2020-02-24 EC Agenda PacketREGULAR MEETING AGENDA
1.Call to Order
2.Roll Call
3.Approval of Agenda
4.Approval of January 27, 2020 Regular Meeting Minutes (5 min)
5.Old Business
A.Partners in Energy update (5 min)
B. Metro Blooms Workshop (5 min)
C.2020 Work Plan (20 min)
D.Curbside Organics Collection Options - Pros-Cons (20 min)
6.New Business
A.Organics Recycling – Summary of Hauler Engagement (15 min)
B.Program/Project Updates (10 min)
C.Council Updates (5 min)
D.Other Business
7.Adjournment
February 24, 2020 – 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 6:28 pm by Chair Seys.
2.Roll Call
Commissioners present: Tracy Anderson, Tonia Galonska, Dawn Hill, Susan Phelps, Joseph
Ramlet, Scott Seys, Jim Stremel and Debra Yahle
Commissioners absent: None
Staff present: Eric Eckman, Environmental Resources Supervisor;
Drew Chirpich, Environmental Specialist;
Emma Pierson, MN GreenCorps Member;
Carrie Nelson, Administrative Assistant
3.Approval of Agenda
MOTION by Commissioner Hill, seconded by Commissioner Yahle to approve the agenda of January
27, 2020 with the following change: Switch items 5A and 5B under Old Business, and the motion
carried.
4.Approval of November 25, 2019 Regular Meeting Minutes
MOTION by Commissioner Stremel, seconded by Commissioner Anderson to approve the minutes
of November 25, 2019 as submitted and the motion carried.
5A. Partners in Energy update
Eric Eckman gave an update on the Partners in Energy program.
•Commission approved the City’s participation in the Partner’s in Energy Program with
Xcel Energy in October.
•City Council approved applying for the Partners in Energy Program in December.
•An energy action plan will be developed over the next two years for residents and
businesses.
•Application was completed and sent in in mid-January. We haven’t heard back from
Xcel yet but should by next meeting.
•If accepted in the program:
o 6 months of plan development and understanding the goals of the community.
o Moving forward with implementation with energy actions from residents and
businesses.
This will include other programs such as Home Energy Squad and others
that benefit residents and businesses, provide efficiencies, save money,
and reduce electricity use.
Exploring how to incorporate energy reductions and electrification in the
transportation sector.
January 27, 2020 – 6:30 pm
Council Conference Room
Golden Valley City Hall
7800 Golden Valley Road
2
City of Golden Valley Environmental Commission Regular Meeting
Jan 27, 2020 – 6:30 pm
2
o Eric asked the Commission if one or two members would be interested in joining
a community group that will be created for the planning phase of the Energy
Action Plan to determine the goals and priorities of the community and refine
what is in the Resilience and Sustainability Plan. The community group will also
include staff members, business owners, multi-family apartment interests,
school interests, and 1-2 planning commission members. The group would meet
3-5 times in the next year.
Commissioners Hill and Golanska expressed interest in serving on the
community group.
5B. Organics Recycling Considerations
Emma Pierson gave an update on the organics matrix presented to the Commission at the
November 2019 meeting to address comments and questions at the last meeting.
•SCORE funds are affected by participation. The higher the participation, the more the
SCORE funding will be from the County. The funds can be used toward residential recycling
related items.
•There are no grants for education however, the County does have the ability to provide
speakers/education for recycling and organics and will work with the City to customize this.
We will reach out to the County about having a staff person at a booth at the Farmer’s
Market to plan dates and what information will be at the table.
•Education Requirements
o If opting for a licensing requirement:
Haulers will need to follow the Hennepin County Ordinance 13 Education
Requirements Section 2: Subsection 2B
o Regardless of which route we go:
Cities will follow Hennepin County Ordinance 13 Education Requirements
Section 2: Subsection 3
•City Code Sec. 22-23 States: “Containers shall be stored no more than three feet from
the primary or accessory structure and shall at all times be located behind the front of
the primary structure.”
•Participating in organics can help you reduce the size of your garbage container by
diverting waste to an organics bin.
•Saint Louis Park: Curbside Organized 1.76% Contamination Minneapolis: Curbside
Organized 0.47%-1.45% Contamination. Contamination rates change when outreach is
done.
•Trash containers are taxed by sales price, which is determined by Haulers based on the
volume of containers. County taxes 15.5% on trash and the State taxes 9.75% on trash.
There are no taxes on recycling or organics recycling. If adding a separate organics bin to
your property, there will be no additional tax to your hauling, and you may be able to
reduce the size of your trash bin, in turn reducing taxes. If you are co-collecting in a
durable bag system, there is no tax on the price to participate in the organics program,
however, the volume of your trash bin will likely stay the same, causing no reduction in
taxes, depending on the program.
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City of Golden Valley Environmental Commission Regular Meeting
Jan 27, 2020 – 6:30 pm
3
•Timing depends upon what decision City Council makes and when. Must have curbside
opportunity available by January 1, 2022.
•There is no specific data showing contamination differences between the durable bag
vs. separate bin programs. While discussing options with haulers, some have mentioned
a durable bag program is a risk; others like the program.
•In general, an organized system requires more staff time than an open system since
issues will need to be addressed by a staff person.
•There are no known methods to provide more compost to those participating more in
the organics program. There isn’t a way to determine who participates more.
•Republic Services currently does a curbside pick-up in Fridley and will soon be in
Richfield.
•Cities and haulers have been moving away from yard waste co-collection bin to separate
bin collection because of certain challenges with the recipes at compost facilities.
•The only known co-collection system currently available is the blue bag program and
they do have one consistent bag that is heavier duty than a standard, green,
compostable bag.
•Minneapolis does their own compost pick-up. They have a separate cart so they can use
a paper grocery bag or certified compostable bag. There is no limit to the amount of
bags that go in the cart.
6A. Curbside Organics Program Draft Pros-Cons
The commission reviewed the draft pros-cons of different options included in the packet and
recommended the following edits.
Organized ‘All-In, Everyone Pays’ Program (Cart):
‘Pros’ Changes:
•Change to ‘Increases participation’ i.e. SLP
•Change to Resident can use certified compostable bags or paper grocery bags
‘Cons’ Changes:
•Add – City manages so there will be additional staff time required
•Add – Resident must provide bags
Can either give a cart to every resident or only give a cart to residents who choose to
participate. Maybe more people would participate if they get the cart.
Organized ‘Opt-In’ Program (cart)
‘Pros’ Changes:
•Change to Resident can use certified compostable bags or paper grocery bags
‘Cons’ Changes:
•Change to Lower participation is likely to avoid the cost, i.e. SLP
•Delete last three items.
•Add – City manages so there will be additional staff time required
License Requirements Organics Recycling Collection (Cart)
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City of Golden Valley Environmental Commission Regular Meeting
Jan 27, 2020 – 6:30 pm
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‘Pros’ Changes:
•Add from Cons column – Hauler is responsible for education
•Add - Less city staff time required
•Change to Resident can use certified compostable bags or paper grocery bags
‘Cons’ Changes:
•Delete second item
•Move Hauler is responsible for education to ‘Pros’
•Add – City has less input on education
•Delete 6th item since it’s a duplicate
License Requirements Organics Recycling Collection (Durable Bag Program)
•Add /Co-Collect to Durable Bag Program
•Can this work in the parks?
•Only Randy’s offers this option at this time
‘Pros’ Changes:
•Add from Cons column – Hauler is responsible for education
‘Cons’ Changes:
•Add – City has less input on education
Staff will update the pros-cons list and present it for review and approval at the next meeting.
6B. SCORE Funding
Emma Pierson reviewed SCORE Funding. The money helps cities with any operational expenses of
a recycling program. 50% of SCORE funding in 2020 will go toward recycling and 50% will go to organics.
The amount of SCORE funding the city receives fluctuates based on the number of active participants in
the City. An active participant is one who puts their bin out for collection at least once per month. The
participation number is determined in September. An increase in SCORE funds could offset having to
raise recycling rates. Golden Valley has about 7,000 household accounts.
6C. GreenStep Cities - City Hall Organics
Proposed Update #1:
MOTION by Commissioner Hill, seconded by Commissioner Galonska to approve Proposed
Update of the Existing Entry of Best Practice 22, Action 1 with the following amendments:
•Include how education of the employees made a difference in participation.
•Include that Plastic Film Recycling was also added to the break room.
Proposed Update #2:
MOTION by Commissioner Stremel, seconded by Commissioner Yahle to approve Proposed
Update of the Existing Entry of Best Practice 22, Action 2 with the following amendment:
•Add ‘to every household’ when talking about the bi-monthly newletters being sent out.
Proposed Update #3:
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City of Golden Valley Environmental Commission Regular Meeting
Jan 27, 2020 – 6:30 pm
5
MOTION by Commissioner Phelps, seconded by Commissioner Ramlet to approve Proposed
Update of the Existing Entry of Best Practice 22, Action 5 with the following amendments:
• Change ‘there are currently 114 participating households’ to ‘In 2019 there were 114
participating households’.
• Change the last sentence to: In 2019, (2 out of 8) haulers reported 267.7 tons of yard
waste was collected.
6D. 2020 Work Plan Ideas
Eckman reviewed the 2019 work plan (items complete and not yet complete) and engaged the
Commission to offer ideas for the 2020 work plan. The 2020 draft work plan must be approved by the
Commission by April to be considered by Council in May.
The Commission kept most unfinished items on the list and added new topics to consider:
• If accepted – Partners in Energy Program (Energy Action Plan)
o Add private buildings energy benchmarking
• Reducing chemicals - look into salt use on roads; products used on weeds
• Look into options for maintaining the sidewalks in the winter – residents help clear them?
• Reducing single use plastics and styrofoam
• Update on Emerald Ash Borer – Possibly have Tim Teynor come talk – part of Natural Resources
Management
• Downtown Redevelopment Study - Take opportunity to be a part of this planning process
• Climate Action Plan (GreenStep Cities as guide or separate plan?)
• Work with the Human Rights Commission on Climate Justice and Environmental Justice with a
speaker on climate change or promoting community gardens and local food production – possible
joint project and commission meeting.
6E. Program/Project Updates
• Staff recently met with the Garden Club and People for Pollinators group to share information
about the upcoming plans for 2020. Consistent with the MOU executed last fall, the City will be
promoting the Garden Club’s events and activities in a variety of ways in 2020. The Garden Club
website is https://gvgardenclub.com and the Facebook page is
https://www.facebook.com/Peopleforpollinatorsgoldenvalley/.
• The Board of Water and Soil Resources has a program called “Lawns to Legumes” that will
reimburse people to convert portions of their lawn to pollinator habitat. The link to the program
website is: https://bwsr.state.mn.us/l2l . The Metro Area is the highest priority for the program,
and the application deadline is February 28th, 2020.
6F. Council Updates
None
6G. Other Business
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City of Golden Valley Environmental Commission Regular Meeting
Jan 27, 2020 – 6:30 pm
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Bike/Ped Task Force has been dissolved. Bike/Ped will now fall under open space. Consider adding
bike/ped involvement to the work plan.
7.Adjournment
MOTION by Commissioner Ramlet, seconded by Commissioner Stremel to adjourn the meeting at
8:33pm and the motion carried.
ATTEST:
_________________________________ _________________________________________
Carrie Nelson, Administrative Assistant Scott Seys, Chair
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G:\Environmental Commission\Memos\Monarch Pledge & Bee City
Date: February 20, 2020
To: Environmental Commission
From: Eric Eckman, Environmental Resources Supervisor
Subject: Xcel Energy’s Partners In Energy community collaboration program
The City was formally accepted into the Partners In Energy program in February. Staff will
provide a brief update and schedule for the development of the energy action plan.
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G:\Environmental Commission\Memos
Date: February 20, 2020
To: Environmental Commission
From: Drew Chirpich, Environmental Specialist
Subject: MetroBlooms Workshop
The City of Golden Valley has been in touch with MetroBlooms about hosting a workshop at
Brookview Community Center this spring. The City has worked with MetroBlooms in the past,
hosting a Turf Alternatives Workshop in October 2018, and a Healthy Soils Workshop in Spring of
2019.
Last Winter the Commission agreed it was interested in continuing the arrangement with Metro
Blooms if the opportunity presented itself. The next workshop in the series is Creating Your
Resilient Yard (base cost $1,500) which includes a Q&A/group discussion after the presentation.
There is also a charge of $15 per person.
The description for the workshop is “A framework to understand the importance of resilience and
how it can be fostered in your yard through a variety of practices, including planting native plants
and how to install your own raingarden.”
The Commission is requested to discuss this opportunity and approve the scheduling of this
workshop, if acceptable.
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G:\Environmental Commission\Memos
Date: February 20, 2020
To: Environmental Commission
From: Eric Eckman, Environmental Resources Supervisor
Subject: 2020 Draft Work Plan
As stated in its bylaws, the Commission is required to develop an annual work plan for review and
approval by City Council. The draft work plan for 2020 is based on the City’s 2040 Comprehensive
Plan, GreenStep Cities Program, and the City’s participation in Xcel Energy’s Partners in Energy
Community Collaboration Program.
http://www.goldenvalleymn.gov/planning/comprehensiveplanupdate/
https://greenstep.pca.state.mn.us/best-practices
https://www.xcelenergy.com/working_with_us/municipalities/partners_in_energy
In January, the Commission reviewed the 2019 work plan and brought forth new ideas for
consideration in 2020. Attached is a list of the potential ideas for the 2020 work plan. Below is a
schedule for approval of the work plan.
February Review and prioritize draft work plan
March Review 2019 accomplishments and 2020 draft work plan document
April Commission approves work plan for Council review
May Council review and direction
Please come to the meeting prepared to discuss and prioritize the list of ideas.
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Draft 2020 Work Plan
Proposed work plan priorities are based on the City’s 2040 Comprehensive Plan, GreenStep Cities
Program, and the City’s participation in Xcel Energy’s Partners in Energy Community
Collaboration Program.
• Continue working on GreenStep Cities Step 5 metrics to address climate-related impacts,
improve the environment, and reduce energy consumption and costs.
• Xcel Energy’s Partners In Energy Program (help develop and implement the City’s Energy Action
Plan) including:
o Advance building performance
o Private building energy benchmarking
• Continue to explore options and make a recommendation on curbside organics collection;
assist in developing and implementing a new program.
• If awarded, work with MN GreenCorps Member in 2020-2021 to complete GreenStep Cities
actions related to Climate and Energy Action.
• Utilize the Commission’s $3,500 budget to:
o Administer a student essay competition
o Create an annual Environmental Citizen Award
o Host an educational workshop on sustainable yards and pollinator habitat
• Assist the City in hosting a zero-waste community event in 2020.
• Continue to assist in implementing the Natural Resources Management Plan.
o Explore the potential to revise City code to allow the temporary use of goats for
vegetation management on public and private properties.
o Provide update on Emerald Ash Borer Management.
o Support habitat restoration in the Pennsylvania Woods Nature Area in 2020-21 with
DNR Grant funds.
• Review City code with respect to wood burning and update as needed to protect and
maintain local air quality.
• Work with the Human Rights Commission on Climate Justice and Environmental Justice with a
speaker on resilience & climate adaptation, or promoting community gardens and local food
production – possible joint project and joint meetings.
• Reducing single use plastics and polystyrene containers
• Explore options for maintaining sidewalks in the winter
o Residents help clear them?
o Reducing use of salt/chlorides on pavements
• Downtown Redevelopment Study – engage in the planning process
• Develop a Climate Action Plan (separate from GreenStep Cities and PIE Energy Action Plan)
• Complete action items in the Pollinator Protection resolution
o Inventory and reduce the use of chemicals used on weeds
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G:\Environmental Commission\Memos
Date: February 20, 2020
To: Environmental Commission
From: Emma Pierson, MN GreenCorps Member
Subject: Curbside Organics Collection Options - Updated Pros-Cons
Staff will provide an update on the Curbside Organics Options Pro-Con matrix discussed at
January’s Commission meeting.
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Organized 'All-in, Everyone Pays' Program (Cart)
Pro Commission Priority Guiding Documents Con Commission Priority Guiding Documents
Increases
Participation i.e.
SLP High
HC SWMMP 2018- 2023 (Pg 15) - Larger participation with citywide contract
MSWPP 2016-2036 (pg 32)- Organized collection results in higher participation
Additional bin on
property High HC SWMMP 2018- 2023 (Pg 6)- Address barriers to cart storage
Lower cost w/
City wide
contract High
Additional city
staff, cost of city
staff Medium
Option for bin
tagging
w/education High HC SWMMP 2018- 2023 (Pg 15)- Comprehensive outreach plan
Resident must pay
regardless of
participation HC SWMMP 2018- 2023 (Pg 15) - Larger participation with citywide contract
City can manage
education w/
help from
Hennepin County High HC SWMMP 2018- 2023 (Pg 15)- Comprehensive outreach plan
Resident must
provide bags
Can reduce trash
bin size and save
money as waste
is diverted from
trash High
MSWPP 2016-2036 (Pg 32)- Cases show households can offset organics collection costs
by reducing trash bin sizes
Higher density
collection routes Low MSWPP 2016-2036 (Pg30)- Higher density routes needed for affordable service
Everyone pays
same fee
HC SWMMP 2018- 2023 (Pg 15) - Larger participation with citywide availability MSWPP
2016-2036 (pg 32)- Organized collection results in higher participation
Resident can use
certified
compostable
bags or paper
grocery bags
Consistent color
bins throughout
city
No negotiation
required for
residents
Cities that do this:
St Louis Park, Minneapolis, Edina (May), Richfield (RFP in 2019)
Cost ranges:
$2.96- $5.50/month per household
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Organized 'Opt-in' Program (Cart)
Pro
Commission
Priority Guiding Documents Con
Commission
Priority Guiding Documents
Optional - no
payment if
choosing not to
participate High
MSWPP 2016-2036 (Pg32)- Communities with subscribe and pay
systems have lower participation
HC SWMMP 2018- 2023 (Pg 15) - Larger participation with citywide
contract
Less participation
possible High
MSWPP 2016-2036 (Pg32)- Communities with subscribe and pay
systems have lower participation
HC SWMMP 2018- 2023 (Pg 15) - Larger participation with citywide
contract
Option for bin
tagging
w/education High HC SWMMP 2018- 2023 (Pg 15)- Comprehensive outreach plan
Additional bin to
property High HC SWMMP 2018- 2023 (Pg 6)- Address barriers to cart storage
Can reduce trash
bin size and save
money as waste
is diverted from
trash High
MSWPP 2016-2036 (Pg 32)- Cases show households can offset
organics collection costs by reducing trash bin sizes
Higher cost
possible w/ lower
participation High
Resident can use
certified
compostable
bags or paper
grocery bags
Resident must
provide bags
Cities that do this:
Robbinsdale, Fridley
Cost ranges:
$6-$11/month per household (In Fridley, the City funds a portion of the cost)
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License Requirement (Cart)
Pro Commission Priority Guiding Documents Con Commission Priority Guiding Documents
Optional - no
payment if choosing
not to participate High
MSWPP 2016-2036 (Pg32)- Communities with subscribe and pay
systems have lower participation
HC SWMMP 2018- 2023 (Pg 15) - Larger participation with citywide
contract
Less participation
possible High
MSWPP 2016-2036 (Pg32)- Communities with subscribe and pay
systems have lower participation
HC SWMMP 2018- 2023 (Pg 15) - Larger participation with citywide
contract
Option for bin
tagging w/
education High HC SWMMP 2018- 2023 (Pg 15)- Comprehensive outreach plan
No regulation or
consistency of
costs between
haulers High
Hauler is
responsible for
education High HC SWMMP 2018- 2023 (Pg 15)- Comprehensive outreach plan
Additional bin to
property High HC SWMMP 2018- 2023 (Pg 6)- Address barriers to cart storage
Can reduce trash bin
size and save money
as waste is diverted
from trash High
MSWPP 2016-2036 (Pg 32)- Cases show households can offset
organics collection costs by reducing trash bin sizes
Unknown amount
of added trucks to
each street High
Less city staff time
than organized
system Medium
City has less input
on education
provided High HC SWMMP 2018- 2023 (Pg 15)- Comprehensive outreach plan
Resident can use
certified
compostable bags or
paper grocery bags
Cities that do this:
N/A
Cost ranges:
Haulers estimated about $15-20/month per household
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License Requirement (Durable Bag Program, Co-collect)
Pro
Commission
Priority Guiding Documents Con
Commission
Priority Guiding Documents
No additional
bin on property High HC SWMMP 2018- 2023 (Pg 6)- Address barriers to cart storage
Less participation
possible High
MSWPP 2016-2036 (Pg32)- Communities with subscribe and pay
systems have lower participation
HC SWMMP 2018- 2023 (Pg 15) - Larger participation with citywide
contract
Optional - no
payment if
choosing not to
participate High
MSWPP 2016-2036 (Pg32)- Communities with subscribe and pay
systems have lower participation
HC SWMMP 2018- 2023 (Pg 15) - Larger participation with citywide
contract
Bin is not organics
specific, limited/no
opportunity for bin
tagging/education High HC SWMMP 2018- 2023 (Pg 15)- Comprehensive outreach plan
Hauler is
responsible for
education High HC SWMMP 2018- 2023 (Pg 15)- Comprehensive outreach plan
Takes up room in
trash bin; would not
decrease trash bin
size High
MSWPP 2016-2036 (Pg 32)- Cases show households can offset
organics collection costs by reducing trash bin sizes
No additional
trucks on streets High
City has less input on
education provided High HC SWMMP 2018- 2023 (Pg 15)- Comprehensive outreach plan
Less city staff
time than
organized
system Medium Restricted bag size
Durable bags
included in
program fee
(limited amount)
Mandated
unorganized durable
bag hauling could
provide capacity
overload for facilities
that accept and sort
bags
Cities that do this:
N/A
Cost ranges:
$5.83/month ($69.95/year) per household
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G:\Environmental Commission\Memos
Date: February 20, 2020
To: Environmental Commission
From: Emma Pierson, MN GreenCorps Member
Subject: Organics Recycling – Summary of Hauler Engagement
Staff will provide a summary of its meetings with haulers about Curbside Organics Collection.
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PROGRAM/PROJECT UPDATES – February 2020
NATURAL RESOURCES
Pennsylvania Woods DNR Habitat Grant – The City recently received confirmation that it was selected to receive a
habitat grant for areas of the Pennsylvania Woods Nature Area that are outside of the DeCola Ponds B and C Flood
Mitigation project boundaries. The project will involve the removal of buckthorn and other invasive species and the
planting and establishment of native vegetation. A request for quotes will be sent out in the coming months to select a
contractor to complete the work outlined in the project.
Lawns to Legumes- The Board of Water and Soil Resources has a program called “Lawns to Legumes” that will reimburse
people to convert portions of their lawn to pollinator habitat. The link to the program website is:
https://bwsr.state.mn.us/l2l . The Metro Area is the highest priority for the program, and the application deadline is
February 28th, 2020.
WATER RESOURCES
DeCola Ponds Flood Mitigation Projects - The DeCola Ponds B and C project is about 75% complete. The excavation and
utility work should finish up in March 2020, with trail construction in June 2020, and the City’s native vegetation
contractor seeding and planting trees, shrubs, and grasses starting in spring 2020.
The City and Bassett Creek Watershed are beginning to plan and study the next flood mitigation project areas. The
Wildwood Park/SEA School area has been identified as having potential for flood storage to benefit properties around
DeCola Ponds D, E, and F. A planning level study to understand opportunities and challenges and develop concepts is
programmed for this spring and will include engagement with the community and nearby stakeholders. The Isaacson
Park/Industrial Area is also being looked at for potential flood storage. The DNR is supportive of the projects in Golden
Valley and has requested flood damage reduction funding in the 2020 state bonding bill this legislative session. Look for
more information on this in the coming months.
EDUCATION
Student Essay Competition- Staff has been working on putting together an annual student essay competition. The
competition would be sponsored by the Environmental Commission, and prompts for the competition would center
around sustainability and the environment. The time for the release of the competition would be around Earth Day
(April 22, 2020).
ENERGY
2019
•Staff replaced the co-ray-vac heating systems in 2 of the Public Works Maintenance buildings that will improve
efficiency.
•Staff continued to replace Park shelter roofs with significantly more insulation value and insulated skylights that
should significantly lower the heating costs of these buildings. Only one shelter remains to be updated. Scheid
park shelter.
•Staff continues to replace interior lighting with LED bulbs when opportunities arise.
•A new LED scoreboard replaced the old traditional scoreboard at Isaacson Park.
2020
•Wesley Park is scheduled to retrofit all park exterior lighting (Parking & Trail lights, Hard surface Lights and
Skating rinks lights) with LED fixtures. The Tennis Court is scheduled to also get all new LED fixtures and poles.
•The Parks & Recreation Department in a partnership with Three Rivers Park District installed 28 Solar LED lights
on the winter recreation trail at Brookview Golf Course.
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PLANNING AND ZONING AND DEVELOPMENTS
Jan 24, 2020
800 Boone Ave North—A 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 was held on December 9 and then the item was tabled to the January 27 meeting.
Tobacco Sales Restrictions—A Zoning Text Amendment to restrict the sale of tobacco products based on nearby uses
was discussed at the January 13 meeting. Following recent City Council action to restrict the sale of flavored tobacco, to
raise the age of sales to 21, and to cap the number of City tobacco licenses, the Planning Commission began looking at
additional locational restrictions to prohibit tobacco sales within 750 feet of schools, parks, and other youth-oriented
centers. This will likely be sent to the City Council for a vote in late March.
Sweeney Lake Woods PUD No. 120—A Major PUD Amendment to subdivide properties within the existing PUD and
incorporate some portions of adjacent properties. The proposal would create two new single-family residential lots and
consolidate two others, resulting in a net increase of one buildable lot. A neighborhood meeting was held on October
16, 2019. A public hearing was postponed to February in order to allow for additional stormwater information to be
collected.
Added Feb 12, 2020 - A proposal has been received for an amendment to the Sweeney Lake Woods PUD which
would expand residential development on the northwest shore of Sweeny Lake by providing access for two additional
lots. Two platted lots would be combined for a net increase in one buildable lot. A wetland near the lake would be
preserved and a new basin would be created to treat water from the area before it flows into Sweeney Lake. This will be
evaluated by the Planning Commission on February 24.
2040 Comprehensive Plan—The City’s Comprehensive Plan was approved by the Metropolitan Council on January 22. It
will now be brought back to the City Council for formal adoption on February 4. Implementation of all of the various
aspects of the plan will then be able to move forward.
I-394 Mixed Use Property Rezonings—With the 2040 Comprehensive Plan moving towards adoption, the City must
bring its zoning into conformance with the approved land use plan. One initial step is rezoning properties designated I-
394 Mixed Use to either Mixed Use, Commercial, Office, or High Density Residential. The Planning Commission
recommended approval of the rezonings (6-0) at their meeting on December 9. A public hearings for these properties
are scheduled for the February 18 meeting.
Narrow Lots—A public forum on narrow lots was held on January 16 at City Hall. Roughly 50 residents attended and
took part in small group discussions and a large group conversation. A recording of the event can be viewed on the City’s
website. Input collected at the forum will be shared with the Planning Commission on January 27. The ongoing online
survey will conclude on January 31, at which time staff will compile a community engagement report. Throughout
February the Planning Commission will discuss possible revisions to the City’s zoning text in hopes of sending
recommendations for code amendments to the City Council in March.
Downtown Study—HKGi presented the Phase II Interim Report to the City Council on January 21. The report and a copy
of the presentation are posted on the City website. Phase III of the study, which will look at staging and implementation,
including financial tools, will commence in the next few months with completion targeted before the end of the year.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Additional information about current development projects may be found on the City website.
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