2015-08-24 EC Minutes GOLDEN VAL�EY ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION
Regular Meeting
Minutes
August 24, 2015
Present: Commissioners: Tracy Anderson, Tonia Galonska, Dawn Hill, Larry
Johnson (left meeting at 8:45pm), and Jim Stremel; Eric Eckman,
Public Works Specialist; and Claire Huisman, Administrative
Assistant
Absent: Commissioners Lynn Gitelis (joined meeting via phone at 7:50pm) &
Debra Yahle, and Council Member Larry Fonnest
Call to Order
Dawn Hill, Vice Chair, called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
Approval of Reqular Commission Meetinq Minutes of Julv 27, 2015
MOVED by Anderson, seconded by Stremel, and the motion carried unanimously
to approve the minutes of the July 27, 2015 regular meeting.
Compostinq and Orqanics Recycling
Bokashi Compostinq
Barbara Ego with Bokashi Works, LLC and President of the Golden Valley
Garden Club, gave a presentation on Bokashi Composting. This method uses
microbes which ferments food waste instead of allowing it to rot. After two weeks
in an air tight bucket, the food waste can be buried in the yard or garden for
another two weeks and then it can be used for planting. This method aids in
killing or discouraging the growth of most E-Coli and Salmonella bacteria by
lowering the PH levels in the soil. The cost to get started with a 2 gallon bucket
& 5oz bag of microbe mix is $16. A one pound bag of microbe mix is $8 and
estimated to last a one person household approximately 9 months.
Review Organics Recvclinq Report
Eric Eckman presented a composting/organics recycling options report which
gave existing options available to residents as well as some potential options to
consider. Other items discussed to include in the report to the Council were:
listing examples of what other cities are doing in regards to recycling; listing
success rates for organized and unorganized cities who are offering organic
recycling; reference State Statute requirements on recycling; and providing pros
and cons for each potential option. Staff will discuss the potential options with
the City Attorney before forwarding to the Council. Commissioners will email any
other ideas to Eckman within the next couple of weeks before the report is
finalized.
Pollinator Article
Eckman presented a recent email sent by staff in response to a concern about
the decline in pollinator numbers. The City Council has directed the
Environmental Commission to develop educational information about pollinator
species and their habitats to inform and encourage residents to explore ways to
increase their populations. One member offered to invite a resident named
"Organic Bob" to present to the Commission on ways to use fewer chemicals in
Minutes of the Environmental Commission
August 24, 2015
Page 2 of 2
our gardens and yards. It was also suggested to place natural resource topics
on the website or in a newsletter to educate the residents of Golden Valley about
their environment and to provide them with ways that they can help sustain a
native wildlife habitat.
Proqram/Proiect Updates
The complete program/project summary is on file. Eckman provided additional
updates on the DeCola Ponds flooding issues and the evaluations done
regarding the effects of lowering the water level of the ponds. Also, he gave an
update on the Liberty Crossing project and the possibility of creating additional
flood storage in that area.
Commission Member Council Reports
None
Other Business
CenterPoint Energy is constructing a new office/warehouse near the intersection
of Golden Valley Rd and Douglas Dr. which will house 50 to 60 of their
employees. Part of their stormwater management plan includes two ponds with
native plantings.
City Council tasked the Environmental Commission with reviewing the proposed
revisions to the Tree Preservation Code. This will be looked at in September or
October.
Adjourn
MOVED by Stremel, seconded by Anderson, and the motion carried to adjourn
the meeting at 8:57pm.
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Claire Huisman
Administrative Assistant