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2017-11-27 EC Agenda Packet AGENDA GOLDEN VALLEY ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION November 27, 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 October 23, 2017 (5 min) 3. Natural Resources Management Plan—Review Implementation Plan (30 min) 4. 2018 Environmental Commission Budget Ideas (20 min) 5. GreenStep Cities-Step 4 core topic areas (15 min) (Action requested) 6. Program/Project Updates (10 min) 7. Council Updates (5 min) 8. Youth Member Updates (5 min) 9. Other Business 10. Adjourn This document is available in alternate formats upon a 72-hour request. Please call 763-593-8006{TfY: 763-593-3968)to make a request. Examples of alternate formats may inclutle large print, electronic, Braille, audiocassette,etc. GOLDEN VALLEY ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION Regular Meeting, Minutes October 23, 2017 Commissioners Present: Tracy Anderson, Lynn Gitelis, Dawn Hill, Larry Johnson, Jim Stremel and Debra Yahle Staff Present: Eric Eckman, Public Works Specialist; Claire Huisman, Administrative Assistant Also Present: Council Member Larry Fonnest Absent: Commissioner Tonia Galonska Call to Order Chair Hill called the meeting to order at 6:28 pm. Approval of Reqular Meetinq Minutes MOVED by Anderson, SECONDED by Johnson, and the motion carried unanimously to approve the minutes of the September 25, 2017 regular meeting. Introduction of Youth Member Joseph Ramlet was introduced as the new youth member of the Commission. This position will have voting rights. Joseph stood and gave a brief intr�duction about himself and his interest in the environment. Quorum Requirements Chair Hill stated that with the addition of a member, the number of inembers needed for a quorum has been raised to five. She also re�iewed the revised guidelines and the Board/Commission application process which were recently passed by the City Council at their Oct 17th meeting. The full revisions can be found on the city website. GreenStep Cities-BP25 Green Business Development Eckman gave a brief overview of the GreenStep Cities Program. He then went on to discuss and receive input from the Commission on BP# 25.5 which is the final action required for the City to achieve a Step 3 rating. Minor revisions to the wording were suggested and staff will ad'd some additional information to satisfy this request. MOVED by Gitelis, SECONDED by Stremel and the motion carried unanimously to approve as amended Bes# Practice #25, Action 5 for entry into the GreenStep Cities website. GreenStep Cities — Step 4 Requirements Eckman presented the requirements for Step 4 which involves the documentation of metric measurements in seven core topic areas (City Buildings and Lighting; Transportation Modes and Miles; Open Space, Parks, and Trees; Stormwater; Waste Water; Renewable Energy; and Land Use) and five optional topic areas from a list of nine. The Commission discussed the core and optional topic areas and then selected and prioritized 5 optional topic areas to pursue. MOVED by Gitelis, SECONDED by Stremel and the motion carried unanimously to approve the five optional topic areas under Step 4: 1) City Fleets; 2) Infrastructure for Biking and Walking; 3) Car, Transit, and Bike Options; 4) Surface Water; and 5) Green Buildings. "Local Foods" will serve as the fifth topic area if "Green Buildings" does not prove workable. G:\Environmental Commission\Minutes�2017\10-October110-23-17 EC Minutes.doc Minutes of the Environmental Commission October 23, 2017 Page 2 of 2 2018 Commission Meetinq Dates MOVED by Yahle, SECONDED by Johnson and the motion carried unanimously to approve moving the December 25, 2017 meeting to December 18t", the May 28, 2018 meeting to May 21St and the December 24, 2018 meeting to December 17tn due to holiday interferences. This year's December 25t" meeting will be discussed for reconsideration at the November meeting. Proqram/Proiect Updates Eckman discussed the new Bassett Creek Identification signs which will be placed in areas where Bassett Creek crosses under streets in Golden Valley. He a'Iso discussed the DeCola Ponds B & C Improvement Project Feasibility Study and the Open House set for November 9t" from 5:OOpm to 7:30pm in the Council Charnbers. The cc�mplete Program/Project Update is on file. Council Updates Council member Fonnest reported that the council is working on the proposed 2018 Budget and a hearing to finalize will be in December. There is a line item in the budget for the Environmental Commission. He suggested the commission start thinking about how to invest those funds into their work plan in the coming year. A couple of suggestions included: participation in a home show or hosting special environmental education symposiums on appropriate topics. This will be discussed further at the November meeting. Other Business Eckman stated that the Garden Club is'heading up an effort to convert the island in City Hall's front parking lot into a pollinator garden. The City is adding some in-kind resources as well. The pollinator garden is being prepared this fall for planting next spring. Commissioner Johnson passed out a few pamphlets from the Energy Fair regarding electric buses. Commissioner Gitelis reported that on the legislative side, energy groups are looking into raising the renewable energy standard in order to accommodate for the growing use of electrical vehicle and the need for EV Infrastructure in cities. Adiourn MOVED by Gitelis, SECONDED by Johnson, and the motion carried to adjourn the meeting at 8:16 pm. Claire Huisman Administrative Assistant G:\Environmental Commission\Minutes�2017\10-October\10-23-17 EC Minutes.doc Cl�� 0� ,,,�� ����� � � � � � � � � � �� . ���. �.'�,� Physical I3evel�pment Depar�ment 763-593-8030/763-593-3988(fax) Date: November 22, 2017 To: Environmental Commission From: Eric Eckman, Public Works Specialist Subject: Natural Resources Management Plan —Review Implementation Plan The City Council adopted the Natural Resources Management Plan in June 2015 and the plan is being incorporated into the Parks and Natural Resources chapter of the 2040 comprehensive plan update. The Environmental Commission played an integral role in developing the plan and continues to provide input and guidance in the implementation of the plan. In addition,the Commission's 2017 annual work plan includes an item for assisting with the natural resources management plan implementation. Attached is the plan's implementation matrix for natural and constructed improvements within nature areas. Staff will provide an update on the progress of the implementation plan and will gather feedback from the Commission on prioritizing actions moving forward. G:\Environmental Commission\Memos Table 6.1 Natural Resource Implementation Action Item Matrix(update based on indiv area plans in Ch.S) Short- Medium- Long- Priority Term Term Term On- Est.Cost (1-5 (6-10 (10+ going Years) Years) Years) General Natural Resource Improvements Address encroachmentthrough education, identification, and boundary High X X $25,000 demarcation Develop communication/education plan with topics and schedule,deliver using High X $25,000 website&new technolo ies Market nature areas,and distinguish Medium X X $10,000 them from active parks Expand certain nature areas through $5,000 to agreement,easement,or acquisition as Medium X X $25,000 opportunities arise Develop maintenance schedule for Medium X $5,000 nature areas and open spaces Complete tree inventory in all nature Low X $20,000 areas and open spaces Adeline Nature Area Remove Buckthorn High X X $4,000 Manage Woodland Health Medium X $5,000 Bassett Creek Nature Area Remove/control buckthorn High X X $10,000 Remove undesirable trees, establish Medium X $10,000 mixed age-class of oak trees Regrade erosional channels along the Medium X $2,000 bluff and address concrete fill Reestablish oak savanna Low $20,000 Briarwood Nature Area Remove buckthorn High X X $30,000 Controlled burns, herbicide applications, High X X $25,000 periodic reseeding Remove damaged trees, plant younger Medium X $10,000 and more diverse trees General Mills Nature Preserve Reed canary grass, purple loosestrife High X X $35,000 control within wetland bank Controlled bums,herbicide applications, High X $21,000 periodic reseeding Remove buckthorn Low X X $10,500 Remove damaged trees, plant younger Low X $10,000 and more diverse trees Golden Ridge Nature Area Remove buckthorn High X X $8,000 Maintain&plant younger conifers Medium X $8,000 GVNRM Plan 2015 IMPLEMENTATION Page 8 �aurel Avenue Greenbelt Remove buckthorn High X X $8,000 Tree Inventory Low X $6,600 Mary Hills Nature Area Remove buckthorn High X X $25,000 Remove damaged trees, plant younger Medium X $20,000 and more diverse trees Pennsylvania Woods Nature Area Remove buckthorn High X X $8,000 Maintain maple-basswood community, Medium X $10,000 plant younger trees Rice Lake Nature Area Bassett Creek bank stabilization High X X $20,000 Herbicide reed canary grass,cattails, Medium X X $20,000 and purple loosestrife Remove undesirable trees,establish Low X X $10,000 native woodland communities Western Avenue Marsh Remove undesirable trees, establish Medium X $6,000 native woodland communities Remove/control reed canary grass Medium X $6,500 Note:For total management acreage estimates per strategy,see Specific Nature Area Management Plans in Chapter 5 of this document. Table 6.2 summarizes a list of critical action items to implement the Plan's policies related to amenities. These are similarly important to the public value of the nature areas, but reflect the physical aspects of the user's experience, and less the ecological importance. Like the natural resource improvements, the amenity action items have been assigned a priority rating of high, medium, or low and assigned a completion timeline in terms of short, medium, or long timeframe that the City should undertake to implement the Plan. The majority of the major recommendations overlap the areas, and are part of a process to unify the management and use of the areas. GVNRM Plan 2015 IMPLEMENTATION Page 9 Table 6.2 Nature Area Amenity Improvement Action Item Matrix Short- Medium- Long-Term Term Term Priority oin Est.Cost (1-5 �6-10 Years) (10+Years) g g Years) General Amenity Improvements Standardize and Install Entrance High X X $100,000 Signs throughout system Complete sign and amenity design High X guidelines Install general wa�nding and Medium X educational signage Instali Trash/Recycling Receptacles Medium X X $40,000 Install Pet Waste Receptacles Low X X $20,000 Complete field assessment of open Low X space parcels Specific Nature Area Recommendations Adeline Nature Area Install benches near entrance and at Medium X $4,500 dock Remove and maintain tree limbs Medium X X and shrubs obstructing views $1,000 Install interpretive sign Low X $3,000 Install post and cable barrier Low X Install tunnel under the Union Pacific Low X $500,000 railroad tracks Bassett Creek Nature Area Reroute lower trail, pavement improvements High X $70,000 Install additional interpretive sign Medium X $3,000 along the creek Install new benches along the trail at appropriate intervals or at key Medium X $6,000 viewpoints Briarwood Nature Area Obtain agreements, easements,or complete land exchange to formalize social trails for public High X $10,000 usage Extend trail, possible pavement High X $95,000 improvements Install benches at regular intervals or at key viewpoints Medium X $6,000 Install additional interpretive signs Low X along trail $6,000 Identify and construct canoe access Low X $5,000 GVNRM Plan 2015 IMPLEMENTATION Page 10 General Mills Nature Preserve Maintain trail system Low X $5,000 Golden Ridge Nature Area Install interpretive sign along the trail Low X $3,000 within the conifer plantation Install new benches along two main Low X $3,000 trails Laurel Avenue Greenbelt Install interpretive sign along trail at Medium X $9,000 key vantage points Install benches at entry and on deck Medium X $12,000 overlook Natural surface trail development Low X $12,000 Pavement improvements(6'wide Low X $30,000 asphalt trail)revise 8 feet wide Install canoe access for recreation Low X $10,000 us of the ponds Mary Hills Nature Area Collaborate on the Sochacki Park/Mary Hills/Rice Lake Nature High X $25,000 Area plan Pennsylvania Woods Nature Area Maintain culvert maintenance High X $8,000 access Install 2 types of educational signs Medium X $6,000 Install new benches along the trail at Medium X $6,000 regular intervals or at key viewpoints Rice Lake Nature Area Collaborate on the Sochacki Park/Mary Hills/Rice Lake Nature High X $25,000 Area plan Evaluate stability of Bassett Creek span, resurface natural surface High X $30,000 trails,repair/replace dock transition Install new benches at entry and on deck overlook Medium X $2,000 Install interpretive sign Medium X $3,000 Consider canoe access Low X $5,000 Western Avenue Marsh Extend new trail, pavement improvements(6'wide asphalt)8 Medium X $50,000 feet wide Install interpretive sign Medium X $3,000 Install new benches at entry and on Low X $3,000 deck overlook GVNRM Plan 2015 IMPLEMENTATION Page 11 city of �, t����Yl � � [� #�1 � . �t`�. �� Ph�sical Llevelc�pment Department 763-593-8030/?63-593-3988(fax) Date: November 22, 2017 To: Environmental Commission From: Eric Eckman, Public Works Specialist Subject: Ideas for 2018 Environmental Commission Budget The City Council has included $3,500 in the proposed 2018-2019 budget for Environmental Commission meetings and educational events. The Commission should begin planning now to consider how to invest those funds as part of its 2018 work plan. Possible event topics could include: • Pollinators and pollinator habitat • Native plants and landscapes • Invasive species control (buckthorn, garlic mustard, reed canary grass, etc) • Energy efficiency and renewable energy • Managing stormwater on your property (reducing runoff, chlorides, and nutrients) • Resilience/Emergency preparedness Please come prepared with ideas for possible topics and events for 2018. G:\Environmental Commission\Memos Cl t� t?� � ����� � � � � � � � , ��„ �,.'� Physlcal Develc�prnent Department 763-593-8030 i 763-593-3988(fax) Date: October 18, 2017 To: Environmental Commission From: Eric Eckman, Public Works Specialist Subject: GreenStep Cities Step 4-Open Space, Parks, and Trees Golden Valley is 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 seven core topic areas and five optional topic areas. Core topic areas Optional topic areas(in priority order) • Open Space, Parks, and Trees • City Fleets • City Buildings and Lighting • Infrastructure for Biking and Walking • Transportation Modes and Miles • Car, Transit, and Bike Options • Stormwater • Surface Water • Waste Water • Green Buildings • Renewable Energy • Local Food (only if green buildings • Land Use does not prove workable) The first core topic area that the City is completing is Open Space, Parks, and Trees. Attached is the summary of this topic area. After discussion, staff requests that the Commission consider making a motion to approve the entry for Step 4 Open Space, Parks, and Trees into the GreenSteps Cities website. G:\Environmental Commission\Memos - - - • . . . • To be considered for Step 4 or 5, please complete the following form by entering the appropriate metric measurement in each orange box. For assistance, please refer to the guidance sheets available for each metriC. The green boxes indicate metrics that are eligible for Step 5 recognition if a city shaws improvement r -------- ---- ------------ - - � � . - �� � ��-" .� ' � � . : . � � ,� � w �, . _ 2. , � . �;-�. . �.. � r. �,:r , .,.� �: . F . ...rv__ .:�.s� �. , ��: 8.1 Percent of total city acres in open space: % 70.8 � p 8.2 Acres of parkland: Acres 1,317.0 $ 3 Percent of housing within 1/2 mile of % 100 parkland: � �, � �.,� �. � � . � .�v v ��r� x � rt .. x � , �. 9: , . .. � � �, s�� , .��' . , ..3r ;'. 8.4 Percent canopy coverage: % 40 Acer (Maple), $.5 Three most prevalent tree species (by Fraxinus percent genus): (Ash), Ulmus (Elm) 8.5a What percent of canopy coverage is made o�0 22 up by the most prevalent genus? 8.5 What percent of canopy coverage is made o b up by the second most prevalent genus? �0 21 8.5c What percent of canopy coverage is made o�0 10 up by the third most prevalent genus? 8.6 Net number of new trees planted: Number of 91 trees Enter any justification or explanation for variation of inetrics: Percent of total acres in open space (8.1) is all public and private land that is not mapped as impervious surface in the City's GIS. As a note, residential driveways have not yet been mapped as impervious. Acres of parkland (8.2)follows the definition in the GreenStep Cities guide. Note: the parkland listed in the City's comprehensive plan is about 1,153 acres, or 17% of city area, but does not include public waters or easements on private property. The three most prevalent trees by genus (8.5) reflects only trees in Golden Valley's public tree inventory. For clarification, the Genus Acer includes box elder trees. Note: In 2011, the Cit had 24.1% Fraxinus Ash trees in its invento . PROGRAM/PROJECT UPDATES–November 2017 WATER RESOURCES DeCola Ponds B and C Improvement Project Feasibility Study–Open House summary-The Bassett Creek Watershed Management Commission authorized 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 aileviate 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, restoring and enhancing vegetation and wildlife habitat, and improving recreation and park user experience. An open house was held at city hall on November 9 to exchange information and gather input from nearby residents and park users. A total of 28 people signed in at the open house and 13 people provided comments so far.The information gathered will be used to help develop concept plans that will be presented at an open house in spring 2018. ENERGY Solar As part of its participation in the Department of Energy's SolSmart program, City staff is working on a permit application checklist for residential solar energy projects.The checklist will inform residents interested in solar projects and help streamline the permitting process. Once completed,the checklist will be posted in the "permits" and "solar energy" sections of the City website. PLANNING AND ZONING AND DEVELOPMENTS Nov 22, 2017 1300 Kelly Drive—Variance from the rear yard setback in order to replace a detached garage with an attached garage as part of a home addition.The required setback is 25 feet and the applicant is requesting to reduce this distance to 15 feet. Scheduled for the November 28 meeting. 2040 Comprehensive Plan—Staff will lead a work session on November 27 to review the draft text for the Resilience/Sustainability and Parks/Natural Resources chapters of the 2040 Comp Plan. Tennant Campus Project—Applications for an amendment to the Tennant PUD, zoning approvals for Damascus Way, and land use changes for the Corporate Woods site on Douglas Drive have all been put on hold prior to consideration by the City Council.The applicant will be working with staff to determine which, if any, of the proposals should be advanced at this time. All public hearings associated with this project, including a potential expansion of the Douglas Drive Redevelopment Area, have been continued to the January 16 City Council meeting. Tax Parcel Divisions—Staff provided an overview of the process for Tax Parcel Divisions within the City at the November 14 meeting and recommended that additional information be required from property owners who are looking to have their parcels separated at Hennepin County. In addition, mailings will be sent to notify neighbors of these divisions as well as pending residential demolitions. Other Information City Code Recodification—In an effort to update and modernize the City Code, a recodification will be taking place early in 2018 (this has been delayed slightly from previous estimates). 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 a Council/Manager meeting.The Planning Commission will consider changes to the Zoning Code at a regular meeting and all changes to the Code will be reviewed and approved at public hearings in front of the City Council.