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2018-06-25 EC Agenda PacketAGENDA GOLDEN VALLEY ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION June 25, 2018, Monday @ 6:30pm Council Conference Room (across from Council Chambers) Golden Valley City Hall, 7800 Golden Valley Rd 1.Call to Order 2.Approval of Regular Meeting Minutes of May 21, 2018 (5 min) 3.Program/Project Updates (5 min) 4.Council Updates (5 min) 5.Other Business 6.Adjourn 7.Tour the City’s Nature Areas (2 hours) Page 1 G:\Environmental Commission\Minutes\2018\5-May\05-21-18 EC Minutes.doc GOLDEN VALLEY ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION Regular Meeting, Minutes May 21, 2018 Commissioners Present: Tracy Anderson, Tonia Galonska, Lynn Gitelis, Dawn Hill, Joseph Ramlet, Scott Seys and Jim Stremel Staff Present: Eric Eckman, Development and Assets Supervisor and Claire Huisman, Administrative Assistant Absent: Commissioner Debra Yahle Call to Order Chair Hill called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm. Approval of Regular Meeting Minutes MOVED by Stremel, SECONDED by Galonska, and the motion carried unanimously to approve the minutes of the April 23, 2018 regular meeting. Scott Seys, resident of Golden Valley, was introduced as a new member to the Commission. Commission Guidelines and Guiding Principles Eckman gave a presentation to the Commissioners regarding the structure of City Boards and Commissions as well as the roles and responsibilities of the members. Commissioner Galonska asked if there was any information or guidelines for Commissioners to follow in regards to placing campaign signs in their yards or partaking in election campaign events. Staff will do further research on this matter and get back to the Commission. Election of Officers MOVED by Anderson, SECONDED by Galonska to nominate Dawn Hill for the position of Chair Person to the Commission. MOVED by Hill, SECONDED by Anderson to nominate Tonia Galonska for the position of Vice-Chair to the Commission. The motion carried unanimously to elect Dawn Hill as Chair Person and Tonia Galonska as Vice-Chair to the Environmental Commission. By-Laws The Commission By-Laws were reviewed. Consideration was given to adding the City’s Resilience and Sustainability Plan and Natural Resources Management Plan to the Mission Statement #2. It was also considered to add GreenStep Cities Program as a separate item between #2 and #5. MOVED by Anderson, SECONDED by Stremel to not amend the By-Laws at this time. The motion passed with one abstain and one no. 2018 Work Plan The Council made no changes to the Commissions 2018 Work Plan after it was presented to them on May 8th. One comment was made to item #4 of the work plan regarding Sustainable Yards and Gardens and reducing chemical usage. The Council suggested a list of possible companies that provide reduced-chemical or chemical-free lawn service be offered to residents. Commission members felt this could be confused with promoting a certain business and instead, residents should be offered names of Page 2 Minutes of the Environmental Commission May 21, 2018 Page 2 of 2 G:\Environmental Commission\Minutes\2018\5-May\05-21-18 EC Minutes.doc groups or organizations that promote chemical-free gardening. Staff will check government websites like U of MN, MDA or MDH to see if such lists exist. Update on Solid Waste Eckman presented an update on the solid waste discussion from the last Council/Manager meeting. Commission members provided feedback on the material presented. Comments included: • More data should be provided on the construction of City streets and how well they will hold up to daily wear and tear. • More data is needed on current garbage hauling rates and services. • One Council outcome on goals stated: “avoid significant operational or capital cost increases to the City and residents”. Commissioners would like further clarification to this statement. Will the City pay for organized garbage pick-up or will that fee be passed onto the residents? • Another Council outcome on goals stated: “establish waste disposal practices that improve environmental outcomes.” Commissioners would like clarification on what improvements are they referring to and does the Council have specific goals in mind? • It was noted that other states are looking into incinerators as a method of garbage disposal and maybe someday it would be considered locally. • In regards to the mention of “engagement process with residents”, the Commissioners wanted to know what the Council or staff had in mind for involving the residents. They feel that the residents should be involved in the planning process from early on rather than notified at the end when the decisions have already been made. To that end, Commissioners realized it is still early in the process and that the Council is still refining its potential goals and outcomes. • Other ways to entice resident participation is to hold small events where food (pizza) and speakers (U of M, how to achieve zero waste) are present rather than an open house type meeting. Program/Project Updates The complete Program/Project Update is on file. The City was not selected to receive a GreenCorps member who would have assisted the City with its waste reduction goals. There were numerous applications and competition was strong in the waste reduction topic area but staff will continue its planned work with respect to improving recycling and waste management. Other Business Chair Hill reminded Commissioners of the City’s Boards and Commission’s appreciation dinner at Brookview on May 29, 2018. Adjourn MOVED by Galonska, SECONDED by Anderson, and the motion carried to adjourn the meeting at 8:24 pm. Claire Huisman Administrative Assistant Page 3 G:\Environmental Commission\Memos Date: June 21, 2018 To: Environmental Commission From: Eric Eckman, Development and Assets Supervisor Subject: Tour of City Nature Areas In past years, the Environmental Commission participated in a tour of the City’s parks and nature areas. Seeing these open spaces in person provides perspective and background that is essential to planning and guiding future management and investment. One of the Commission’s mission statements is to develop and make recommendations on management practices for the city’s nature areas, public and private ponding areas, and other such city-owned properties. The work plan for 2018 includes assisting with implementation of the Natural Resources Management Plan which includes managing nature areas. It has been several years since the Commission last visited the City’s nature areas and open spaces. Following the regularly scheduled meeting on June 25th, the Commissioners will board a City van to visit these areas with staff. Those who choose to drive themselves may do so. The goal of this year’s tour is to help the City prioritize future activities, improvements, and investment in these areas. Long term capital investment in each area is laid out in the Natural Resource Management Plan, however, the areas themselves were not ranked or prioritized. Seeing these areas and understanding the context and needs will help the Commissioners develop their impressions and comments. This feedback, along with data provided by staff at the July commission meeting, will help provide a framework for prioritizing volunteer work, grant applications, and other investment. Commissioners are encouraged to bring materials for jotting down notes during the tour. Page 4 PROGRAM/PROJECT UPDATES – June 2018 NATURAL RESOURCES City Hall Pollinator Garden Thanks to a generous donation to the Golden Valley Community Foundation, and a partnership with the Golden Valley Garden Club, the Garden Club prepared and planted the pollinator garden on Saturday June 16th. This area is prominently displayed for all that enter and exit the City Hall parking lot from Golden Valley Road. Pollinator Week The State of Minnesota has declared the week of June 18 as Pollinator Week. This week is meant to inform people about the valuable ecosystem services provided by birds, butterflies, bats, bees, and other insects. Check out the city website for more info at https://www.goldenvalleymn.gov/newsarchive/index.php/2018/06/18/june-18-24-is-pollinator-week- in-minnesota/#more-9950 WATER RESOURCES Storm Water Pollution Prevention Program – annual meeting and report Staff presented the 2017 report on the City’s Stormwater Program at the June 19 City Council meeting. Following the presentation a public hearing was held to receive comments on the program. The Council meeting can be viewed online at https://ccxmedia.org/ccx-cities/golden-valley/ Decola Ponds B and C Project Update The Bassett Creek Watershed Management Commission authorized a feasibility study for the DeCola Ponds B and C Improvement Project. The areas around DeCola Ponds B and C are being considered for expansion of flood storage to help alleviate a flooding problem within the watershed. The primary benefits of the project include reducing flood damages to homes and businesses, and improving public safety by reducing flooding on Medicine Lake Road. Additional benefits include improving water quality, restoring and enhancing vegetation and wildlife habitat, and improving recreation and park user experience. In November 2017 and April 2018, public open houses were held to gather resident input about the area, answer questions and understand concerns. At the April 11 open house, concept plans were reviewed and comments were received. Meeting attendees were generally supportive of the project and appreciated the opportunity to comment on the concept plans. With input provided by residents, adjacent property owners, project team members, and partner agencies, the Watershed Commission completed and approved the feasibility study and selected the “hybrid” concept plan which maximizes flood storage while minimizing tree impacts and improving wetland and upland habitat. The feasibility report can be found at http://www.bassettcreekwmo.org/application/files/4415/2673/7736/DeColas_Final_Feasibility_Study_20180509_No_A ppendices.pdf In June, the cities of Golden Valley, New Hope, and Crystal were notified that the state legislature’s 2018 bonding bill was approved with $2.3 million in state funding for the DeCola Ponds B and C Improvement project. Once agreements are signed, it is anticipated that final design of the project will begin in the fall and will include additional community engagement and input from residents, park users, and adjacent property owners. Construction could begin in the fall of 2019. Mailings will be sent out soon to nearby residents. SOLID WASTE Physical Development Director Marc Nevinski continues to meet with haulers and will provide updates to City Council and the Environmental Commission in July. Page 5 FORESTRY The Pre-Application for the “Managing Ash for Emerald Ash Borer in Community Forests” was submitted to and accepted by the MN Dept. of Natural Resources on Friday June 15th. Ash removals and/or stump grinding, tree planting, and Outreach to GV residents will be done with the grant money if GV is allowed to submit a grant application and the grant is accepted. The grant must be completed and work inspected by June 2020. Applicants will be notified by July 13th if they can submit a Grant application, which will be awarded in September. PLANING AND ZONING AND DEVELOPMENTS Jun 20, 2018 529 Burntside Drive—Variance from the height limitations on fences in the front yard in order to provide a buffer from the noise of vehicles on Highway 55. The applicant is requesting an additional 2 feet of height beyond the 4 feet allowed in order to construct a 6 foot fence. Scheduled for the June 26 meeting. Material and Architectural Standards—On July 9, staff will lead a discussion on potential changes to the Zoning Code to introduce material and architectural standards in many of the City’s Zoning Districts. The City Council has expressed interest is setting minimum standards for the types and amounts of materials used on building façades, as well as requiring basic architectural elements be utilized to provide visual interest in new construction. 7040 Glenwood Avenue (Minor Subdivision)—Subdivision request to split one lot into two. The existing home would be demolished, the existing driveway onto Glenwood would be removed, and two future driveways would be constructed on the frontage road. Land would also be dedicated for a potential future frontage road cul-de-sac. The Council approved the subdivision (5-0) at its meeting on June 19. Jaguar/Land Rover (Major PUD Amendment)—As part of a project to reconstruct the Land Rover showroom, the applicant is requesting to extend the parking area into the front setback. This shift in parking area would be more than offset by the removal of an area of impervious surface along the western edge of the property. On May 30, the Planning Commission asked for the addition of some enhanced landscaping on the site. The Council approved the amendment (5-0) at its meeting on June 19. 2429 Douglas Drive (Land Use Map Amendment and Zoning Map Amendment)—In anticipation of a pending proposal to construct a medical transitional care facility, this property would be guided for Medium-Low Residential use and zoned Moderate Density (R-2) Residential. A single-family home that was struck by lightning in 2017 was recently demolished at this location. The Council approved both the Comp Plan and Zoning Map amendments (5-0) at its meeting on June 19. 5530 & 5540 Golden Valley Road and 1530 Welcome Avenue North (Land Use Map Amendment and Zoning Map Amendment)—These items were scheduled for the June 19 meeting but were withdrawn prior to the public hearing. Downtown Study—The Urban Land Institute will be convening a Technical Assistance Panel of real estate and development experts on July 18-19 to help the City better understand the downtown area and to make recommendations for possible actions moving forward. This process will involve a tour of the area, interviews with key property owners, and discussion with staff and elected officials. Page 6 City Council Members and Planning Commissioners are encouraged to attend a discussion held at City Hall at 5 pm on July 18 in order to help set the context for the exploration that will follow the next day. Dinner will be provided and all attendees are welcome to participate in a walking tour of the downtown following the meal. A final written report will be presented to the City Council at a Council/Manager meeting later in the year. Cultivate the Arts—As part of the Hennepin County Bottineau Community Works efforts in support of the proposed METRO Blue Line Extension, the McKnight Foundation is funding a series of public art/events at or near the proposed light rail stations all along the corridor during the second half of 2018. Local artists are in the process of submitting applications to be reviewed by a selection committee. Any temporary public art proposed for the Golden Valley stations will also need to follow the steps outlined in the City’s Public Art policy. Page 7