2017-09-25 EC Minutes 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/Pro�ect 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
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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�a
Adiourn
MOVED by Anderson, SECONDED by Galonska, and the motion carried to
adjourn the meeting at 8:18 pm.
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Claire Huisman
Administrative Assistant
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