2018-07-23 EC Minutes GOLDEN VALLEY ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION
Regular Meeting, Minutes
July 23, 2018
Commissioners Present: Tracy Anderson, Tonia Galonska, Dawn Hill, Joseph Ramlet,
Scott Seys, Jim Stremel and Debra Yahle
Staff Present: Eric Eckman, Development and Assets Supervisor, Drew Chirpich,
Environmental Specialist and Claire Huisman, Administrative Assistant
Absent: Commissioner Lynn Gitelis
Call to Order
Chair Hill called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm.
Approval of Reqular Meetinq Minutes
MOVED by Stremel, SECONDED by Yahle, and the motion carried unanimously to
approve the minutes of the June 25, 2018 regular meeting as amended (date
change).
Eckman introduced Drew Chirpich who was recently hired by the City as Environmental
Specialist. He will be assisting with any environmental issues for the City including
stormwater management and permits, water and natural resource projects, GreenStep
Cities Program, volunteer programs, recycling and solid waste, etc.
Nature Area Prioritization
Eckman heard feedback from Commissioners on their tour of the nature areas in
Golden Valley last month. Comments included:
• Briarwood Nature Area
o Lack of signage indicating that the trail dead ends or has "no outlet".
o The triangular-shaped trailhead area on Unity Avenue needs
maintenance.
• It is questionable to spend money on the relatively small Golden Ridge Nature
Area.
• Dahlberg Open Space was a nice surprise and would like to see it higher on the
priority list.
Eckman presented information in the form of a spreadsheet on each Nature Area or
Open Space which included: acreage, trail miles, survey statistics, surrounding
population, existing amenities and improvements, significant water and land cover and
staff recommendation on priority ranking. The document was approved by the
Commission to be used as a working document for future budgeting, CIP programming,
and resource allocation. (It was noted to add a date to the document.)
Update on Solid Waste Discussion
Marc Nevinski, Physical Development Director, presented an update on the City's Solid
Waste Discussion. Staff met with five of the seven licensed residential haulers in
Golden Valley to discuss the Council's goals for solid waste collection. Mr. Nevinski
summarized the hauler's comments which are on file.
Staff summarized the discussion from a recent Council work session. One of the ideas
was that the City could meet many of its goals by increasing its licensing requirements
for garbage haulers. This could include: setting a maximum number of licenses;
requiring all trucks have tandem axels; require CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) trucks;
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Minutes of the Environmental Commission
July 23, 2018
Page 2 of 2
require regular reporting on certain metrics. After discussion, Council decided it wants to
continue to engage in a larger community discussion. The City plans to hire a
professional facilitator to lead a public meeting to be held this fall. Haulers and
representatives from communities that have organized trash hauling would be among
those invited.
Nevinski asked the Environmental Commission to be involved in researching options for
an Organics program in the City. The three options for organics pick-up are: source
separated which includes a separate cart; organics in separate bag included in with
yard waste; organics in separate bag included in with trash. Which option would be the
most cost and environmentally effective?
The Commission asked that the City make sure the recycling contract with Republic
Services allows for the ability to add organic recycling to the agreement at any time
during the three-year contract period.
GreenStep Cities - Step 4
This topic was tabled until next month's meeting.
Proaram/Proiect Updates
The complete Program/Project Update is on file.
Other Business
Ramlet gave a brief summary of his work last month with the Conservation Corp in their
Summer Youth Program. His projects included trail maintenance, forest clearing and
planting a pollinator garden within the first roundabout in the City of Aitkin.
Adiourn
MOVED by Galonska, SECONDED by Stremel, and the motion carried to adjourn
the meeting at 8:31 pm.
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Claire Huisman
Administrative Assistant
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