2019-05-20 EC Agenda PacketREGULAR MEETING AGENDA
1.Call to Order
2.Roll Call
3.Approval of Agenda
4.Approval of April 22, 2019 Regular Meeting Minutes
5.Old Business
A. Solid Waste/Organics Tour Summary (Randy’s) (20 min)
B. GreenStep Cities - Step 5 Prioritization (10 min)
Action Requested
6.New Business
A. Stormwater Management Report Update (10 min)
B. Program/Project Updates (10 min)
C. Council Updates (5 min)
D. Other Business
E. Review Commission Bylaws (10 min)
Action Requested
F. Election of Officers (10 min)
Action Requested
7.Adjournment
May 20, 2019 – 6:30 pm
Council Conference Room
Golden Valley City Hall
7800 Golden Valley Road
1
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 6:30 pm by Chair Hill.
2. Roll Call
Commissioners present: Tracy Anderson, Tonia Galonska, Dawn Hill, Joseph Ramlet, Scott Seys and
Jim Stremel
Commissioners absent: Lynn Gitelis and Debra Yahle
Staff present: Marc Nevinski, Physical Development Director, Eric Eckman, Development
and Assets Supervisor and Drew Chirpich, Environmental Specialist
3. Approval of Agenda
MOTION by Commissioner Anderson, seconded by Commissioner Galonska to approve the agenda of
April 22, 2019 as submitted and the motion carried.
4. Approval of Minutes
MOTION by Commissioner Stremel, seconded by Commissioner Galonska to approve the minutes of
March 25, 2019 as submitted and the motion carried.
5A. Solid Waste Collection Update
Marc Nevinski presented an update to the Commission regarding solid waste collection in the city. He
stated that the Council decided to pursue an enhanced licensing process for waste collection instead of
going with an organized hauling program. This would include capping the number of licenses to an
amount lower than what we have now which is around 10 haulers. The goal is to present a revised plan
for the enhanced licensing process by July 2019 to the Commission for their review and comment, and
then back to the Council for final adoption of the revised ordinance in November. New Licensing cycle
will begin April 1, 2020. The Council was split 3 to 2 against organized hauling.
5B. Pollinator Protection Resolution
MOTION by Commissioner Seys, seconded by Commissioner Ramlet to approve and to forward the
Pollinator Protection Resolution with the suggested amendments to the City Council for their
consideration and approval and the motion carried. The amendments included removing the word
“public” on page 8, within letter m and adding “and other Governmental agencies” on page 9, within
letter k.
April 22, 2019 – 6:30 pm
Council Conference Room
Golden Valley City Hall
7800 Golden Valley Road
2
5C. Annual Report and 2019 Work Plan
Eckman presented the final draft version of the Annual Report and 2019 Work Plan for the Commissions
review before presenting it to the Council/Manager meeting next month. One comment made was to
define the word “environment” on page 13 within the Purpose and Mission statement of the
Environmental Commission that was quoted in the annual report. It was advised to wait until next
month’s meeting when the Commission will have an opportunity to review their bylaws and make any
revisions at that time.
5D. Removing Barriers to Local Food Production (38:00)
MOTION by Commissioner Stremel, seconded by Commissioner Seys to allow Greenhouses in Industrial
and Light Industrial Zones by right as primary structures and to allow indoor food production operations
by right in Industrial and Light Industrial Zones and to explore adding indoor food production operations
to Mixed Use and Commercial Zones with Conditional Use Permits (CUP). Also, request to define what is
meant by “food growing”. The motion carried.
6A. Program/Projects Update (1:51:00)
The complete Program/Project Update is on file.
Topics briefly discussed included:
• Lime Bikes/Scooters – additional scooters to be added from last year. The City is currently
revising the Micro-Mobility Ordinance.
• WasteZero Recycling Program to begin May 31st.
• Bassett Creek Native Area Restoration Project will begin this fall.
• The City will be addressing encroachment into public spaces through education, outreach and
signage to inform residents that there is public land adjoining their property.
• DeCola Ponds B & C Project design is 90% complete. Public hearings were held to review the 90%
plan as well as another public hearing was held for the temporary dewatering plan.
• Flood Mitigation Cost Share Reimbursement Program was approved by Council to help eligible
property owners in the floodplain protect their homes from flooding.
• The City will be notified in May by the MPCA whether the city will be selected to receive the
assistance of a GreenCorp member full time for one year.
6B. Council Updates - None
6C. Other Business
• Board and Commissioners dinner to be held at Brookview next Monday, April 29th, 2019.
• Next month elections for chair and vice-chair.
• The City is looking for people to adopt a storm drain.
• Commissioner asked if the city was seeing any new flooding that hadn’t occurred in the past.
Eckman stated that there was higher ground water and more water in wetlands and lower areas
than usual this spring but no new areas of flooding were reported.
3
7. Adjournment
MOTION by Commissioner Anderson, seconded by Commissioner Stremel to adjourn the meeting at
8:40pm and the motion carried.
ATTEST:
_________________________________
Claire Huisman, Administrative Assistant
4
Date: May 16, 2019
To: Environmental Commission
From: Drew Chirpich, Environmental Specialist
Subject: Randy’s Tour Summary
On May 15, 2019 City staff, and members of the League of Women Voters, and members of the
Environmental Commission attended a tour of Randy’s Sanitation center in Delano, MN. Randy’s
employees led the tour and answered questions about sorting and plant operations, and shed
some light the Municipal Solid Waste (MSW), Organics, and Recycling operations that take place
at the plant. Randy’s staff discussed in depth their Blue Bag Program process and common issues
they encounter. The Blue Bag is inserted into residential waste containers along with other MSW
and once the waste trucks are tipped at the sorting facility, MSW from Blue Bag enrolled cities is
then routed through a conveyor belt where a robotic arm identifies and plucks the Blue Bags
from the other MSW. Staff will lead a brief discussion summarizing the highlights of the tour and
what we learned.
5
Date: May 16, 2019
To: Environmental Commission
From: Drew Chirpich, Environmental Specialist
Subject: Green Step Cities Step 5 Metrics Prioritization
City staff has analyzed the next steps necessary for Golden Valley to move forward to Step 5 in
the Green Step Cities program. To improve to Step 5 in the Green Step Cities program, cities must
show improvement upon the metrics gathered during the Step 4 process.
Below is a proposed prioritization of Step 5 metrics:
1. Metric 3.2, MPG of Gasoline Fleet
2. Metric 3.4, MPG of Diesel Fleet
3. Metric 5.1, Number of EV Charging Stations
4. Metric 6.1, Vehicle miles driven per person per day
5. Metric 6.2, City Employee single vehicle miles driven per day
6. Metric 1.4, Percent of LED Streetlights in the City
7. Metric 8.6, Net number of new trees planted
8. Metric 11.5, Ratio of Inflow and Infiltration volume to total volume entering the wastewater
collection system
9. Metric 14.1, Number of city-owned and private renewable energy generation sites
10. Metric 14.2, Generation capacity of city-owned and private renewable energy sites
11. Metric 7.6, New Affordable housing Units
12. Metric 1.1, kBTU used per sq ft, per year (Natural Gas)
13. Metric 2.1, City-Owned Green Buildings
14. Metric 2.5, Green Certified Private Buildings
15. Metric 12.3, DNR Public Waters Not Impaired for Recreational Use
16. Metric 14.4, Annual renewable energy purchases by the city
After review and discussion of the items above, the Commission is requested to make a motion
to approve the prioritization of Step 5 metrics.
6
Date: May 16, 2019
To: Environmental Commission
From: Drew Chirpich, Environmental Specialist
Subject: Stormwater Management Report Update
Staff will be on hand to provide an update on its stormwater management program annual
report.
7
PROGRAM/PROJECT UPDATES – May 2019
GREENSTEP CITIES
Lime Bike/Scooters- Lime will be adding additional scooters to the fleet this spring, in addition to the fleet that was
released last summer.
RECYCLING
WasteZero Simple Recycling Program Start- The Simple Recycling curbside textile pickup service is scheduled to begin
on May 31st. The pickup will occur during residents’ regularly scheduled recycling pickup. Informational postcards and
the bags for the program will be mailed out approximately two weeks prior to program start. Residents should fill the
supplied bags and place bags alongside their recycling containers on recycling pick up day.
GreenCorps Member Update- The City was informed in early May that it will be receiving a GreenCorps Member for the
upcoming 2019-2020 service term. The Member will serve full time at City Hall during the length of the term, and will
focus on the City’s recycling, solid waste, and organics programs.
Investigating other communities Organics/Waste hauling programs- City Staff has begun investigating surrounding
communities’ organics, recycling and waste hauling programs, to better understand new emerging opportunities and to
update the City’s licensing requirements and corresponding programs.
NATURAL RESOURCES
Bassett Creek Nature Area Native Vegetation Restoration Project – Survey work to begin delineating the Nature Area
has begun, and signs denoting the nature area boundary will be installed this summer. The invasive species control is
expected to commence this fall. Native species restoration and planting is scheduled for spring 2020. Boundary marker
signs have been designed and will be ordered and installed in key locations within the nature area. In addition, new
entry signage will be installed at the 3 entry points
Addressing encroachment into public spaces- As outlined in the City’s Natural Resources Management Plan, in 2018 the
Commission requested that staff advance plans to address physical encroachments into the City’s park and nature areas.
The City will be implementing a combination of education, outreach, and signage to inform residents that there is public
land adjoining their property. The first location where this approach will be implemented is the Bassett Creek Nature
Area as part of the 2019 Native Vegetation Restoration Project (discussed above).
WATER RESOURCES
DeCola Ponds B and C Improvement Project
The second and final public open house for this flood mitigation project was held on April 10, 2019 from 5:00-7:30 pm at
Brookview to review 90% plans. Several people attended the meeting and were generally supportive of the project. Final
plans will be completed in May with construction beginning in September 2019.
A public hearing on the temporary dewatering plan for DeCola Ponds A, B, and C was held on April 16, 2019. The hearing
was required as part of a work permit application to the MnDNR. Two people spoke at the hearing and provided
comments for the record. The comments will help inform the final design and permitting process.
Flood Mitigation Cost Share Reimbursement Program
City Council recently approved a cost share reimbursement policy to help eligible property owners in the floodplain
further protect their homes from flooding. Under this program 40% of the eligible flood proofing costs, up to a cap of
$50,000, may be reimbursed to property owners following successful completion of their project. Information will be
mailed to residents living in or near the floodplain in the coming weeks.
8
PLANNING AND ZONING AND DEVELOPMENTS
May, 2019
Mixed Use Zoning District—Discussion regarding the planned revisions to the I-394 Mixed Use zoning district to allow
its use in various locations throughout the city. Scheduled for the April 8 meeting.
1345 Natchez Ave S—A Lot Consolidation of a single-family residential property with excess right-of-way associated
with the construction of I-394. The City would like to reduce its inventory of vacant parcels and the applicant would
like to expand a side yard. Scheduled for the April 22 meeting.
Architectural and Material Standards—Discussion regarding potential Zoning Text Amendments to regulate exterior
building materials and to require certain architectural features on new or remodeled buildings. The Planning
Commission discussed draft standards on March 25 and will hold a public hearing at the April 22 meeting.
Telecommunications Facilities—A Zoning Text Amendment to make aesthetic standards for small wireless facilities
(small cell equipment) on private property consistent with recently adopted regulations around small cell equipment
in the public right-of-way. Scheduled for the April 22 meeting.
Downtown Study Scope/Update—Discussion of the draft scope for the upcoming Downtown Study, including
planned tasks and expected outcomes as well as anticipation of future phases of work. Scheduled for the April 9
meeting.
8043 Lewis Road (American Rug Laundry)—Conditional Use Permit to allow the operation of a laundry in a Light
Industrial zoning district. An existing building would be renovated. The City Council approved the CUP (5-0) on April 2.
9
BYLAWS OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION
CITY OF GOLDEN VALLEY
Article I: Mission Statement
The Environmental Commission has been established to advise and make
recommendations to the City Council in matters relating to and affecting the
environment. Specifically, the Commission shall:
1. Develop and make recommendations to educate the public on environmental
regulations, policies, practices and tools;
2. Develop and make recommendations as an advisory review body for
amendments to or revisions of the city’s Surface Water Management Plan and
provide advice as requested by the Council on other city programs and
initiatives;
3. Review and make recommendations regarding the city’s existing environmental
ordinances, policies and guidelines;
4. Develop and make recommendations on management practices for the city’s
nature areas, public and private ponding areas, and other such city-owned
properties as directed by the City Council;
5. Participate, as directed by the City Council, in local activities initiated by other
public and quasi-public agencies regarding environmental issues;
6. Advise and recommend such other functions or procedures as may be assigned
to them by the City Code or the Council.
Article II: Membership, Meetings, Attendance and Annual Report
1. Membership
a. The Environmental Commission membership shall consist of seven (7)
regular members who shall serve three-year staggered terms and one (1)
voting youth member, who shall live or attend school within Golden Valley
and enrolled in school grades nine (9) through twelve (12). The youth
member shall serve a one (1) year term. Emphasis in appointments will be
based on knowledge of environmental issues and their relationships to the
natural environment and quality of life in the City.
10
G:\Environmental Commission\Miscellaneous\Bylaws\BylawsMarch2017YouthMemberRevision-clean.doc 2
2.Meetings
a.The Commission will hold monthly meetings on the fourth Monday of the
month at 6:30 p.m.
b.A quorum consisting of a majority of the appointed membership is
necessary to transact the business of the Commission.
c. The Commission may hold special meetings to complete or initiate
business at the call of the chairperson or at the request of three members.
d.Each member shall be notified at least 48 hours notice of a special
meeting regarding the time, place and purpose of the meeting.
e.All meetings will be open to the public.
3.Attendance
Attendance is required at all meetings. Absences in one year should not exceed
three consecutive meetings or more than 25 percent of the total meetings for the
year. A standardized letter of warning will be sent from the respective chair to
any member after two missed meetings. If a member exceeds the allowable
number of absences, the Mayor will send a standardized letter, stating that the
member must step down because of the importance of regular attendance. If
the Commission feels there are extenuating circumstances in a case of a
member who has not met the attendance requirements, the Commission may
send a letter to the Council explaining the situation and requesting an exception.
If a member is unable to attend a meeting, that member should contact the staff
liaison, who will inform the chair if a quorum cannot be attained and the meeting
will be cancelled.
4.Annual Report
On March 1 of each year, the Commission shall provide the City Council with a
written annual report outlining its activities over the past year and its proposed
activities for the upcoming year.
Article III: Appointment, Terms and Vacancies
1.Appointments
The Council shall make appointments to the Commission at its last meeting in
April, effective May 1. The members shall begin their term at the Commission’s
first meeting in May.
2.Terms
Members will serve three-year staggered terms.
3.Vacancies
If a vacancy occurs before the end of the term, interim appointments may be
made by the Council.
11
G:\Environmental Commission\Miscellaneous\Bylaws\BylawsMarch2017YouthMemberRevision-clean.doc 3
Article IV: Officers, Elections and Duties
1. Officers
The Environmental Commission will have two officers: a chairperson and a vice
chairperson. Terms of office shall be for a maximum of two years and shall
rotate. The Chair and Vice-Chair shall not serve consecutive terms.
2. Election of Officers
The Commission will elect officers at the May meeting each year. Officers will
serve until the next election.
3. Duties of Officers
The Commission Chairperson will:
Work with staff liaison to develop meeting agendas.
Conduct and preside over monthly meetings in a productive, timely manner.
Monitor and ensure the progress of the Commission.
Report to the City Council.
Assure that the Commission conducts its activities within its mission and
bylaws.
The Commission Vice Chairperson will:
Preside over any meeting in the Chairperson’s absence.
Article V: Amendments and Revisions
The Commission will review these bylaws every three years, at the March meeting.
Members will present recommendations for changes and amendments. These bylaws
can be altered or amended at any regular monthly Commission meeting, provided that
notice of the proposed changes and amendments is mailed to each member at least
ten business days before the meeting. The Council must review and approve any
changes to, and has final authority regarding, these bylaws.
Adopted by the Env. Comm. 07/24/00
Adopted by the City Council 09/05/00
Revised by the Env. Comm. 06/27/05
Revised by the Env. Comm. 03/23/15
Revised by the Env. Comm. 11/23/15
Revised by the Env. Comm. 02/27/17
Adopted by the City Council 03/21/17
12