2020-11-23 EC Agenda Packet
REGULAR MEETING AGENDA
This meeting will be held via Cisco Webex in accordance with the local emergency declaration made
by the City under Minn. Stat. § 12.37. The public may monitor this meeting by calling 1-415-655-
0001 and entering the meeting code 133 824 3002. For technical assistance, please contact support
staff at 763-593-8007 or webexsupport@goldenvalleymn.gov. If you incur costs to call into the
meeting, you may submit the costs to the City for reimbursement consideration. Additional
information about for monitoring electronic meetings is available on the City website.
1. Call to Order
2. Roll Call
3. Approval of Agenda
4. Approval of Oct 26, 2020 Regular Meeting Minutes (5 min)
5. Update on Emerald Ash Borer (30 min)
6. Old Business
A. Environmental Justice Collaboration Update (10 min)
i. Funding for Speaker on Climate Justice
Action requested
B. Partners In Energy Update (10 min)
C. Recycling and Organics Update (5 min)
7. New Business
A. Green Building Guide (10 min)
B. GreenStep Cities - Step 5 Actions (10 min)
i. Metrics 1.4, 1.6
ii. Metric 11.5
Action requested
C. 2021 Meeting Dates (5 min)
Action requested
D. Program/Project Updates (5 min)
E. Council Updates (5 min)
F. Other Business (5 min)
8. Adjournment
Nov 23, 2020 – 6:30 pm
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
This meeting will be held via Cisco Webex in accordance with the local emergency declaration made
by the City under Minn. Stat. § 12.37. The public may monitor this meeting by calling 1-415-655-
0001 and entering the meeting code 133 715 7232. For technical assistance, please contact support
staff at 763-593-8007 or webexsupport@goldenvalleymn.gov. If you incur costs to call into the
meeting, you may submit the costs to the City for reimbursement consideration. Additional
information about for monitoring electronic meetings is available on the City website.
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by Chair Seys at 6:30.
2. Roll Call
Commissioners present: Scott Seys, Jim Stremel Dawn Hill, Shannon Hansen, Wendy Weirich,
Felix Fettig
Commissioners absent: Debra Yahle, Tonia Galonska
Council Members present: Larry Fonnest
Staff present: Eric Eckman, Environmental Resources Supervisor;
Drew Chirpich, Environmental Specialist;
Story Schwantes, Green Corp Member;
Carrie Nelson, Administrative Assistant.
3. Approval of Agenda
MOTION by Commissioner Hill, seconded by Commissioner Weirich to approve the agenda of
October 26, 2020 and the motion carried.
4. Approval of September 30, 2020 Regular Meeting Minutes
MOTION by Commissioner Hill, seconded by Commissioner Weirich to approve the minutes of
August 24, 2020 as submitted and the motion carried with the following changes:
A. Change “Workshop 1 was an into to the process and to each other.” to “Workshop 1 was
an intro to the process and to each other.”
B. Change “We have a higher medium income than the state.” to “We have a higher median
income than the state.
5. Introduction to “Just Deeds Project”
Equity and Inclusion Manager, Kiarra Zackery, gave a presentation on Just Deeds.
A. The Golden Valley Human Rights Commission (HRC) launched the Just Deeds Project
to help homeowners discover and renounce restrictive covenants on their property
titles. Residents can now apply to release covenants on their property deeds.
October 26, 2020 – 6:30 pm
City of Golden Valley Environmental Commission Regular Meeting
October 26, 2020 – 6:30 pm
2
Racially restrictive covenants are contractual agreements that prohibit the purchase,
lease, or occupation of a property by a particular group of people. These covenants
were used by real estate developers in the 19th and 20th centuries to restrict people
of color from buying or occupying property in certain neighborhoods across the
country, including certain areas of Golden Valley. Despite being unenforceable, the
language of racially restrictive covenants still exists in property titles.
In 2019 the Minnesota legislature passed a law allowing property owners to
discharge restrictive covenants from their titles. This legislation prompted the HRC to
create a work plan to educate residents, provide information about discharging these
covenants, and create a platform to continue the conversation on equity and
inclusion. This effort by the HRC became known as the Just Deeds Project.
B. Minnesota has some of the worst disparities in the country when it comes to income,
well-funded schools/academics, health, homeownership, access to healthcare, access
to food, and may others.
C. The areas deemed undesirable have a hotter temperature, less tree coverage, fewer
lakes and bodies of water…
D. EC can help by, for example, providing equitable access to trees and green spaces in
previously non-covenanted areas or occupied by low income residents.
E. Golden Valley has 1600 properties with the covenants. The City of Minneapolis has
100,000’s.
F. There is a Just Deeds link on the Golden Valley website with more information.
6.
A. Environmental Justice Collaboration – Subcommittee Update
i. Speaker to talk about climate and climate equity. HRC reached out to Mark
Seeley.
ii. Focus on 5 social and environmental inequities/parameters.
1. Affordable Housing – NOAH, Low Income Properties/Subsidized (as
reported by Hennepin County)
2. Home values less than $250,000. Questions and comments from
Commissioners:
a. Would putting money into adding more tree coverage and less
impervious surfaces in these areas be gentrifying these
neighborhoods?
b. Homeowners in the neighborhoods are more house and energy
cost burdened, and possibly don’t have the extra income to add
themselves.
c. Appraisers are looking at the property, structure, and in some
cases rents and aren’t necessarily looking at number of trees,
amount of impervious surface, or presence of stormwater
infrastructure, so it is unclear if these types of improvements
would increase market value or rents.
3. Renter Occupied – Greater than 30% in any census block, also single-
family license data in GV
City of Golden Valley Environmental Commission Regular Meeting
October 26, 2020 – 6:30 pm
3
4. Tree Canopy - Less than 30% coverage
5. Impervious Surface Area - Over 50% by census block
iii. Overlay the 5 parameters and where they overlap may be areas to focus
relationships and investment.
iv. Weight the 5 factors? Rank the social factors higher than environmental
factors? All equal?
v. The Trust for Public Land has an initiative called the 10-Minute Walk that asks
Cities to commit to ensure all residents have access to parks or other natural
areas within a 10-minute walk.
vi. The HRC is said there is a member of the Planning Commission interested in
being a part of this sub-committee, too. He could weigh in on Aii2 above.
B. R-3 Density Bonus Standards
MOTION by Commissioner Weirich, seconded by Commissioner Stremel to move the
current version on to the Planning Commission and City Council for consideration and
approval and the motion carried with the following additional language to item (6):
i. (6) Stormwater Facilities. Above ground, multi-benefit green infrastructure, or
a combination of both above and below ground, designed to enhance water
quality and reduce stormwater runoff rates, volumes, and nutrient loads
beyond what is required by the City and Watershed shall increase the
maximum allowable density.
C. Recycling and Organics Collection Update
i. Hauler Questions/Answers
1. There have been two rounds of questions/answers with haulers. The
first was last winter. The second was done recently.
2. Recycling is currently at 92% participation of residents with at least one
pick-up per month.
3. In the initial roll-out the companies would look at the cart for
contamination prior to dumping to help educate residents on what’s
allowed.
4. Recycling and Organics serviced by different trucks and taken to different
locations.
5. Would be beneficial to have both contracts with one company. There
would be just one contact.
6. 30-35 gallon carts the smallest offered due to truck capabilities.
7. Carts will be labeled with stickers about what is/isn’t accepted.
8. Compost availability would be a separate contract. It would increase costs.
9. All haulers can take returned carts back. Edina was about 10-12% returned
carts. A form needs to be filled out to request the return of the cart.
10. On average, it will take about 6-9 months to roll out the program once
awarded the contract.
ii. RFP Update
City of Golden Valley Environmental Commission Regular Meeting
October 26, 2020 – 6:30 pm
4
1. Still working on the RFP – Looking at other cities to see what they’ve
included in their contracts, and what we have in our current Recycling
Contract that can be included in the new contract.
2. The monthly tonnage reports will be required from the hauler. They’ll give
us a breakdown on materials on both organics and mixed recycling. The
annual composition studies are important because the way things are
trending, more stringent standards may be coming in order to receive
funding.
3. Data regarding routes will help on our end regarding missed pick-ups.
7. New Business
A. Program/Project Updates
i. DeCola Ponds Flood Reduction Projects: SEA-Wildwood Park Planning Study
1. One of several capital projects the City and its partners are looking at for
creating flood storage and diverting flood water away from the DeCola
Ponds neighborhood.
2. Wrapping up the Planning Study right now and entering the Engineering
Feasibility Study with the Bassett Creek Watershed. The report will be
completed next spring.
3. Quite a bit of public engagement already and there will be quite a bit more
ahead.
4. If the project is ordered and the report is approved by the watershed and
an option for creating flood storage is selected, it would move into the final
design stage next fall. Then it would move into the construction phase in
2022-23.
5. Commissioners had no additional questions or comments about the study
or concept plans at this time.
B. Council Updates
i. None
C. Other Business
i. None
8. Adjournment
MOTION by Commissioner Hill, seconded by Commissioner Hansen to adjourn the meeting
at 8:55 pm and the motion carried.
ATTEST:
_________________________________ _________________________________________
Carrie Nelson, Administrative Assistant Scott Seys, Chair
G:\Environmental Commission\Memos
Date: November 20, 2020
To: Environmental Commission
From: Eric Eckman, Environmental Resources Supervisor
Subject: Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) Management
The invasive beetle known as the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) has been impacting trees and forests
in this region for several years and in Golden Valley since its first confirmed case in 2018. The City
developed an EAB management plan in 2010 with the goal of proactively removing City-owned
ash trees and replacing them with a more diverse mix of tree species over the course of two
decades.
Forestry staff will be on hand to provide an update on the City’s EAB plan and the recently
completed Hennepin County Tree Canopy Grant which involved surveying and assessing ash trees
and hazard trees in the City’s Nature Areas.
G:\Environmental Commission\Memos\Monarch Pledge & Bee City
Date: November 20, 2020
To: Environmental Commission
From: Eric Eckman, Environmental Resources Supervisor
Subject: Xcel Energy’s Partners In Energy Update
In order to achieve the energy goals identified in the Resilience & Sustainability chapter of the
City’s 2040 Comprehensive Plan and continue to advance in the GreenStep Cities program, the
City applied for and was accepted into the Partners In Energy Community Collaboration
Program in February 2020. Following the kickoff meeting, the City assembled a team of
community members to develop the energy action plan for the community.
The milestone schedule follows:
• Project kickoff meeting April 2020
• Assemble energy action planning team - spring/summer 2020
• Workshop 1 August 2020 - vision statement
• Workshop 2 September 2020 - focus areas
• Workshop 3 November 2020 - goals and strategies
• Workshop 4 December 2020 - strategies and tactics
• Workshop 5 Early 2021 – finalize plan
• Implement energy action plan 2021-2022
Staff will provide an update to the Commission and an overview of the information shared at
Workshop 3 (attached).
Golden Valley Workshop Three
November 5, 2020
Tonight’s Workshop Will Be Recorded
• Circling back – briefly – on our Vision
• Sharing your feedback
– Goal
– Timing Priorities
– Focus Areas
• Consensus building
• Strategy Brainstorming
3
Tonight’s Agenda
4
Golden Valley’s
Energy Vision
Golden Valley will be a greener, more sustainable
and resilient community where the benefits of using
and sourcing energy wisely accrue equitably to
every resident, business, and visitor.
Golden Valley will be a more sustainable and
resilient community where the benefits of using and
sourcing energy wisely accrue equitably to every
resident, business, and visitor.
Golden Valley’s
Energy Vision
5
• Concern from Environmental Commission about using “greener”
– Eco-friendly? Tree canopy and grasses?
• Easy solution?
Golden Valley will be a greener, more sustainable
and resilient community where the benefits of using
and sourcing energy wisely accrue equitably to
every resident, business, and visitor.
Golden Valley will be a greener, more sustainable
and resilient community where the benefits of using
and sourcing energy wisely accrue equitably to
every resident, business, and visitor.
6
Golden Valley’s
Energy Vision
Golden Valley will be a more sustainable and
resilient community where the benefits of using and
sourcing energy wisely accrue equitably to every
resident, business, and visitor.
7
Survey Feedback
GOAL TIMING FOCUS
AREAS
Goals: Level of Ambition
Conservative
• Achievable with
current budget
and workforce
Ambitious
• Will require
additional
investment, but
doable
Aspirational
• Would need
significant
adjustment in
current priorities
to achieve
14%
43% 43%
0%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
Achievable easily Achievable with some hard
work
Aggressive. Difficult to
achieve without consistent
hard work.
Very Aggressive. Not likely
to be achieved, even with
consistent hard work, but
worth shooting for.
2.Goal Ambition
Should the goal that Golden Valley sets for its
Energy Action Plan be more achievable or more
aggressive?
9
10
3. Goal Timing:
What kind of "final deadline" do we
want for our Energy Action Plan?
33% 33%
25%
8%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 2034 2035 2036 2037 2038 2039 2040
Preferred Final Deadline
11
4. Goal Timing:
Do you like the idea of a setting an interim goal?
Yes, an interim
goal would help
93%
No, we don't need
an interim goal
7%
12
Goal Setting Process
Ambition
Timing
Content
•Top-down
– Set a target or threshold and then figure out
how to get there
– Serves as a guidepost
– Communications tool
•Bottom-up
– Build up from what’s achievable – sum of its
parts
– Clear path, high chance of success
– More directly connected to action
13
Goal Setting
14
Elements of a Well-Defined Goal
Specific Who, what, where, when, and why
Measurable How much, how many
S
M
Achievable Goals within reach to increase likelihood of success
Realistic Goals should align with organizational strategies
Tools to accomplish the goals should be available
Time-bound Set a timeframe for accomplishing goalsT
R
A
•MN State Energy Efficiency Resource Standard
– 1.5% annual electric and natural gas reductions
•MN State Renewable Energy Standard
– 30% renewables (any technology) and an additional 1.5% from solar by 2020
•MN State Energy Standard for Public Buildings
– Goal to reduce energy use in state facilities by 20%
– Requirement to benchmark using B3
– 2% of total building energy use must come from on-site wind and solar
•MN Sustainable Building 2030 Performance Standards
– All new buildings net zero by 2030
15
Minnesota Context
16
Which metric should we use
to track progress?
Greenhouse Gas
Reduction
• Consistent with
other
sustainability
goals
• Quantifies impact
• Units are not
intuitive
Reduced Energy
Use / Spending
• Tangible metric
• May be impacted
by weather,
increased
population, other
factors
Community
Participation
• Easy to track
• Difficult to set a
baseline
• Difficult to
measure impact
Partners in Energy
Community Goal Examples
17
Carbon-reduction Goals
• 30% reduction in GHG emissions by
2025, 80% by 2050 (Edina, Eden Prairie)
• 100% renewable electricity by 2025 (St.
Louis Park)
• Carbon neutral by 2050 (Winona, Saint
Paul)
• 75% reduction in city-wide energy-related
GHG emissions by 2035 (Bloomington)
Energy Goals
• Reduce energy use 10% by 2025
(Winona)
• Achieve 1.4% annual energy savings to
reduce energy consumption 19% by 2030
(Mahtomedi)
• Reduce energy use by 5% by 2020, 20%
by 2030 (Fridley)
Goal Metrics
18
Achieved by …
Options I prefer… 2025 2030 2035 2040
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Reduction (MT CO2e)
Reduced energy
consumption (kWh/year)
Reduced energy spending
($/year)
Community involvement in
energy efficiency activities
Other (use your text tool to
type in)
19
Survey Feedback
GOAL TIMING FOCUS
AREAS
• It’s easy to get confused as to just how these plans are built.
• Different people have different understandings of what each section
can mean.
• A quick example of how all of these sections relate to one another
20
Visions & Goals & Focus
Areas &&&?
21
October 4, 1957
22
December 6, 1957
23
September 12, 1962
Rice University Speech, September 12, 1962
24
JFK’s Plan
What will we do to deliver on the
strategy?
Which strategies will maximize
the impact of this focus area?
How will we focus our efforts to
achieve our goal?
What’s our goal? How do we
know if we are successful?
What is our vision?Establish long term dominance over the
Soviet Union in space
“Put a man on the moon and return him safely to Earth
before the end of this decade.”
Build a
rocket
Recruit a
team
US
experts
WW2
experts
Test
designs
Power Safety
Recruit Astronauts
Body
Strength
Mind
Stress Smarts
Stay ahead
of Russia
Fresh
intel
U2 plane
What will we do to deliver
on each strategy?
Which strategies will
maximize the impact of
each focus area?
How will we focus our
efforts to achieve our goal?
How will we know if we are
successful?
What is our vision for
Golden Valley’s energy
future?
Vision
Goal
Focus Area
1
Strategies
Tactics
Focus Area
2
Strategies
Tactics
Focus Area
3
Strategies
Tactics
25
Plan Framework
7. Focus Areas
The focus areas we're considering are listed
below. Select the ranking that you feel each one
deserves.
26
“Which of these focus areas do you
think are short-term, medium, or
long term?”
27
28
Timeframes: Short Term
0% 25% 50% 75% 100%
Greenhouse Gas Avoidance
Preparing for Electric Vehicles
Renewable Residential Energy
Clean Energy
Energy Efficiency for Businesses
Saving Money Spent on Energy
Residential Energy Efficiency
Energy Efficiency
Reducing Energy Burden
29
Timeframes: Medium Term
0% 25% 50% 75% 100%
Reducing Energy Burden
Energy Efficiency
Saving Money Spent on Energy
Clean Energy
Renewable Residential Energy
Residential Energy Efficiency
Preparing for Electric Vehicles
Greenhouse Gas Avoidance
Energy Efficiency for Businesses
30
Timeframes: Long Term
0% 25% 50% 75% 100%
Energy Efficiency for Businesses
Residential Energy Efficiency
Energy Efficiency
Reducing Energy Burden
Saving Money Spent on Energy
Clean Energy
Greenhouse Gas Avoidance
Preparing for Electric Vehicles
Renewable Residential Energy
31
Timeframes: Short, Medium,
Long Term
0% 25% 50% 75% 100% 125%
Greenhouse Gas Avoidance
Preparing for Electric Vehicles
Renewable Residential Energy
Clean Energy
Energy Efficiency for Businesses
Saving Money Spent on Energy
Residential Energy Efficiency
Energy Efficiency
Reducing Energy Burden
32
Hypothetical Plan
Short Term Focus Areas
Reduce Energy Burden
Energy Efficiency
Priority: Residential
Clean Energy
Priority: Renewable
Residential Energy
Medium Term Focus Areas
Energy Efficiency
Priority: Business
Outreach
Clean Energy
Add Electric Vehicle
prep
Add Greenhouse Gas
reduction
Long Term Focus Areas
Clean Energy
Add Renewable Energy
for Businesses
Now – 12/22
1/23 – 12/25
12/25 – 12/XX?
Reduce Energy Burden
33
Existing Programs
Low Income Home
Energy Squad
LIHEAP
Low Income Home Energy
Assistance Program
Home Energy
Savings Program
Multi-Family Building
Efficiency
Low-Income Heating
System Tune-up
Energy Efficiency
34
Existing Programs
Home Energy Squad Equipment Rebates
Insulation Rebates AC Rewards
Clean Energy
35
Existing Programs
Windsource®Solar Rewards®
Solar*Rewards
Community ®Net Metering
Break
Returning in 10 minutes
10 Minute Break
5 Minutes Left!
2 Minutes Left!
Welcome Back
39
Strategy Brainstorming
Exercise
How do we get the most
out of each focus area
in Golden Valley?
Activity:
Barriers and Benefits
What are the barriers preventing
people from taking action?
• How can we overcome those barriers?
What are the benefits?
• How can we enhance those
benefits?
Brainstorming
“Rules of the Road”
41
• Everybody speaks – Everybody listens
• Keep them simple
• Build ideas up
– “That doughnut would be even
better with sprinkles”
– “That doughnut has a hole in the
middle of it.”
• As many ideas as possible
More is better,
Silly is good,
Weird is great
• Team will split into three breakout
rooms, one for each focus area
• After 15 minutes, everyone comes
back and visits a different room (2x)
• Facilitators will report out ideas and
the team will talk about their
favorites
G:\Environmental Commission\Memos
Date: November 23, 2020
To: Environmental Commission
From: Story Schwantes, GreenCorps Member
Subject: Green Building Guide
The City is working on creating and publishing a Green Building Guide for publication on the City
website as part of achieving Resilience and Sustainability Goal #2: Improve Energy Efficiency in
Buildings, Lighting and Infrastructure in the 2040 Comprehensive Plan. Green building is a process
that reduces and/or eliminates negative environmental impacts over the course of a building’s
entire life-cycle – from design to construction, from operation to maintenance and renovation.
The City’s guide is Golden Valley-specific and designed for residents and local builders. It will walk
through the steps and procedures that can be undertaken in a project to create environmentally
responsible buildings in our community. The guide lays out a comprehensive list of guidelines and
resources intended for new building projects as well as smaller retrofit or renovation projects.
Key components of the guide include:
• Renewable Energy
• Exterior building components (siding, roofing, doors/windows, etc.)
• Interior Building components (flooring, lighting, major appliances, etc.)
• Indoor air quality
• Landscaping
• Waste reduction during construction
It is anticipated the Green Building Guide will be posted on the Home Projects & Permits page of
the City website later this winter.
G:\Environmental Commission\Memos
Date: November 23, 2020
To: Environmental Commission
From: Story Schwantes, GreenCorps Member
Subject: GreenStep Cities Step 5 Metrics 1.4 & 1.6
The City is working toward Step 5 in the GreenStep Cities Program, which involves improvement
upon metrics measurements in seven core topic areas and five optional topic areas.
Improvements within these topic areas will help the community reduce energy and carbon
emissions, save money, and increase resilience to short and long term shocks and stressors.
Core topic areas
• Transportation Modes and
Miles
• Open Space, Parks, and Trees
• Stormwater
• Wastewater
• City Buildings and Lighting
• Renewable Energy
• Land Use
Optional topic areas
• City Fleets
• Infrastructure for Biking and
Walking
• Car, Transit, and Bike Options
• Surface Water
• Green Buildings
The City is working on the City Building and Lighting metrics. Metric 1.4: Percent of streetlights
owned by the City & utility that are LEDs has shown improvement based on data from the City
and Xcel Energy. Metric 1.6: Percent of lights in/on city buildings and property has also increased.
The performance metrics are attached to this memorandum for review. After discussion staff
requests that the Commission consider making a motion to approve the City’s Step 5 Lighting-
related metrics for submission to the GreenStep program.
G:\Environmental Commission\Memos
Date: November 23, 2020
To: Environmental Commission
From: Story Schwantes, GreenCorps Member
Subject: GreenStep Cities Step 5 Metric 11.5
The City is completing the GreenStep Cities Step 5 Wastewater topic area Metric 11.5: Ratio of
Inflow and Infiltration volume to total volume entering the wastewater collection system.
Core topic areas
• Transportation Modes and
Miles
• Open Space, Parks, and Trees
• Stormwater
• Wastewater
• City Buildings and Lighting
• Renewable Energy
• Land Use
Optional topic areas
• City Fleets
• Infrastructure for Biking and
Walking
• Car, Transit, and Bike Options
• Surface Water
• Green Buildings
Inflow and Infiltration (I & I) measures the clear water “leakage” into the wastewater system.
Reducing and minimizing I&I adds capacity in pipes and plants for wastewater that needs to be
treated. The performance metrics for 11.5 are attached for review. After discussion staff requests
that the Commission consider making a motion to approve the City’s Wastewater metric for
submission to the GreenStep program.
Numbers are calculated using values from the MCES Meter Review and Analysis Report.
Calculation method:
I&I Volume = Max Flow – Average Flow
I&I:Average Flow
For 2020:
8.55 Million gallons per day - 4.96 Million gallons per day = 3.59 Million gallons per day
3.59/4.96 = 0.72 x 100 = 72%
G:\Environmental Commission\Memos
Date: November 20, 2020
To: Environmental Commission
From: Eric Eckman, Environmental Resources Supervisor
Subject: 2021 Meeting Dates
In order to update the City calendar for Boards and Commissions, staff is requesting the
Environmental Commission to review the following proposed meeting dates for 2021. As a
reminder, the Commission meets on the fourth Monday of each month. For reference, the
Commission approved the cancellation of the December 2020 meeting.
Below is a list of proposed meeting dates (the nearest holiday potentially impacting date
selection is provided for reference).
January 25 (Martin Luther King Jr Day is Mon, Jan 18)
February 22 (Presidents Day is Mon, Feb 15)
March 22
April 26 approve annual work plan
May 24 annual business meeting to elect officers (Memorial Day is Mon, May 31)
June 28
July 26
August 23
September 27 (Sukkot Sept 20-27)
October 25
November 22
December 27 – (Kwanzaa Dec 26-Jan 1)
PROGRAM/PROJECT UPDATES – November 2020
GREENCORPS MEMBER
2020-2021 service term – Story, the 2020-2021 GreenCorps member, has been working on compiling and organizing
data for the GreenStep cities program in order to help the City get to Step 5. Other projects have included creating a
Green Building Guide with resources for residents and commercial builders looking to construct environmentally-
conscious buildings and working to advance the City’s building energy efficiency improvements.
RECYCLING/ORGANICS
RFP-City staff is continuing to work on the Mixed Recycling and Organics RFP, incorporating elements that have been
discussed with the Environmental Commission and City Council. The final RFP is expected to be issued in the next couple
months.
NATURAL RESOURCES
Pennsylvania Woods DNR Habitat Grant – The City was selected to receive a habitat grant for areas of the Pennsylvania
Woods Nature Area that are outside of the DeCola Ponds B and C Flood Mitigation project boundaries. The project will
involve the removal of buckthorn and other invasive species, and the planting and establishment of native vegetation.
The contract has been awarded to Landbridge Ecological and the project is expected to commence in December 2020.
Pollinator Plots – The City has executed a contract with Prairie Restorations Inc to install two new pollinator plots along
Douglas Drive on parcels currently being mowed and managed as turf grass. These locations ranked among the highest
by the Commission in its scoring matrix for potential pollinator plots. Staff anticipates these pollinator plots will be
prepared next spring with planting, signage and maintenance to follow.
WATER RESOURCES
DeCola Ponds Flood Mitigation Projects
The City and Bassett Creek Watershed are beginning to plan and study the next flood mitigation project areas. The SEA
School-Wildwood Park area has been identified as having potential for flood storage to benefit properties around
DeCola Ponds D, E, and F. A planning level study to understand opportunities and challenges and develop concepts is
nearing completion and includes engagement with the community, the school, and nearby stakeholders. The Isaacson
Park/Industrial Area is also being looked at for potential future flood storage. The DNR is supportive of the projects in
Golden Valley and has requested flood damage reduction funding in the 2020 state bonding bill this legislative session.
Watch the project webpage for more updates and public engagement opportunities in the months ahead.
Sweeney Lake Water Quality Improvement
The Bassett Creek Watershed Management Commission’s (BCWMC) Sweeney Lake Water Quality Improvement Project
began on Oct 26th and was recently completed. All equipment stored at the canoe launch has now been moved off site.
The lake was treated with aluminum sulfate, which helps bind to and settle out phosphorus in the lake, increasing water
clarity and quality.
Medley Park Stormwater Improvement Study
The Bassett Creek Watershed Management Commission (BCWMC) in partnership with the City of Golden Valley is
engaging in a feasibility study to evaluate options for providing stormwater improvements in the western portion of
Medley Park in 2022-2023. The primary benefits of the proposed project include improving the water quality of
Medicine Lake and nearby surface waters, reducing flood risk and damage to homes and infrastructure, protecting
public health and safety, and preserving economic value. Additional benefits include improving ecological diversity,
wildlife and pollinator habitat, enhancing active and passive recreation, and providing educational opportunities to park
users. The study will include community engagement to better understand existing conditions, issues, and needs and to
help develop concept plans for consideration this winter. Check out the project webpage for an opportunity to engage in
a virtual open house and participate in a survey.
MS4 Stormwater Permit – The MPCA released the new 5-year municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) permit in
November. Cities will have about a year to update ordinances, plans, policies, and procedures to maintain compliance
with the state permit requirements. This process will begin in early 2021 with application for extended permit coverage
and will continue into 2022. If you have questions or comments about the City’s stormwater program, please email
Drew Chirpich at dchirpich@goldenvalleymn.gov.
As part of its current MS4 Permit requirements, staff recently completed its annual inspection to document the
condition of the creeks, stormwater ponds, and pipe outlets located throughout the City. This information is used to
prioritize, plan, and budget for maintenance activities to protect and improve surface water quality.