2019-10-28 EC Agenda PacketREGULAR MEETING AGENDA
1.Call to Order
2.Roll Call
3.Approval of Agenda
4.Approval of September 23, 2019 Regular Meeting Minutes (5 min)
5.Resignation of Commission Member Lynn Gitelis (5 min)
6.New Member Susan Phelps (5 min)
7.Old Business
A.Update on Draft Waste Hauling Ordinance (15 min)
B. Pollinator Resolution Adopted (5 min)
C. Potential Pollinator Habitat (20 min)
(Action requested)
D. Partners in Energy program (10 min)
(Action requested)
8.New Business
A.Introduce Greencorps Member Emma Pierson (5 min)
B.Greencorps Work Plan for 2019-2020 (5 min)
C.Program/Project Updates (10 min)
D.Council Updates (5 min)
E.Other Business
9.Adjournment
October 28, 2019 – 6:30 pm
Council Conference Room
Golden Valley City Hall
7800 Golden Valley Road
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REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 6:30 pm by Chair Seys.
2. Roll Call
Commissioners present: Tracy Anderson, Tonia Galonska, Dawn Hill, Joseph Ramlet, Scott Seys, Jim
Stremel and Debra Yahle
Commissioners absent: Lynn Gitelis
Staff present: Eric Eckman, Development and Assets Supervisor; Drew Chirpich,
Environmental Specialist and Claire Huisman, Administrative Assistant
Chair Seys stated to the Commission that Lynn Gitelis has officially resigned as a member of the
Commission.
3. Approval of Agenda
MOTION by Commissioner Hill, seconded by Commissioner Anderson to approve the agenda of
September 23, 2019 as submitted and the motion carried.
4. Approval of Minutes
MOTION by Commissioner Hill, seconded by Commissioner Galonska to approve the minutes of August
26, 2019 as submitted and the motion carried.
5A. Update on Draft Waste Hauling Ordinance
Eckman stated to the Commission that the City was conducting a survey through the City website
regarding waste hauling. Staff has also been engaging with waste haulers to get their feedback on the
proposed waste hauling ordinance. Commissioners asked to be provided with the comments from the
survey as well as a summary of the total survey when completed.
Policy items from the Ordinance were discussed for Commission feedback which included:
1. List of active accounts: Commissioners were not concerned about route information but agreed
haulers should provide the number of accounts they have and the number of trucks used in the City.
2. Limit number of trucks: Commissioners decided that if a hauler wanted to increase their fleet then
they should check with the City before doing so.
3. 15% of total active accounts: Keep this as stated.
September 23, 2019 – 6:30 pm
Council Conference Room
Golden Valley City Hall
7800 Golden Valley Road
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City of Golden Valley Environmental Commission Regular Meeting Minutes
September 23, 2019 – 6:30 pm
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4. Containers made of 50% recycled material: Commissioners suggested more research on this topic
but possibly to rephrase the policy to say, “Phase in new carts as needed with containers made from
at least 30% post-consumer recycled material”.
5. Annual composition sort: Commissioners felt more research needed on this topic to determine the
cost to do this inspection and whether it is truly necessary.
6. Collection Day: Keep at one day a week.
7. Truck weight limit: Keep as stated.
8. Axel requirement: Commissioners would like to remove the drop axel requirement for yard waste
trucks but require it for the solid waste trucks.
9. CNG or low emission energy truck requirement: Commissioners would like more information from
other city’s requirements on this topic. They also felt that yard waste trucks should not be required
to be CNG but solid waste trucks should be required.
10. Camera requirements: Commissioners did not want driver-facing cameras but were fine with the
requirement for rear and outward facing cameras on the truck.
11. Schedule of Charges: Commission wants rates to be transparent on the website and include all of
their various services and incidental charges that would appear on a bill.
12. Reporting: Staff will get more information on what reports are needed and why they are needed and
in what form should they be given to the City.
13. Transfer of existing licenses: Commission against this requirement and asked City staff to do more
research.
5B. Potential Pollinator Habitat
MOTION by Commissioner Hill, seconded by Commissioner Stremel to table item 5B. Potential Pollinator
Habitat until next meeting and the motion carried.
6A. Student Environmental Competition
Commission members agreed that it was worth exploring the idea of hosting an annual student
competition to present ideas on ways Golden Valley could become more sustainable, more resilient and
improve the environment. Cash prize would be offered plus the winners idea could become a service
project or a future City project. The Commission will discuss more details this winter as part of the work
plan.
6B. Resilience & Sustainability Plan
In order to achieve GreenStep Cities Step 5 and the energy goals listed in the City’s Resilience &
Sustainability chapter of the 2040 Comprehensive Plan, the Commission is being asked to explore its
active participation in Xcel Energy’s Partners In Energy community collaboration program in 2020-2021.
Commissioners discussed and were generally supportive and asked staff to get feedback from other
cities involved in the program and to verify if there would be any direct costs to the City for being a
partner in this program.
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City of Golden Valley Environmental Commission Regular Meeting Minutes
September 23, 2019 – 6:30 pm
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6C. Program/Projects Update
The complete Program/Project Update is on file.
Chair Seys reminded the Commissioners of the Downtown Study Open House being held at Brookview on
October 21st from 5p-7p. The Commission as a whole is not providing input or recommendations, but
individuals may attend and provide comments. The Commission asked to be more involved. Staff will
talk with the Planning staff about engagement and a possible joint commission meeting in the near
future.
6C. Council Updates - None
6D. Other Business - None
7. Adjournment
MOTION by Commissioner Stremel, seconded by Commissioner Yahle to adjourn the meeting at 8:32pm
and the motion carried.
ATTEST:
_________________________________
Claire Huisman, Administrative Assistant
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G:\Environmental Commission\Memos
Date: October 25, 2019
To: Environmental Commission
From: Drew Chirpich, Environmental Specialist
Subject: Update on Waste Collection Ordinance
As outlined in the schedule below the City has been engaging with stakeholders and will provide
an update to the Commission at its October meeting.
Schedule
The schedule for the ordinance modification continues to be as follows:
June EC reviews concepts for ordinance modifications and provides comments.
July EC reviews refined concepts and provides additional comments.
August EC reviews concept ordinance.
September Stakeholder engagement and update to EC.
October Council discusses draft ordinance and stakeholder feedback
November Council considers adoption of ordinance modifications.
April 1, 2020 Licenses issued under modified ordinance.
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G:\Environmental Commission\Memos\Monarch Pledge & Bee City
Date: October 25, 2019
To: Environmental Commission
From: Eric Eckman, Development and Assets Supervisor
Subject: Potential Pollinator Habitat
Based on direction from the Commission at its August meeting, staff evaluated all City owned
or maintained properties for their potential to be enhanced as pollinator habitat. Pollinator
habitat may include plots as small as 50’ x 50’ or areas as large as several acres, depending on
the site. Please see attached maps showing existing, programmed, and potential future
pollinator habitat areas for reference.
Evaluation criteria used to determine pollinator habitat potential:
• Visibility to the public (vehicles, bikes, peds) to promote education and awareness
• Benefits to water quality
• Opportunity to reduce overall maintenance inputs and costs
• Current land cover
• Sun exposure
• If salt impact is an issue
• If the site is located within a “green corridor” as shown in the Natural Resources
Management Plan
Staff also provided the estimated costs to establish and maintain the pollinator habitat based
on current contracts. Sites were scored based on these criteria and the information will be
presented at the October meeting for Commission review and approval.
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CITY OF ROBBINSDALE
CITY OF MINNEAPOLISCITY OF ST. LOUIS PARK
CITY OF MINNEAPOLISCITY O FST. LOUIS PARKCITY OF ROBBINSDALECITY OF CRYSTAL
CITY OF ST. LOUIS PARK
CITY OF NEW HOPE
CITY OF PLYMOUTHCITY OF MINNEAPOLISCITY OF ST. LOUIS PARKCITY O FPLYMOUTH456766
456770
456766
456740
456740
4567156 4567102
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§¨¦394
Æÿ55Æÿ55
Æÿ100
Æÿ100
£¤169
£¤169
Winnetka Ave SWinnetka Ave NWinnetka Ave NDouglas Dr NDouglas Dr NMedicine Lake Rd
Glenwood AveMendelssohn Ave NPlymouth Ave N
10th Ave N
7thAve Boone Ave NWisconsin Ave NNevada Ave NGeneralMillsBlvdG o ld e n V alleyRdRhodeIslandSandburg Rd
Betty CrockerDr
WayzataBlvd
Country Club Dr
Olympia St
Harold Ave
Laurel Ave
Louisiana Ave SJersey AveFloridaAve SGolden Hills DrZane Ave NS Frontage Rd
TurnersCrossroad NMeadow Ln NNoble Ave NHampshireAve SW ayza ta Blvd Zenith Ave NTheod o r e WirthPkwyDecatur Ave NDuluth St G o l d e n Vall ey Rd
AveNG o l d e n Valley Rd
Pennsylvania Ave SWayzataBlvd XeniaAveSOlson Memorial HwyN Frontage Rd
Lindsay St
Lilac Dr N0 1,800 3,600900Feet
IPrint Date: 9/20/2019Sources:-Hennepin County Surveyors Office for Property Lines (2019).-City of Golden Valley for all other layers.
Currently MaintainedVegetated Buffer
Managed Buffer(27.19 acres)
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!!!CITY OF CRYSTAL
CITY OF ROBBINSDALE
CITY OF MINNEAPOLISCITY OF ST. LOUIS PARK
CITY OF MINNEAPOLISCITY O FST. LOUIS PARKCITY OF ROBBINSDALECITY OF CRYSTAL
CITY OF ST. LOUIS PARK
CITY OF NEW HOPE
CITY OF PLYMOUTHCITY OF MINNEAPOLISCITY OF ST. LOUIS PARKCITY O FPLYMOUTH456766
456770
456766
456740
456740
4567156 4567102
§¨¦394
§¨¦394
Æÿ55Æÿ55
Æÿ100
Æÿ100
£¤169
£¤169
Winnetka Ave SWinnetka Ave NWinnetka Ave NDouglas Dr NDouglas Dr NMedicine Lake Rd
Glenwood AveMendelssohn Ave NPlymouth Ave N
10th Ave N
7thAve Boone Ave NWisconsin Ave NNevada Ave NGeneralMillsBlvdG o ld e n V alleyRdRhodeIslandSandburg Rd
Betty CrockerDr
WayzataBlvd
Country Club Dr
Olympia St
Harold Ave
Laurel Ave
Louisiana Ave SJersey AveFloridaAve SGolden Hills DrZane Ave NS Frontage Rd
TurnersCrossroad NMeadow Ln NNoble Ave NHampshireAve SW ayza ta Blvd Zenith Ave NTheod o r e WirthPkwyDecatur Ave NDuluth St G o l d e n Vall ey Rd
AveNG o l d e n Valley Rd
Pennsylvania Ave SWayzataBlvd XeniaAveSOlson Memorial HwyN Frontage Rd
Lindsay St
Lilac Dr N211
213
48
206
204
29
7
201
208
209
54
202
17
24
207
203
22
210
138
200
211
211 212
117
142
205
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0 1,800 3,600900Feet
IPrint Date: 10/21/2019Sources:-Hennepin County Surveyors Office for Property Lines (2019).-City of Golden Valley for all other layers.
Pollinator Plots
Potential Pollinator Plot(23.91 acres)
Planned (5.01 acres)
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G:\Environmental Commission\Memos\Monarch Pledge & Bee City
Date: October 25, 2019
To: Environmental Commission
From: Eric Eckman, Development and Assets Supervisor
Subject: Xcel Energy’s Partners In Energy community collaboration program
Reducing energy consumption and costs is a GreenStep Cities Step 5 metric and one of the
Commission’s top work plan priorities for 2019-2020.
In order to achieve GreenStep Cities Step 5 and the energy goals listed in the City’s Resilience &
Sustainability chapter of the 2040 Comprehensive Plan, the Commission is being asked to
explore its active participation in Xcel Energy’s Partners In Energy community collaboration
program in 2020-2021.
The City’s Resilience & Sustainability plan recommends partnering and participating in
community programs like this one to achieve the City’s goals. Partners In Energy would help the
community (residents, businesses, municipal operations) focus, develop, and implement its
short-term and long-term energy goals.
As requested by the Commission at its September meeting, staff talked with Xcel Energy and
cities around the metro that have participated in the program to better understand the
resources needed to implement the program. Staff will share information gathered at the
October Commission meeting.
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PROGRAM/PROJECT UPDATES – October 2019
GREENSTEP CITIES
Partners In Energy- City staff has been gathering information about the Partners In Energy program offered by Excel
Energy. The program offers opportunities to evaluate energy usage within the City throughout multiple sectors, and
identifies opportunities and subsidies for energy reduction practices. Participation in this program could potentially help
the City achieve some of its goals within the GreenStep Cities program.
RECYCLING
Organics update- City Staff has begun evaluating ways to incorporate organics recycling into its operations at City Hall.
More information to come.
Trex plastic film recycling- City Hall will begin collecting plastic film for the Trex recycling program. Trex is one of the few
vendors that accepts plastic bags and films for recycling. This film will be melted down and used to create outdoor
furniture and deck paneling.
Simple Recycling program- The City has received formal written notice of WasteZeros intent to cease the Simple
Recycling curbside textile pickup program. WasteZero has stated that due to lower than expected participation rates,
coupled with the logistics of pickup, the program is no longer economically viable within the City. City staff is working
with WasteZero personnel on a way to continue the program.
NATURAL RESOURCES
DNR ECP Grant in Bassett Creek Nature Area- The Nature area now has boundary signs installed around its perimeter,
delineating the nature area. City staff met onsite with surrounding residents to evaluate how to best preserve existing
open recreation space while also implementing an expanded buffer for water quality and pollinator habitat. Site
preparation has begun with the buckthorn removal phase to begin this later this fall.
Brookview Golf Course Pond Buffers - Initial site prep has begun. Removal of ash trees and grading will take place this
winter. Restoration with native seeding and planting to take place in spring.
WATER RESOURCES
DeCola Ponds B&C Improvement Project- The flood mitigation project has begun and will continue through winter with
the contractor performing utility work and pond excavation. Trail construction, site restoration and planting of native
trees, shrubs, grasses, and wildflowers will begin in spring 2020. Please visit the City’s website to view project plans,
schedule, and find out more http://www.goldenvalleymn.gov/stormwater/projects/upcoming-projects/index.php.
PLANNING AND ZONING AND DEVELOPMENTS
Oct 17, 2019
421 Burntside Dr and 448 Westwood Dr N—A Minor Combination/Subdivision to create three lots from two existing
lots. One of the existing homes could remain, though they are both anticipated to be teardowns. A neighborhood
meeting was held on October 3. The public hearing has been delayed while the applicant gathers additional information
for staff review.
Narrow Lots—At the Council/Manager meeting on October 10, the City Council directed the Planning Commission to
investigate a number of issues related to regulations for narrow lots (those under 65 feet in width). Staff updated the
Planning Commission on October 14 and will be developing a process timeline with the goal of sending
recommendations for code amendments to the Council by March of 2020.
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721 Hampshire Ave S (Borton Volvo)—Conditional Use Permit Amendment in order to allow for used auto sales in
addition to current auto service use. Scheduled for the October 28 meeting.
4d Affordable Housing Program—On October 15, the City Council approved (5-0) a 4d Affordable Housing Program for
implementation in 2020. Multi-family buildings that qualify would receive a reduced property tax class rate for units that
are maintained as affordable (60% of the Area Median Income) for 10 years. Staff will be working to develop information
to share with multi-family property owners over the next few months.
Downtown Study—an Open House will be held on Monday, October 21, from 5-7 pm at Brookview Community Center.
HKGi will provide background information from the study and present redevelopment concepts for key sites in the
downtown. Feedback on the concepts is welcomed and encouraged. Video clips of the presentations will be available on
the City web site following the event.
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