3-24-14 E.C. MinutesGOLDEN VALLEY ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION
Regular Meeting
Minutes
March 24, 2014
Present: Commissioners Tonia Galonska, Lynn Gitelis, Dawn Hill, Jim
Stremel; Eric Eckman, Public Works Specialist; Sandy Werts,
Volunteer Coordinator, Al Lundstrom, Park Maintenance Supervisor
and Lisa Nesbitt, Administrative Assistant
Absent: Commissioners Tracy Anderson and Debra Yahle
1. Call to Order
Stremel called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
2. Approval of Regular Meeting Minutes — February 24, 2014
MOVED by Hill, seconded by Galonska, and the motion carried unanimously to
approve the minutes of the February 24, 2014 meetings.
3. Vacant City Parcels — Round Table Discussion
Commissioners discussed with Werts and Lundstrom, options for managing
vacant City -owned open space parcels. Werts reported that she is always looking
for quality volunteer projects for groups and individuals and that maintenance of
some of these parcels would be a good fit. The need to partner with individuals
and/or groups to is necessary because the City does not have the resources to
maintain all of them. Lundstrom suggested that the parcels be categorized (e.g.
developable, transferrable) as a means of assisting staff as requests are made of
parcels. Some of the parcels will be looked at as a part of the Natural Resource
Management Plan process.
Weather permitting, Commissioners will go on a site visit to some of the parcels
in April.
4. Review Annual Report To Council
Moved by Gitelis, seconded by Hill and the motion carried unanimously to
approve the annual report. Due to the number of items on the Council agenda,
the annual report will be included in the Weekly Report that is sent to staff and
Council.
5. Select Representative For Community Center Task Force
Gitelis expressed an interest in being the Environmental Commission
representative on the task force. Hill nominated Gitelis, Galonska seconded and
the vote passed unanimously.
6. Program/Project Updates
Summary on -file. Additionally, it was requested that the commission be invited to
the next public meeting regarding the DeCola Pond study.
7. Commission Member Council Reports
Gitelis updated the commission on various legislative bills.
Minutes of the Environmental Commission
March 24, 2014
Page 2 of 2
8. Other Business
Eckman reported that Three Rivers Park District will be holding a public visioning
session on April 16th from 6-8:00 pm, regarding potential programming at
Sochaki Park, Mary Hills and Rice Lake nature areas.
Hennepin County is working on their draft bicycle plan for 2014. Eckman is part
of the project advisory group. The draft plan will be presented to the metro cities
in July.
9. Adjourn
MOVED by Galonska, seconded by Gitelis, and the motion carried to adjourn.
The meeting adjourned at 9:00 pm.
Lisa Nesbitt
Administrative Assistant