recreation Rick Birno, Director of Public Works Jeannine Clancy,
Public Works Specialist Eric Eckman, Administrative Assistant Lisa Nesbitt and Deric
Deuschle from Short Elliot Hendrickson (SEH)
Natural Resource Management Plan
Deric Deuschle with Short Elliot Hendrickson (SEH), presented recommendations for
developing a Natural Resource Management Plan based on the 2013 Natural Resource
Inventory. A copy of the presentation is on -file.
Areas of discussion included:
Focus
Education
Action Plan
Long and short term goals (think big)
Preserve and maintain what is currently there
Water resources should be mentioned in the plan however details are covered under
TMDL studies
Invasive species as it relates to the impact on trees
Areas to Preserve
Wild area preservation (Rice Lake, Mary Hills, Pennsylvania Woods)
Laurel Greenbelt (Dakota/Brunswick)
Wild Life (e.g. monarch butterflies, deer, geese)
Discussion items for next month:
Typical plan components
Determine the desired plan elements
Develop goals
Develop priorities
2. Bassett Creek Trail System
Eckman updated the commission on a future Bassett Creek Regional Trail facility
(identified by the City, Hennepin County and Three Rivers Park District) which would
Minutes of the Golden Valley Environmental Commission/Open Space and Recreation
Commissions
October 28, 2013
Page 2
connect French Park in Plymouth to Theodore Wirth Park in Golden Valley. Some
portions of the trail have been constructed and other portions are planned for future
construction. The portion of the trail proposed along Golden Valley Road (from Regent
Avenue to Wirth Parkway) is not currently programmed for construction. However, Golden
Valley received a grant from Hennepin County in 2013 to assist in the completion of a
feasibility study of the Golden Valley Road corridor. The study will take into consideration
other upcoming projects that the City is aware of in that area (e.g. Bottineau LRT).
Golden Valley and its consultant, SRF Consulting Group, have begun work on the study.
Meetings were recently held with businesses located along the corridor to solicit input and
identify issues, and also with agency stakeholders (Hennepin County, Three Rivers Park
District, Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board). A public informational open house is
being planned for December for residents adjacent to the corridor and the general public.
3. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 8:25 pm.
A-
Lisa
Nesbitt
Administrative Assistant