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2016-11-28 EC Minutes GOLDEN VALLEY ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION Regular Meeting, Minutes November 28, 2016 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 Absent: None Call to Order Lynn Gitelis called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm. Approval of Reqular Meetinq Minutes MOVED by Hill, SECONDED by Yahle, and the motion carried unanimously to approve the minutes of the October 24, 2016 regular meeting. Determination of December Environmental Commission Meeting The next Environmental Commission Meeting is scheduled for December 26, 2016. City Hall will be closed in observance of Christmas. Staff suggested two alternative dates of December 19'h and December 12th. After discussion, the Commission agreed to December 19, 2016 as the next scheduled Environmental Commission Meeting. Resilience and Sustainabilitv Plan Update Eckman explained the City received an environmental assistance grant from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to hire a consultant to assist in the development of a Resilience and Sustainability Plan. Once completed the plan will be included in the City's 2040 Comprehensive Plan. The Environmental Commission identified this project as its top priority in the 2016 annual work plan. The City completed a request for proposals process and selected Great Plains Institute as its consultant to help guide the planning process and draft the plan. Staff then explained the proposal process and listed the project deliverables: • Inventory of existing conditions (risk & vulnerability assessment) • Completion of GreenStep Cities actions related to the inventory • Community engagement strategy and facilitation • Develop vision, goals, objectives, and strategies • Draft the plan Staff then gave an overview of the project schedule • November 2016 — January 2017: Existing conditions inventory/assessment • January 2017: Meet with the Environmental Commission • February 2017: Community/stakeholder meeting • March —April 2017: Develop goals, objectives, policies, and strategies • April 2017: Meet with the Environmental Commission • May— June 2017: Draft the Plan • June — July 2017 Review Plan with Environmental Commission G:\Environmental Commission\Minutes�2016\11 -November\112816 Minutes.doc Minutes of the Environmental Commission November 28, 2016 Page2of3 The Commission provided suggestions and ideas regarding the community engagement/stakeholder meetings. Staff will provide a monthly update to the Commission and is requesting input and feedback throughout the project. Best Practice 29 Climate Adaption and Communitv Resilience Action 5 — Protect Public Buildinqs and Natural/Constructed Infrastructure Garry provided the Commission with an overview of best practices 29, Action 5 and the City's proposed entry that meets the 1-star rating. The Commission suggested minor revisions including removing the language regarding the municipal power lines. MOVED by Hill SECONDED by Johnson and the motion carried unanimously to Approve Best Practice 29 Climate Adaption and Community Resilience Action 5 — Protect Public Buildings and Natural/Constructed Infrastructure - 1-star rating summary. Mayors' Monarch Pledqe and Bee Citv USA Staff presented information on these finro programs that increase awareness and action regarding pollinators and pollinator habitat. The programs were brought to the attention of staff by community members and the Golden Valley Garden Club. Staff reviewed the programs and found that they fit within GreenSteps Cities and our existing and planned actions regarding pollinators, habitat, and natural resource education/awareness. The Commission thoughtfully reviewed and discussed the information presented, but ultimately was not able to support the City's participation in the programs for reasons listed below: • The programs were too specific in their focus on only monarchs and bees, rather than all pollinators • Concerns about the potential increase in City resources required to administer new programs • Concerns about doing work that furthers the interests and agendas of non-profits (i.e. the National Wildlife Federation in the case of the Mayor's Monarch Pledge) The Commission acknowledged the importance of pollinators, habitat, awareness, and reduced pesticide use. They acknowledged that the City has been doing a lot with respect to pollinators recently and that it can continue its good work without the formality of these new programs. The Commission also expressed an interest in possibly creating a more broad policy regarding pollinators in the future if it fits into their work plan. They also expressed their appreciation for the Garden Club's interest in increasing pollinator habitat and awareness. Staff will ensure that the City continues its existing and planned work on pollinators and completes GreenSteps Cities actions without participation in the new programs. The City will continue its relationship with the Garden Club and look for ways to achieve mutually beneficial goals in 2017 and beyond. The Commission made two separate motions in consideration of participation in the Mayors' Monarch Pledge and Bee City USA programs. G:\Environmental Commission\Minutes�2016\11 -November\112816 Minutes.doc Minutes of the Environmental Commission November 28, 2016 Page 3 of 3 MOVED by Hill SECONDED by Anderson to participate in the Mayor's Monarch Pledge. All voted nay. MOTION Failed. MOVED by Hill SECONDED by Anderson and the motion carried to not participate in the Bee City USA program. GreenStep Cities fnventorv Update: Best Practice 1, 4, 10, 16, 18, and 26 The following entries were reviewed, discussed and approved by the Commission with minor revisions. Best Practice 1 — Efficient Existing Public Buildings Action # 1 Enter building information into B3 Benchmarking database Action # 2 Make no/low cost indoor lighting and operational changes Action # 5 New construction qualifies under green building framework Best Practice 4 —Efficient Outdoor Lighting and Signals Action # 4 Coordinate traffic signals and/or optimize signal timing so as minimize car idling at intersections yet maintain safe and publicly acceptable vehicle speeds Action # 5 Use LED/solar-powered lighting for a flashing sign or in a street, parking lot or parking project Action # 8 Replace the city's existing traffic signals with LEDs MOVED by Hill SECONDED by Johnson and the motion carried unanimously to approve GreenStep Cities Inventory Update: Best Practices 1 and 4 for entry in the GreenStep Cities website with minor editing and formatting. Proqram/Proiect Updates Staff reviewed with the Commission the Program/Project Updates for November 2016. Commission Member Council Reports None at this time. Council Updates None at this time. Other Business Adiourn MOVED by Stremel, SECONDED by Anderson and the motion carried to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 pm. � > -� � �C�'C ��, Sue Schwalbe Administrative Assistant G:\Environmental Commission\Minutes\2016\11 -November\112816 Minutes.doc