2019-11-25 EC Agenda Packet
REGULAR MEETING AGENDA
1. Call to Order
2. Roll Call
3. Approval of Agenda
4. Approval of October 28, 2019 Regular Meeting Minutes (5 min)
5. Old Business
A. Waste Hauling Ordinance Adopted (5 min)
6. New Business
A. Curbside Organics Options (45 min)
B. City Hall Waste Sort (5 min)
C. 2020 Meeting Dates (5 min)
D. Program/Project Updates (10 min)
D. Council Updates (5 min)
E. Other Business
7. Adjournment
November 25, 2019 – 6:30 pm
Council Conference Room
Golden Valley City Hall
7800 Golden Valley Road
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REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 6:30 pm by Chair Seys.
2. Roll Call
Commissioners present: Tonia Galonska, Dawn Hill, Joseph Ramlet, Scott Seys and Jim Stremel
Commissioners absent: Tracy Anderson & Debra Yahle
Staff present: Eric Eckman, Development and Assets Supervisor; Drew Chirpich,
Environmental Specialist; Emma Pierson, GreenCorp member and Claire
Huisman, Administrative Assistant
3. Approval of Agenda
MOTION by Commissioner Hill, seconded by Commissioner Stremel to approve the agenda of October
28, 2019 as submitted and the motion carried.
4. Approval of Minutes
MOTION by Commissioner Galonska, seconded by Commissioner Ramlet to approve the minutes of
September 23, 2019 as submitted and the motion carried.
5. Resignation of Commission Member Lynn Gitelis
Eckman gave a farewell to Lynn Gitelis and read a letter that she had written to the Commission. It was
requested by commission members to publish a “Thank you” to Lynn in the City Newsletter for her years
of service or if not appropriate for the newsletter then in some other form. City staff will look into this
request.
6. New Member Susan Phelps
Susan Phelps was sworn into the Commission by Chair Seys.
7A. Update on Draft Waste Hauling Ordinance
The Council met on October 10, 2019 to review the proposed waste hauling ordinance. Council
concluded the following:
1. The number of hauling licenses will be four and will be achieved through attrition.
2. The aggregate number of accounts a hauler has will be requested on the application, but a
summary of the driver-training program will be requested from each hauler.
3. The requirement that the number of trucks should not increase from year to year was eliminated.
4. Eliminated the minimum market share provision but stated it could be revisited in the future.
October 28, 2019 – 6:30 pm
Council Conference Room
Golden Valley City Hall
7800 Golden Valley Road
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5. Modified the requirement that containers must be made of post-consumer material from 50% to
25%
6. Removed the requirement of haulers to participate in a composition analysis
7. Concluded that collection should occur on Fridays only. It was suggested by the Commission to
add language that the City Manager may select a day other than Friday if it is in the best interest
of the City.
8. Truck weight is limited to 7 tons per axel and that this requirement negated the need to require a
drop axel.
9. Drop Axel - Negated
10. Removed the provision for trucks to be fueled by CNG but suggested it be revisited in the future.
11. Removed the provision for trucks to be outfitted with cameras but suggested it be revisited in the
future.
12. Limited the reporting requirements to:
a. Annual aggregate tons of MSW
b. Disposal location
c. Aggregate number of residential accounts served
d. Traffic and environmental incidents to be reported immediately
13. Prohibited the transfer of accounts to non-licensed hauler. Commissioners questioned if this will
still apply if the licenses are at four. Would we be forced to go to three, two, etc.? Staff will look
into clarifying this item.
Next Steps: Council will consider the ordinance at the Nov 6 and 19 CC meetings. Staff will send a reminder
to the Commission members of the CC meeting dates.
7B. Pollinator Resolution Adopted
Along with Council adopting the Pollinator Resolution on October 2, 2019, the City has created a
pollinator page on their website and an article in the City Newsletter. The progress of pollinator habitats
will be tracked within the GreenStep Cities program and guided by the Environmental Commission. It
was recommended by commission members to take “before” pictures of the chosen pollinator habitat
areas.
7C. Potential Pollinator Habitat
Eckman presented a matrix on possible pollinator habitat areas in Golden Valley. Each area was scored
on visibility to the public, sun versus shade, water quality benefit, maintenance requirements, current
land cover, salt impacts and within a green corridor. Of the 23 potential areas, seven scored the highest
to be a successful pollinator habitat area.
MOTION by Commissioner Hill, seconded by Commissioner Galonska to approve the development and
establishment of pollinator habitat as presented, with the exception of adding a scoring column for
partnership opportunity, as funding opportunities arise.
7D. Partners in Energy Program
MOTION by Commissioner Ramlet, seconded by Commissioner Stremel to approve the City’s
participation in Xcel Energy program called Partners in Energy Program and the motion carried.
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The goal of this program is for the City to develop an Energy Action Plan with the help of Xcel Energy.
There is no direct cost to the City to participate in this program. The Commission will be asked to attend
meetings and workshops hosted by Xcel Energy and to work closely with the City’s communication staff
to keep information on the website up to date. Participation in this program will help the City achieve
some of its goals within the GreenStep Cities program.
8A. Introduce Greencorps Member Emma Pierson
The City’s new Greencorp member on staff is Emma Pierson who will be with the City until August 2020.
8B. Greencorps Work Plan for 2019-2020
Emma will mainly be working on establishing an organics program for the city and possibly hosting Zero
Waste events on City campus along with establishing ways to help educate apartment building
complexes and restaurants on the fundamentals of recycling. Hennepin County will be mandating
organic curbside collection by 2022. She will also be helping to coordinate a Trex Film Plastic Recycling
collection receptacle for City Hall.
8C. Program/Projects Update
The complete Program/Project Update is on file. Updates discussion included:
• Simple Recycling is planning to cease curbside textile pickup in Golden Valley and other cities due
to logistics including a lack of participation density in the region. City staff is working with
WasteZero on a way to continue the program.
• DeCola Ponds B&C Improvement Project will continue through winter with the contractor
performing utility work and pond excavation so the orange fencing in the area will remain.
6C. Council Updates - None
6D. Other Business
The Downtown Study is composed of three phases. Phase I took place in 2018. Phase II is 2/3rds
underway, concentrating on the Winnetka Ave and Golden Valley Rd area. Phase III will focus on timing
and implementation of the Small Area Plan for the downtown area. HKGi will be hosting a presentation
for the Council/Manager meeting in December 2019. Staff will send a reminder to the Commissioners
of the scheduled meeting.
7. Adjournment
MOTION by Commissioner Stremel, seconded by Commissioner Phelps to adjourn the meeting at
8:28pm and the motion carried.
ATTEST:
_________________________________
Claire Huisman, Administrative Assistant
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Date: November 21, 2019
To: Environmental Commission
From: Emma Pierson, MN GreenCorps Member
Subject: Curbside Organics Collection
The Environmental Commission has identified organics recycling as one of its top work plan
priorities for 2019-2020. The Commission and staff have begun to look into options for making a
curbside organics program available to all Golden Valley residents. Below is an outline of the
anticipated timeline for exploring these options.
November - Discuss options, considerations, questions
December-January - Engagement with residents, haulers, other cities
February - Report back on considerations, costs, pros/cons of options
March - Commission recommendation
April – Council/Manager meeting
Options and Considerations
Hennepin County’s Ordinance 13, Section 2, Subsection 2A requires Cities to provide access to
Curbside Collection of Organic Material by January 1, 2022 through two main options: requiring
all licensed Haulers to offer this service to all residents, or contracting citywide service to all
residents.
The options are shown below and described in more detail:
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Requiring all licensed Haulers to provide Curbside Collection of Organic Material gives residents
an opt-in choice to use the program or not, contract with a licensed hauler, and negotiate pricing.
Contracting citywide service gives the City two options: All-in, which provides all residents with a
curbside cart, while residents could choose not to participate; a cart would be provided to all. An
organized citywide opt-in model, gives the resident an option to subscribe to the city program for
an additional fee. Following is a table outlining the collection methods and participation in
surrounding cities.
Collection Options
All-in
City Contract
Opt-in
Licensing Requirement
Opt-in
Source
Separated
Organic Material
(Bin)
Co-collect (Bag) Part of Recycling
Contract or
Separate Organics
Contract
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Two common collection options throughout Hennepin County are co-collection with trash, and
collection in a separate cart. Co-collection with trash would follow the Blue Bag/Green Bag
model, where the resident would separate organic material in a Certified Compostable bag, and
place the material in their trash bin to be collected and sorted at the hauler’s facility. Collection in
a separate cart would follow the Source Separated Organics (SSO) model, where all organic
material would be collected in a separate container, to be collected by an Organic Material
Collection truck.
Within the options identified above are various factors to consider. These include:
• Participation Rates
• Contamination Rates
• Education/outreach opportunities
• Number of bins- perception, contamination impacts
• Cost
• Infrastructure Wear and Tear
• Collection Frequency
• Density/Efficiency of route
• Number of trucks
• Staff Time
• Hauler Staff Time
• Tonnage data collection
• Recovery Rate
• End Product
• Availability of compost to residents
Commission members should come to the meeting prepared to discuss options and
considerations, and their anticipated goals and outcomes for a successful organics program.
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Date: November 21, 2019
To: Environmental Commission
From: Emma Pierson, MN GreenCorps Member
Subject: City Hall Breakroom Waste Sort
Prior to implementing organic recycling collection within City Hall, two waste sorts were
conducted in the staff break room to see how much waste could be diverted. One waste sort
took place following a staff potluck, and the other on a normal day.
Staff Potluck
Approximately 15 gallons of material were in the trash.
True Trash: 1 Gallon, 7% Organic Material: 13 Gallons, 86% Recyclables: 1 Gallon, 7%
Normal Day
Approximately 11 gallons of material were in the trash.
True Trash: 2 Gallons, 18% Organic Material: 8 Gallons, 73% Recyclables: 1 Gallon, 9%
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PROGRAM/PROJECT UPDATES – November 2019
GREENCORPS
Internal Organics Recycling- Supplies for internal organic material collection have been ordered and implementation will
happen soon. An internal waste sort was conducted to discern how effective this program will be, these results are in a
separate memo.
Plastic Film Recycling- Since implementing plastic film collection, we have collected approximately 4 pounds of plastic
film.
Multi-Family- We have engaged property managers from 5 multi-family buildings to increase recycling participation and
decrease contamination.
RECYCLING
Organics update- Staff are continuing evaluation of curbside organics options. More information and in-depth break
down in the coming months.
NATURAL RESOURCES
DNR Grant in Bassett Creek Nature Area- Site preparation has begun with the buckthorn removal phase to begin soon.
Brookview Golf Course Pond Buffers - Removal of ash trees and grading has begun, and will continue through winter.
Restoration with native seeding and planting to take place in spring.
WATER RESOURCES
New MPCA Stormwater Permit – MPCA recently released its draft stormwater general permit that cities like Golden
Valley must follow as part of their comprehensive stormwater management program. Staff will be reviewing the
draft permit and providing comments to MPCA in the coming weeks. The draft permit is available for public
comment from November 12, 2019 through January 11, 2020 on the MPCA public notices webpage
https://www.pca.state.mn.us/public-notices.
DeCola Ponds B & C Improvement Project- The flood mitigation project has begun and will continue through winter
with the contractor performing utility work and pond excavation. Trail construction, site restoration and planting of
native trees, shrubs, grasses, and wildflowers will begin in spring 2020. Please visit the City’s website to view project
plans, schedule, sign up for weekly updates, and find out more at
http://www.goldenvalleymn.gov/stormwater/projects/upcoming-projects/index.php.
PLANNING AND ZONING AND DEVELOPMENTS
Nov 20, 2019
Sweeney Lake Woods PUD No. 120—A Major PUD Amendment to subdivide properties with the existing PUD and
incorporate some portions of adjacent properties. The proposal would create three new single-family residential lots
and consolidate two others, resulting in a net increase of two lots. A neighborhood meeting was held on October 16. A
public hearing is scheduled for the November 25 meeting.
5410 Wayzata Boulevard (Good Day Café)—Site Plan Review for a property within the I-394 Mixed Use Zoning District.
The Planning Commission is required to review the reconfiguration of a parking lot and evaluate the proposal against the
development standards of the district and other City requirements. Scheduled for the November 25 meeting.
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800 Boone Ave North—Conditional Use Permit Amendment to remove a recently approved prohibition on the drop-off
and pick-up on Boone Avenue of clients at the adult day care. The applicant is requesting to be allowed to use the east
side of Boone Avenue only. The current condition requires all pick-ups and drop-offs to occur on-site. A public hearing is
scheduled for the December 9 meeting.
Narrow Lots—At the Council/Manager meeting on October 10, the City Council directed the Planning Commission to
investigate a number of issues related to regulations for narrow lots (those under 65 feet in width). Staff has had
discussions with the Planning Commission about existing City regulations and invited area relators to discuss the housing
market in Golden Valley with the Commission on November 12. At the December 9 meeting, discussion will continue
with architects and builders. A public forum is being contemplated for an evening in January. The goal is to send
recommendations for code amendments to the Council by March of 2020.
721 Hampshire Ave S (Borton Volvo)—Conditional Use Permit Amendment in order to allow for used auto sales in
addition to current auto service use. Planning Commission recommended approval (7-0) at the October 28 meeting. The
City Council approved the CUP Amendment (5-0) at the November 19 meeting.
Downtown Study—HKGi will provide a summary of the work to date, including feedback received as part of the Open
House held in October, at the Council/Manager meeting in December. Video clips of presentations made at the Open
House have been posted on the City website. An on-line survey is currently collecting additional information from
interested parties. A Phase II report will be presented to the City Council at a meeting in January of 2020. Phase III,
which will look at staging and implementation, including potential financial tools, is scheduled to begin in the first part of
2020.
10 West End—Two residents, a Planning Commissioner, a Community Foundation representative, and one City staff
member have been selected to participate in the group working—along with others in St. Louis Park—to provide input
and feedback regarding the public art project that will be installed on the north face of the future parking ramp.
Meetings will occur over the winter and installation will take place at the conclusion of the ramp construction process.
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