2017-03-27 EC Minutes GOLDEN VALLEY ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION
Regular Meeting, Minutes
March 27, 2017
Commissioners Present: Tracy Anderson, Tonia Galonska, Lynn Gitelis, Dawn Hill, and
Jim Stremel
Staff Present: Eric Eckman, Public Works Specialist, Hannah Garry, GreenCorps
Member and Claire Huisman, Administrative Assistant
Guest Speakers: Abby Finis and Trevor Drake, Great Plains Institute
Visitor: Jeanne Iverson, Golden Valley Garden Club member
Absent: Commissioners Debra Yahle and Larry Johnson
Call to Order
Lynn Gitelis called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm.
Approval of Reqular Meetinq Minutes
MOVED by Hill, SECONDED by Galonska, and the motion carried unanimously to
approve the minutes of the February 27, 2017 regular meeting.
Proqram/Proiect Updates
For better time management, the Program/Project Updates agenda item was discussed
at the beginning of the meeting. Commissioners were particularly interested in the
City's solar efforts and requested that they have a more active role in these efforts in the
future, such as making recommendations to Council. The complete program/project
update is on file.
Sustainabilitv and Resilience Plan — Goal Settinq Exercise
The City's consultant, Abby Finis and Trevor Drake from Great Plains Institute, went
over the results from the online Resilience Survey and the first Focus Group meeting.
The survey, answered by 120 Golden Valley residents, was developed to better
understand the City's strengths and weaknesses with respect to environmental,
economic, and social stresses such as weather and climate related impacts. The first
Focus Group meeting was held in early March and included representatives from
organizations that serve vulnerable populations. The major themes that emerged were:
Communication & Outreach; Preparedness & Response; Prioritizing Resources.
The consultant then led the Commission in a second Focus Group meeting.
Commission members were asked to identify goals and objectives that would enhance
the resilience and sustainability of the City.
From a list of five problem statement topic areas, the Commission selected its top three
topics for further discussion:
1. Clean Energy
2. Waste Reduction
3. Storm Water Infrastructure
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Minutes of the Environmental Commission
March 27, 2017
Page 2 of 2
The Commission discussed what failure and epic success would look like and provided
significant input on target success around these topic areas. The topics of Urban Forest
& Vegetation and Economic Diversity were not selected for discussion but will be
covered in the Sustainability and Resilience Plan.
Information and results from the survey and both focus groups will be included in the
City's Sustainability and Resilience Plan, and considered for the Comprehensive Plan
Update.
Annual Report and 2017 Work Plan
Eckman presented the annual report for discussion and revision. This report will be
presented to the Council in May. The 2017 Work Plan was also presented to the
Commission for their input. Minor revisions were suggested and will be brought back to
the Commission in April.
Other Business
The Commissioners were asked to prepare for the election of a new Chair and Vice-
Chair Persons in May 2017. It was also noted that terms will be up in May for Lynn
Gitelis, Tracy Anderson and Jim Stremel.
Adiourn
MOVED by Galonska, SECONDED by Stremel, and the motion carried to adjourn
the meeting at 8:50 pm.
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Claire Huisman
Administrative Assistant
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