2019-05-20 EC Minutes
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 (arrived at
6:50pm), Scott Seys and Debra Yahle
Commissioners absent: Lynn Gitelis and Jim Stremel
Staff present: Drew Chirpich, Environmental Specialist and Claire Huisman, Administrative
Assistant
3. Approval of Agenda
MOTION by Commissioner Galonska, seconded by Commissioner Yahle to approve the agenda of May
20, 2019 as submitted and the motion carried.
4. Approval of Minutes
MOTION by Commissioner Seys, seconded by Commissioner Anderson to approve the minutes of April
22, 2019 as submitted and the motion carried.
5A. Solid Waste/Organics Tour Summary
Drew Chirpich gave a brief summary of the tour held on May 15, 2019 of Randy’s Sanitation center in
Delano, MN that was attended by City Staff, Commission Members and Members of the League of
Women Voters. The main attraction was Randy’s Blue Bag Organics Program and watching the process of
how the facility uses a robotic arm to identify and remove the blue bags, filled with household organic
waste, from the rest of the solid waste that is traveling along a conveyor belt.
5B. GreenStep Cities – Step 5 Prioritization
In order for the City to reach and complete Step 5 of the GreenStep Cities Program, the City must show
improvement in certain areas of the metrics of Step 4. These metrics have been prioritized as follows:
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 (by residents)
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
May 20, 2019 – 6:30 pm
Council Conference Room
Golden Valley City Hall
7800 Golden Valley Road
City of Golden Valley Environmental Commission Regular Meeting Minutes
May 20, 2019 – 6:30 pm
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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 (General Welfare component)
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
MOTION by Commissioner Galonska, seconded by Commissioner Yahle to approve the prioritization of
Step 5 metrics as submitted and the motion carried.
6A. Stormwater Management Report
Chirpich gave a power point presentation on the Cities Stormwater Management Program. The
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) requires municipalities to obtain a Municipal Separate
Storm Sewer System (MS4) General Permit which allows its permit holders to discharge stormwater to
lakes, rivers, streams and wetlands. This permit agreement is for a 5 year period. The current cycle will
be up for renewal in 2020. A question was asked if the City does any testing of the water from the
ponds, streams, etc. and specifically testing of Bassett Creek before it enters the City and then when it
exits the City. It was noted that the watershed and other partner agencies perform monitoring and
sampling of the waters, especially for phosphorus, sediment/clarity, chlorides and oxygen levels. There is
a continuously operating watershed monitoring station on Bassett Creek just downstream of the Golden
Valley-Minneapolis border. Most of the data about the creek comes from that station.
6B. Program/Projects Update
The complete Program/Project Update is on file.
Topics briefly discussed included:
WasteZero Simple Recycling Program will start May 31st. The bags have been mailed to the
residents and will be picked up on their scheduled recycling pick up days.
The City will be receiving a GreenCorp Member for the 2019-2020 service term who will be
starting in September 2019.
The City is investigating surrounding communities’ organics, recycling and waste hauling
programs to better understand new emerging opportunities.
DeCola Ponds B and C Project held a public hearing on the temporary dewat ering plan where
comments were received and will be used to help the final design and permitting process.
The Flood Mitigation Cost Share Reimbursement Program provides up to $50,000 to help eligible
residents with flood proofing costs.
6C. Council Updates - None
6D. Other Business
Chair Hill gave a brief summary of her presentation given during the Council/Manager’s meeting of the
Environmental Commissions 2018 Annual Report and the 2019 Work Plan.