2017-01-23 EC Minutes GOLDEN VALLEY ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION
Regular Meeting, Minutes
January 23, 2017
Commissioners Present: Lynn Gitelis, Dawn Hill, Debra Yahle, Tonia Galonska, Tracy
Anderson, Jim Stremel, Larry Johnson, and Council Member
Larry Fonnest
Staff Present: Eric Eckman, Public Works Specialist and Hannah Garry, GreenCorps
Member
Call to Order
Lynn Gitelis called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
Approval of Reqular Meetinq Minutes November 28, 2016.
MOVED by Hill SECONDED BY Stremel and the motion carried unanimously to
Approve the November 28, 2016 Minutes.
Approval of Reqular Meetinq Minutes December 19, 2016.
MOVED by Hill SECONDED BY Stremel and the motion carried unanimously to
approve the AMENDED December 19, 2016 Minutes. Commissioner Debra Yahle
was not present at meeting.
Resilience and Sustainabilitv Plan Update (Great Plains Institute Presentation)
Great Plains Institute (GPI) presented a draft assessment to the Commission. Two
representatives from GPI were present to share information, gather input, and answer
questions. Discussion will be on existing City conditions. Included in the draft plan were
the following:
Vulnerability Assessment Summary:
• Natural Infrastructure: Trees & Native Plants. It is recommended the City review
the tree replacement policy as the tree replacement is well behind the tree
planting policy.
• Natural Infrastructure: Water Quality & Supply. The City receives water from
Minneapolis which in turn receives its water from the Mississippi River; this is a
strength for the City.
• Built Infrastructure: Areas in Floodplain. A large area of Golden Valley flows into
Bassett Creek and this should be a primary concern to the City.
• Built Infrastructure: Sewers, Water, Roads, and Bridges. The first item of concern
is the age of the built infrastructure. The City expects 100% of roads to be
reconstructed to City standards by 2022 by means of the Pavement Management
Program. Infrastructure maintenance will coincide with the reconstruction of
roads.
• Vulnerable Populations: Extreme Weather & Flooding
• Vulnerable Populations: Extreme Heat & Air Quality
• Vulnerable Populations: Vector-Borne Disease. Ticks and mosquitoes are a
weakness; however Golden Valley has a low incidence of these diseases. The
Commission questioned if the deer population is a part of this report and staff
indicated the City has a program for deer population.
• Economic Vulnerability: Community Wide.
• Economic Vulnerability: Resident Level. The lack of access to a vehicle is a
vulnerability issue.
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Minutes of the Environmental Commission
January 23, 2017
Page 2 of 2
• Climate Mitigation: Electricity Consumption. The City has many renewable
energy opportunities. Great Plans has dollars to aid the City in developing this
data. Ground base solar will be included in the final report.
• Climate Mitigation: Renewable Energy Opportunities
Staff explained this presentation is a draft. The final draft presentation will have better
graphic design and color schemes will be uniform. Also, staff will review color tones so
that they are distinguishable for color blind residents. Staff will also review the size of
text throughout the document. This presentation will be brought before the Commission
again in March 2017 and will become a permanent chapter in the Comprehensive Plan
under resilience and sustainability.
Proqram/Proiect Updates
Beginning January 23, 2017 the City will be conducting a resident survey. This
information will be promoted via the City's webpage, social media and newsletter. The
key element in the survey is the City's plan for community engagement strategy. This
survey will be used to assist and determine the community's resilience and
sustainability related goals and will be incorporated in the final Resilience and
Sustainability plan.
Garry is working with City employees on an Energy Survey. Staff is in the process of
analyzing data. This Energy Survey can be used by other communities and/or Cities as
a model for changing behavior. Also, Staff reported the City wide pond assessment has
been completed.
Commission Member Council Reports
None at this time.
Council Updates
Council Member Fonnest reported on the bike task force and legislative priorities. The
City Council will be working on a number of goals for 2017
Other Business
Commission requested staff to provide a Great Plains update at next meeting and
Council to list City Council goals.
Adiourn
MOVED by Hill, SECONDED by Anderson and the motion carried to adjourn the
meeting at 8:30 pm.
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Sue Schwalbe
Administrative Assistant
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