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2018-05-21 EC Minutes 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 Reaular Meetinq 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 Guidinq 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. Bv-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 befinreen #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 G:\Environmental Commission\Minutes�2018\5-May\05-21-18 EC Minutes.doc Minutes of the Environmental Commission May 21, 2018 Page 2 of 2 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. Proqram/Proiect 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. Adiourn MOVED by Galonska, SECONDED by Anderson, and the motion carried to adj�unrn the mee ing at 8:24 pm. C...��:v1-e �r.u/J/�l�j Claire Huisman Administrative Assistant G:\Environmental Commission\Minutes�2018\5-May\05-21-18 EC Minutes.doc