6-21-23 EC Agenda and Packet
AGENDA
CHANHASSEN ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 2023
FOUNTAIN CONFERENCE ROOM, 7700 MARKET BOULEVARD
6:00 P.M. CALL TO ORDER - MEETING AT EAST WATER TREAMENT PLANT
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Approval of May 10, 2023 Environmental Commission Minutes
VISITOR PRESENTATIONS
Tour of East Water Treatment Plant
DISCUSSION ITEMS
Environmental Academy planning follow-up - note August date change
July 3rd Fair Trade event planning
Discuss updates to the Chanhassen Connection
Plan promotions for Plastic Free July
Youth Commissioner update
2023 Environmental Commissions Conference recap  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2023-
environment-commissions-conference-tickets-602736108927
COMMISSION PRESENTATIONS
ADJOURNMENT
UPCOMING ITEMS AND EVENTS
1
Environmental Commission Item
June 21, 2023
Item Approval of May 10, 2023 Environmental Commission Minutes
File No.Item No:
Agenda Section APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Prepared By Matt Unmacht, Assistant City Manager
Reviewed By
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approval
Motion Type Simple Majority Vote of members present
Strategic
Priority N/A
SUMMARY
BACKGROUND
DISCUSSION
BUDGET
RECOMMENDATION
ATTACHMENTS
Environmental Commission Minutes dated May 10, 2023
2
1
Chanhassen Environmental Commission (EC)
Chanhassen City Hall, Fountain Conference Room
6:00 pm
May 10, 2023
Members Present: Kristin Fulkerson, Leslie Elhadi, Greg Hawks, Kaisa Buckholz, Scot Lacek, Julia
Adams, Scott Grefe, Billy Cripe
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: Matt Unmacht, Assistant City Manager, Jamie Marsh, GreenCorps Intern
Visitors: None
Minutes
April minutes were approved.
Arbor Day Summary
The day was fun with a good turnout and people learned about how deep the roots needed to be planted.
The volunteers came prepared with gloves and shovels. Manuel Jordan gave a great presentation for the
group.
Environmental Academy Planning
A communications plan needs to be started for staff. Jamie has talked to Carver County Environmental
Center, and Thursday, September 21, 2023, works for them to give a presentation and give a tour. They
can host 20 people maximum.
“What’s Wrong with my Tree” presentation could be given. The suggestion was given for the
presentation to be recorded or live-streamed for a larger audience. The presentation location should be
decided by the person giving the talk. Matt will reach out to Jill Sinclair and Manuel Jordan to see if
they are interested in giving the presentation. A suggestion of a “bug bounty” could be given as an
incentive for finding a problem tree. Participant feedback could be gathered to find out what residents
would like to see for future programs. No fee will be charged for the Academy.
Communications about the academy will start May 17. Posters, webpage posts, social media posts, and
Chan-Happenings will all be utilized to advertise the Academy. Polimorphic software could be used to
create a sign-up for the academy. Matt will work with city staff to create a sign-up form. A QR code
would be added to the poster to be able to get more information and sign up. It was suggested that staff
produce a short video for a social post regarding the academy and Matt will discuss that possibility with
communications staff. City staff will be at each academy session to take photographs.
3
2
Matt will reach out to Plymouth to find out about their academies and get any suggestions from their
staff.
July 3rd Trade Fair Planning
An article discussing environmentally friendly gardening and composting was discussed. Examples from
the article were: planting certain kinds of plants together in the garden, succession blooms, composting,
etc. A discussion was had about giving a composting bin away as a prize. Possible games were
discussed, such as Stump the Chump (having an expert available to answer questions), Match the
Pollinator to the Plant, what would be good garden compost, etc. Keeping organics out of the landfill
could be a push for composting.
If a compost bin can be acquired, residents can take a composting quiz, if you get a certain number of
questions correct, you can enter the raffle to win a compost bin. Pictures of plants and pictures of
pollinators and you would match them together. Kaisa will work on the pollinator quiz and Billy will
contact the Arboretum.
Plans will be made to finalize the July 3rd Trade Fair table during the June Environmental Commission
meeting.
Commission Presentations:
Kevin Zahler – Master Water Steward works ways for filtering water. There are grants for people to put
buffers near the shore.
Watershed meeting update: Permits & clerical issues were discussed. There will be a Minnesota
Watershed Summer Tour on June 20 & 21 in Albert Lea.
Other Discussion Items:
Stormwater pond management was discussed. There are surveys done of ¼ of the city ponds every year
and they are ranked yearly to help develop a plan to keep them maintained. If residents have questions
about storm ponds, they should contact the city.
June meeting – will be on June 21 at East Water Treatment Plant at 6 pm.
The State Environmental Commission Regional Meeting will be at Ridgedale on May 20, 2023, from 9-
12:30.
The Fall Trivia event could be moved to November.
Environmental Commission could adopt a drain. This will be put on a future agenda to discuss.
4
3
There is a Garlic Mustard Removal event on May 20 that Jamie will be running at Lake Ann. She is also
planning a volunteer program to assist with a tree inventory at parks within the city. The inventory helps
determine tree condition, and the diameter of the tree is measured. The inventory will start in June.
Meeting adjourned at 7:17 pm
Minutes prepared by Jenny Potter
5
Environmental Commission Item
June 21, 2023
Item Discuss updates to the Chanhassen Connection
File No.Item No:
Agenda Section DISCUSSION ITEMS
Prepared By Matt Unmacht, Assistant City Manager
Reviewed By
SUGGESTED ACTION
N/A
Motion Type N/A
Strategic
Priority N/A
SUMMARY
BACKGROUND
DISCUSSION
BUDGET
RECOMMENDATION
ATTACHMENTS
How the City Communicates
6
How The City COMMUNICATES
The city utilizes a variety of both traditional and nontraditional communication tools to reach its many
stakeholders – including residents, business owners, developers, and others. The city provides various
tools that we publish and takes pride in knowing that a multitude of communications is readily
available to everyone’s disposal. This allows everyone to find the information they need, when they
need it. Subscribe to an eNewsletter, visit our Facebook page, or check out the city website.
PRINT PUBLICATIONS
• The Connection
• Postcards
• Letters
DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS
• www.ChanhassenMN.gov: The city’s website which
includes different spotlights, news items, and all
updated city information.
• Lobby TVs: Digital ads located at City Hall.
ADVERTISING AND PUBLIC RELATIONS
• Radio/Print Ads
• Videography and PSAs
• Press Releases
• Partner Outreach
IN PERSON
• Commission Meetings: Commission meetings are open
to the public to share input and learn about what’s
going on city-wide.
• City Council Meetings: Council meetings are open to
the public.
• City Hall: Stop by City Hall to talk with a staff member.
• Fire Department Outreach: The Fire Department hosts
and annual open house and various outreach events
for the public.
SIGNAGE
• Light Pole Banners & Flags
• Event Banners
• Large Event Posters: Posters are hung on various
streets and other locations across the city.
• LED Sign: This sign is located at the library, across
from City Hall.
SOCIAL MEDIA
• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• City Page
• Parks and Recreations
Page
• Twitter
• Instagram
• YouTube
eNEWSLETTERS
• Chan-Happenings: Weekly
city-focused news.
• Message from the Mayor:
Timely general resident
updates.
• Parks and Recreation:
Monthly information about
programming, events, and
park updates.
• Projects Updates: Looking for
project updates? Sign-up for
city-wide project updates.
• Council & Commission
Meeting Packets: Receive
an agenda and packet ahead
of every City Council and
Commission meeting.
• Emergency Alerts
Sign-up for an eNewsletter or
Follow us on Social Media!
ChanhassenMN.gov7
8
Environmental Commission Item
June 21, 2023
Item Youth Commissioner update
File No.Item No:
Agenda Section DISCUSSION ITEMS
Prepared By Matt Unmacht, Assistant City Manager
Reviewed By
SUGGESTED ACTION
N/A
The advertisement for the Youth Commissioner will go live on July 1st. Applications will be
accepted through July 31st. Interviews are tentatively scheduled with City Council on August 14th,
and appointed by Council on August 28th. The Youth Commissioners term will start in September.
If you know anyone interested in serving on the Environmental Commission as our Youth
Commission, please encourage them to apply!
Motion Type N/A
Strategic
Priority N/A
SUMMARY
BACKGROUND
DISCUSSION
BUDGET
9
RECOMMENDATION
ATTACHMENTS
10
Environmental Commission Item
June 21, 2023
Item
2023 Environmental Commissions Conference recap
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2023-environment-commissions-conference-
tickets-602736108927
File No.Item No:
Agenda
Section DISCUSSION ITEMS
Prepared By Matt Unmacht, Assistant City Manager
Reviewed By
SUGGESTED ACTION
N/A
Motion Type
Strategic
Priority
SUMMARY
BACKGROUND
DISCUSSION
BUDGET
RECOMMENDATION
11
ATTACHMENTS
12