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2002-09-23 EC Agenda PktFATO =1 k1l 197A1 GOLDEN VALLEY ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION Regular Meeting Golden Valley City Hall, 7800 Golden Valley Road Council Conference Room Monday, September 23, 2002 7:00 P.M. I. Call to Order II. Approval of Minutes — August 26, 2002 III. Sierra Club — Informational Handout IV. Introduction of New Commission Member — Sara Peterson V. Meeting Between Richard Baker and Jeannine Clancy Regarding Bassett Creek Watershed Management Commission Second Generation Plan VI. Natural Resources Inventory — NPDES Phase II VII. Commission Wish List VIII. Other Business IX. Adjourn G:\Environmental Commission\Agendas\092302.doc GOLDEN VALLEY ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION Regular Meeting Minutes September 23, 2002 Present: Richard Baker, Alicia Brown, Sue Hess, Dawn Hill, Alan Kuentz, Sara Peterson City Staff: Al Lundstrom, Environmental Coordinator; Jeff Oliver, City Engineer; Tracy Pharr, Administrative Assistant Absent: Jessica Roe Call to Order Meeting called to order at 7:02 p.m. II. Introduction of New Commission Member — Sara Peterson Staff and Commission Members introduced themselves to new Commission Member, Sara Peterson. Sara Peterson then introduced herself to staff and Commission Members. A copy of the Commission bylaws will be mailed to Peterson. III. Approval of Minutes — August 26, 2002 No changes. MOTION: Moved by Kuentz, seconded by Hill, approve the minutes of the August 26, 2002 meeting as submitted. Hess arrived at 7:15 p.m. IV. Sierra Club — Informational Handout Lundstrom distributed an informational handout that was sent to Mayor Loomis by the Sierra Club. The handout announced the "launch of the `Embrace Open Space' Campaign, an initiative sponsored by The McKnight Foundation and ten other organizations through advertising, publicity, a website, events and citizen action, focused on protecting open spaces in the Twin Cities metropolitan area." Sierra Club invited the Commission Members to an event celebrating Bassett Creek on Saturday, September 28. G:\Environmental Commission\Minutes\ECMinutes092302.doc V. Meeting Between Richard Baker and Jeannine Clancy Regarding Bassett Creek Watershed Manaaement Commission Second Generation Plan Baker met with Clancy and Lundstrom on September 13, 2002 to discuss the Environmental Commission's involvement with the Bassett Creek Watershed Management Commission (BCWMC) Second Generation Plan. Baker asked about the process that resulted in the letter from the City Council without the Commission's involvement. Clancy pointed out that the BCWMC only gave the Council 30 days for response to their recommendations. She also stated that the Council felt that its' response was addressing a financial issue, and that there had already been lots of public input. Clancy explained that it was a financial issue because the BCWMC has no taxing authority, thus forcing the Council to set aside funds for those projects. Baker stated that the Commission had concerns about being more actively involved in Council decision-making. Clancy suggested that Baker ask Mayor Loomis if the Commission's input was considered. The City Council asked for an extension in the return of their response, as they felt constrained by the 30 -day time limit. Following are the solutions that arose from the discussion: ➢ Baker had scheduled a meeting with Mayor Loomis and Clancy to further discuss the Commission's involvement with the Council. The meeting is set for September 30. ➢ Clancy suggested monthly updates to the Commission on the Second Generation Plan, Phase II of the NPDES Stormwater Permit and the Natural Resources Inventory. Baker commented that he felt the Commission had missed an opportunity because they weren't aware of the status of the BCWMC Second Generation Plan. ➢ Clancy pointed out that the City of Plymouth's Environmental Commission plays a very active role. Baker has received the name and telephone number of the chair for Plymouth's commission from Lundstrom. Hess asked Baker to see if Plymouth has an ordinance outlining their procedures. ➢ Another suggestion was to make Dave Hanson, the City of Golden Valley's representative on the BCWMC, aware of the Commission's presence through a telephone call, invitation to a Commission meeting, or by sending a letter. ➢ The Environmental Commission itself should also try to be more aware of the BCWMC's activities. ➢ Lastly, Baker suggested that staff habitually ask the City Council if the Environmental Commission should be consulted on a particular issue. Baker asked for comments and questions. Hill asked Oliver and Lundstrom if there are other commissions that are responsible for budget items. Oliver responded that there are not. The Open Space Commission, as an example, is in the same capacity as the Environmental Commission. They don't make recommendations to the Council on budget items. All budget items are addressed at the staff level. GAEnvironmental Commission\Minutes\ECMinutes092302.doc Oliver stated that in the future one of the best items for the Commission to comment on would be BCWMC CIP projects. Baker asked if there is opportunity to comment project - by -project. Oliver responded yes. Baker asked if the City is obligated to do the projects. Oliver said not necessarily; the projects have to be approved by the City Council. Baker asked what the consequences for the entire project would be if some cities pulled out. Oliver responded that the City of Plymouth has already pulled several projects out of the plan, and will perform them at the local level instead of the Commission level. Golden Valley may opt to follow suit, but is reserving judgment until the BCWMC CIP is finalized and reviewed. Hill directed Baker to ask the Plymouth Environmental Commission Chair if their commission will comment on the City's local level projects. Lundstrom stated that staff will soon be working on the Stormwater CIP, and will bring this to the next meeting. Baker asked at what point could the Commission begin commenting on the City's CIP and have some effect on the outcome. Oliver stated that the City Council will approve the CIP in February or March, and this thus gives plenty of time for the Commission to offer comments. Kuentz commented that, although he was disappointed that no one informed the Commission about the BCWMC Second Generation Plan issue, he feels that the Environmental Commission itself could do a better job by increasing its' knowledge base. The Commission does not have a good feel for the process, and does not know how to get involved. Hess asked if Council agendas are published in the Sun Post. Oliver responded that they are on the City's website, available at the library, and individuals can request copies from the City Manager's office directly. Oliver suggested that staff could also bring the Street CIP for the Commission to view. He continued that he would outline the CIP process for better understanding. Baker asked if there are additional CIPs beyond the Stormwater and Street CIPs. Oliver listed Vehicles and Equipment, Golf Course, Building Maintenance, Sewer and Water, Storm Sewer, and Streets. Hess asked if there was one for Police and Fire. Oliver answered that they fall under Vehicles and Equipment. Hill stated she would like to see how the recycling fee is spent. Lundstrom responded that he would provide this information. Oliver also brought up the Stormwater utility fee. Hill asked to see where these fees are spent. Lundstrom spoke of the spring brush pick-up program, the fall leaf drop-off program and the curbside program as benefited from these fees. Oliver said a brief summary would be prepared and presented at a future meeting. Kuentz asked about City projects. Oliver said that there isn't anything of measure to report on the 2003-04 PMP. The City's consulting engineers are doing a large portion of the hydraulics and water resource studies. The project is comprised of the area between Jersey Avenue and General Mills Boulevard, south of TH55, except Harold Avenue, and includes Laurel, Winnetka, Brookview Parkway and all local streets throughout this area. The City is still in process of identifying what can and cannot be done in this area. The results of these studies will be brought to the Environmental Commission for discussion. GAEnvironmental Commission\Minutes\ECMinutes092302.doc Baker mentioned he would like the Commission to receive reports on planning processes that have environmental consequences. Hess asked if the agendas for boards and commissions are available on the City's website. These are available on the website. Oliver stated staff is always happy to receive ideas from the Commission. He continued that the best point in time for Commission comments is during the CIP process. Lundstrom offered to bring the CIP maps to the November meeting. Oliver noted that discussion of the TH55/General Mills Boulevard project would be added to the November agenda. Baker asked for additional suggestions regarding his upcoming conversation with Mayor Loomis. Kuentz asked Baker to see how the new Council sees the Environmental Commission's role in commenting on development proposals. VI. Natural Resources Inventory — NPDES Phase II Lundstrom stated that both the Natural Resources Inventory and the NPDES Phase II Permit, and additionally, the TH55/General Mills Boulevard project and 2003-04 PMP, would be updated and reviewed with the Commission monthly. Lundstrom stated that data for the Natural Resources Inventory is currently being verified and compiled. Lundstrom will provide Peterson with a copy of the DNR grant application for the Natural Resources Inventory. Oliver covered the process of NPDES Phase II. He stated that there are six key components to the plan that have recently been finalized. However, one of the environmental groups involved is suing the state because they don't believe the law is going far enough. Each of approximately 175 communities will have to comply with six control measures, and have to be permitted. Permit applications must be submitted by March 10, 2003 to the MPCA (the EPA's arm in Minnesota). The League of Minnesota Cities has organized a group, sponsored a consortium and hired a consultant to prepare a guide plan. Oliver is on the steering committee for this. Whatever each individual city lists on its permit application is what the community will have to comply with and perform over the next five years. For example, if the City of Golden Valley states it will send out a newsletter once per week for the next five years, this must be measured and proven to show compliance. Golden Valley is "ahead of the curve" in the compliance of this process. Hill asked why communities wouldn't want to be conservative in their promises. Lundstrom responded that this is a concern. Oliver added that most communities don't want to follow this approach. Resources for these types of measures aren't always available for smaller communities. Some communities have "water bodies of special concern," and will be required to comply with specific measures. Hill questioned whether or not Golden Valley should be using its' capital money to go "above and beyond." Oliver responded that the City is already required by law to meet a lot of these requirements. Oliver reminded Commission Members that the SWAMP Committee said the City did want to be aggressive in education. He continued that making other communities aware of what can be accomplished by sharing our information benefits everyone. GAEnvironmental Commission\Minutes\ECMinutes092302.doc VII. Commission Wish List Each Commission Member's wish list was briefly reviewed. Hill asked Baker to share the Wish Lists with Mayor Loomis in their September 30 meeting. Kuentz and Baker both stated that it is up to individuals to "champion their idea" to the Commission. Peterson mentioned her pro bono work with a non-profit she represents. The non-profit runs a good portion of the community gardens in the City of Minneapolis, and recently purchased a lot of this property from the City's Community Development Agency, and has subsequently created permanent community gardens. She asked if Golden Valley offered any community gardens, or if there was an opportunity for the creation of these gardens in the future. Baker asked if Golden Valley has any community gardens. Lundstrom responded that Golden Valley has a Garden Club, but no community gardens. VIII. Other Business Items of Other Business: ➢ Lundstrom gave an update of the Department of Agriculture's gypsy moth trapping in Golden Valley and the Lake Harriett area. Three moths appeared in the Golden Valley area, with one showing up in a trap in Wirth Park. None showed up in the Lake Harriett trapping area. The Department is optimistic that there will not be additional infestation next season. ➢ The October meeting agenda was reviewed and established as: • Stormwater and Street CIPs and Outline of CIP Process • Updates of Natural Resources Inventory, NPDES Phase II, BCWMC Second Generation Plan, 2003-04 PMP, TH55/General Mills Boulevard Intersection • Recycling and Stormwater Revenue • Report from Baker on Meeting with Mayor Loomis • Report from Baker on Discussion with City of Plymouth's Environmental Commission Chair No additional business was addressed. IX. Adjourn The next scheduled meeting will be on October 28, 2002 at 7:00 p.m. The meeting was adjourned at 8:42 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Tracy E. Pharr Administrative Assistant Department of Public Works GAEnvironmental Commission\Minutes\ECMinutes092302.doc SIERRA CLUB_ FOUNDED 1892 MINNEsOTA NORTH STAR CHAPTER Ms. Linda Loomis 6677 Hwy -55 Golden Valley, MN 55427.0 Dear Linda: September 12, 2002 Please join us for a fun event and an important announcement on Saturday, September 28th. On what we know will be a gorgeous autumn Saturday in Minnesota, we will mark the official launch of the Embrace Open Space campaign. This initiative – sponsored by The McKnight Foundation and ten other organizations involved in open space protection – brings together advertising, publicity, a website, events, and citizen action, all focused on the importance of protecting open spaces in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. Through the Embrace Open Space campaign, we hope that individual citizens will not only recognize the need to protect open spaces, but make a personal commitment to the issue. To celebrate the metro -wide significance of this campaign, there will be a series of four special events at different sites throughout the Twin Cities on Saturday, September 28th. Each event is near one of the Embrace Open Space campaign's 10 Twin Cities Treasures—specific sites in the region that represent the kinds of places we need to protect. More information on each of these areas is available on the campaign's website: www.Embrace0penSpacc.org You are invited to join us at the J.D. Rivers Gardens on Saturday to celebrate Bassett's Creek – an important natural area within Minneapolis currently being restored by citizens groups, neighborhood associations and . Minneapolis Parks. The event starts at 2pm with a brief program on open space protection, the Embrace Open Space campaign, and the Bassett's Creek site. Rip Rapson, President of The McKnight Foundation, will kickoff the event and will be joined by the Sierra Club and members of the Minneapolis Park Board. After the program, there will be a 3 minute walk to a bridge overlooking Bassett's Creek, a Monarch butterfly launch by the children involved with the gardens, free healthy fall fare, and an optional guided tour along Bassett's Creek's shoreline. What better way to celebrate open space right in the heart of Minneapolis? As a partner in the Embrace Open Space campaign, the Sierra Club is excited to be co -sponsoring this event with Minneapolis Parks, Friends of Bassett's Creek, Bryn Mawr Neighborhood Association, and The McKnight Foundation. Please join us and bring your family and friends for the launching of the Embrace Open Spuce canipaigrl and this public ceiebratio:I of open spaces in the Twin Cities. Sincerely, Sharon Stephens ' Sprawl & Land Use Chair Executive Committee Scott Elkins State Director P.S. Directions to the event. Hwy 394 to Penn Avenue exit; North on Penn to Glenwood.Avenue. West (left) on Glenwood approximately one mile to the J.D. Rivers Gardens (corner Glenwood and Vincent Ave. North). 1313 5TH ST. SE #323 MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55414-4504 www NORTHSTAR.SIERRACLUB.ORG • FAX: (612) 379-3855 • TEL: (612) 379-3853 THE 1V KNIGHT FOUNDATION September 3, 2002 Linda Loomis Mayor City Of Golden Valley City Hall 7800 Golden Valley Rd Golden Valley, MN 55427-4508 Dear Mayor Loomis: 600 TCF Tower 121 South Eighth Street Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402 612-333-4220 612-332-3833 fax info@mcknight.org In the next few weeks, The McKnight Foundation will announce a public service campaign that will be unique for us and important to our community. On September 28, we will join with 10 campaign partners to launch "Embrace Open Space." You will soon receive an invitation to a.special event to kick off this campaign. In the meantime, though, I want you to be among the first to know about this initiative, its significance, and why we are doing it. McKnight is making a yearlong commitment to Embrace Open Space. We have planned and will implement its activities in cooperation with local grassroots advocacy groups, government agencies, and an academic center. Combining advertising, a website, publicity, special events, and citizen action, the campaign focuses on the need to protect open spaces in the Twin Cities metro area. We hope that through this campaign, individual citizens not only will recognize the importance of protecting open spaces, but will also make a personal commitment to the issue. Citizens need to know that critical decisions are being made daily in the metro region about which land we build on and which we protect. We have already lost many special places because too few citizens have taken an active role in these choices. And although we know that Minnesotans value open spaces, their sincere concern and appreciation hasn't always translated into public action. The purpose of the Embrace Open Space campaign is to connect individuals with public decision-making. Citizen involvement does make a difference. Our emphasis isn't on any single open space (although we will celebrate "Ten Treasured Sites" that are in jeopardy) or the decision of any particular body. Instead, our purpose is to engage Twin Citians in broad advocacy of protecting and restoring open spaces. We want to encourage everyone to give public voice to this issue. I am very enthusiastic that this level of media exposure, combined with public engagement activities by our partner organizations, will dramatically change the discussion about open spaces in this region for years to come. I welcome your questions or comments on Embrace Open Space and McKnight's role. You can find out more and give us your feedback by visiting the campaign website at www.Embrace0penSpace.org. www.mcknight.org September 3, 2002 Page 2 I hope that as you learn more about Embrace Open Space, you too are inspired to consider the importance of this issue. Sincerely, Rip Rapson President, The McKnight Foundation P.S. By visiting our website (www.EmbraceOpenSpace.org) you can explore our regional treasure map that highlights 10 open spaces as representative of the kind we need to protect. In alphabetical order, they are: • Bassett's Creek, Hennepin County • Crow River, Hennepin County • Eagan Core Greenway, Dakota County • Lower Phalen Creek, Ramsey County • Pine Bend Bluffs, Dakota County • Sandhill Crane Natural Area, Anoka County • Seminary Fen, Carver County • Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant, Ramsey County • Valley Creek, Washington County • Vermillion River Bottoms, Dakota County tin ''th Avp H ,. Glr�nwood Ave s 4 l � 0 . 31 dry ar rtl ` �� I �r nd 0.arhl L--1 #!t i7nr : t —'_1 i i--1 r— � —� ..._t i s i �-_ a "�,rrt.•:^�..,.. - :q' IM11th Ln Ne lit z:Ij 209tF AveNe g3 208th Ln Ne 07th Ln Ne i17th Ave NV. ' 2 p.m. — Bassett's Creek Location: Glenwood and Xerxes Avenues, Minneapolis. Directions: Take 394 to Penn Avenue exit; proceed north of Penn to Glenwood Avenue. Turn left on Glenwood (the Glenwood Inglewood plant will be visible to your left), and proceed to JD Rivers Parks Project, which will be on your right. Parking: On -street parking along Washburn and Xerxes. Activities: In addition to our main event activities, this site will feature a guided nature walk along the creek. 4 p.m. — Sandhill Crane Natural Area Location: 207th Lane and Goodhue Street, East Bethel. Directions: Highway 65 north to 209th Avenue NE, past Blaine and Ham Lake, into East Bethel. Turn right on 209th; after two blocks, turn right on Eveleth Street and go to 207th Lane. Turn left on 207th to the end of the road, which is Goodue Street; then right on Goodhue to the event entrance at 207th Avenue. Parking: Limited parking along 207th and Goodhue. Activities: In addition to our main event activities, this site will feature a celebratory planting of a sapling in the oak savannah. Embrace Open Space—then spread the word! www.Embrace0penSpace.org GOLDEN VALLEY ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION Wish List Topics (As Presented in April 22, 2002 Meeting Minutes) September 23, 2002 Rakar ➢ Management for Environmental Friendliness of Water Retention Basins Wildlife Habitat Management as Relates to Water Bodies R rnwn ➢ Environmental Awareness Education (through flyers, incentives, schools, etc.) in the Community Hess im ➢ Restoration/Creation of Wetlands in Areas Not Suited to Building (could be part of CIP) • Identify Potential Areas • Find Sponsors (i.e., Ducks Unlimited) • Develop Plan ➢ City -Wide Garbage Hauling ➢ Looking at Zoning Ordinances (particularly number of parking spaces per business) Kuentz ➢ Coordination of the Management Plan for Golden Valley's Nature Areas • Quantifying Reasons for Having Nature Areas • Review of Current Practices • Define Roles of Commissions as Relates to the Plan • Recommend Management Practices • Development of Monitoring Plan Roe ➢ Education of Golden Valley Residents in Environmental Issues (i.e., water quality, lawn and tree maintenance, pest spraying, etc.) Pesticide/Herbicide/Insecticide Usage on General Open Spaces GAEnvironmental Commission\Miscellaneous\2002 Commission Wish List.doc