08-01-96 Minutes
CHANHASSEN ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
August 1, 1996
Meeting called to order by Uli Sacchet at 7:15 p.m., after picture for Villager story was taken.
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Greg Havlik, Susan Morgan, Susan Markert, Maureen Farrell, Bill
Coldwell, and Uli Sacchet.
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Andrew Leith, Charlie Eiler, and Susan Wright
STAFF PRESENT:
Jill Sinclair, Environmental Resources Coordinator
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
After a brief discussion Maureen Farrell motioned to approve
Commission minutes for July 11, 1996. Sue Morgan seconded and the minutes were approved
unanimously.
ARTICLES FOR VILLAGER:
The Commission will promote environmental education in the
city by publishing articles on various topics in the local newspaper throughout the year. Topics
would attempt to be seasonal in order to generate the most interest from readers. One article
would be submitted by the Commission each month. A tentative list of topics and authors was
made:
Algae/Storm drainage ponds - Sue Morgan
Milfoil in city lakes - Bill Coldwell
Deer Issues - Greg Havlik
Community Garden/Garden Club - Maureen Farrell
Farmer’s Market - Sue Markert
Native/appropriate landscaping species for Chan. - (Bill/Greg/Charlie?)
Composting
Water Quality - (Andy?)
Recycling
Uli volunteered to help with any recycling or composting articles. He stated that these articles
will be a start for the Commission’s educational goals adding the at other forms will also be used,
such as public speaking.
Bill thought that using established community events to promote environmental issues would be
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more efficient and effective than initiating individual programs. Involvement in Arbor Day or 4
of July 1997 would be an excellent start.
POLICY MAKING BY THE COMMISSION:
The commission will invite input into issues
that require policy formation, but will no actively seek outside opinion. It was the consensus that
public hearings at the City Council meetings will accomplish the necessary forum for any outside
public opinions. The Commission will be open to comments, but will make the best decisions
possible regarding issues with or without public comments. Examples of city policy will be
Environmental Commission Minutes
August 1, 1996
Page 2
included in the next packet sent to Commissioners. The first issue to require a policy decision will
be algae control on storm drainage ponds. This will be the focus of the September meeting. It
was decided the Commission first be educated by Sue Morgan’s research and then discuss policy
formation. For many issues the procedure for dealing with them will likely follow this pattern:
articles for paper > policy formation > development of educational materials (brochures, etc.). It
was agreed by the Commission that it is important to get residents excited and interested in issues
in order to have any success in dealing with the problems.
GENERAL DISCUSSION
: Agenda item for next month’s meeting will include a presentation
by Sue Morgan on algae and storm drainage ponds, discussion of policy formation for that issue,
finalize Villager topics, discuss involvement with area schools.
Sue Morgan moved to adjourn. Greg Havlik seconded.
Meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m.
Prepared and Submitted by Jill Sinclair