2019-10-28 EC Minutes 7800 Golden Valley Road I Golden Valley,MN 55427 city o/
763 593-8027 1 TTY 763-593-3968 1 763-593-8198(fax)I www.goldenvalleymn.gov olden
valley
Environmental Commission y
October 28, 2019—6:30 pm
Council Conference Room
Golden Valley City Hall
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES 7800 Golden Valley Road
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 6:30 pm by Chair Seys.
2. Roll Call
Commissioners present: Tonia Galonska, Dawn Hill,Joseph Ramlet, Scott Seys and Jim Stremel
Commissioners absent: Tracy Anderson & Debra Yahle
Staff present: Eric Eckman, Development and Assets Supervisor; Drew Chirpich,
Environmental Specialist; Emma Pierson, GreenCorp member and Claire
Huisman, Administrative Assistant
3. Approval of Agenda
MOTION by Commissioner Hill, seconded by Commissioner Stremel to approve the agenda of October
28, 2019 as submitted and the motion carried.
4. Approval of Minutes
MOTION by Commissioner Galonska, seconded by Commissioner Ramlet to approve the minutes of
September 23, 2019 as submitted and the motion carried.
5. Resignation of Commission Member Lynn Gitelis
Eckman gave a farewell to Lynn Gitelis and read a letter that she had written to the Commission. It was
requested by commission members to publish a "Thank you"to Lynn in the City Newsletter for her years
of service or if not appropriate for the newsletter then in some other form. City staff will look into this
request.
6. New Member Susan Phelps
Susan Phelps was sworn into the Commission by Chair Seys.
7A. Update on Draft Waste Hauling Ordinance
The Council met on October 10,2019 to review the proposed waste hauling ordinance. Council
concluded the following:
1. The number of hauling licenses will be four and will be achieved through attrition.
2. The aggregate number of accounts a hauler has will be requested on the application, but a
summary of the driver-training program will be requested from each hauler.
3. The requirement that the number of trucks should not increase from year to year was eliminated.
4. Eliminated the minimum market share provision but stated it could be revisited in the future.
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City of Golden Valley Environmental Commission Regular Meeting Minutes 2
October 28, 2019—6:30 pm
5. Modified the requirement that containers must be made of post-consumer material from 50%to
25%
6. Removed the requirement of haulers to participate in a composition analysis
7. Concluded that collection should occur on Fridays only. It was suggested by the Commission to
add language that the City Manager may select a day other than Friday if it is in the best interest
of the City.
8. Truck weight is limited to 7 tons per axel and that this requirement negated the need to require a
drop axel.
9. Drop Axel - Negated
10. Removed the provision for trucks to be fueled by CNG but suggested it be revisited in the future.
11. Removed the provision for trucks to be outfitted with cameras but suggested it be revisited in the
future.
12. Limited the reporting requirements to:
a. Annual aggregate tons of MSW
b. Disposal location
c. Aggregate number of residential accounts served
d. Traffic and environmental incidents to be reported immediately
13. Prohibited the transfer of accounts to non-licensed hauler. Commissioners questioned if this will
still apply if the licenses are at four. Would we be forced to go to three,two, etc.?Staff will look
into clarifying this item.
Next Steps: Council will consider the ordinance at the Nov 6 and 19 CC meetings. Staff will send a reminder
to the Commission members of the CC meeting dates.
7B. Pollinator Resolution Adopted
Along with Council adopting the Pollinator Resolution on October 2, 2019,the City has created a
pollinator page on their website and an article in the City Newsletter. The progress of pollinator habitats
will be tracked within the GreenStep Cities program and guided by the Environmental Commission. It
was recommended by commission members to take "before" pictures of the chosen pollinator habitat
areas.
7C. Potential Pollinator Habitat
Eckman presented a matrix on possible pollinator habitat areas in Golden Valley. Each area was scored
on visibility to the public, sun versus shade, water quality benefit, maintenance requirements, current
land cover, salt impacts and within a green corridor. Of the 23 potential areas, seven scored the highest
to be a successful pollinator habitat area.
MOTION by Commissioner Hill, seconded by Commissioner Galonska to approve the development and
establishment of pollinator habitat as presented, with the exception of adding a scoring column for
partnership opportunity, as funding opportunities arise.
71). Partners in Energy Program
MOTION by Commissioner Ramlet, seconded by Commissioner Stremel to approve the City's
participation in Xcel Energy program called Partners in Energy Program and the motion carried.
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City of Golden Valley Environmental Commission Regular Meeting Minutes 3
October 28, 2019—6:30 pm
The goal of this program is for the City to develop an Energy Action Plan with the help of Xcel Energy.
There is no direct cost to the City to participate in this program. The Commission will be asked to attend
meetings and workshops hosted by Xcel Energy and to work closely with the City's communication staff
to keep information on the website up to date. Participation in this program will help the City achieve
some of its goals within the GreenStep Cities program.
8A. Introduce Greencorps Member Emma Pierson
The City's new Greencorp member on staff is Emma Pierson who will be with the City until August 2020.
8B. Greencorps Work Plan for 2019-2020
Emma will mainly be working on establishing an organics program for the city and possibly hosting Zero
Waste events on City campus along with establishing ways to help educate apartment building
complexes and restaurants on the fundamentals of recycling. Hennepin County will be mandating
organic curbside collection by 2022. She will also be helping to coordinate a Trex Film Plastic Recycling
collection receptacle for City Hall.
8C. Program/Projects Update
The complete Program/Project Update is on file. Updates discussion included:
• Simple Recycling is planning to cease curbside textile pickup in Golden Valley and other cities due
to logistics including a lack of participation density in the region. City staff is working with
WasteZero on a way to continue the program.
• DeCola Ponds B&C Improvement Project will continue through winter with the contractor
performing utility work and pond excavation so the orange fencing in the area will remain.
6C. Council Updates- None
61). Other Business
The Downtown Study is composed of three phases. Phase I took place in 2018. Phase II is 2/3rds
underway, concentrating on the Winnetka Ave and Golden Valley Rd area. Phase III will focus on timing
and implementation of the Small Area Plan for the downtown area. HKGi will be hosting a presentation
for the Council/Manager meeting in December 2019. Staff will send a reminder to the Commissioners
of the scheduled meeting.
7. Adjournment
MOTION by Commissioner Stremel, seconded by Commissioper Phelps to adjourn the meeting at
8:28pm and the motion carried. 4A�
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ATTEST:
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Claire Huisman, Administrative Assistant
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