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2017-11-27 EC Minutes GOLDEN VALLEY ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION Regular Meeting, Minutes November 27, 2017 Commissioners Present: Tracy Anderson, Tonia Galonska, Lynn Gitelis, Dawn Hill, Larry Johnson, Joseph Ramlet, Jim Stremel and Debra Yahle Staff Present: Eric Eckman, Public Works Specialist; Sue Schwalbe, Administrative Assistant Also Present: Council Member Larry Fonnest Call to Order Chair Hill called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm. Approval of Reqular Meetina Minutes MOVED by Gitelis, SECONDED by Galonska, and the motion carried unanimously to approve the minutes of the October 23, 2017 regular meeting as amended to include Joe Ramlet under "Commissioners Present". Natural Resources Manaqement Plan This plan is being incorporated into the Parks and Natural Resources chapter of the 2040 comprehensive plan update. Eckman led the review and provided a progress update on the plan's implementation matrix for natural and constructed improvements within nature areas. The following items were specifically discussed by the Commission: • The Commission agreed to keep the first action listed under General Natural Resource Improvements (Address Encroachment through education, identification, and boundary demarcation) as a high priority and to address the encroachment issue now rather than later. • It was decided to remove the action item "Install tunnel under the Union Pacific railroad tracks" since it is not a part of the bike/pedestrian plan recommended by the task force. • Also to remove, "Install canoe access for recreational use of the ponds" from all stormwater ponds in the City. The stormwater ponds typically have lower water quality then natural receiving waters and are not listed as priority 1 water bodies by the Basset Creek Watershed Management Commission. • The Commission suggested that new pet waste disposal systems could be maintained/emptied by volunteers who Adopt-a-Trail or Adopt-a-Park. MOVED by Stremel, SECONDED by Galonska, and the motion carried unanimously to modify the Natural Resources Management Plan by removing the following action items from the matrix: Install tunnel under the UP RR tracks and install canoe access for recreational use on ponds. 2018 Environmental Commission Budqet Ideas The City Council has included $3,500 in the proposed 2018-2019 budget for Environmental Commission meetings and educational events. Ideas on ways to use these funds were discussed and included the following: • The meeting/event would need to take place in Golden Valley or in a nearby city at a city-sponsored event (like Home Remodeling Fair) • An informational booth could be set up at an existing event G:\Environmental Commission\Minutes�2017�11-November\11-27-17 EC Minutes.doc Minutes of the Environmental Commission November 27, 2017 Page 2 of 2 o Existing events include Home Remodeling Fair; Golden Valley Art and Music Festival; Farmers Market • Experts/guest speakers could be brought in to speak or provide hands on demonstrations o Demonstrations could take place on a site within the community ■ Example: Buckthorn removal o Could use classroom setting, like community ed classes o Speakers/experts could include Organic Bob, U of MN Compost/Recycle expert, Hennepin County Recycling expert, other U of MN educators, staff from Center for Energy and Environment o Staff to research costs to set up a class at the new Brookview • Provide local nature area tours • Offer help to homeowners on how to manage their home and yard more effectively and efficiently GreenStep Cities — Step 4 core topic areas Eckman presented the results of the Step 4 Open Space, Parks, and Trees core topic area and discussed which metrics are eligible for Step 5. MOVED by Gitelis, SECONDED by Johnson and the motion carried unanimously to approve the entry for Step 4 Open Space, Parks, and Trees into the GreenSteps Cities website. Proqram/Proiect Updates The complete Program/Project Update is on file. Youth Member Updates This item was removed from the agenda. In the future, the youth member and any other Commission member may comment under "Other Business". Other Business MOVED by Gitelis, SECONDED by Stremel, and the motion carried unanimously to cancel the Environmental Commission December 18th meeting. Adjourn MOVED by Anderson, SECONDED by Gitelis, and the motion carried to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 pm. �.�� ���� Claire Huisman Administrative Assistant G:\Environmental Commission\Minutes�2017�11-November\11-27-17 EC Minutes.doc