2020-09-30 EC Minutes7800 Golden Valley Road I Golden Valley, WIN 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
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September 30, 2020 — 6:30 pm
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1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by Vice -Chair Yahle at 6:30.
2. Roll Call
Commissioners present: Debra Yahle, Tonia Galonska, Dawn Hill, Shannon Hansen, Wendy
Weirich, Felix Fettig
Commissioners absent: Scott Seys, Jim Stremel
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
September 30, 2020 and the motion carried.
4. Approval of August 24, 2020 Regular Meeting Minutes
MOTION by Commissioner Hill, seconded by Commissioner Galonska to approve the minutes of
August 24, 2020 as submitted and the motion carried.
S. Old Business
A. Environmental Justice Collaboration — Subcommittee Update
i. Debra and Scott met with Chris Mitchell from the Human Rights Commission.
They didn't come to any conclusions yet. They would like to look at our
demographic maps and do something more with those maps. They are very
interested in tree canopy coverage in the low density/low income housing
areas. Also interested in a speaker. No timeline yet.
This document is available in alternate formats upon a 72-hour request. Please call
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City of Golden Valley Environmental Commission Regular Meeting 2
September 30, 2020 — 6:30 pm
B. Partners in Energy Update (PIE)
i. Completed two workshops and there are three more to go. Hope to wrap up
the plan in early 2021 and present it to council and get approval to move
forward with Phase 2 Plan Implementation.
1. Workshop 1 was an intro to the process and to each other. Also started
a vision statement.
2. Staff shared the slides with the Commission for review and comment.
3. Commission questions on the slides from Workshop 1:
a. Demographic Data — Pg 31—Are we considered a wealthy
suburb?
i. Golden Valley weathered recession in 2008/2009 really
well because of the diversity of employment and
industry. Unemployment didn't rise as high. We have a
higher median income than the state. The residents
living at poverty level is lower than the MN average and
Hennepin County Average, but still an important issue.
ii. There are still people suffering from energy cost burden.
In GV, 16% of citizens are experiencing High or Severe
Energy Cost Burden (pre -pandemic).
b. The Housing and Redevelopment Authority is taking a hard look
at Affordable Housing in the community. The Met Council has
directed them to create 111 units between now and 2030.
c. Pg 40 — Median Housing Value is actually $325,000.
i. Housing cost burden is if you're spending more than 30%
of your income on your mortgage or rent.
4. Very Important to the Energy Action Team to address and reduce the
Energy Burden. Short-term high priority.
5. Workshop 2:
a. Talked about focus areas and the strategies and tactics for how
to reach the goals for each area.
i. Residential Energy Efficiency
1. 61% of GV homes are more than 50 years old,
85% are more than 30 years old. So there is great
opportunity to improve efficiency and reduce
consumption and cost.
2. Participate in the Home Energy Squad Program?
ii. Reducing Energy Burden on Residents
iii. Business Energy Efficiency
1. Divided all industrial and commercial premises
into 5 equal groups.
a. 208 locations in each group.
b. Top 208 consume 90% of electricity in the
city. All others make up 10%.
City of Golden Valley Environmental Commission Regular Meeting 3
September 30, 2020 — 6:30 pm
c. Xcel has account managers that work
directly with the top 208 to identify
efficiencies, programs, and rebates. More
than half are participating in programs
with Xcel.
iv. Renewable Energy
1. Coal production going down.
2. Natural Gas has become a bigger source.
3. Nuclear is considered a clean energy (carbon
free) — but not renewable.
4. Renewable Energy Sources over 70 Years
a. Mostly hydro -electric / water power
b. Biggest spike since mid-2000's is in Wind
and Solar.
c. By 2050, Xcel wants to be completely
carbon free.
v. Electric Vehicles (EV's)
1. Lower emissions and costs.
2. Xcel has a goal to help facilitate and help deliver
electricity to charging stations and homes with a
goal of serving 1.5 million EV's in their 8-state
service area.
3. Number of EV's doubled from 2018 to 2019 from
5,000 to 10,000 in the state.
4. Most drivers do their charging at home. There
are 20 non-residential charging stations in GV.
(Not all are available to public.)
5. GV has 124 registered EV's
a. We have a much higher % of households
with EV's than surrounding cities
b. Finalized the Vision Statement:
i. 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.
1. What does "Greener" mean? Eco-Friendly? Tree
Canopy and grasses?
a. There wasn't a lot of time spent on this
piece. Bring this up to the energy action
team at next meeting? Could use some
definition or remove it entirely.
City of Golden Valley Environmental Commission Regular Meeting 4
September 30, 2020 — 6:30 pm
C. Curbside Organics Collection Update
i. Staff is working on drafting the RFP and looking more deeply at what the
program will look like and what the costs will look like. Also, the language and
terms that will be included in a future contract for both Organics and also
Recycling. We have reached out to all haulers in a variety of ways and have
met with all that responded.
6. New Business
A. New Green Corps Member — Story Schwantes
B. GreenStep Cities — Best Practices 13.2 Efficient City Fleets
i. The City recently purchased a 2020 Hybrid Ford Explorer.
1. It was decided to go with a Hybrid vs an Electric Vehicle because an EV
would require more infrastructure than the City has right now, battery
efficiency goes down in the winter, and this will be the vehicle for the
public safety on -call person and they shouldn't be required to plug it in at
their home.
ii. This purchase should qualify as Best Practice 13.2 for GreenStep Cities.
MOTION by Commissioner Hill, seconded by Commissioner Galonska to
approve the Best Practices 13.2 Efficient City Fleets as submitted and the
motion carried.
C. R-3 Density Bonus Standards
R-3 Zoning districts typically include medium density housing such as townhomes,
apartments, condos, and senior housing. R-3 allows for up to 10 units per acre.
The City is currently updating the R-3 districts to align with the land uses in the
2040 Comprehensive Plan.
Currently, if certain conditions are met (i.e. underground parking, located along
high frequency transit line, recreational amenities), code provides bonuses that
allow 1-2 more units per acre.
The Planning Commission approve the following topics and would like the
Environmental Commission's input on specific standards/measures and how many
additional units/acre each topic should be worth. The Density Bonus is up to 3
additional units per acre for Multifamily Buildings and up to 5 additional units per
acre for senior and physical disability housing.
Some questions and comments raised by the Environmental Commission:
1: Underground Parking
How much would be required or what would be a good ratio?
2: Green Certified Buildings
City of Golden Valley Environmental Commission Regular Meeting
September 30, 2020 — 6:30 pm
- Are we open to other accredited certification programs besides
LEED? What other programs are out there?
- Could different levels be worth different rewards?
3: Renewable Energy
- Do we require on -site, permanent infrastructure or allow off -site?
Maybe on -site is worth more than off -site. What about off -site
that is local (in state, county, or city)? How do you know about or
enforce off -site purchase of renewable subscriptions?
- What should the threshold/percentage be for annual energy
usage coming from renewable energy?
4: Microgrids
5: Electrical Vehicle Charging Stations
- Encourage quick charge vs slow charge stations
- Make available to public, not just tenants?
- How many stations required?
6: Stormwater Facilities
- How to measure this?
- How much do we expect/mandate vs how much do we
incentivize?
- Could these be underground?
7. Other:
a. If GV wants to be a leader in GHG emission reductions, then
mandate vs incentivize, and push for higher standards. Staff
discussed that there is a balance and a number of different tools to
choose from to fit each situation.
b. Could we add a topic for increased amount (% or sq ft) of open
space/green space?
c. Could we add a topic for onsite bike facilities,
walkability/connectivity, access to transit?
d. Could we add a topic for increased amount of native landscaping?
Not quite as permanent and can be easily changed/removed, but
visible. Would require inspection and enforcement.
8. Staff will comeback in October with a draft policy to review and discuss.
D. Program/Project Updates
i. DeCola Ponds Flood Mitigation — SEA School Site
1. Add to future agenda to discuss the possibility of the EC being more
involved. EC to hear more about project, ask questions, and provide
feedback.
E. Council Updates
Deep into the tax season and tax preparation. Look for the Truth and Taxation
Statement from the County mid -November. The City Council has worked to devise
a budget that they think is fair and equitable. Agreed to 4.51% as the goal for the
City of Golden Valley Environmental Commission Regular Meeting
September 30, 2020 — 6:30 pm
new year. Highest tax levy they can impose as a council. Given feedback at the
upcoming Dec 3rd public hearing, they may choose to dial back even further.
F. Other Business
7. Adjournment
MOTION by Commissioner Galonska, seconded by Commissioner Hansen to adjourn the
meeting at 8:53 pm and the motion carried.
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Carrie Nelson, Administrative Assistant Scott Seys, Chair