2022-03-28 EC Minutes7800 Golden Valley Road I Golden Valley, MN 55427 city 0�
763-593-80271 TTY 763-593-39681 763-593-8198 (fax) I www.goldenvalleymn.gov golden
valley
Environmental Commission
March 28, 2022 — 6:30 pm
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Remote Attendance: Members of the public may attend th3is meeting via Webex by calling 1-415-
655-0001 and entering access code 1773 93 4642.
Questions/Comments: Members of the public who have questions about the commission or any
items on the agenda should contact the staff commission liaison — Eric Eckman, Environmental
Resources Supervisor, eeckman@goldenvalleymn.gov, 763-593-8084.
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by Chair Weirich at 6:30 pm.
2. Roll Call
Commissioners present: Scott Seys, Wendy Weirich, Tonia Galonska, Dawn Hill, Debra Yahle, Felix
Fettig, Rachel Zuraff
Commissioners absent: Shannon Hansen, Jim Stremel
Council Members present: None
Staff present: Eric Eckman, Environmental Resources Supervisor;
Carrie Nelson, Administrative Assistant.
3. New Member Rachel Zuraff
4. Approval of Agenda
MOTION by Commissioner Hill, seconded by Commissioner Seys to approve the agenda for March 28,
2022 and the motion carried.
5. Approval of February 28, 2022 Regular Meeting Minutes
MOTION by Commissioner Fettig, seconded by Commissioner Galonska to approve the minutes of
February 28, 2022 as submitted and the motion carried.
6. Old Business
A. Recycling and Organics Update
i. GV is at approximately 30% participation — about 2,100 households out of 6,976 put
their bin out at least once between Feb 4 — Mar 4. It's expected to rise when the
snowbirds return and when the weather is warmer.
ii. A formal participation study will be done in October.
iii. The Republic Services Customer Service Number & E-Mail will be available throughout
the length of the contract. There is an App in development.
iv. Trucks will have tablets in them so contamination can be tagged right away when seen.
This document is available in alternate formats upon a 72-hour request. Please call
763-593-8006 (TfY: 763-593-3968) to make a request. Examples of alternate formats
may include large print, electronic, Braille, audiocassette, etc. 8,
City of Golden Valley Environmentali Regular
March ♦, 2022 _ _ 6i
B. Environmental Justice Collaboration
i. Discussed upcoming forum and updating the green infrastructure prioritization maps.
ii. Building and Equitable Golden Valley Community Forum is schedule for May 19, 6:00-
7:30. It will include topics of race, diversity, equity, and more. Discussion panelists
feature a mix of City staff, councilmembers, commissioners, community members, and
special guests.
C. Energy Recognition Program
i. Ethan and communications staff working on this.
ii. Name will be "Energy Hero" and will include GV or Golden Valley in front of it when
applicable.
iii. We can list businesses on the website who have been recognized, but can't promote
them.
iv. There is no official launch date, but we hope to have something in place by May 4. This
is the 1-year anniversary of the adoption of the Energy Action Plan.
D. 2022 Work Plan
MOTION by Commissioner Hill, seconded by Commissioner Yahle to approve the 2022 Work
Plan as amended at the meeting and the motion carried. Amendments are as follows:
i. 2021 Accomplishments
1. Call out what the EC did vs what staff did?
2. Make the use of periods after bullet points more consistent.
ii. 2022 Work Plan
1. Recycling & Organics
1. Wait until current 5-yr recycling contract is close to expiring and then look
into organized trash hauling.
2. Change the word 'in' to 'within' before Hennepin County in the 2nd bullet
point.
2. Energy Action
1. Add the word 'solar' in parenthesis after clean, renewable energy
3. Environmental Justice
1. 'Consider' drafting an Environmental Justice resolution.
4. Community Outreach
1. Add 'and best practices for yards and gardens' to the end of the 3rd bullet
point.
2. Delete the last bullet point —'explore and develop a partnership with
local schools...'
3. Add a bullet point for Arbor Day and Earth Day activities.
5. Transportation
1. Add Hwy 55 and Douglas Dr Underpass.
2. Add BRT Corridor Study.
City of Golden Valley Environmenta� Commission Regular Meeting 3
March 28, 2022 — 6:30 pm
7. New Business
A. EV Charging Infrastructure
i. Staff presented an opportunity for a no risk, no cost program to increase number of EV
Charging stations in GV using 3rd party consultant.
ii. Install near parks, community centers, government buildings, and other gathering spaces
with parking lots. Discussed potential locations identified by staff.
iii. City will receive income through a monthly license fee for the parking spaces and
revenue sharing if the use of charges reaches a certain level.
iv. This program also offers no cost electric vehicles to the City, with an option to purchase
them after 5 years.
v. The program typically lasts 10 years with options to extend another 5 or 10.
vi. City can request as many charging stations as they choose.
vii. Could these be powered using solar and wind?
B. Program/Project Updates
I. Could the EC have a look at major projects earlier on?
C. Council Updates
i. None
D. Other Business
2022 City Property Inventory —the parcels identified for development of affordable
housing aren't the properties preserved for open space. Commissioners made note that
development of affordable housing should not occur in areas where there might be a
concern about noise, air quality, flooding, inadequate tree cover or other environmental
factors.
8. Adjournment
MOTION by Commissioner Galonska, seconded by Commissioner Seys to adjourn the meeting at
8:47 pm and the motion carried.
ATTEST:
Currie Nelson, Administrative Assistant Wendy Weiric1li, Chair