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10-27-14 E.C. Agenda Packet GOLDEN VALLEY ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION Regular Meeting Minutes September 22, 2014 Present: Commissioners Tonia Galonska, Lynn Gitelis, Dawn Hill, Larry Johnson, Jim Stremel, Debra Yahle; Eric Eckman, Public Works Specialist, Deric Deuschle, SEH; and Pat Schutrop, Administrative Assistant Absent: Commissioner Tracy Anderson Call to Order Stremel called the meeting to order at 7:02 pm. Approval of Regular Meeting Minutes —August 25, 2014 MOVED by Gitelis, seconded by Yahle, and the motion carried unanimously to approve the minutes of the August 25, 2014 meeting. New Proposals for Greener Practices The Mayor and City Council charged the Commission to consider suggestions for greener practices. Commission members also came up with a list of suggestions. In an attempt to organize the three lists, Stremel asked staff to create a matrix that would also include overlapping items from each list, how to implement, incentives/disincentives for change, etc. The Commission agreed to remove the following suggestions because of redundancy or are beyond the expected scope: • Educate residents through the CityNews and website, on better practices (e.g. water conservation). NOTE: This item will be reworded to read: Water Conservation (such as home water audits). • CSA and fresher vegetables delivered via less over the road trucking. • "Safe Streets" and more walking to school. • MnASAP support There was discussion to remove the suggestion regarding bat houses vs. spraying mosquitos; however, Chair Stremel asked that it remain on the list. Members of City Council added two additional suggestions for the Commission to consider: 1. Greenstep Cities Program. The Commission heard a presentation from the program administrator and considered participating in this program in 2011/2012, but decided to continue participating in the US Mayors Climate Protection Program the State of Minnesota's B3 Benchmark System instead. Action: Support the 2011/2012 decision to not participate in the Green Step Cities as it seems redundant to what the City and Commission are doing through the B3 Benchmarking system. Action: Include update of the B3 Benchmark System in the Commission's annual report to the City Council. Minutes of the Environmental Commission September 22, 2014 Page 2 of 3 2. Bee keeping and making the community bee-friendly. Consider Shorewood's policy encouraging the planting of bee-friendly flowers and restricting certain pesticides. Action: Keep this item on the list of new proposals for greener practices for possible inclusion in 2015 EC work plan. The Commission will review the matrix again at the next meeting. Natural Resource Management Plan (NRMP) The survey is now on the website and will be ready for residents to access after the September/October issue of the CityNews is released. The survey will be on the website for one month. Eric Eckman did a Channel 12 interview about the NRMP at the Bassett Creek Nature Area and noticed there was no signage identifying the nature area. He believes it would be beneficial to have name signs posted in the nature areas. Eckman also suggested that naming some of the open space areas in the City would give those areas an identity within the City. The Open Space and Recreation Commission and Rick Birno will need to be consulted regarding creating identities for some of the open spaces throughout the City. A difficult topic that will need to be addressed is encroachments into nature areas by private property owners. Many of these encroached areas by property owners happen over time and the property owner may not be aware they are encroaching onto public property. Education will be important in getting voluntary compliance as a starting point of enforcement. Currently, these are complaint- driven to be resolved by the City. Deric Deuschle distributed the first site (Adeline Nature Area) in Chapter 5 of the site specific management strategies for the commissioners to review and comment (on file). Each nature area site will be addressed individually by description, forest and woodlands, lake, wetlands, threatened and endangered species, vegetation goals and action plans. Eckman said the Sweeney Lake access should be emphasized in the site information for Adeline Nature Area. He suggested SEH also add creative ideas to the plan in how some of the land use areas can be enhanced or improved for the Commission and staff to react to. The draft of each site will be ready for the Commission to review at its next meeting. Program/Project Updates Bottineau Transitway Update: Commissioner Galonska attended the recent meeting. Rich Baker is requesting all Golden Valley representatives meet on October 22 to discuss the progress. Minutes of the Environmental Commission September 22, 2014 Page 3 of 3 Community Center Update: The site selection process is narrowed down to two locations, both of which are located on current Brookview property. Proposals will be finalized at the next meeting to present to the City Council in October. The complete program/project summary is on file. Commission Member Council Reports None. Other Business None. Adiourn MOVED by Hill, seconded by Johnson, and the motion carried to adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 8:59 pm. Pat Schutrop Administrative Assistant Chapter 5: Natural Resources Management Strategies 5-1 o J, , ;_,s_ it.„. „.. ,,,,,, „,..,),, - 0 it . "--.... ' 4 f ill p. . - -,--, ,.., -,r,, - )if toi.t, . Ai , -- ,, . . '.,.. II If GF x R V ° i c f ' - I * jam N'.., w1, F'f % , } ,it: . : Chapter 5: ,, p ,. ,..o. e ,i,,)74 ttiLs' t, x Natural Resources "�kk{� �..; ii n + � �": . . .7.• Management Strategies iiii, it mak , { r* rz * s'rli.t6. liv....-.,i.%.,T*,,,..t...,.1 4 ,..... ,.,,,. .„.....,...„.,. , 2. (•,. e <"'if• �t may. yi '+ . ---,1115.,.. Ma .�l.y...Rte." • .a, • :tf • ,, • "i, • ...,-,AT- "rte, '"' - w' � x7 . -4.,.....-.1%.se, .,..... .. ......g., .10r- -:.• 14 City of Golden Valley V�W 0 R K I N G D R A F T Natural Resources Management Plan 2015 10-27-14 WORKING DRAFT:October 27, 2014 Chapter 5: Natural Resources Management Strategies Site Specific Management Strategies/Recommendations Adeline Nature Area—Amenities Evaluation and Recommendations Example Bassett Creek Nature Area—Natural Resource Management Action Plan Example Chapter 5: Natural Resources Management Strategies Page 1 WORKING DRAFT: October 27, 2014 Site 12: Bassett Creek Nature Area Natural Resource Management Unit: TBD Location: Duluth Street and Vale Crest Road Nature Area Size: 1.2 Acres Description The Bassett Creek Nature Area is located between residential neighborhoods on the north end along Vale Crest Road, and commercial areas along Duluth Street. The west side of the park abuts residential homes, while the east side is adjacent to MnDOT and an office building. Bassett Creek flows from south to north through the park, and is a primary feature. Much of the Bassett Creek shoreline has been riprapped for erosion control. A storm water pond is partially located within the park on the north side, which treats water from Vale Crest Road prior to discharge into the Creek. Access to the park is from Either Vale Crest Road or Duluth Street. From Duluth Street, the park can be entered through a single trail and stairway. At the top of the stairway, the trail splits into an upper and lower segment, which joins at the north side to make small loop. The lower trail segment provides several vantage points in close proximity of the creek. A picnic area is present on the northwest aide of the park, and contains lawn and a few park amenities. Bassett Creek separates this park portion from the rest of the nature area. Forest and Woodlands The majority of Bassett Creek Nature Area is wooded. Along Bassett Creek, the woods are floodplain forest, dominated by mature box elder, silver maple, green ash, and American elm trees. The eastern half of the park is located in a natural bluff, which is dominated by several very old bur oak trees, and other native hardwoods. The top of the bluff area is sparser, but also contains about 50% cover of native and nonnative hardwoods. Buckthorn is prevalent along the bluff, and up to the edges of the creek, but is generally composed of younger individuals, and is at a relatively low density. Aquatic Resources Bassett Creek flows through the park, and is visible from numerous vantage points. The creek has been protected with riprap to provide bank stability and erosion control. The channel also splits within the nature area to provide a small hardwood swamp island Wetlands There is wetland along Bassett Creek, which is composed of a wooded swamp as part of the floodplain. The wetland floods during storm events, and is also near the water table, which assists in inhibiting buckthorn establishment. On the north side of the park, near the picnic area, there is an area that lacks trees and has developed into a shrub swamp. This is a moderate quality area for the composition of the vegetation, but it provides for diversity in habitat, and the dense shrubs protect the banks and slow down flows during flood events. City of Golden Valley Natural Resources Management Plan 2015 Site 12: Bassett Cr. Nature Area page 1 WORKING DRAFT: October 27, 2014 Threatened and Endangered Species None have been identified within the nature area. Vegetation In addition to the wooded portions of the park, there is an area of prairie on the north side, associated with a berm around the storm water pond. This area is less than a quarter of an acre, and was planted recently. The western portion of the park, at the top of the bluff, contains approximately 50% cover by mixed grassland species, approximately half is native species. Table 5.x Invasive Species Cover Percent Change 2003-2013 Key Description %Cover % Cover % Change 2003 2013 408 Common Buckthorn Site Recommendations Bassett Creek Nature Area is a small nature area that is centrally located, and provides a great connection between neighborhoods and commercial areas. The nature area is relatively small, but provides an important function of providing a natural corridor along Bassett Creek, which is one of the primary features within the nature area. The adjacent uplands contain numerous specimen oak trees, and are a great example of the historic hardwood forests that were present in Golden Valley prior to settlement. Improve access(high priority) One of the primary deficiencies of the Bassett Creek Nature Area is that it is visible from only a few public areas, and is potentially overlooked due to lack of recognition that the area is there and public use in encouraged. Several recommendations are available to provide additional use opportunities including: 1. Provide signage at the entrances. This would be particularly beneficial on the south side, as Duluth Street provides high visibility, even if access is limited. 2. Establish a more formal trailhead on the north side, which will encourage neighborhood use. 3. Improve the trail system to allow greater user access. This may include rerouting the lower trail to avoid having to use the steep stairs, and allow greater opportunity to access the area. 4. Improve vantage points to observe Bassett Creek. 5. Work with MnDOT to control runoff from their property into the nature area, which is providing a source of erosion and untreated runoff. Manage buckthorn (high priority) City of Golden Valley Natural Resources Management Plan 2015 Site 12: Bassett Cr. Nature Area page 2 WORKING DRAFT:October 27, 2014 Buckthornis prevalent along the east bank of the creek and within the wooded areas. It is a relatively young age of buckthorn, but numerous small individuals are present. The native understory remains present, which provides an opportunity for both management of buckthorn, and encouragement of a native assemblage which is discourage buckthorn establishment. Enhance the hardwood uplands (medium priority) The wooded slope between the two trail levels contains numerous mature oak trees, and some younger desirable hardwoods. In conjunction with buckthorn removal, the hardwood uplands could be enhanced through selective removal and reestablishment of more desirable species. Currently, there is insufficient age structure to allow replacement of the largest trees, should they senesce. A balanced age class would ensure that this high quality wooded area remains healthy. Establish Oak Savanna (low priority) The southeast portion of the park, near the upper trail, contains an area that is a mixture of grassland and small hardwood trees. Several bur oak trees are present, but most of the trees are of lesser quality. It is possible to remove some of the undesirable trees, and establish an area of prairie with fewer oak trees, and manage a small area of oak savanna. Table 5.x Bassett Creek Nature Area Improvement Priorities Priority Management Description Action Acres Cost (H, M, L) Area Opinion Place signs at Improve visibility and entrances, reroute H Access points lower trail, 10 75,000 access pavement improvements Floodplain Buckthorn H forest, and Mixed hardwoods 5 10,000 adjacent slopes eradication/control Remove Mixed Improve forest health, undesirable trees, M hardwoods, diversity stablish mixed 4 10,000 east side age-class of oak trees Remove Southeast, undesirable trees, L upper trail Establish oak savanna establish prairie, 3 15,000 manage for savanna City of Golden Valley Natural Resources Management Plan 2015 Site 12: Bassett Cr. Nature Area page 3 WORKING DRAFT:October 27,2014 Figure 5.x Key Management Areas 2003 Figure 5.x Key Management Areas 2013 (NR Inventory Update) City of Golden Valley Natural Resources Management Plan 2015 Site 12: Bassett Cr. Nature Area page 4 Bassett Creek Nature Area _ , y4 o l in cV - ,µ k^-. 1 t ... ■ :i w r I! - L.L'x,�w. L r a ■ i 1 **._ - ■ g ..' = i ','',:' .4......., ..H. , „:„..„..,„,,,.,,...,..„,,„:„,,.. . ,' m 1 r .fid! z j 1ti.,......N., ;' . mAs a Ora ■ 1 �. r ^ j�. s. .r^ v y . t. 5. vY y • 0 50 100 200 Feet 0 2r 1k1010, 4‘.;\''', 46, ' : Legend Golden Valley Nature Areas Dry Shrub Non Native Hardwoods Nature Area-New cover codes Floodplain Forest/Hardwood Swamp NewCover Mixed Oak Forest Bassett Creek Park - Open Water — Paved Shrub Carr Prairie Chapter 5: Natural Resources Management Strategies 5-2 cul-de-sac on Adeline Lane. There is s ( - on-street parking along the curb. s 1 s Location: 910 Adeline Lane ' —/ Classification: Nature Area m Thotland Rd :_—_'=-----.__-_.._-- / Size: 1.2 Acres cIssues s Q 1 --7/+-e Existing Facilities/Amenities Walkways/Trails-L •No connection to City Trail/Side -a, Canoe Launch walk System Boardwalk/Look-out w/benches ,. ✓ ; •No standardized nature area park _«p' f --g Stone Benches / sign;introduced boulder sign N Frontage Rd �. \o Park Description Olson OlsMemorial Hwy . NFn •No citywide nature area wayfinding S FrontageAdeline Nature Area (See Figure x.x) signs that would enable users to easily is located within a residential area on the southwest end of Sweeney Lake. locate the nature area. The Union Pacific Railway Line abuts •Limited ADA accessibility the south edge of the park. A paved trail leads to a wooden overlook deck •No pet waste disposal system and a canoe launch. The nature area provides a view with access to Swee 'European Buckthorn prevalent nui- sance vegetative species in woodland ney Lake. General Evaluation Overall the amenities within the- Opportunities nature area are in good condition. Stone benches are provided along the •Woodland/shoreland restoration trail while simple wooden benches are .Habitat/water quality education Sign provided on the overlook.As in parks and nature areas in general,there is a •Reduction of pet waste need to provide for pet waste removal and disposal. This will not only keep •Trail connection to Schaper Park the nature area at the highest level of hygiene, it will also protect the water quality. Formal public access to the nature area is rom the terminus of a "1.1 .iY _ `�k O p r' ye,a O' r ryW J ',- y" rt a V: ..,{ yrYt Y: r. ay A • maw... . T .... +p4' •� a 'v City of Golden Valley W 0 R K I N G D R A F T Natural Resources Management Plan 2015 ,0-27-14 Chapter 5: Natural Resources Management Strategies 5-3 j1040000104,-----"-.' Sweeney Lake \ J W , ` boulder entry sign overtook deck/ * .` "°» w/ 2 benches canoe launch 00 ;, -flat top boulder benches 7. ' `" JI/ I HARDWOOD SWAMP' .",' ', i •1 4 // MIXED HARDWOODS .'' 1 i i HARD\VOOD SWAMP i i 1 1 i i 1 *4141 i * i MIXED HARDWOODS MIXED HARDWOODS 1 i * i ' °' ' ' ';•'* UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD a e 0 50 100 200 Feet • , -u ...,,,,---,,,i, X Park Legend Golden Valley Nature Areas ASPHALT BOARDWALK LIMESTONE WOODCHIPS NATURAL FOOTPATH City of Golden Valley " W 0 R K I N G D R A F T Natural Resources Management Plan 2015 10-27-14 Chapter X: Natural Resources Managment Strategies 5-4 . . ,.. . 100000003, , �; A vQ r.. z. i J W E. CO`it E .< .I of f x. boulder entry sin manage eline vegetatg to provideshorlake view and ion 'Pet waste disposal system seating/canoe access aste receptacle � ` ...c' �..tic rte. 1 . ............. a i 1 flat top boulder benches 1 i 1 1 remove buckthorn a restore native vegation 1 remove buhorn restore nativecktvegation 1 i 1 1 a a i s .' I , ;+° magi ' a v . 1... .r..�.. .�. r.�r..�. r�aa�. ►�r u—.,.—r1r 1r rr1.� .r r..... ...�rlI pedestrian tunnel access to Schaper Park . l4 ,. '.,.-..a _, .. y "NPsRAILOAD* 'I'NIO = ACIFICR s , u ay Its ..1,"*:,,,•,!-,.:77:-7''" ', - ......;:•,'• '''';''''''''''''''''''",":14iff'0 0 50 100 200 Feet ` * _. Legend Golden Valley Nature Areas ASPHALT BOARDWALK LIMESTONE WOODCHIPS PROPOSED ASPHALT City of Golden Valley ' W 0 R K I N G D R A F T Natural Resources Management Plan 2015 10-27-14 Adeline Nature Area i .i..,-,;),..., r r- Q p,, w I ' '''' '..:-''''''':::::'.0.'''':''''' '11 ' . .I\ :1::'''''''''''1111111111.11(!''. 00...."'111.111:'"'''''''.... ',. -' — 1 .0. 00 -,',-, in, . 1 •, -; 1 1 a 1 1 -a 1 1 a a 1 1 II 1 r II1 1 1 111 111: II II —,—.... ' 1, UNION>PACIFIC=RAILRQAD .. g ';1;4';a:,,.; 1;- ,, e fir, 4 ? _ ', .- 0 50 100 200 Feet ", 3 ' 0 Legend Golden Valley Nature Areas Nature Area-New cover codes NewCover Open Water Hardwood Swamp ® Mixed Hardwoods Suggestions for Greener Practices - Commission • Expand recycling programs o Business and Multifamily o Work with Hennepin County and MPCA • Reconsider organized solid waste hauling and collection of organics • Encourage Bokashi home composting • Work with school districts and school bus companies to identify greener practices • Look at solar options • Water conservation (such as home water audits) • Explore Hennepin County zero waste program for City events • Develop a sustainability plan • Electric or hybrid "bus", small van that makes regular, strategic "circle" route of Golden Valley to encourage people to walk a few blocks to get on the bus and go to town (post office, library, city hall, etc) rather than get in a car to drive for errands. • "Scum Check" vs. IPM and disciplined less use of chemical pesticides, herbicides • Check in on implementation of rain water diversion system • "Points" for trees growing or planted on south side of homes • Reimbursement on storm water fees for things such as rain barrels or rain gardens • Bees & Monarchs - education on how to save the bees i.e. the threat of using chemicals on lawns &flowering plants & stop cutting down milk weed for the Monarchs. Allowing citizens to have bee hives, however I am concerned for immediate neighbors to a hive that have bee allergies & the bee keepers will be fined if they use toxic chemicals on their lawn & gardens. Perhaps we should get more information from Bees Kneez in Eloise Butler/Theo. Park & see if they want to use some of our parks for some of their hives. • On/in our parks, small parcels of lands, etc. the city could plant some native prairies instead of paying for up keep of the turf and when our city has empty lots for sale the owner of the land would be required to plant a native prairie to help with erosion and wildlife. • Offering incentives/education on gravel or paver driveways vs. an asphalt or cement driveways that allow for water run-offs. • The city could use bat houses vs. spraying for mosquitos and offer incentives/education for our citizens to do the same. For an incentive we could work with the G.V. stores that sell bat houses to offer a discount the G.V. citizens. • Incentives/education for employee & apartment gardens (i.e. General Mills giving garden) • Add a Hennepin County Medicine Disposal Drop Box in Golden Valley • Have an incentive for citizens to use compost bins, rain barrels, converting lawns or portions of lawns to native prairie or rain gardens. Especially to offset the fee of having a professional plan being submitted to the city for a rain garden, of which I see the purpose for. • Apply a fee if citizens are using non-organic/hazardous chemical(s)/non- environmentally friendly weed prevent/fertilizer especially if used on lawns right next to bodies of water • Have an incentives for hanging clothes outside to dry in summer or maybe just education on reverting back to what our mothers/grandmothers use to do that are environmentally friendly in newsletter &/or f.b. • Compostable trash bins, recycling bins or zero waste bins in all public areas (including strip malls) and fast food restaurants • Restaurants to phase out styrofoam by a certain date • Organics collection • More trash & recycle bins in nature areas • Continue working on idle-reduction especially at our schools (i.e. buses and traffic control police) • Nice Ride Minnesota recently announced the launch of its newest initiative: the Nice Ride Neighborhood Program. Utilizing the same orange bikes that hit the streets in Bemidji last month, the pilot program will be working to provide a resource for creating 140 new cyclists in the neighborhoods of North Minneapolis and Frogtown/East St. Paul. Perhaps Golden Valley could be a part of this. Suggestions for Greener Practices — Mayor 1. Green fleet of cars 2. Reduce traffic, growth of car usage • Limit parking spaces for large businesses or create "parking fee" like park development fee. • Create goal with larger companies to reduce employee car usage by certain date (e.g. reduce car usage to work by 10% every 3 years, look at incentives) • Additional Metro Transit routes/increase usage at GM, Tennant, Mortenson, Honeywell 3. Protect residents/community from cloudburst storm water runoff with additional green spaces (e.g. additional green medians, change code for more water absorbing trees, etc.) 4. Encourage more recycling/composting — residential and commercial 5. Designated eco-mixed use areas • Solar powered sidewalks (Netherlands) • Green housing • Community gardens 6. Grocery/Convenience store bag fee • Revenue goes to park improvements, environment (composting, recycling, creek/lake improvements) 7. Incentives for solar power, geo thermal 8. Community gardens 9. Water conservation initiatives 10.City operates on renewable energy (10-20% solar in 5 years) 11.Work with local large businesses to learn of their best green practices to be shared with others, plan for additional green practices for future (e.g. reducing VMT to/in GV, look at alternative transportation) Suggestions for Greener Practices — Council • Provide composting bins • Provide financial encouragement for recycling • Possible reconsideration of organized hauling for garbage/recycling/composting • As fleet ages, consider replacing with energy efficient vehicles • Consider community solar groups • Provide discount on building permits as an incentive for energy efficient buildings • Consider charging a nominal fee for plastic/paper bags and dedicate funds for and dedicate funds for environmental concerns • Discuss bee-keeping PROGRAM/PROJECT UPDATES–SEPTEMBER 2014 TMDL No updates II No updates PRIVATE DEVELOPMENTS 7475 Country Club Drive (Golden Valley Senior Living)—Final PUD Amendment. Expand and reuse vacant building for senior care. Planning Commission recommend approval on September 22. Scheduled for City Council on October 21. 7200& 7218 Harold Avenue (Marie's Woods)—Preliminary PUD Plan. Demolish two single family homes and construct five single family homes. Planning Commission recommended denial on September 22. Scheduled for City Council on October 21. 200 Meadow Lane North (Sunnyridge Woods)—Minor Subdivision. Split one lot into three. Planning Commission recommended approval on September 8. Tabled at City Council to November 5. 108 Brunswick Avenue North (Brunswick Estates)—Minor Subdivision. Split one lot into two. Scheduled for City Council on November 5. 1801 Noble Drive (Sweeney Lake Woods)—Preliminary PUD Plan. Subdivision to create three residential lots with a shared driveway. Tentatively scheduled for Planning Commission on November 10. 250 Paisley Lane (Paisley Hill)—Minor Subdivision. Split one lot into three. Not yet scheduled for Planning Commission. DECOLA PONDS As the first portion of the Phase 2 DeCola Ponds Flood Mitigation Study winds down, a stakeholder meeting with representatives for the Cities of Crystal, New Hope and Golden Valley was held in early October. This meeting was focused on brainstorming potential projects within the sub-watershed that could help address the flooding along Medicine Lake Road and the DeCola Ponds. The City's consultant, Barr Engineering, is now performing preliminary evaluations of these potential projects for further consideration by the three communities. RECYCLING UPDATE No updates WETLAND MANAGEMENT No updates BOTTINEAU TRANSITWAY Staff and the Bottineau Planning Advisory Committee (PAC) have reviewed and commented on concept alternatives for the station areas in Golden Valley. Based on these comments, revised concepts will be presented at a public workshop to be held at UROC (2001 Plymouth Ave N, Mpls) on November 12 from 5-8 pm. The first meeting of the Corridor Management Committee (CMC) will be on November 12 from 12:30-2 pm at Crystal City Hall. It is anticipated that regular meetings of this committee will be held in the morning of the second Wednesday of each month. The City needs to appoint a representative and an alternate to serve on the committee over the next few years. COMMUNITY CENTER TASK FORCE The City Council reviewed five potential proposals for the conceptual designs of a new facility to replace Brookview Community Center. City Council directed staff to work with the appointed Task Force and the consultant to focus on two of the five options. Both design options would be located in close proximity to the current Community Center. Staff has requested an estimate from the consultant to develop two building design proposals with building program plans, building renderings, construction estimates, estimated operation expenses and estimated revenue projections. The current contract with the consultant includes only one design proposal. Both proposals will be presented to the City Council in December. The next Community Center Task Force meeting is scheduled for October 30 at 5:30 pm at Brookview Community Center.