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2017-10-23 EC Agenda Packet AGENDA GOLDEN VALLEY ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION October 23, 2017, Monday @ 6:30pm Council Conference Room (across from Council Chambers) Golden Valley City Hall, 7800 Golden Valley Rd 1. Call to Order 2. Approval of Regular Meeting Minutes of September 25, 2017 (5 min) 3. Introduction of Youth Member-Joseph Ramlet (10 min) 4. Quorum Requirements (5 min) 5. GreenStep Cities—BP 25 Green Business Development (15 min) 6. GreenStep Cities-Step 4 Requirements (25 min) 7. 2018 Commission meeting dates (10 min) 8. Program/Project Updates (10 min) 9. Council Updates 10. Other Business 11. Adjourn ` This document is available in alternate formats upon a 72-hour request. Please call 7b3-593-8006(TTY: 763-593-3968)to make a request. Examples of alternate formats may include large print, electronic, Braille, audiocassette, etc. GOLDEN VALLEY ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION Regular Meeting, Minutes September 25, 2017 Commissioners Present: Tracy Anderson, Tonia Galonska, Lynn Gitelis, Dawn Hill and Larry Johnson Staff Present: Eric Eckman, Public Works Specialist; Claire Huisman, Administrative Assistant Absent: Commissioners Jim Stremel and Debra Yahle Call to Order Chair Hill called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm. Commissioner Johnson was presented with a "Valley Values" City coffee mug since he was absent at the last meeting when the rest of the Commission members were presented with these mugs representing team work, positive attitudes, etc. within the work place. Approval of Reqular Meetinq Minutes MOVED by Galonska, SECONDED by Gitelis, and the motion carried unanimously to approve the minutes of the August 28, 2017 regular meeting. GreenStep Cities Inventorv - Review Best Practices 19, 20, 23, 27, 28, 29 Revision suggestions were as follows: BP#20.1 — Offer more clarification regarding the role of the JWC in regards to the City water supply and also restate the electric usage for the GV reservoir in kwh per 1,000 gallons. No vote was taken; tabled until next meeting. BP#20.3 — Revise and edit contents regarding I&I inspections and repairs. BP#23.3 — Research Golden Valley media for reference to "vehicle idling" within the City and include the information gathered under "Implementation Details". BP#27.2 — Correct typo BP#27.3 —Add staff contact information along with the business email. BP#29.3 — It was mentioned that the City has only documented new policies, not follow- up actions, resulting from the focus group meeting with representatives of vulnerable populations. Add comment under "Implementation Details" that the City will continue to use the information from the feedback in the focus groups to better assist vulnerable residents. MOVED by Gitelis, SECONDED by Johnson and the motion carried unanimously to approve Best Practice #19, Action 5; #20, Action 3; #20, Action 4; #23, Action 3; #27, Action 2; #27, Action 3; #28, Action 3; #29, Action 2; #29, Action 3 - as amended for entry into the GreenStep Cities website. BP#20.1 was tabled. GreenStep Cities-BP#25 Green Business Development - TABLED Proqram/Proiect Updates Staff provided updates on Xcel Energy's project to replace existing street lights with new energy efficient LED lights this fall and winter. Also discussed were the City's water G:\Environmental Commission\Minutes\201T9-September�09-25-17 EC Minutes.doc Minutes of the Environmental Commission September 25, 2017 Page 2 of 2 and natural resource projects with reference to the DeCola Ponds Flood Control September newsletter, and the Winnetka streetscape tree replacement project. Suggestion was made to leave some of the more healthy ash trees along Winnetka Ave instead of removing all of them. Eckman said he would pass on the suggestion to the City Forester. The 2018 Solid Waste Management Master Plan is now available online for review and comment through October 9th. It was noted that the Xenia Apartment project is still showing signs of progress after many setbacks and delays since beginning in 2012. The complete program/project update is on file. Other Business Commissioner Johnson passed out a few programs from the St. Paul Energy Fair which he attended. Commissioner Gitelis stated that nationally the environmental movement is forming groups on the state and city levels so citizens can become more involved in their local government. These groups will be attending state and city council meetings to ensure plans and actions are carried out and put into play as intended. Eckman announced that Joseph Ramlet, the new youth member to the Commission, will be sworn in at the October 3�d Council meeting and will then be available to attend the next EC meeting on October 23�d Adiourn MOVED by Anderson, SECONDED by Galonska, and the motion carried to adjourn the meeting at 8:18 pm. � �� , Claire Huisman Administrative Assistant ��` � � � �� : � � ��. �-�.�. �` ,� �;,�, �� , �� k�, �A'�� .,: i��Z � �� . G:\Environmental Commission\Minutes�2017�9-September\09-25-17 EC Minutes.doc �� '�� y u � ' .._ /.. . ,. � . • .•. �. . ��. �� . , . . . � I��iy�ical �1�vel�►�naent Depa�rtrne��t 7+5:3 593 st�3i�I 7�3 593-398�3{fax) Date: October 18, 2017 To: Environmental Commission From: Eric Eckman, Public Works Specialist Subject: GreenStep Cities - Best Practice 25 - Green Business Development Golden Valley entered the GreenStep Cities program in April 2016 and was recognized as a "Step 2" city on lune 15, 2017. In order to become a "Step 3" city, Golden Valley must document the completion of 16 best practices, including 10 specific best practices required by the program. Once the City completes its inventory of existing best practices, and uploads the actions to the GreenStep website for approval by program staff, there is only one action remaining to achieve Step 3. It is BP25 Green Business Development. The City already completed one action under BP 25 (Action 25.4 Strengthen value-added businesses utilizing local waste products/services) and GreenSteps staff indicated it was acceptable. The City must complete one additional action under BP 25. Staff has prepared BP 25 Action 5 (Lower the environmental and health risk footprint of a brownfield remediation/redevelopment project) for review by the Commission. Please review this action summary before the meeting and come with any comments you may have. G:\Environmental Commission\Memos BP25—Green Business Development Action#5—Lower the environmental and health risk footprint of a brownfield remediation/redevelopment project • One star: Document steps beyond regulatory requirements to remediate a brownfield, using MPCA/other best practices. • Two star: Document how the redeveloped parcel has created jobs; is redeveloped as a mixed- use site. • Three star: Document the "green" nature of businesses locating on the redeveloped parcel; add renewable energy generation capacity on a brownfield; finalist/winner of MN Brownfield's Rescape award. Note if a land bank was used for site acquisition/parcel assembly and redevelopment Golden Valley Entry Implementation Details The Liberty Crossing redevelopment site is located at the intersection of Winnetka Avenue and Medicine Lake Road.The redevelopment project is a partnership between the developer and the City to improve a blighted area, provide a mix of housing adjacent to transit, and create flood storage that benefits the community. The developer's project involves the removal of four commercial/industrial properties, soil remediation, and constructing a mix of multi-family residential with a 187-unit apartment building and 55 townhome units.The City's portion of the project involves removing pavements, soil cleanup, and excavating to create flood storage to help solve a community flooding issue. This project includes two MPCA voluntary investigation and cleanup sites (one for the developer and one for the City) involving the remediation of soils containing petroleum, arsenic, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and debris-impacted soil. Outcome measures/metrics: • Benefits of the City project include creation of flood storage to benefit the community and environment; lowering of flood levels on Medicine Lake Road by about 1.5 feet and on nearby properties on ponds by about 0.3 feet; reduction of impervious surface area to help protect and improve water quality in DeCola Ponds and Bassett Creek; establishment of native vegetation buffer areas to improve water and air quality, and enhance pollinator habitat; development of public open space and trails that connect to the Pennsylvania Woods Nature Area; improving aesthetics and increasing opportunities for recreation and wildlife viewing; replacing the aging Metropolitan Council Environmental Services sanitary sewer force main located within the corridor. • Benefits of the developer's project include onsite renewable energy generation with rooftop solar arrays, stormwater treatment and rate control, and a robust landscape plan.The solar arrays include 136kw PV System for the Apartment Building; a 20kw PV System for the Community Clubhouse to run the pool pumps; and 27 individual PV systems to power each Townhome unit.The Developer estimates offsetting 5,325 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions over 25 years. For more information contact: Eric Eckman, Physical Development Department 763-593-8084 e€�ckm�n ol�eravallevnln.�ov Descriptive Links: �..�,�'�# �� *�i, ,�',„� r�i,� '%� �� a v q � v�� 9 ii,�, '��i �,�<, � ,^� �� g �� '� * ��f` / ;��' ��"4 � �� . . � . . ,� t�/.e /.�A�,r �� ".q� � ..v� ro ..� . �. ��iysical �+��elc��xx+��t T�e�pa�°��e�� 7+5:�-s93-st73t}/76�-593-398�(fax) Date: October 18, 2017 To: Environmental Commission From: Eric Eckman, Public Works Specialist Subject: GreenStep Cities Step 4 Requirements Golden Valley is close to wrapping up its inventory of best practices and is nearing completion of its Step 3 requirements, As such, we begin to turn our attention toward the requirements of Step 4 which involves the documentation of inetric measurements in six core topic areas and five optional topic areas. Staff will walk the Commission through the process for completing Step 4 and the Commission will provide input on the selection of five optional topic areas. The City's goal is to complete Step 4 by June 2019. Core topic areas Optional topic areas (need to complete five) • City Buildings and Lighting • Green Buildings • Transportation Modes and Miles • City Fleets • Open Space, Parks, and Trees • Infrastructure for Biking and Walking • Stormwater • Car, Transit, and Bike Options • Waste Water • Land Use • Renewable Energy • Drinking Water • Surface Water • Solid Waste • Local Food • Jobs and Employment G:\Environmental Commission\Memos Ct�� 0� 11� olde� M � � � � � u � � �C�. �� Ph�sical Development Department 763-593-8030/763-593-3988(fax) Date: October 19, 2017 To: Environmental Commission From: Eric Eckman, Public Works Specialist Subject: 2018 Environmental Commission Meeting Dates The Environmental Commission proposed 2018 meeting dates are below. Note that two of the meeting dates fall on a holiday and will need to be canceled or rescheduled. Please come to the meeting ready to discuss the May and December meeting dates. January 22 July 23 February 26 August 27 March 26 September 24 April 23 October 22 May 28—Memorial Day Holiday November 26 June 25 December 24—Christmas Eve Holiday G:\Environmental Commission\Memos PROGRAM/PROJECT UPDATES–October 2017 WATER RESOURCES Bassett Creek Identi�cation Signs–In a cooperative effort,the Bassett Creek Watershed Management Commission purchased several signs for installation by City staff to help identify where Bassett Creek crosses under streets in the community.The first signs are being installed along the newly reconstructed Douglas Drive.The signs will help raise awareness about water quality and the importance of Bassett Creek as a valued natural resource. � � � �� . . ..� � . � , DeCola Ponds B and C Improvement Project Feasibility Study-The Bassett Creek Watershed Management Commission authorized the preparation of a feasibility study for the DeCola Ponds B and C Improvement Project.The areas around DeCola Ponds B and C are being considered for expansion of flood storage to help alleviate a flooding problem within the watershed.The primary benefits of the project include reducing flood damages to homes and businesses, and improving public safety by reducing flooding on Medicine Lake Road.Additional benefits include improving water quality, enhancing vegetation and wildlife habitat,and improving recreation and park user experience. Field work for the feasibility study began in October.An open house is planned for early November where stakeholders will have the opportunity to provide valuable input to help identify issues and develop concept plans. SOLID WASTE/RECYCLING Mighty Tidy Day was held on October 7th at Brookview Park. Despite the rain there was a good turnout. 584 residents came dropping off 84 appliances, 15,008 pounds of electronics and shredding 9,503 pounds of paper. Also Republic Services filled up five dumpsters of miscellaneous debris and garbage. PLANNING AND ZONING AND DEVELOPMENTS Planning Report–October 4,2017 635 Hampshire Place—Variance from the side yard setback in order to expand a garage and add a second parking stall.The required setback is 15 feet and the applicant requested to reduce this distance to 7.5 feet.At the September 26 meeting,the BZA approved a variance to reduce the setback to only 9.5 feet. 2040 Comprehensive Plan—Staff will lead a work session on October 9 to discuss the draft Future Land Use Map proposed forthe 2040 Comp Plan. Tennant Campus Project—Applications have been submitted to expand the Tennant PUD located at 701 Lilac Drive North. Numerous approvals will be sought at the October 23 Planning Commission meeting, including revising and expanding the boundaries of the current PUD, rezoning properties to Industrial,vacating a City right-of-way, purchasing a remnant MnDOT parcel, relocating the Damascus Way treatment center and guiding the land use appropriately,and proceeding with plans to construct a six story office tower at the northwest corner of Highways 100 and 55. The current office building at 1111 Douglas Drive would be vacated and rezoned to allow for future Mixed Use development.TIF assistance from the City has been requested,which would require an expansion of the Douglas Drive Redevelopment Area. Lions Park View–7200 Harold Ave(Subdivision)—Subdivision request to split one lot into two.The existing home in this R-2 zoned property would be demolished and two new homes would be constructed on small single family lots.The Planning Commission recommended approval (5-0) at their meeting on September 11.At the City Council meeting on October 3,the Council approved the Preliminary Plat(4-0) and asked staff and the applicant to continue discussions about reducing the size of a drainage and utility easement from 25 feet to 22 feet. 5509 Lindsay Street(Comp Plan Amendment and Rezoning)—Guiding and zoning an excess MnDOT parcel from Right-of-Way to Moderate Density Residential use and R-2 zoning.The Planning Commission recommended denial of the land use change (0-5)and approval of the zoning change (3-2) at their meeting on August 28. With additional information about the residential history of the property and the planned land uses in the area,the City Council approved both items(4-0) at its meeting on October 3. 1611 Lilac Drive N (Comp Plan Amendment and Rezoning)—Guiding and zoning an excess MnDOT parcel from Right-of-Way to Low Density Residential and R-1 zoning.The Planning Commission recommended approval of the land use change and the zoning change (5-0) at their meeting on August 28.The City Council approved both items(4-0) at its meeting on October 3. Douglas Drive Redevelopment Plan—Staff will recap the Douglas Drive Redevelopment Plan that was created in 2008-2009 and approved in 2010 and will discuss the likely evolution of the plan in light of recent redevelopment opportunities along the corridor at the Council/Manager meeting on October 10. City Code Recodification—In an effort to update and modernize the City Code, a recodification will be taking place at the end of 2017.Staff have been working in consultation with the City Attorney to revise the Code, which will be hosted on-line and easily accessed through the City's website. The City Council will receive a preview of all changes at the November Council/Manager meeting. The Planning Commission will consider changes to the Zoning Code at its regular meeting on November 27.All changes are expected to be reviewed and approved at public hearings at the City Council in November and December.