2020-10-26 EC Minutes7800 Golden Valley Road I Golden Valley, WIN 55427
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Environmental Commission
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
city of
goldvall�
Y
October 26, 2020 — 6:30 pm
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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.
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City of Golden Valley Environmental Commission Regular Meeting
October 26, 2020 — 6:30 pm
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.
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
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):
(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
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