2017-02-27 EC Minutes GOLDEN VALLEY ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION
Regular Meeting, Minutes
February 27, 2017
Commissioners Present: Lynn Gitelis, Dawn Hill, Tonia Galonska, Larry Johnson
(arrived at 6:42pm) and Jim Stremel,
Staff Present: Eric Eckman, Public Works Specialist, Hannah Garry, GreenCorps
Member and Claire Huisman, Administrative Assistant
Also Present: Council Member Larry Fonnest
Absent: Commissioners Debra Yahle and Tracy Anderson
Call to Order
Lynn Gitelis called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm.
Approval of Reqular Meetinq Minutes
MOVED by Hill, SECONDED by Stremel, and the motion carried unanimously to
approve the minutes of the January 23, 2017 regular meeting.
Approval of Joint meetina Minutes
MOVED by Hill, SECONDED by Stremel, and the motion carried unanimously to
approve the minutes of the January 23, 2017 joint meeting.
Approval of Citv Code and Bv-Laws
MOVED by Stremel and SECONDED by Galonska to approve the revision of the
City Code and By-Laws of the Environmental Commission that includes language
for a youth member to serve on the Commission for a term of one year.
Staff was tasked with verifying that the Environmental Commission monthly meeting
time is written correctly in the current version of the By-Laws.
GreenStep Cities Inventorv
MOVED by Hill and SECONDED by Galonska to approve for entry into the
GreenStep Cities website with the revisions as discussed, Best Practice 12-
Mobility Options Action 1-Promote walking, biking and transit use and Action 4-
Promote carpooling or ridesharing.
GreenStep Cities Proqress Presentation
Hannah Garry gave an overview of the City's progress to date working under the
GreenStep Cities program. Golden Valley entered the program in April 2016 with a
Step One recognition. The City will receive recognition for becoming a Step Two City in
June 2017. The City will continue working on the inventory of its current best practice
actions and anticipates completion of the inventory in late 2017.
2017 Work Plan
Discussion began to determine the Commission's 2017 Work Plan. Potential ideas
included: Complete the Resilience and Sustainability Plan; Work on the
Comprehensive Plan; Complete the GreenStep Cities inventory; New GreenStep
initiatives such as Sustainable Purchasing Policy, Green Business Development,
Energy/Climate Action, and Vertical Greenhouses; Develop a broad policy on pollinators
and habitat and a possible ban on neonicotinoids.
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Minutes of the Environmental Commission
February 27, 2017
Page 2 of 2
It was requested to add more recycling initiatives to the Work Plan, such as
organics/composting and textiles.
Proqram/Proiect Uudates
The complete program/project update is on file. Brief update was given on the DeCola
Pond F Dredging Project which is being delayed due to the weather conditions.
Council Updates
Council Member Fonnest reported that the Council has been working on goals and
priorities that may involve the Commission in the upcoming year.
Adiourn
MOVED by Johnson, SECONDED by Stremel, and the motion carried to adjourn
the meeting at 8:35 pm.
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Claire Huisman
Administrative Assistant
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