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2005-04-25 EC Agenda PacketAGENDA GOLDEN VALLEY ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION Regular Meeting Golden Valley City Hall, 7800 Golden Valley Road Council Conference Room Monday, April 25, 2005 7:00 P.M. I. Call to Order II. Approval of Minutes — March 28, 2005 III. Lighting Ordinance IV. Envision Guide Feedback V. Program/Project Updates — ➢ Recycling Program ➢ Buckthorn Pilot Project ➢ Sunnyridge Lane Soil Contaminants ➢ Wirth Lake Berm Repair ➢ Allianz ➢ Rudy Luther Toyota ➢ Amain Addition ➢ TH 55/Boone Avenue/General Mills Boulevard ➢ 2005 Pavement Management Project ➢ 5222 Minnaqua Drive ➢ Medley Park Creek Bank Stabilization Project ➢ 1/1 Study ➢ Proposed Developments VI. Commission Member Council Reports VII. Other Business VIII. Adjourn GAEnvironmental Commission\Agendas\2005\042505.doc GOLDEN VALLEY ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION Regular Meeting Minutes April 25, 2005 Present: Tracy Anderson, Richard Baker, Dawn Hill, Christopher Kaisershot, Alan Kuentz Absent: Jon Pawluk; Tracy Pharr, Administrative Assistant City Staff: Al Lundstrom, Environmental Coordinator; Jeff Oliver, City Engineer I. Call to Order Baker called the meeting to order at 7:06 pm. II. Approval of Minutes - March 28, 2005 No changes. MOVED by Hill, seconded by Kuentz, and the motion carried unanimously to approve the minutes of the March 28, 2005 meeting as submitted. III. Liahtinp Ordinance Lundstrom stated that the City Manager and Mayor had noticed the discussion on this topic in the March Commission minutes. The Manager asked Lundstrom to relay to the Commission that the City is currently reviewing its current lighting policies (or lack thereof). The Mayor and City Manager would like to encourage the Environmental Commission to consider whether the City should perform a comprehensive lighting ordinance review, and if so, if the Commission would like to contribute recommendations to same. At the March meeting, the Commission requested staff bring a copy of the City's current lighting ordinance. Lundstrom stated that the City does not have a specific ordinance, per se; but he did read a reference to lighting within the off-street parking section of City Code. The Commission decided they would like to review and comment on the City's lighting policies. MOVED by Kuentz, seconded by Hill, and the motion carried unanimously that the Environmental Commission believes the City should perform a comprehensive lighting ordinance review, and subsequently the Commission would like to be involved in the review process. IV. Envision Guide Feedback Anderson's proposal on her theme, Urban Design and Beauty, is to allow people or groups to adopt -a -street or adopt -a -park, where persons could pick up trash and have it hauled away. Baker asked if the City has any current programs like this. Oliver responded that approximately 10 years ago, General Mills asked to adopt a portion of General Mills Boulevard. The City and General Mills put together a program for this. Lundstrom added that Rick Jacobson, Parks & Recreation Director, would oversee any adopt -a -park programs. Baker suggested "breathing some life" into any existing programs. Anderson agreed. Kuentz provided a brief review of his theme, Green and Open Spaces. Pawluk's theme is Surface Water. As he was not in attendance, there was no report on this topic. Kaisershot said the he feels the Commission's approach to action on feedback regarding the Envision Guide is inherently inefficient. He continued that it doesn't seem like the Commission is any further along on this project after several meetings on this topic. Baker welcomed suggestions and ideas on how to make the process work better. Kaisershot said his comment was just an observation on the process; and wondered if it was possible to speed the process up. Discussion ensued about the purpose of the Envision Guide feedback agenda item. Baker asked Kuentz if he was still willing to continue to "champion" his nature corridors cause under his Green and Open Spaces topic. Kuentz confirmed that he did want to pursue this item. This will be added as an agenda item for the May meeting, along with light pollution and ado pt-a-street/ado pt -a -pa rk. V. Program/Project Updates Recycling Program — Staff met with Minnetonka and Plymouth for a brainstorm session on increasing recycling education. Buckthorn Pilot Project — Weed wrenches have been purchased and received. Insurance has been purchased. The first reading of the ordinance has taken place; the second reading will be at the May 3 City Council meeting. Work on the volunteer kit, which will include a City map showing buckthorn locations, application and liability waiver forms, buckthorn identification guide and the weed wrench, is in progress. Baker asked about promoting interest in buckthorn removal projects. Lundstrom said perhaps an article could be placed in the May/June or July/August CityNews. Sunnyridge Lane Soil Contaminants — Oliver said the City's consultant is putting together a final operation plan. Remediation is to begin in the summer. Wirth Lake Berm Repair— Lundstrom said construction should begin within the next few weeks, barring any heavy rain. All agreements have been signed. 2 Allianz — Oliver said Allianz plans have been approved. Ground -breaking for the second building was held today. Construction on the parking ramp will begin soon. Rudy Luther Toyota — Oliver said Rudy Luther has received preliminary approval for their redevelopment. Approval of the final PUD will be considered at a May meeting of the Planning Commission. Amain Addition — A developer is proposing construction of two duplexes on two lots in the vicinity of Medicine Lake Road and Douglas Drive. No new information at this time. TH 55/Boone Avenue North/General Mills Boulevard — Oliver stated that the storm water lift station is operational. Native vegetation will be planted at the JFB site. 2005 Pavement Management Project — CenterPoint Energy is working on gas main replacement within the project area. The City's contractor, Palda & Sons, Inc., began pavement reclamation this week. Hill asked when the pavement projects for the entire city would be finished. Oliver responded that the program will be completed in 2014. 5222 Minnaqua Drive — Lundstrom said information on wetland delineation and a concept plan should be provided at a meeting next week. Staff will bring this information to the Commission at the May meeting. Medley Park Creek Bank Stabilization Project — Lundstrom stated that staff has a meeting next week with the consultant for this project to discuss the concept plan. /// Study— The Metropolitan Council has identified Golden Valley as a city with excess inflow and infiltration (1/1). These issues have to be corrected by 2009. The City is working on a study to come up with a plan to address 1/1. Proposed Developments — Oliver mentioned that a development of eight single-family homes has been proposed for the southwest quadrant of Highways 100 and 55. VI. Commission Member Council Reports Hill attended the April 5 Council meeting. She discussed the Commission's support of Metro Transit maintaining transit service at existing levels. This was addressed by the Council via resolution and executive summary at the meeting. Baker asked Lundstrom for copies of this information. Lundstrom will provide it in the May agenda packets. Anderson viewed the April 19 Council meeting on television. She noted the first reading of the ordinance regarding the buckthorn pilot project. Baker asked for volunteers to review the May Council agendas, and determine if Commission presence was warranted at the Council meetings. Kuentz will consider the May 3 agenda; Baker will attend the May 17 meeting if necessary. 3 VII. Other Business Items of Other Business: ➢ Lundstrom announced that a new Commission Member had been appointed, and had subsequently resigned. A replacement appointment will hopefully be made soon. ➢ Kaisershot asked if the City promoted/supported any activities for Earth Day, and wondered about the upcoming plans for Arbor Day. Lundstrom replied that no activities were held for Earth Day. Arbor Day events are scheduled for May 19 with the entire fourth grade at Park Valley Elementary School. The events include a presentation by the Mayor and tree planting; seedlings will also be given to each child. Baker asked Kaisershot if he wanted to encourage more action on Earth Day for 2006. Kaisershot thought this was a good idea. This may be an agenda item in the future. No additional business was addressed. VIII. Adjourn The next scheduled meeting will be on May 23, 2005 at 7:00 pm. The meeting was adjourned at 8:20 pm. Respectfully submitted, Tracy E. Pharr Administrative Assistant Department of Public Works 4 (:ity o✓ o enValley OPEN SPACE & RECREATION COMMISSION Meeting Minutes Brookview Community Center Monday, February 28, 2005 7:00 PM 1. CALL TO ORDER Sandler called meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. 11. ROLL CALL Present: Chuck Cahill, Jim Heine, Roger McConico, Jerry Sandler, Jim Vaughan, Tom Zins, Rick Jacobson, Director of Parks and Recreation; Sheila Van Sloun, Administrative Assistant; Kris Tovson, Brookview Golf Course Manager; and Jeanne Andre, Assistant City Manager. Absent: Liz Elder, Jim Johnson, and Tom Kuelbs. 111. AGENDA CHANGES OR ADDITIONS Additions to the agenda by Jacobson: 1) Commission Re -appointments 2) The passing of George Murad IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES —January 25, 2005 MOTION: Moved by McConico and seconded by Zins to approve the minutes. Motion carried unanimously. V. ENVISION RESPONSE — Jeanne Andre Andre explained that the Envision process resulted in a challenge from the Council to the Commission to relate their mission to the Vision Guide. She explained that the City Council is interested in getting feedback from the Commissions in response to Envision. This Commission would address the vision for the City's recreation programs and open space. One idea would be for the Commission to do an inventory of existing recreation programs to make people aware of what kind of opportunities the Park and Recreation Department is currently offering, and then get ideas from the Commission about new opportunities that would benefit the community in terms of recreation and open space. Andre then discussed the goals of the City Council for 2005/06, explaining that one of the goals is to develop a master plan for Golden Valley's parks and open space areas. Cahill asked if the City has considered a 3-1-1 program. Andre said the City is looking at having a program on our website to take citizen questions and track responses. Sandler suggested at each month's meeting, the Commission brainstorm both short and long term ideas for Envision. Andre said the Council is giving the Commission's six months to submit ideas and thoughts. VI. BROOKVIEW GOLF UPDATE — Kris Tovson Tovson stated the course had a nice fall in 2004, which helped the financial picture in light of poor weather earlier in the season. The course closed November 19th. Tovson said improvements to General Mills Boulevard, which had minimal impact on the 3`d hole, did not get finished last fall and will be completed this spring with the replacement of trees, a new keystone wall and chain link fence. Tovson feels the work should not interfere with play. She also discussed improvements to the 14`h hole. She explained that due to the large amount of mitigation and restriction they were under with the wetlands, they would have had to do a lot of dredging on other holes, which would have major impact on the course. She explained that the dredging of the pond in the southeast corner of Hwy. 55 and 169, upstream from the golf course, may be helpful for additional water storage. She then said the 14" hole will continue playing as a Par 4, with the option to play it as a Par 3 if necessary. Tovson then discussed new things happening at the course this year. She said they are in the process of getting a new cash register point-of-sale system which will provide better reports and more information on revenue. Tovson said they plan to create a golfer loyalty program to keep customers coming back. She also explained they will be offering lessons for beginners where the participant will have their final class on the Par 3 course with the instructor to provide a real golf course experience. Tovson then distributed and discussed the new Brookview Golf Course brochure and explained they will be distributed to potential tournaments and local businesses in an effort to generate new business in 2005. Sandler asked if the golf course did mailings. Tovson said they mail coupons and promotions to their patrons and e-mail to those who have it. She also said they advertise in the City newsletter and will look into sending promotions with the City utility bills. VII. OLD BUSINESS A. Golden Valley Smoking Ordinance Tovson was asked if she felt the new smoking ordinance would have an impact on the golf course. She explained that they have heard from several individuals with very strong feelings against the new ordinance. She said the Brookview Men's Club wrote a letter to the Council and that residents have called to discuss the issue. She also said if a league or individuals leave Brookview due to the new ordinance, more than likely they will not be back. The question was asked about enforcement. Jacobson said when people violate the ordinance; staff would make the initial contact with the possibility that the Police Department could eventually be called. Sandler feels we are potentially damaging the economic success of one of our recreation facilities by passing such an ordinance. He stated that even though he is very supportive of no smoking, he feels this is one time there is not a real problem since it is outdoors in a large area with people spaced apart. The Commission concurred with Sandler's comments. They commend the Council for taking action on the issue of second hand smoke, but feel the smoking policy for the golf course should be reconsidered. MOTION: Moved by McConico and seconded by Heine. Due to economic competitive disadvantages with other golf facilities and difficulty of enforcement, we ask the Council to reconsider the smoking ordinance on the outdoor portions of public golf courses in Golden Valley where people are not in close proximity to one another. Motion carried unanimously. B. Regional Trail Update Jacobson said City staff recently met with Don Devoe from Three Rivers Park District and that Three Rivers is currently doing more design work with the trail. The plan is to get a section of the trail under construction this year. C. Brookview Performance Area Jacobson explained that funds for the project have been budgeted in the Capital Improvement Plan for 2006, with a stipulation that a majority of the funds be raised from outside sources. Jacobson explained that the Golden Valley Rotary Club and the Golden Valley Federated Women's Club have offered to help raise money for the project. D. Commission Re -appointments Due to business commitments, Liz Elder has resigned from the Commission. The Council is in the process of interviewing to fill the Commission vacancy and notifying those Commissioners whose terms are expiring. E. Passing of George Murad Jacobson announced that George passed away at the age of 80. Jacobson said George had been an Open Space and Recreation Commission member, was involved in numerous City committees and was a strong golf course advocate. Vill. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Moved by Heine, seconded by McConico to adjourn at 8:40 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. 3