2017-10-23 EC Minutes GOLDEN VALLEY ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION
Regular Meeting, Minutes
October 23, 2017
Commissioners Present: Tracy Anderson, Lynn Gitelis, Dawn Hill, Larry Johnson,
Joseph Ramlet, 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 Reaular Meetinu 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 introduction 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 reviewed 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 add some additional information to satisfy this request.
MOVED by Gitelis, SECONDED by Stremel and the motion carried unanimously to
approve as amended Best 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.
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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 18th, 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 25th meeting will be discussed for reconsideration at the
November meeting.
Prouram/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 also 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 Chambers. The complete
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.
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Claire Huisman
Administrative Assistant
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