EC Agenda 11-28-2022
REGULAR MEETING AGENDA
Remote Attendance: Members of the public may attend this meeting via Webex by calling 1-
415-655-0001 and entering access code 1773 93 4642.
Questions/Comments: Members of the public who have questions about the commission or
any items on the agenda should contact the staff commission liaison – Eric Eckman,
Environmental Resources Supervisor, eeckman@goldenvalleymn.gov, 763-593-8084.
1. Call to Order
2. Land Acknowledgement
3. Roll Call
4. Approval of Agenda
5. Approval of October 24, 2022 Regular Meeting Minutes (5 min)
6. Old Business
A. Environmental Justice Collaboration (5 min)
7. New Business
A. Organics and Recycling Program Updates (20 min)
B. Energy Update (15 min)
C. 2023 Calendar (5 min)
Action Requested
D. Program/Project Updates (5 min)
E. Council Updates (5 min)
F. Other Business
8. Adjournment
November 28, 2022 – 6:30 pm
City Hall Council Conference Room
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Remote Attendance: Members of the public may attend this meeting via Webex by calling 1-415-655-
0001 and entering access code 1773 93 4642.
Questions/Comments: Members of the public who have questions about the commission or any
items on the agenda should contact the staff commission liaison – Eric Eckman, Environmental
Resources Supervisor, eeckman@goldenvalleymn.gov, 763-593-8084.
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by Chair Weirich at 6:30 pm.
2. Land Acknowledgement
3. Roll Call
Commissioners present: Wendy Weirich, Shannon Hansen, Tonia Galonska, Dawn Hill, Debra Yahle,
Jim Stremel, Scott Seys, Kenna Brandt
Rachel Zuraff left at 8:10.
Commissioners absent: None
Council Members present: Kimberly Sanberg
Staff present: Eric Eckman, Environmental Resources Supervisor;
Drew Chirpich, Water & Natural Resource Specialist;
Carrie Nelson, Engineering Assistant.
4. New Youth Member – Kenna Brandt
A. New youth member, Kenna Brandt, was sworn in by Chair Weirich.
5. Approval of Agenda
MOTION by Commissioner Hill, seconded by Commissioner Galonska to approve the agenda for
October 24, 2022 and the motion carried.
6. Approval of August 22 Regular Meeting Minutes
MOTION by Commissioner Stremel, seconded by Commissioner Zuraff to approve the minutes of
August 22, 2022 as submitted and the motion carried.
7. Old Business
A. Environmental Justice Collaboration
i. The Prioritization Map has been given to the DEIC sub-committee members for review.
We would like approval from the subcommittee and possibly the DEIC.
October 24, 2022 – 6:30 pm
City of Golden Valley Environmental Commission Regular Meeting
October 24, 2022 – 6:30 pm
2
ii. The DEIC staff liaison, Kiarra Zackery, says they might have time to collaborate on an
environmental justice resolution after the new year.
B. Land Acknowledgement Actions
i. Working to identify sites for cultural/educational installments on public property, along
Bassett Creek or along City trails.
1. Creating a map of the City’s natural resources, waterways, wetlands, and trails
and important cultural sites as they may have existed before European
settlement.
1. Involve and get feedback from the Native Community.
2. Add Land Acknowledgement to this map.
8. New Business
A. Introduction of new GreenCorps Member
i. Mars Muehleis will be working on:
1. Reforestation efforts due to the loss of tree canopy from EAB.
2. Energy Action Plan.
3. Recycling & Organics.
4. Assisting Ethan with GreenStep Cities.
B. EAB Update
i. Emerald Ash Borer was first discovered in GV in 2018.
ii. Staff has inspected about 2% of properties. 850 Ash trees were identified. Remaining
properties may yield an additional 41,650 ash trees.
C. No-Mow May Initiative
City of Golden Valley Environmental Commission Regular Meeting
October 24, 2022 – 6:30 pm
3
i. Don’t mow until temps remain above 50 degrees for a week so ground insects can wake
up from hibernation. This also allows beneficial forbs to bloom that provide habitat and
food for the insects.
ii. Violations from 1-1-2016 to 9-20-2022:
1. Long Grass – 370 total – 53/year average
1. Cutter was sent 52 total – 7/year average
2. Cutter was sent 7 total times for 3 or more violations in 12 months
2. By Month:
1. April = 2 total
2. May = 93 total
3. June = 194 total
4. July = 24 total
5. August = 35 total
3. Cost:
1. 1st violation - $125/hour – 3-hour minimum = $375
2. 2nd or more - $250/hour – 3-hour minimum = $750
4. Average time for the 2 PW Staff for each violation is approximately 1.5-2 hours.
iii. Have residents register online to participate. Will residents who don’t register get in
trouble for participating?
1. Staff would like residents to register so they have a resource to look at when out
in the field or when a complaint is received. It’s also a way to track how many
people participate and if the program is successful.
2. Link to register will also let residents know they will still need to take care of
noxious weeds.
iv. Some benefits, aside from it being good for pollinators, include conservation of water,
and less fertilizing and pesticides.
v. Could we provide signs for residents who sign up?
1. Edina gives out signs until they run out.
2. Volunteers could help staff and help spread the word.
3. The No Mow May website has signs residents could print. A link on the sign-up
page could bring them to this site.
4. Could we use some of the EC budget for signs?
vi. Will need to modernize and update City Code in the future.
MOTION by Commissioner Hill, seconded by Commissioner Stremel to approve sending the
No Mow May Resolution to Council. Upon a vote the following voted in favor: Weirich,
Hansen, Seys, Yahle, Galonska, Stremel, and Brandt. The following voted against: Hill.
Motion carried with the following stipulations:
• Look at the wording of the paragraph starting with ‘To temporarily suspend
enforcement…’ prior to sending to Council.
• There is a plan in place for an educational campaign on pollinators that the EC has the
opportunity to review.
City of Golden Valley Environmental Commission Regular Meeting
October 24, 2022 – 6:30 pm
4
D. Program/Project Updates
i. RETAP is available to small businesses. Could we put this on the City website to make
small businesses aware of this program?
ii. Sustainability Day at the Market is hosted by the Golden Valley Community Foundation,
not the City. They contacted Ethan about the opportunity to participate in the event
after the September meeting.
E. Council Updates
i. None
F. Other Business
i. Term Limits:
1. Youth terms will begin October 1.
2. Commissioners may serve up to two consecutive terms. A 12-month break will
be required after serving two terms. Commissioners can then be re-appointed to
a commission after the 12-month break.
3. Current commissioners who have served more than two terms will finish their
current term and be eligible for appointment to one additional term.
ii. 6300 Olson Memorial Hwy – Optum Health Site
1. The Planning Department, with permission from the Council, applied for two
grants on behalf of the developer to clean up the soil at this site. They were
awarded grants from the Met Council and the Department of Employment and
Economic Development (DEED).
9. Adjournment
MOTION by Commissioner Hill, seconded by Commissioner Yahle to adjourn the meeting at 8:36 pm and
the motion carried.
ATTEST:
________________________________ _______________________________________
Carrie Nelson, Administrative Assistant Wendy Weirich, Chair
G:\Environmental Commission\Memos
Date: November 22, 2022
To: Environmental Commission
From: Ethan Kehrberg, Sustainability Specialist
Subject: Recycling and Organics Update
Organics recycling participation study
Since the launch of the organics recycling program in January 2022, Republic Services has been
tracking the amount of material collected. Based on data from Randy’s blue bag organics program
(Randy’s has since been acquired by Republic), they are collecting more organic waste each month than
they did during the entire year of 2021. As of the writing of this memo, Golden Valley recycled 363 tons of
organic waste in 2022. The chart below shows the tons of organic material collected each month this year.
As required in the city’s contract, Republic Services must conduct an annual participation study of
organics recycling and traditional recycling programs. The studies began in October 2022. Republic used
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
TonsMonth
2022 Organics Tons
GPS on their trucks to collect a point at each address that set out an organics cart during the four weeks of
data collection. City staff was involved in the quality assurance and quality control, reviewing and
processing the data to ensure that GPS points were accurately assigned to households and the set-out
counts were tallied correctly. After analyzing the data, staff has the following results to share:
Over the course of the 4 weeks of GPS point collection, approximately 45% of the eligible
households set out their organics cart for service at least once, with a margin of error of about +/-3%. The
City’s participation rate is stronger than anticipated, and compares well with other cities that have more
mature programs. On average, about 29% of households set out their organics cart on any given Friday.
Traditional recycling participation study
Republic Services has also continued tracking the amount of traditional recycling generated in
Golden Valley this year. The chart below shows the tons of recyclable material collected so far this year.
Through October, Golden Valley recycled 1,510 tons of material, about 200 tons less than this point in
2021, likely due to lighter materials and packaging.
Alongside the organics participation study, Republic Services was also conducting a participation
study of the traditional recycling service. According to their collection data, 97% of the eligible households
in Golden Valley set out their recycling cart for service at least once during the 4-week period. On average,
about 90% of households set out their recycling cart on any given service week. Republic Services reported
a 95% participation rate for 2021, so there was a 2% increase since last year.
Waste tonnages from Republic
Below is a summary of monthly data reported to the City by Republic Services in 2022.
0
50
100
150
200
250
TonsMonth
2022 Recycling Tons
Tons of materials collected by Republic Services in Golden Valley 2022
Month Recycling MSW* Yard
Waste*
Organics
January 147.40 104.50 0 9.48
February 123.94 100.97 0 36.34
March 128.43 101.76 0 28.75
April 183.22 132.78 25 52.75
May 137.93 150.57 25 44.57
June 146.24 144.11 45 41.80
July 155.26 171.69 35 42.21
August 142.32 130.73 2.82 41.56
September 192.67 190.11 15.51 30.09
October 152.38 135.79 72.35 35.23
November
December
Totals 1509.78 1363.01 130.00 362.78
*Only includes MSW and Yard Waste collected in Golden Valley by Republic Services. This does not include data from
other haulers that provide these services.
Internal operations
Since rolling out the organics recycling program and installing new waste sorting stations,
collection and recycling of waste continues to go well across the various city buildings. There is a high level
of participation and we have not had many contamination issues. Staff does periodic check-ins and
inspections to see if there is contamination in sorting stations or dumpsters at buildings. Currently, staff
are working with the Brookview building and kitchen staff to make organics recycling easier. Brookview is
more complicated than most sites because there is a high volume of people coming through that might
not have familiarity with organics recycling, there is a restaurant in the building, and external catering
companies frequently bring food and disposable goods.
Staff is also in the process of updating the city website with new information about organics
recycling now that we are almost one year into the program. Refreshing the language and updating the
FAQ document and linked resources should make the page easier to navigate and understand for
residents. After pushback from residents and occasional issues with contamination early in the program,
the city is also looking to share recent success stories about organics and recycling, like having a strong
participation rates, reducing contamination issues, and talking about the positive environmental impacts
of the programs.
Additionally, staff is working with Republic Services to develop a new, updated education tag that
the recycling truck driver leaves on bins of residents who have contamination. The contamination tag
includes QR codes to translated recycling guides, specific notes about common traditional recycling or
organics recycling contamination issues, and better information than the previous tag.
Multifamily organics
As far as city staff is aware, there are zero multifamily properties in Golden Valley collecting
organics recycling. Currently, Hennepin County does not require multifamily properties with more than
four units to offer organics recycling, however there is public interest in those services, and grant funding
available to cities that promote and develop these services. Multifamily properties also represent a large
opportunity to increase participation in organics recycling and reduce landfill waste. Staff and the
Minnesota GreenCorps member are aiming to do more outreach to multifamily residents and property
managers in the months ahead.
Waste Collection Events
During this year’s Mighty Tidy Day at Brookview Park, 25 tons of material were dropped off from
621 vehicles (some repeat visits). This is a slight decrease from the past couple of years. In 2021, 27 tons
of material were dropped off while 26.5 tons of material were dropped off in 2020. Staff suspects that
many people were cleaning out their homes during the peak of the pandemic, which is why tonnages were
higher in the two previous years.
The annual leaf drop-off days also brought many residents to dispose of their yard waste. Below is
the breakdown in vehicle traffic for each day:
10/29: 614 cars
11/5: 806 cars (3rd busiest since 2011)
11/11: 197 cars
11/12: 210 cars
G:\Environmental Commission\Memos
Date: November 22, 2022
To: Environmental Commission
From: Ethan Kehrberg, Sustainability Specialist
Subject: Energy Update
RETAP Assessment of City Hall
Using the B3 Benchmarking tool, staff identified City Hall as a priority for energy efficiency
improvements. After working to gather the necessary information and bills, staff reached out to the
Retiree Environmental Technical Assistance Program (RETAP) to schedule an audit of City Hall. On
September 29, two experts from RETAP conducted a comprehensive assessment of City Hall. They looked
for opportunities to improve energy efficiency, heating and cooling systems, waste and recycling, and
water use. Following their walkthrough and review of data, the RETAP experts issued a report with the
following recommendations to the city:
1. Replace the original 1958 boiler with a new 94% efficiency boiler
a. City is planning replacement of the boiler in 2023
2. De-lamp 3-bulb fixtures
a. Staff will work on identifying areas where fewer bulbs may be used and will take input
from employees that work in those spaces
3. Install saver’s switches on 7 rooftop units
a. Staff has considered implementing this before but did not pursue. With this
recommendation, staff will explore this option again
4. Use new Energy Management System (EMS) to program thermostats for occupied and unoccupied
spaces
a. With replacement of boiler, a new EMS system will also be implemented
5. Investigate adding natural gas heating to one of the Carrier RTUs to help eliminate individual
electric space heater use
a. Staff does not believe this is a feasible option with the current units, would need to replace
RTUs and other equipment which would be far too costly
6. Install insulation blanket on hot water heater and insulate adjacent hot water pipes.
a. Staff will implement over the next few months
The full report provided to the city by the RETAP experts is included in the packet.
Business Outreach
In October, staff presented at a Golden Valley Business Council meeting to discuss energy
efficiency and savings opportunities. Staff encouraged them to sign up for an energy assessment and apply
for Golden Valley’s “Energy Hero” business recognition program. The city is still looking for a few leaders
to be some of the first to apply for the recognition program and be an example for other businesses in the
community. Staff will also be presenting at a Rotary Club meeting in early 2023 to continue the city’s
outreach efforts.
Home Energy Squad
During Sustainability Day at Market in the Valley, city staff and the CEE table were able to offer
free Home Energy Squad (HES) visits to attendees, thanks to the Partners in Energy team. As advertised in
the November/December city newsletter, we are again giving away free HES visits to the first 50 residents
who contact the Sustainability Specialist. Dozens of residents have reached out in the first week.
In addition to the newsletter story, city staff are also mailing postcards to the 2,000 oldest homes
in Golden Valley to address energy cost burden and as another strategy to encourage HES visits. The
postcards include information about HES and energy assistance programs. To complement the newsletter
story about HES that was sent to every address in Golden Valley, the postcards will be sent out in early
2023.
Partners in Energy
The city is nearing the end of its 24-month implementation partnership with the Partners in
Energy team. We will still be in communication with them and occasionally collaborate with them on
projects and outreach efforts, but we will not be meeting with them as frequently, nor will they provide
the same level of involvement. Staff is exploring the possibility of extending the partnership with PiE to
support our continuing Energy Action Plan implementation.
RETAP
Golden Valley City Hall
Energy, Water, and Waste Management
Assessment
Prepared For: Ethan Kehrberg, Sustainability Specialist
Report prepared by RETAP on behalf of the State of Minnesota
Assessment: September 29, 2022
Report: October 25, 2022
ENERGY, WATER, and WASTE MANAGEMENT ASSESSMENT RETAP
Page 2 of 18
Client: Golden Valley City Hall
Location:
7800 Golden Valley Road
Golden Valley, MN 55427
Contacts:
Ethan Kehrberg, Sustainability Specialist 763-593-8083 ekehrberg@goldenvalleymn.gov
RETAP Assessment Team
Thomas Segar, Lead, 952 888-7159, segar_t@msn.com
Rick Polanski, 612-280-8657, rpolanski@comcast.net
Ralph Dickinson, Follow-Up Coordinator, 651-233-3374, rdickinson6881@gmail.com
Carlee Kjeldahl, Follow-Up Coordinator, carlee.kjeldahl@state.mn.us
Table of Contents
1: Executive Summary ................................................................................................................................... 3
2: Facilities ..................................................................................................................................................... 3
3: Energy, Water, Waste Costs and Benchmarks .......................................................................................... 4
4: Potential Savings........................................................................................................................................ 6
5: Solid Waste Management ......................................................................................................................... 8
6: Introduction to Solar Energy………………………………………………………………………………………………………………10
7: Return on investment and funding .........................................................................................................10
8: References ...............................................................................................................................................11
9: Glossary ...................................................................................................................................................11
List of Tables
Table 1: Assessment Recommendations ......................................................................................................................3
Table 2: Annual Utility Charges .....................................................................................................................................4
Table 3: Benchmarks .....................................................................................................................................................4
Table 4: Natural Gas Balance…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..5
Table 5: Electrical Energy Use Balance……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………5
Table 6: Energy Equipment List……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………....6
Table 7: Lighting…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….12
Table 8: Bill Data Analysis…..…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………17
The Minnesota Retiree Environmental Technical Assistance Program conducts environmental
assessments for Minnesota businesses and institutions to help prevent pollution, reduce waste, and
improve energy efficiency. Support for Minnesota RETAP is provided by the Minnesota Pollution Control
Agency (MPCA). RETAP will provide affiliate partners with this information to improve recommendation
implementation.
ENERGY, WATER, and WASTE MANAGEMENT ASSESSMENT RETAP
Page 3 of 18
1: Executive Summary
Golden Valley City Hall was assessed for energy and waste management efficiency by a team from the Minnesota
Retiree Environmental Technical Assistance Program (RETAP) on September 29, 2022. Specific recommendations for
consideration by the Golden Valley staff are listed below. If all recommendations are implemented, the Golden
Valley City Hall could save over $13,000 annually, or 27 % of current utility bills.
Table 1: Assessment Recommendations
Recommendation
Potential Savings, Annual
kWh kW Fuel
*kBtu
Water
Gallons
Waste
Yds $ Tons
CO2
1.) Replace Original 1958 Boiler with new
94% Eff. Boiler
0 0 1,120,00
0
0 0 $8,624 67
2.) Delamp 3-Bulb fixtures 10,426 5 0 0 0 $1,554 8
3.) Install Saver's Switches on 7 Rooftop
Units
0 0 0 0 0 $880 0
4.) Use new EMS to program thermostats
for occupied and unoccupied times
8,500 0 136,000 0 0 $1,727 14
5.) Investigate adding natural gas heating
to one of the Carrier RTUs to eliminate
electric space heater use
2,600 10 -11,100 0 0 $690 1
6.) Install insulation blanket on hot water
heater and insulate adjacent hot water
pipes.
0 0 5,600 0 0 $ 42 0
Totals: 22,300 13 1,250,5
00
$13,291 90
*1 Therm = 100 kBtu
This analysis and potential savings estimates are based on utility bill data provided and on data provided for building structure,
HVAC, lighting, and waste management. Actual future savings will depend on weather, utility billing rates, site or operational
changes, and on recommendations implemented.
2: Facilities
The Golden Valley City Hall has 26,862 sqft area with half the square footage on the lower level and half on the
upper level. The east side of the lower level is the license bureau and the upper east side is the council chambers.
The other sections of both levels are open cubicle offices for employees. However, since Covid, many workers work
off-site most of the week; thus, occupancy is only a fraction of pre-Covid. To accommodate off-site workers, the
computer server system is left on 24/7 for access from offsite.
The heating system consists of an original 1958 low-pressure steam boiler heating hot water for circulating through
baseboard radiators in all rooms. Make-up fresh air is supplied by any or all of 4 roof top units (RTUs). The un-
tempered fresh air enters the upper level. We noted that a number of electric space heaters are used by office
workers, apparently to offset the winter chill from the fresh air.
ENERGY, WATER, and WASTE MANAGEMENT ASSESSMENT RETAP
Page 4 of 18
Warm weather air conditioning is supplied by seven RTUs. Four of these RTUs (two Carrier units and two AAON
units) supply cooling for working spaces; two smaller units serve the audio/video room for the council chambers and
the computer/server room. One serves the lower level only. These RTUs and the boiler are detailed in Table 5.
We were given a copy of the Quetica proposal, dated May 17, 2022, introducing a proposal to upgrade/replace the
boiler and provide other energy system improvements. That proposal should be studied in conjunction with this
RETAP report since a number of our RETAP recommendations suggest implementing the scope of project outlined in
the Quetica letter.
3: Energy, Water, Waste Costs and Benchmarks
Annual energy and waste management bill data is presented in Table 8: Bill Data Summary, on the last page of this
report.
Table 2: Annual Utility Charges
Electricity Fuel Water Waste Total
Charges $22,021 $19,056 $ $9,644 $50,717
Rate $0.08/kWh $12.45/kW $0.0075/kBtu $0/Gal $200.92/Yd
Table 2 summarizes the GV City Hall utility bill data. These are presented in more detail in Table 9 at the end of this
report. This data is from December 2020 through November 2021 and reflects the energy prices at that time.
However, it must be recognized that energy prices, both electric and natural gas, have risen dramatically.
Therefore, the dollar ($) savings presented in Table 1 will be much higher with today’s energy prices.
RETAP recommends that you review all utility bills each month to gauge the effectiveness of energy-saving
measures that you implement and to identify any anomalies or errors that may occur.
RETAP compares each client’s energy use to the Department of Energy Information Agency benchmark. This
benchmark provides the average annual energy consumption per square foot, grouped by building types and
climate zones, and shouldn’t be confused with goal energy use like Energy Star or LEED building designation. It is
used to assess our clients’ relative energy efficiency. Table 3 presents the benchmarks we use.
Table 3: Benchmarks
kWh/ft2 Fuel
kBtu/ft2
Total
kBtu/ft2 $/ft2 Tons CO2
Golden Valley City Hall total 6.3 91 113 $1.53 254
Dept of Energy benchmark1 11.5 48 87 - -
Energy Star benchmarks2 8.0 32 56 $? ?
With all recommendations implemented 5.5 44.4 63.2
1Department of Energy Information Agency (DOE IA) 2003 Building Average Data, Zone 1 (Degree Days > 7000) for Office buildings.
2Energy Star building energy efficiency requirements can be 20% to 30% more stringent than DOE IA Benchmarks.
ENERGY, WATER, and WASTE MANAGEMENT ASSESSMENT RETAP
Page 5 of 18
Note that the City Hall natural gas use is almost double that of the DOE benchmark. The benchmark is the energy
use for an average office building in a northern climate. RETAP believes this high NG use is caused by the continuing
operation of the old 1958 boiler, which we estimate to be only 50% efficient. An efficiency of 50% means that for
each Btu of heat used for space heating, another Btu of energy escapes in the boiler flue gas. Today’s boilers and
furnaces are at least 80% efficient with the best units achieving 94 to 97% efficiency.
We calculated how much natural gas is used by the hot water heating and the space heating equipment. RETAP’s
calculation of natural gas usages is shown in Table 4.
Table 4.
Natural Gas Balance
Uses Kbtu Therms Calculations
1 Therm = 100,000 Btu=100
Kbtu
Hot Water Heating
55,700 557
20 occupants weekdays, 10
gal ea. 65% Eff.
add 100 gal. per council
meeting
Building Space
Heating
2,395,400
23,954 By Difference from Total
2,450 Kbtu/Hr Boiler, full
fire, 978 hr/yr.
Total, 2020-21
2,451,100
24,511
The City Hall’s electrical energy use is well below benchmarks as seen in Table 3 above. This is most likely due to
Golden Valley’s conversion of incandescent and fluorescent lighting to LEDs and to minimal summer cooling A/C
demand.
“Demand” is a term used by electrical engineers to indicate in kW, the highest average fifteen (15) minutes of
electric power used during a billing period. Electric utilities charge a higher fee for kW than they do for KWH.
Table 5 is RETAP’s attempt to identify the uses of electrical energy in both KWH commodity and KW demand. Note
that the KWH usage balances within 4% of actual. This gives us confidence that we have identified and quantified
electrical energy use. It should be noted that summer KW demand is less than would be expected if all RTU A/C
units operated at the same time. This suggests good operation and control of the system.
Table 5. Electrical Balance
Uses KWH KW Comments
Winter Heating-boiler &
radiator circulating pumps
3,650 1
2 @ 1/2 HP, 1000 hr. + 2
@ 8760 hr.
radiators circulate
continuously
Lighting, See Table 7
25,525 12 See Table
75 % already LED tubes,
25% CFLs
PCs (118), Servers (2),
Printers (9)
63,780 16
PCs = 56,450 KWH,
Servers 5,250 KWH,
Printer 2,080 KWH
Servers 100% on; PCs 125
watts 50 Hr, standby 25 W,
balance of hrs.
Exterior Security Lighting
18,788 0 2 separate meters No KW demand charge
Break Room
2,400 1 Est. 1/2 residential kitchen
Audio/Video for Council
Chambers
800 5
40 Meetings/yr. @4 hr. 5
KW
Upper Level Space Heaters
2,600 10
8 heaters @ 50% of 1300
Watts, 20 hr./25 weeks
Drafty conditions from
makeup fresh air
Air Conditioning RTUs
31,200 33
Delta KWH and KW May -
Sep.
Max KW demand increase,
all 6 units on, less fan
operation
ENERGY, WATER, and WASTE MANAGEMENT ASSESSMENT RETAP
Page 6 of 18
A/C Fans RTU Makeup Air
28,720 8 8.3 KW at 3,500 hr.
Totals
177,463
86
Calculated Max. Summer
Demand
Winter KW = 1+12+16+1
1+5+10+8 = 53 KW
Unaccounted
(6,185)
(3.61) Percent Difference
Total, Actual, Billed,
Common
171,278 76 Peak Summer Demand
Summer KW = 53+33 =
86
RETAP prepared Table 6 below, to identify space heating and space cooling equipment. If all cooling units operated
simultaneously, the demand would be over 82 KW. However, actual summer cooling demand never exceeds 41 KW,
from the 33 KW A/C and 8 KW RTU fans. This indicates good summertime operation.
Table 6. Energy Equipment List
Roof Top Units RTUs and Boiler
Electrical Specs Natural Gas Specs
Unit
Year
Installed
(Est.)
Volts,
Nominal
Compressor
RLA
Fan
RLA
Max In
Btu/hr.
Output,
Max. Comments
Total
KW =
208 V x
Tot.RLA
Calculated
Tons A/C
Cooling at
SEER = 11
East
Large
Carrier 2000 208/230 46.0 12.6
224
Kbtu/Hr
179.2
Kbtu =
80 %
Eff.
Heating
Capability - Not
Connected 17.93 8.77
West
Large
Carrier 2000 208/230 46.0 12.6
224
Kbtu/Hr
179.2
Kbtu =
80 %
Eff.
Heating
Capability - Not
Connected 17.93 8.77
East
AAON 2004 208/230 22.4 40.2
No Heating
Capability 4.76 4.27
West
AAON 2004 208/230 22.4 40.2
No Heating
Capability 5.99 4.27
West
Small
Carrier 2008 208/230 9.0 0.5 Server Room 1.98 1.72
East
Bryant 1988 208/230 106.5 6.4
Lower Level
Only, SEER = 8 22.15 14.77
East
Small
Bryant 1988 208/230 9.0 0.5
Audio/Video
Room 25.38 1.25
Boiler 1958 220
2,450
Kbtu/Hr.
1,225
Kbtu/Hr
@ 50%
Eff.
Est. 50%
Thermal Eff.
Sum 261.3 113.0 -
- 96.12 43.82
4: Potential Savings
ENERGY, WATER, and WASTE MANAGEMENT ASSESSMENT RETAP
Page 7 of 18
Recommendation 1: Replace the 1958 boiler with new 94% efficient boiler.
Replacing the ancient boiler should be the top priority for saving energy in operation of the City Hall building.
Golden Valley’s request for proposal to Quetica has initiated this project. RETAP’s review of Quetica’s May 17, 2022
letter suggests that the ongoing program is well designed to bring the City Hall building up to modern day efficient
performance. At 2021 natural gas prices, the estimated savings with a new boiler will be 1,120,000 Kbtu annually,
or 11,200 therms. Natural gas prices have risen dramatically in the late 2022 period. At current NG prices of
approx. $1.30 per therm, the annual savings would be over $14,500 per year, just for replacing the old boiler with a
new 94% efficient boiler.
Recommendation 2: Delamp most 3 bulb fixtures
The LED linear tube lighting listed in Table 7 below on pages 12-16 identifies the current LED lighting used in the City
Hall. RETAP estimates the savings already achieved by GV in replacing T-12 and T-8 fluorescent lighting with Type B
LED tube lights, has saved the city 50,000 KWH per year and 24 KW demand. The already realized savings exceeds
$7,000 annually--a job well done.
Additionally, LEDs provide excellent light quality, color, control options, and brightness. It appears that the LED
lamps that GV has installed provide more equivalent lumens of light (brightness) than the lamps that were replaced.
Therefore, RETAP suggests at least 300 bulbs can be removed from the fixtures and still provide sufficient lighting
for safe and effective personnel comfort and performance: See Table 7 for RETAP’s suggestions. If the delamping is
performed, the city can save over 10,000 KWH and 5 KW demand for an annual savings of $1,554.
To make sure you receive the savings, RETAP recommends that an employee be tasked to tour the building at the
end of each day to ensure lights are turned off. You can also consider adding motion sensor switches in rooms
where lights are commonly found left on.
Recommendation 3: Install Saver’s Switches on all RTU A/C units
Some utilities, including Xcel, offer programs that allow the utility to turn off central air-conditioner condenser units
for up to fifteen minutes per hour when demand is high, and in return they will grant a $5.00 per ton credit per
month for each of the four months of the cooling season. There is no cost to have the interrupter switch (sometimes
referred to as the "Saver’s Switch") installed.
Since the air circulation fans remain on, cool air continues to circulate; so personnel comfort is not affected.
Contact Xcel for more details and no cost installation. The savings would be 44 tons A/C capacity x $5 per month x 4
months annually.
Recommendation 4: Use EMS to adjust thermostats.
It is understood that the new boiler project will also incorporate an Energy Management System (EMS). A well
designed EMS allows a designated operator(s) to control thermostats for occupant comfort during heating and
cooling seasons. Many current EMS systems also allow for control from offsite (e.g. by Wi-Fi access).
Current thermostats are manual only. With controllable thermostats, the building operator(s) can program each
zone thermostat individually timed for occupancy and non-occupied periods. The operator can then make changes
in the EMS system to override the settings for changed occupancy, e.g. council meetings.
Using the EMS to set each zone thermostat for occupancy periods and non-occupancy, i.e. nights and weekends, will
significantly reduce energy consumption. RETAP generally suggests occupied rooms in winter be set at 68 deg, in
summer 78 degrees. During unoccupied times, winter setting is suggested at 61 degrees and summer, 82 degrees.
A general rule-of-thumb is each one degree winter reduction and one degree summer increase will save 2% of total
energy cost.
ENERGY, WATER, and WASTE MANAGEMENT ASSESSMENT RETAP
Page 8 of 18
RETAP estimates these revised settings using the EMS system will save 8,500 KWH and 136,000 Kbtu annually for a
savings of $1,727.
Recommendation 5: Investigate using RTU heating to modulate makeup air.
We noted that the two Carrier RTUs are equipped with natural gas firing capabilities; however, these have not been
connected to a NG supply and have not been used in the past. In addition, RETAP found some 8 electric space
heaters in the upper-level cubicles-- apparently used by employees to provide worker comfort offsetting the cold,
un-heated air entering the upper level.
RETAP recommends interviewing the affected workers to determine if this is a serious condition. If so, and if existing
ductwork allows it, makeup air could be tempered by firing one of the Carrier RTUs, again utilizing the EMS control
system. If this is implemented, RETAP suggests an annual savings of $690 from eliminating more expensive electric
heat with 80% efficient NG heating.
Recommendation 6: Install blanket and adjacent insulation at hot water heater.
Although this recommendation is modest in potential savings, it is illustrated here to prompt a review of the hot
water distribution system and insulate exposed piping that may be wasting energy. This project would save about
$42 annually by reducing heat lost from the hot water system.
5: Solid Waste Management
RETAP observed that the City Hall waste bins were all 4 cubic yards (CuYd) and emptied once per week. Although
the City Hall waste pickup was coordinated with other city waste removal, it may be more cost effective to reduce
one or more of the bins to 2 CuYd size if the bins are consistently less than half full. This may be useful to analyze
sometime in the future.
Here are some general suggestions for increasing the City Hall’s recycling capabilities and reducing garbage
production.
1. General recycling
Appoint a recycling coordinator and a “green team” to monitor your recycling and environmental programs
and provide on-going education.
Recycle all standard materials – office paper, newspaper, cardboard, magazines, junk mail; bottles and cans;
scrap metal; printer cartridges; food waste; and other business-specific recyclable materials you generate.
The more recyclables you can divert from trash dumpsters, the more you save in state and county waste
management fees and taxes (17-53%).
Place recycling bins where people are, and where waste will be generated.
Cluster recycling bins with trash bins: one bin for trash and one bin for each type of recyclable material you
collect. No solo trash bins.
Make sure recycling bins are clearly marked. Simple graphics and few words are more effective than lots of
words. Use consistent bins, colors, and signage throughout the organization. Rethink Recycling has printable
pre-made recycling signs or you can customize your own at
http://www.rethinkrecycling.com/businesses/signs.
Monitor trash bins and dumpsters for recyclables, which should be removed and placed in recycling bins.
2. Printers and copiers
ENERGY, WATER, and WASTE MANAGEMENT ASSESSMENT RETAP
Page 9 of 18
Establish policies to reduce the amount of paper used throughout the organization.
Distribute documents electronically as much as possible.
Reduce paper use by increasing two-sided copying. Set all printers and copiers to automatically print
double-sided.
Reuse draft and computer paper for notes and scrap paper.
Use at least 50% post-consumer recycled content office and copier paper, and preferably 100% recycled
content.
Capture and reuse office supplies. Hold occasional “office clean outs” to capture folders, binders, paper
clips, etc, to restock central supply areas.
3. Supply room and janitor services
Initiate an Environmentally Preferred Purchasing (EPP) program.
Use non-toxic soap and cleaners, and use concentrates that can be diluted on site.
Look for products with recycled or reused content, such as 100% recycled content paper towels and
remanufactured printer cartridges.
Ask suppliers to use reusable packaging on shipments delivered to you.
4. Kitchens, break rooms, cafeterias, and conference rooms
If you generate a significant amount of food waste, consider developing a composting program. Compost
on-site or work with your hauler to collect food waste for off-site composting or food-to-animals. Unused
food suitable for consumption can be given to food shelves.
Provide reusable cups, plates, trays, and silverware in all kitchens, break rooms, cafeterias, and conference
rooms.
5. Groundskeeping
Use mulching mowers and leave grass clippings on lawns.
Establish a compost pile for grass, leaves, brush, and internal plant waste from buildings.
6. Dumpsters
Give reusable items away, or sell them, such as through the Minnesota Materials Exchange, Salvation Army,
Twin Cities Free Market, Craigslist, Next Door, etc.
Monitor amounts in dumpsters and bins over a period of time to determine the necessity of the current
pick-up frequency. If dumpsters are not almost full when picked-up, revise the pick-up frequency. Evaluate
whether the next size larger dumpster would allow for less frequent pick-ups. Consider contracting for “on
demand” or “as needed” pick-ups, so the hauler only collects waste when dumpsters or bins are full. This is
especially necessary after implementing or increasing recycling and composting since there will be less
trash.
Work with your refuse and recycling haulers to maximize your waste and recycling systems. Periodically or
at contract renewal time, consider requesting competitive bids from other local haulers. Contact MPCA
about contract elements that can yield better value from your contracts.
https://www.pca.state.mn.us/waste/start-or-improve-recycling
ENERGY, WATER, and WASTE MANAGEMENT ASSESSMENT RETAP
Page 10 of 18
6: Introduction to Solar Energy
Basics - Solar energy from sunshine can be converted into electricity to power homes and businesses. The electricity
generated is used instead of electricity from the utility and the utility may pay you a credit on your bill depending on
how much more you generate than you use.
Where does the system get installed? – There are two options for this; the most common is on a south facing roof or
land. A second option is typically on a plot of south facing land leased by a cooperative group (using a manager)
where all owners have shares in the overall system and share in the payments received from the utility.
Who designs and installs the system? – Typically, there is an electrical/solar contractor that has the responsibility for
residential jobs while commercial developers are responsible for the engineering, construction, start-up, and
approvals for a cooperative system. The property owner typically has little responsibility during the construction of
the system.
Ownership, operation, and maintenance of the system - Again, this is dependent on the size of the system; a
residential system is usually owned by the homeowner, and he/she becomes responsible for the operation and
maintenance of the system. This may involve occasional contractor assistance. For a commercial system, an investor
usually owns the system and manages the operation and maintenance of the system.
Where can I go to get more help and information? -
Solar development facilitation groups -
Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs) – www.CleanEnergyResourceTeams.org
7: Return on investment and funding
Often, when RETAP makes a recommendation, a capital investment is required to install new equipment or systems
so the recommended savings can be achieved. The value of making the investment is compared to the resulting
savings to determine if the investment should be made. A “payback” can be calculated by dividing the dollar
investment by the potential savings per year to obtain a payback in years or months.
However, some recommendations can be implemented without any capital investment, for example:
• Lowering occupied space temperatures in winter and raising them in summer
• Lowering unoccupied space temperatures in winter and raising them in summer
• Ensuring that computers and other electrical equipment items are shut off when not in use
• Lowering the temperature setting on a water heater
Other recommendations can be implemented with small capital investment, for example:
• Installing programmable-setback thermostats, which can save as much as 10 percent of the heating and
cooling costs
• Installing motion sensors on all lights that are used infrequently, such as bathrooms and conference rooms
Some improvements, such as changing to more efficient, longer-life light bulbs, are wise investments if the payback
is three years or less. A recommendation to perform a recommissioning of heating or cooling equipment will require
special maintenance expenses to bring aging equipment up to original performance specifications. At times, major
equipment replacement is necessary because the equipment is beyond useful life.
RETAP recommends that you use an appropriate engineer, contractor, or supplier to help make decisions regarding
equipment improvements and change-outs. Utilities, manufacturers, and suppliers offer rebates and other
incentives to help reduce the capital expenditure for making changes and can help make decisions on the level of
efficiency for new equipment.
ENERGY, WATER, and WASTE MANAGEMENT ASSESSMENT RETAP
Page 11 of 18
Funding
Most utilities offer rebates for energy-efficient upgrades to lighting, furnaces, and air conditioners. Rebates reduce
your payback time and increase your savings. Check with your electric and gas utilities to see if rebates are available
to off-set the costs of making changes recommended in this report.
Local governments and school districts can get financial and technical assistance to make energy-saving upgrades
from three programs at the MN Department of Commerce. The Guaranteed Energy Savings Program (GESP), the
Energy Savings Partnership (ESP), and the Local Energy Efficiency Program (LEEP) can help implement large or small
projects at public buildings in Minnesota.
For more information visit https://mn.gov/commerce/industries/energy/technical-assistance or contact the
program directors:
• Peter Berger, GESP and LEEP Program Manager, energysavings.programs@state.mn.us, 651-539-1886
• Pete Klein, Energy Savings Partnership, St Paul Port Authority, pmk@sppa.com, 651-204-6211
8: References
www.mnwastewise.org Minnesota Waste Wise:
www.xcelenergy.com Xcel Energy
www.rethinkrecycling.com Rethink Recycling:
9: Glossary
The following definitions are given for terms used in this report*;
- Actual Demand, in kW, is the highest average fifteen (15) minutes of demand over a billing period.
- Billed Demand or Adjusted Demand is actual demand plus an adjustment for low power factor.
- Load Factor is a measure of efficiency of using electrical power, and is the ratio of average load supplied during
a designated period to the peak load occurring that period.
Load Factor = kWh used in a given time period
Peak kW times hours in period
- Power Factor PF measures how effectively your equipment uses electrical current from the utility. PF is a
measure of how the current delivered to the equipment is converted into useful energy and is listed as a
percentage. If the PF is below 90 percent, Xcel Energy, like many utilities, charges extra because it costs the
utility more to build and operate the additional equipment to carry the extra current needed to run your
equipment.
- Adjusted Demand = Actual Demand times 90/PF, when PF is < 90.
- kBtu is a unit of energy equal to 1,000 btu (British Thermal Units). A Therm is a unit of energy equal to 100
kBtu. A CCF is 100 cubic feet of natural gas. For the purposes of measuring energy use, a therm and a CCF of
natural gas are equivalent.
________________________________
* From Xcel Energy, “Small Business Guide to Energy Savings”, 1999 and NSP, “How to Reduce Your Energy Costs”,
1996 with 1998 modifications for NSP.
ENERGY, WATER, and WASTE MANAGEMENT ASSESSMENT RETAP
Page 12 of 18
Table 7 Lighting
Location Fixture
Quantity
Lamp
Type
Lamps/
Fixture Switch
Type
Hours/
Year
Watts/
Fixture
KwH/
Year KW Replacement
LED Watts
KwH/
Year KW Windows
Upper floor
Finance Cube 1 4 4'LED 1 Manual 2,080 45
374 0.18 30 250 0.12 Replace calculated
with 1 less bulb
Upper Floor
Finance Cube 2 4 4'LED 1 Manual 2,080 45
374 0.18 30 250 0.12 replacement
calculated 1 less bulb
IT Office 2 4'LED 3 Manual 2,080 45
187 0.09 30 125 0.06 Replacement
calculated with 1 less
bulb
IT Office 1 4'LED 2 Manual 2,080 30
62 0.03 30 62 0.03
Upper Planning
Admin area 24 4'LED 3 Manual 2,080 45
2,246 1.08 30 1498 0.72 Replacement
calculated with 1 less
bulb
Exit signs 2 6W
Flor 1 24X7 9,836 6
118 0.01 3 59 0.006
Rm behind
council
chambers
2 4'LED 3 Manual 2,080 45
187 0.09 30 125 0.06
1 computer,
Replacement
calculated with 1 less
bulb
Planning office 1 2 4'LED 1 Manual 2,080 15
62 0.03 15 62 0.03
1 computer-2 screens
Fresh air intake -hand
control cooling
thermostat
Communications
Office 1 2 4'LED 3 Manual 2,080 45
187 0.09 30 125 0.06
hand controlled Cool
air Thermostat ,1
computer 2
screens,Replacement
calculated with 1 less
bulb
Communication
office 1 2 4'LED 3 Manual 2,080 45
187 0.09 30 125 0.06
1 computer 2
screens,Replacement
calculated with 1 less
bulb
ENERGY, WATER, and WASTE MANAGEMENT ASSESSMENT RETAP
Page 13 of 18
City attorney 2 4'LED 3 Manual 2,080 45
187 0.09 30 125 0.06
1 computer 2
screens,Replacement
calculated with 1 less
bulb
City Clerk 2 4'LED 3 Manual 2,080 45
187 0.09 30 125 0.06
1 computer 2
screens,Replacement
calculated with 1 less
bulb
Planning Admin
cubes area 4 4'LED 3 Manual 2,080 45
374 0.18 30 250 0.12
3 cubes in one lit area
each cube has 1
computer, also 1 floor
heater,Replace calc.
with 1 less bulb
4,736 2.23 3179 1.51
Outside lights
20 foot lamp
post lights 25 LED 1
Photo
cell
activated
Photo cell activation
controlled by Excel
30 foot lamp
post lights 8 LED 1 Photo
activated Photo Cell activation
controlled by Excel
over exterior
doors 7 LED 1
Timer
control
by
Golden
Valley
Room
Fixture
Quantity
Lamp
Type
Lamps/
Fixture Switch
Type
Hours/
Year
Watts/
Fixture
KwH/
Year KW Replacement
LED Watts
KwH/
Year KW
Front Entrance
12
LED 4'U
shaped
bulb
2 Manual 2,080 30
749 0.36 15 374 0.18 Replacement
calculated with 1 less
bulb
MEN FRONT
BATHROOM
4 4'LED 2 Manual 2,080 30
250 0.12 15 125 0.06
Replacement
calculated with 1 less
bulb
Men Front
Bathroom 1 4'LED 1 Manual 2,080 15
31 0.02 15 31 0.02
ENERGY, WATER, and WASTE MANAGEMENT ASSESSMENT RETAP
Page 14 of 18
Women Front
Bathroom
4 4'LED 2 Manual 2,080 30
250 0.12 15 125 0.06
Replacement
calculated with 1 less
bulb
Women Front
bathroom 1 4'LED 1 Manual 2,080 15
31 0.02 15 31 0.02
Front Hall
2 4'LED 3 Manual 2,080 45
187 0.09 30 125 0.06
Replacement
calculated with 1 less
bulb
Front conf room
4 4'LED 3 Manual 2,080 45
374 0.18 30 250 0.12
Replacement
calculated with 1 less
bulb
Exit signs 4 6 w
Florescent 1 on
24hr/day 9,836 6
236 0.02 3 118 0.01
entrance 2 15 W bulb 1 Manual 2,080 15
62 0.03 15 62 0.03
entrance 2 6'LED 2 Manual 2,080 15
62 0.03 15 62 0.03
elevator 1 4'LED 1 Manual 9,836 6
59 0.01 6 59 0.01
Men Upstairs
bathroom
3 4'LED 2 Manual 2,080 30
187 0.09 15 94 0.05
Replacement
calculated with 1 less
bulb
Men upstairs
bathroom 1 4'LED 1 Manual 2,080 15
31 0.09 15 31 0.02
Women Upstairs
bathroom
3 4'LED 2 Manual 2,080 30
187 0.09 15 94 0.05
Replacement
calculated with 1 less
bulb
Women Upstairs
bathroom 1 4'LED 1 Manual 2,080 15
31 0.02 15 31 0.02
Small break room
2 LED4'U
Shaped 2 manual 2,080 30
125 0.06 15 62 0.03
Replacement
calculated with 1 less
bulb
2,853 1.3 1,675 0.7
Location
Fixture
Quantit
y
Lamp
Type
Lamps
/
Fixture Switch
Type
Hours
/ Year
Watts
/
Fixtur
e
KwH/
Year KW Replacemen
t LED Watts
KwH/
Year KW
ENERGY, WATER, and WASTE MANAGEMENT ASSESSMENT RETAP
Page 15 of 18
Equity and
Inclusion Mgr 2 4'LED 4 manua
l 2080 60 249.6 0.1
2 30 124.8 0.0
6 Replacement calculated
with 2 less bulb
Equity and
Inclusion
MGR
2 LED desk
lights 1 manua
l
2080 15 62.4 0.0
3 15 62.4 0.0
3
Office next to
Equity &
Inclusion
2 4'LED 4 Manual 2,080 60
250 0.12 30 124.80 0.06 Replacement calculated
with 2 less bulb
Office next to
Equity &
Inclusion
2 LED Desk
Lights 1 Manual 2,080 15
62 0.03 15 62 0.03
City Manager 4 4'LED 3 Manual 2,080 45
374 0.18 30 250 0.12
Fresh air intake controller on
wall, Replace calculated
with 1 less bulb
NW Hallway 3 4'LED 4 Manual 2,080 60
374 0.18 30 187 0.09 Replacement calculated
with 2 less bulb
Storage Room 2 4'LED 4 Manual 2,080 60
250 0.12 30 125 0.06 Replacement calculated
with 2 less bulb
Elevator
control room 1 LED bulb 1 Manual 2,080 15
31 0.02 15 31 0.02
Elevator 2 4'LED 1 24X7 9,836 15
295 0.03 15 295 0.03
Cleaning
storage room 4 4'LED 2 motion 2,080 30
250 0.12 30 250 0.12 Motion activated lights,4'X3'
air intake
Storage room
2 2 4'LED 2 Manual 2,080 30
125 0.06 30 125 0.06
Break Room 5 4'LED 2 Manual 2,080 30
312 0.15 30 312 0.15
City engineer
office 4 4'LED 4 Manual 2,080 60
499 0.24 30 250 0.12 Replacement calculated
with 2 less bulb
Stairway 1 4'LED 2 24X7 9,836 30
295 0.03 30 295 0.03
Exit Lights 2 6WFlore 1 24X7 9,836 6
118 0.01 3 59 0.01
2nd Floor
Hallway 7 U shaped
4'LED 2 Manual 2,080 30
437 0.21 15 218 0.11 Replacement calculated
with 1 less bulb
2nd Floor
hallway 2 U shaped
2'LED 2 Manual 2,080 15
62 0.03 15 62 0.03
ENERGY, WATER, and WASTE MANAGEMENT ASSESSMENT RETAP
Page 16 of 18
2nd floor
hallway 2 6"florescen
t 2 Manual 2,080 26
108 0.05 13 54 0.03
2nd floor
Men’s room 3 4'LED 2 Manual 2,080 30
187 0.09 15 94 0.05 Replacement calculated
with 1 less bulb
2nd floor
men's room 1 4'LED 1 Manual 2,080 15
31 0.02 15 31 0.02
2nd floor
women's room 3 4'LED 2 Manual 2,080 30
187 0.09 15 94 0.05 Replacement calculated
with 1 less bulb
2nd floor
women’s room 1 4'LED 1 Manual 2,080 15
31 0.02 15 31 0.02
Council
Chamber 40 4'LED 4 Manual 2,080 60
4,992 2.40 30 2,496 1.20 Replacement calculated
with 2 less bulb
Council Conf
room 54 4'LED 4 Manual 2,080 60
6,739 3.24 30 3,370 1.62 Replacement calculated
with 2 less bulb
Council Conf
adj room 5 U shape
2'LED 2 Manual 2,080 15
156 0.08 15 156 0.08
General
Services 9 U shaped
2'LED 2 Manual 2,080 15
281 0.14 15 281 0.14 2 heaters by desks
Gen Ser back
room 2 4'LED 4 Manual 2,080 60
250 0.12 30 125 0.06 Replacement calculated
with 2 less bulb
Gen Services
storage room 1 4'LED 1 manual 2,080 15
31 0.02 15 31 0.02
Gen Ser
Hallway 2 4'LED 2 manual 2,080 30
125 0.06 30 125 0.06
Gen Ser
Hallway 1 6" flor
lights 2 manual 2,080 14
29 0.01 14 29 0.01
exit lights 2 6W flor 1 24X7 9,836 6
118 0.01 3 59 0.01
Finance 6 4'LED 3 Manual 2,080 45
562 0.27 30 374 0.18 Replacement calculated
with 1 less bulb, 1 heater
finance desk
lights 2 4'LED 1 Manual 2,080 15
62 0.03 15 62 0.03
Totals
17,93
6
8.3
1 10,24
5
4.6
6
ENERGY, WATER, and WASTE MANAGEMENT ASSESSMENT RETAP
Page 17 of 18
Table 8: Bill Data Summary
Electric Fuel Water Waste Total
Month kWh kW
Power
factor
(%)
Load
factor
(%)
$
Cooling
degrees
days
kBtu
(100 kBtu
= 1 therm)
$
Heating
degree
days
Gallons $ Cubic
yards $ $
Dec-
20
13,213 26 68 $1,218 0 449,700 $4,068 1,228 Data
NA
4 $356 $5,643
Jan-21 11,244 26 58 $1,096 0 473,900 $3,013 1,321 4 $338 $4,447
Feb-21 12,380 26 70 $1,198 0 469,600 $3,137 1,497 4 $5,342 $9,678
Mar-
21
11,446 56 27 $1,504 0 314,600 $1,999 755 4 $342 $3,846
Apr-21 11,119 36 42 $1,325 1 176,300 $1,176 515 4 $363 $2,866
May-
21
11,588 52 29 $1,605 66 3,800 $103 208 4 $356 $2,065
Jun-21 19,570 72 37 $2,887 363 2,800 $-,144 5 4 $344 $3,088
Jul-21 18,978 76 33 $2,766 355 3,200 $105 5 4 $352 $3,224
Aug-
21
17,562 66 35 $2,534 286 2,900 $110 0 4 $352 $2,997
Sep-21 15,661 58 37 $2,250 85 4,500 $128 39 4 $771 $3,150
Oct-21 14,442 62 31 $1,980 22 167,800 $1,709 307 4 $353 $4,043
Nov-
21
14,075 40 48 $1,652 0 382,000 $3,647 838 4 $370 $5,670
Totals: 171,278 *49 * *43 $22,021 1,178 2,451,100 $19,056 6,718 $ 48 $9,644 $50,717
*Average
kWh/(kW X Hours Per Month)
Deg Days Normal- Heating: 7,876, Cooling: 699
Average Rates: $0.08/kWh $12.45/kW $0.0075/ kBtu Fuel $0/Gallon Water $200.92/Cubic Yard Waste
ENERGY, WATER, and WASTE MANAGEMENT ASSESSMENT RETAP
Page 18 of 18
G:\Environmental Commission\Memos
Date: November 22, 2022
To: Environmental Commission
From: Eric Eckman, Environmental Resources Supervisor
Subject: 2023 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 2023. As a
reminder, the Commission typically meets on the fourth Monday of each month.
Below is a list of proposed meeting dates (the nearest holiday potentially impacting the date of
the meeting is provided for reference).
• January 23, 2023
• February 27, 2023
• March 27, 2023
• April 24, 2023
• May 22, 2023
• June 26, 2022
• July 24, 2023
• August 28, 2023
• Move September 25, 2023 meeting (Yom Kippur) to September 18 - Rosh Hashana is
Friday, Sept 15, 2023 – Sunday, Sept 17, 2023
• October 23, 2023
• November 27, 2023
• Cancel or move December 25, 2023 (Christmas Day) to December 18, 2023 – Hanukkah is
Dec 7 – Dec 15)
PROGRAM/PROJECT UPDATES – November 2022
GREENCORPS PROGRAM
WATER AND NATURAL RESOURCES
2024 Bassett Creek Restoration Project (Regent Ave to Golden Valley Rd) – The BCWMC approved a
feasibility study for a stabilization and restoration project on Bassett Creek from Regent Ave to Golden Valley
Rd. This study began this fall with research and field work, and public engagement is forthcoming. The study
will wrap up in spring 2023. Construction is scheduled for fall/winter 2024.
Medley Park Stormwater Improvement Project
Construction began in early November and will continue through summer 2023 when trail paving, solar LED
light installation, restoration, and planting will occur. More information is available on the project webpage.
DeCola Ponds SEA School-Wildwood Park Flood Reduction Project - 90% Plans
The City hosted an open house on September 29, 2022 at Brookview, and Robbinsdale Schools hosted an open
house for the playground design at SEA school on October 12. The 90% plans are available for viewing on the
project webpage. Project bidding and award of contract is slated for this winter.
Lagoon Dredging within Theodore Wirth Park –
The Bassett Creek Watershed Management Commission will be beginning work in the coming weeks on
removing accumulated sediment from the lagoons within Theodore Wirth Park. The objective is to return
these lagoons to their historically designed condition, and improve water quality by dredging out accumulated
sediment and it’s associated phosphorus. The project is anticipated to run through winter 2022 with
restoration of disturbed areas being completed in spring of 2023.
OUTREACH
City staff met with a staff member at the SEA school to discuss organics recycling re-implementation and other
opportunities for sustainability outreach in the schools.
PLANNING REPORT
PLANNING COMMISSION – Nov 3, 2022
Affordable Housing Goals—The City’s Housing and Economic Development Manager will attend the
November 14 Planning Commission meeting to share information about the City’s affordable housing goals
and discuss the challenges that may make achieving them difficult.
Off-Street Parking—In order to prepare for an update to this section of the zoning chapter, staff are
investigating topics related to off-street parking. Additional discussion is scheduled for the November 14
Planning Commission meeting.
CITY COUNCIL – Nov 3, 2022
Accessory Dwelling Units—The City Council approved the proposed regulations to allow Accessory Dwelling
Units at its meeting on November 1. The ordinance now allows ADUs on properties with single-family homes
in the R-1 and R-2 zoning districts, assuming other site and design requirements are met. An application fee
for administrative review of an ADU will be added to the 2023 fee schedule for the second reading on
November 15.
730 Winnetka Avenue North (McDonald’s)—Major PUD Amendment to add a second drive-thru queuing lane
at the McDonald’s located on the western edge of the Civic Campus. Other proposed enhancements include
improvements to the building façade, replacement landscaping, and new pedestrian connections to the west,
south, and east. The Planning Commission recommended approval (5-0). Scheduled for the November 15
meeting.
650 Ottawa Avenue North—Consideration of a Conditional Use Permit to allow for electric automobile sales
and service in an Industrial zoning district. The existing States Manufacturing building would be demolished
and a new 50,000+ square foot dealership would be constructed. A traffic study was conducted as part of the
site analysis. The Planning Commission recommended approval (5-0). Scheduled for the November 15
meeting.
OTHER UPDATES – Nov 3, 2022
Golden Valley Speaks—A new online comment option for public hearings at the Planning Commission was
unveiled as part of the consideration of the ADU ordinance. Information, including the staff memo and a
recording of the staff presentation, was posted on a new website (www.goldenvalleyspeaks.org) ten days in
advance of the meeting. 35 comments were received and entered into the public record. Over the next year,
all Planning Commission public hearing notices will include a QR code the links directly to the agenda item
page on the Golden Valley Speaks website.
Home Ownership Program for Equity (HOPE)— On August 16, the HRA approved qualified developers to
submit plans for affordable single-family homes on three City-owned vacant lots: 1605 Douglas Drive by Twin
Cities Habitat for Humanity, and 208 Meander Road and 4707 Circle Down by Greater Metropolitan Housing
Corporation. The developers will submit construction plans to the City in early 2023. The land sales and
development agreements are expected to be considered by the HRA in March 2023, contingent on funding
awards. Construction will likely begin in the spring of 2023.