2020-04-27 EC Minutes7800 Golden Valley Road I Golden Valley, MN 55427
763-593-8027 1 TTY 763-593-3968 1 763-593-8198 (fax) I www.goldenvalleymn.gov
Environmental Commission
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
city of
goldenl01
April 27, 2020 — 6:30 pm
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1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by Chair Seys at 6:33
2. Roll Call
Commissioners present: Tracy Anderson, Tonia Galonska, Dawn Hill,
Joseph Ramlet, Scott Seys, Jim Stremel and Debra Yahle
Commissioners absent: Susan Phelps
Council Members present: Larry Fonnest
Staff present: Eric Eckman, Environmental Resources Supervisor;
Drew Chirpich, Environmental Specialist;
Emma Pierson, MN GreenCorps Member;
Carrie Nelson, Administrative Assistant
3. Approval of Agenda
MOTION by Commissioner Hill, seconded by Commissioner Stremmel to approve the agenda of
April 27, 2020 and the motion carried with the following change by Chair Seys:
- Add announcements in between items 4 and 5.
4. Approval of February 24, 2020 Regular Meeting Minutes
MOTION by Commissioner Hill, seconded by Commissioner Ramlet to approve the minutes of
February 24, 2020 as submitted and the motion carried with the following changes:
- Correct the spelling of Commissioner Galonska's name in items 3 and 4.
Announcement:
Chair Seys wanted to thank outgoing Commissioners Tracy Anderson and Youth Commissioner
Joe Ramlet for their participation on the Commission.
This document is available in alternate formats upon a 72-hour request. Please call
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City of Golden Valley
April 27, 2019 — 6:30 pm
5. Old Business
A. Partners in Energy update
Environmental Commission Regular Meeting 2
Eric Eckman gave an update on the Partners in Energy Program:
- Early April — Internal kick-off meeting with staff and members of the Partners in
Energy Team to figure out what everyone's role will be.
o What will success look like?
■ Quantifiable Metrics
■ Having actionable and measurable work tasks
■ Building relationships and support within the community
■ How to support and expand the usage of electric vehicles
■ Increase renewable and clean energy —solar
- Start recruitment process for the Partners in Energy Team in 4-6 weeks
- Covid-19 shouldn't affect the timeline of the program
- Important to reach out to traditionally under -represented communities to be on the
action team.
o Engage with Human Rights Commission
o Working with multi -family property owners/tenants
o Engage with representatives who work with vulnerable populations or
economically disadvantaged and elderly populations.
B. 2019 Annual Report and 2020 Work Plan
MOTION by Commissioner Stremel, seconded by Commissioner Galonska to
approve the 2019 Annual Report and 2020 Work Plan and the motion carried
with the following changes as presented by staff in an updated report from the
Communications Department:
Plan
- New Pollinator themed picture on front page of the 2019 Annual Report
- A new picture of the DeCola Ponds on page S of the 2019 Annual Report
- Added and bolded the titles where needed on the 2020 Proposed Work
- Picture of butterfly added on 2020 Proposed Work Plan
C. Update on Solid Waste Licensing
Drew Chirpich gave an update on solid waste licensing:
- All 10 haulers renewed their licenses for 2020-2021 (7 residential, 3
commercial). There was no change in license numbers from the previous year
despite new license requirements being adopted by Council in late 2019.
- New license information provided to the City from the haulers for each
truck include:
- Vehicle Number
- Fuel Type Used
- Number of Axles each truck has
City of Golden Valley Environmental Commission Regular Meeting
April 27, 2019 — 6:30 pm
- What it's used for
- Collection Type
- Inspection Records
- No minimum number of customers or market share is needed to retain
a license
D. Curbside Organics Collection
Emma Pierson presented a summary of all information reviewed and work products
produced by the Commission as part of its study of Curbside Organics Recycling options
in Golden Valley. Staff requested feedback from the Commission to gauge whether it
had enough information to determine its preferences or to make a recommendation to
the City Council. The Commission discussed the matter and voted to recommend the
"All -In — Everyone Pays" option and requested that staff prepare a brief report for the
May meeting that includes the recommendation with added language about the
uncertainties surrounding COVID-19, and that staff present the results to date of the
citizen survey and virtual open house for informational purposes.
MOTION by Commissioner Yahle, seconded by Commissioner Hill to approve the
recommendation to City Council of an "All -In — Everyone Pays" Curbside Organics
Collection option and the motion carried.
3
The Commission recommendation and all other community engagement and
stakeholder feedback will be presented to City Council at the Council/Manager Meeting
in June.
6. New Business
A. GreenStep Cities Step 4 & 5 - New Stormwater Assessment Tool
Our score in the New Stormwater Assessment Tool went down slightly because the new
tool is more comprehensive than the old tool that was retired. Also, the heavy, wet, clay
soils in Golden Valley are very limiting in terms of what we can do with Volume
Reduction Practices like infiltration. However, there is room for improvement and this
will be addressed as part of the City's Step 5 actions in 2020-21.
On the positive side, the City is doing a lot with floodplain management. Its participation
in FEMA's Community Rating System has made it possible for eligible residents to
participate in the City's flood mitigation cost share program and to receive discounts on
flood insurance.
MOTION by Commissioner Galonska, seconded by Commissioner Yahle to approve the
New Stormwater Assessment for GreenStep Cities and the motion carried.
B. Program/Project Updates
- There are 4 ponds currently being inspected by the City. We look at:
City of Golden Valley Environmental Commission Regular Meeting
April 27, 2019 — 6:30 pm
- Condition of Stormwater Pipes and Structures
- The extent of erosion and sediment deposition
- Pond depths and treatment capacity
- Waste Zero Simple Textile Curbside Recycling Program temporarily stopped pick-up
due to Covid-19 but did resume as of April 27, 2020.
C. Council Updates
Council Member Fonnest gave some Council Updates:
- Due to Covid-19, in the interest of conserving funds and resources, the Council voted
to postpone the 2020 PMP and the 2020 Bike Lane Project.
- The City recently furloughed 65 employees, mainly from the Parks & Rec Department
due to Covid-19.
- The Council has been working with Governor Walz's office and our Representatives to
learn of any upcoming resources being made available to the City in upcoming months.
- The main goal of the Council is to safeguard the residents from any unnecessary
burdens in the future.
D. Other Business
None
4
7. Adjournment
MOTION by Commissioner Ramlet, seconded by Commissioner Galonska to adjourn the
meeting at 8:14 pm and the motion carried.
ATTEST:
Carrie Nelson, Administrative Assistant
Scott Seys, Chair