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2015-12-14 EC Minutes GOLDEN VALLEY ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION Regular Meeting, Minutes December 14, 2015 Present: Commissioners: Lynn Gitelis, Dawn Hill, Tracy Anderson, Debra Yahle, Tonia Galonska, Larry Johnson, and Jim Stremel; Eric Eckman, Public Works Specialist; Council Member Larry Fonnest and Claire Huisman, Administrative Assistant Absent: None Call to Order Lynn Gitelis called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. Approval of ReQular Commission Meetinq Minutes MOVED by Stremel, SECONDED by Hill, and the motion carried unanimously to approve the minutes of the October 26, 2015 regular meeting and the November 23, 2015 joint meeting with the Parks and Recreation Commission. Proqram/Proiect Verbal Updates Eckman provided updates on the revision of the City's Comprehensive Plan. The Planning Commission will be bringing in a planning consultant to provide guidance in Comp Plan updates and the roles of the Commissions in the process. Planning Commission would like Environmental and Open Space & Rec Commissions to take part as well. Solar Partnering with New Energy Equity, the city has set up finro 40KW solar systems. One is on top of the Public Safety Building and the other is on the Public Works Maintenance Building. These systems generate enough power to operate both buildings. Any power not used is pumped back into the Xcel Power Grid. The contract term is 15 years and over that time, the savings to the City will be approximately $90,000. Natural Resources Eckman stated that the Sentencing to Service people were out helping with the City's natural resource management plan by cutting trees and buckthorn along the Bassett Creek nature area; ponds and City culverts. Water Resources • The 2015 Bassett Creek Restoration Project has begun which extends from Rhode Island Ave to Duluth St. They will begin native vegetation planting next spring. • The Schaper Pond diversion curtain was installed which will improve the quality of the water before it reaches Sweeny Lake. • Barr Engineering is continuing to work on the Long Term Flood Damage Reduction Study and will be meeting with the cities involved to discuss the study results and cost scenarios. Eckman will look into providing the group with the minutes and/or slide show from that meeting when it occurs. G:\Environmental CommissionWgendas�2016\01-January\121415 Minutes for 012516 Agenda.doc Minutes of the Environmental Commission December 14, 2015 Page 2 of 3 Forestrv Tree and Landscape Code revision is up for approval at the next Council meeting. Plannina Current applications for Conditional Use Permits were briefly discussed. Other Items METRO Blue Line Extension Project update— Met Council approved the revised scope and cost at their Dec 9th meeting. Golden Valley's Open House and Public Hearing for Municipal Consent is tentatively set for the Feb. 2"d City Council meeting. Bottineau will hold a public hearing on Jan. 19t" at 6pm in the Minneapolis Central Library. Beth Robertson-Martin from General Mills' Pollinator Center gave a brief presentation on Pollinators. Some of the key points mentioned: • There are finro distinct focus areas: honeybees (which are not native to US) for agricultural purposes; and wild pollinators (everything except honeybees) • Pollinator populations have declined due to: habitat loss; pesticide use; disease and pests • They are working with the Xerces Society which helps to protect North America's bees and butterflies by: creating a diversity of bloom; protecting nests & egg- laying sites; no use of pesticides • Xerces provides practical advice and recommendations to industry and communities • General Mills has planted an area (0.2 acres) on their main campus to provide milkweed and flowering species that will attract pollinators. They are also planting a pollinator area (1.2 acres) at the JFB site. Ideas for 2016 work Plan Eckman opened with a quote from the minutes of a 2014 council/manager meeting which encouraged Golden Valley to be a leader in environmental issues and promote being a green city with a commitment to conservation, sustainability, and energy efficiency. Eckman then presented a list of work plan tasks for the Commission to consider in 2016: • Outline City's bee friendly strategies; possibly work with Xerces Society on a community project. • Look into City sponsored community gardens • Apply for Blue Star Award Program for stormwater management • Apply for Green Step City recognition • Explore Hennepin County's Zero Waste Program • Explore more opportunities for solar energy and alternative energy sources • Draft a resilience section for the comp plan • Educate residents to retain, infiltrate or reuse stormwater • Prioritize and make recommendations on investments and management practices in the City's nature areas and open space parcels Minutes of the Environmental Commission December 14, 2015 Page 3 of 3 Additional items were also discussed: Hennepin County apartment move in/ move out program; and reduction or reuse of waste on construction sites. Council member Fonnest felt there should be a larger vision for the Commission. They should look toward a three year goal which would take a more global direction. The Commission will discuss further their goals and purpose at their next meeting. Adiourn MOVED by Hill, SECONDED by Anderson, and the motion carried to adjourn the meeting at 9:OOpm. ���wf�e_ 7`Y`G�c�lX�t G�•� Claire Huisman Administrative Assistant