2021-05-24 EC Minutes7800 Golden Valley Road I Golden Valley, MN 55427 f l
763.593-8027 1 TTY 763-593-3968 1763-593-8198 (fax) I www.goldenvalleymn.gov goiaerrklr
nvir®nmental Commission vallev,
May 24, 2021— 6:30 pm
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
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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, Debra Yahle, Tonia Galonska, Dawn Hill, Shannon Hansen,
Wendy Weirich, Felix Fettig
Commissioners absent: Jim Stremel
Council Members present: Larry Fonnest
Staff present: Eric Eckman, Environmental Resources Supervisor;
Story Schwantes, Green Corp Member;
Carrie Nelson, Administrative Assistant.
3. Approval of Agenda
MOTION by Commissioner Galonska, seconded by Commissioner Hill to approve the agenda for May
24, 2021 and the motion carried.
4. Approval of April 26, 2021 Regular Meeting Minutes
MOTION by Commissioner Weirich, seconded by Commissioner Yahle to approve the minutes of April
26, 2021 as submitted and the motion carried.
S. Old Business
A. Partners in Energy— Plan Implementation
On May 4, 2021 the City Council approved the Energy Action Plan and
authorized the memorandum of understanding with Xcel Energy to
continue the City's participation in the Partners In Energy program. The
next phase of. the program is the implementation phase which extends
over the next 18 months.
ii. Staff has begun its biweekly meetings with the PIE team.
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City of Golden Valley Environmental Commission Regular Meeting 2
April 26, 2020 — 6:30 pm
iii. Implementation of the energy action plan will require the assistance of citizen
volunteers and champions and community connectors.
1. Opportunities will be made available for members of the energy action planning
team, the Environmental Commission, and others in the community.
iv. Staff met with Residential Home Energy Squad program representatives on May 21.
1. Staff will recommend to City Council to participate in the program. They will also
request the City partially fund (50%) the $70 Energy Saver visit for homes built
after the year 2000 or the $100 Energy Planner visit for homes built prior to the
year 2000, with a cap of (possibly) $5,000 over the 18-month implementation of
the Energy Action Plan.
1. Could the buy down be increased for the energy cost burdened residents?
If so, try to work it into program.
MOTION by Commissioner Galonska, seconded by Commissioner Hill for the
recommendation to the City Council to participate in the Residential Home Energy Squad
Program with 50% buy down of site visits at a level of approximately $5,000.00 over the
next two budget years and the motion carried.
6. New Business
A. Commission Re -Orientation
Commissioners reviewed the following:
I. Boards and Commissions Guiding Principles
2. City of Golden Valley Equity Plan
3. Boards and Commissions Orientation
4. Environmental Commission By -Laws
B. Election of Officers
MOTION by Commissioner Seys, seconded by Commissioner Hill to approve Commissioner
Weirich as Chair and Commissioner Hansen as Vice -Chair and the motion carried.
C. School Outreach & Engagement
The Commission's 2021 work plan includes an action involving community
outreach with local schools.
1. Use some of the Commission's $3,500 budget to develop a
partnership with local schools to deliver a student project,
product, or service in the City. Some ideas include:
i. Student environmental project contest where a project idea
with an action plan is submitted. The winner would receive a
predetermined amount of funds from the EC's small budget &
a partnership with the City (department to be determined
depending on project) to complete the project as well as the
project being documented thru GV's media channels
City of Golden Valley Environmental Commission Regular Meeting
April 26, 2020 — 6:30 pm
ii. School or Student Challenge
iii. Work with Hopkins Schools Environthon group or Earth Club
iv. Host an annual art show @ Brookview &/or City Hall with an
environmental theme. If a contest the winner could receive a
small prize from the EC small budget & an "article"
communicated thru GV's media channels.
ii. The Commission needs to decide which direction they would like to go to determine
the next step.
D. GreenStep Cities — Step 5, Metric 11 Wastewater
MOTION by Commissioner Hill, seconded by Commissioner Galonska to approve the GreenStep
Cities Step 5, Metric 11 Wastewater as submitted and the motion carried.
E. Zero Waste Events
i. The Farmer's Market is a zero waste priority event, but that may not be possible this
year for various reasons. The vendors are not required to provide compostable products
to their customers. In order to make the leap toward zero waste right now the City or
GV Foundation or other group may need to budget for and provide the compostable
goods to the vendors. Commissioners would like to see this set up as a requirement in
the coming years so vendors can plan for it.
ii. The Organics Collection has been initiated at the farmer's market and will happen this
summer. A team of volunteers will be created to help guide people and cut down on
contamination.
iii. Promote bringing your own bags.
1. Campaign started by City to sell totes?
iv. The new goals might be "Toward Zero Waste"
F. Environmental Resources Needs
i. Looking into the resources needed to carry out the City's Environmental efforts.
1. There have been more programs, initiatives, plans, and projects added to the
workload of the Engineering/Environmental staff. No additional staff have been
added.
2. What kind of information do you need to understand the resources needed to
implement the EC's work plan and also all of the City's other environmental
efforts?
1. Question from commissioners - Is the EC on par with the Planning
Commission in terms of importance and recommendations to Council?
2. Would the EC be out of line asking for another Full Time Employee?
3. EC work plan has big goals - what is realistic to achieve with the current
staff?
4. How does Forestry fit in to the Commission's work?
5. How does Hennepin County fit into the City's work?
City of Golden Valley Environmental Commission Regular Meeting 4
April 26, 2020 — 6:30 pm
G. Program/Project Updates
i. None
H. Council Updates
i. Article by Grant Smith w/ Bloomberg News
I. htt s: www.bloomber uint.com markets avertin -climate-crisis-means-no-
new-oil-or- as-fields-iea-sa s
I. Other Business
i. None
7. Adjournment
MOTION by Commissioner Seys, seconded by Commissioner Hansen to adjourn the meeting at
8:45 pm and the motion carried.
ATTEST:
e
Carrie Nelson, Administrative Assistant Wendy W irich, Chair