2016-01-25 EC Minutes GOLDEN VALLEY ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION
Regular Meeting, Minutes
January 25, 2016
Commissioners Present: Lynn Gitelis, Dawn Hill, Tracy Anderson, Debra Yahle, Tonia
Galonska,
Staff Present: Eric Eckman, Public Works Specialist and Claire Huisman,
Administrative Assistant
Absent: Commissioners Larry Johnson and Jim Stremel
Call to Order
Lynn Gitelis called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm.
Approval of ReQular Commission Meetinct Minutes
MOVED by Hill, SECONDED by Yahle, and the motion carried unanimously to
approve the minutes of the December 14, 2015 regular meeting.
Blue Line LRT Municipal Consent Discussion
Planning Manager, Jason Zimmerman gave a brief presentation on the progress of the
Blue Line LRT. He presented a map which showed the layout of the tracks through
Golden Valley and provided information on the next phase of the project. Golden
Valley's Open House and Public Hearing for Municipal Consent is set for the Feb. 2�d
City Council meeting. Action on the plans is anticipated at the regular City Council
meeting of Feb. 16, 2016. It was noted that Metro Transit will maintain and police the
line and stations.
Blue Line LRT Recommendation to the Council
The Environmental Commission discussed the Blue Line LRT project, and formulated its
position and recommendation to the Council regarding the municipal consent plans. The
Commission reviewed the plans, but due to a lack of environmental data the
Commission felt it was not in a position to recommend a Yes vote on the project at this
time, and looks forward to reviewing the data when the Final Environmental Impact
Statement (FEIS) is complete. The full recommendation can be found in the Council
agenda packet for the February 2, 2016 meeting, located at:
http://weblink-int/weblink/0/doc/521990/Page1.aspx
2016 Work Plan
Chair Gitelis and Eckman discussed with the Commission the Minnesota GreenStep
Cities Program. This voluntary program includes 29 best practices, a database for
completing a comprehensive inventory of the city's current environmental initiatives,
provides benchmarks and per#ormance metrics to measure success, and a forum for
sharing information with peer cities. The program's 29 best practices and various levels
of recognition provide a framework for the Commission to identify and prioritize future
projects and activities. There are four steps of recognition in the Program. Step One is
for cities that have passed a city resolution, posted information on the GreenStep
website, indicated which best practices they initially plan to implement, and described
best practices already implemented. Benefits of the program to the city include: helping
cities achieve their sustainability and quality of life goals; saving city staff time in
researching cost-effective actions for cutting energy use; saving cities money and
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Minutes of the Environmental Commission
January 25, 2016
Page 2 of 3
offering environmental, social and financial benefits; providing leadership and action
roles for community members and institutions; etc.
The Commission decided to include the GreenStep Cities Program in its 2016
work plan and recommended that staff draft a resolution of participation for the
City Council to consider at a future meeting.
The draft resolution will be reviewed by the Commission at its March 2016 meeting
before forwarding to Council.
Home Enerqv Squad Enhanced
The City had participated in this home energy program in the past, but not the last few
years. The Commission felt that the City's financial support of this program would not
only help residents make energy improvements and preserve home values, but would
also tie in well with the GreenStep Cities Program.
MOVED by Hill, SECONDED by Galonska to recommend that staff include the
Home Energy Squad Enhanced Program in the 2017 budget at the contribution
level of$50 per home visit (approximately $3,200-$4,800 annually) and to further
explore the possibility of offering this service to small businesses and multi-
family homes in the future.
Proqram/Proiect Updates
The complete program/project summary is on file. Eckman provided additional verbal
updates on the Long-Term Flood Damage Reduction study for Medicine Lake Road &
Winnetka Avenue Area which includes the DeCola Ponds neighborhood. Staff from the
three cities and Hennepin County will be meeting to discuss the study and cost
scenarios. Commission members requested that these meetings be open to the public
and/or to have an opportunity for residents to meet and discuss the project before the
final report is presented to the Council. Commission members also stressed the
importance of communication between the City and residents in the Decola Ponds
neighborhood. Eckman discussed the tentative schedule leading up to the final report
and the opportunity for neighborhood input. It is anticipated that a draft report will be
taken to Council in April with a neighborhood meeting scheduled around that same time.
Staff also reported that there have been ongoing conversations with a number of
residents who have called or emailed staff with questions during the past month.
Adiourn
MOVED by Anderson, SECONDED by Hill, and the motion carried to adjourn the
meeting at 8:45 pm.
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Claire Huisman
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