03-12-25 MINChanhassen Environmental Commission (EC)
6:00 pm
March 12, 2025
Members Present: Scott Grefe, Leslie Elhadi, Billy Cripe, Paget Pengelly, John Stutzman,
Sidney Lindmark
Members Absent: Kaisa Buckholz, Wren Roemer
Staff Present: Jamie Marsh, Environmental Resource Specialist
Visitors: Glenn Stolar
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 6:03 p.m.
Minutes
Commissioner Elhadi moved to approve the meeting minutes dated January 8, 2025 with
clarifying edits; Commissioner Cripe seconded. The minutes were approved with a 6-0 vote.
After the minutes were approved, introductions were made to audience member Glenn Stolar,
who will be joining the Environmental Commission in April. He shared he used to be on the Park
& Recreation Commission and has recently served on the board for the Arboretum.
Discussion Items
1. Trivia Night Follow-Up
The recent trivia night was held at Hackamore Brewing Company. Ideas for the next event
included an additional monitor for viewing the questions and scheduling a different weeknight
since Friday is already a busy night. Based on participant feedback the commissioners plan to
review the questions as a group for style and difficulty.
The commissioners discussed different ideas for sharing the questions and submitting answers.
Group meetings and trivia apps could work and help reduce paper, but phones aren’t allowed
during trivia events. Attendees enjoyed the options for prizes. Overall, the event was a success.
They tentatively decided on the next trivia night in October, with Commissioner Cripe looking
into possible dates. The topic will be revisited in June.
2. Environmental Academy
The Commissioners discussed the Environmental Academy. Discussion included the possibility of
partnering with Carver County and how many sessions to hold.
Ms. Marsh will reach out to Camp Fire MN to schedule a nature walk in early September, potentially for
the first event of the academy.
Commissioners brainstormed more ideas for the series. Ideas included partnering with a county park,
winery, or the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. They discussed learning from a master gardener about
developing apple varietals. Within Chanhassen, Lake Ann Park Preserve and the community gardens
were proposed as outdoor locations. The Great River Greening project with biochar and controlling
invasive species could be a possible topic.
Ms. Marsh will reach out to the county to discuss continuing partnering for the Environmental Academy
events. The commissioners will revisit the Academy topics to narrow down the ideas and set dates for the
events in September and October. The plan is to finalize locations, dates, and topics by the July meeting.
3. Arbor Day Activities
The Arbor Day event will be held on Saturday, May 3 at 9 a.m. and the park is tentatively planned for
Roundhouse Park. During the event, 22 trees will be planted. The commissioners discussed the various
ways the event is advertised. They discussed some other possible places where they could recruit
volunteers if needed. They discussed introducing the species and having a frisbee stump toss game and
refreshments. The planting depth and method will be taught at the event.
4. July 3rd Trade Fair Planning
The Environmental Commissioners are interested in hosting a table again this summer. They
agreed that an engaging activity with limited areas of discussion to maximize the impact. The
commissioners would like to get a spinning wheel that could be used for an interactive trivia
question with prizes, which would be easy to reuse at many events. Prizes could include candy,
seed packets, and LED lightbulbs. The table could be used to promote the Environmental
Academy.
Commission Presentations
Commissioner Pengelly discussed a proposed bill at the state level that would remove the
pollinator account that provides grants for converting to pollinator yards. Ms. Marsh will look
into policy regarding sending a letter to oppose the bill from the commission. If not,
commissioners are welcome to send letters as constituents to oppose the bill.
Commissioner Lindmark shared that Carver County has issued a PowerPoint to stakeholders
about the county programs.
Commissioner Grefe attended the Park and Recreation Commission meeting. Great River
Greening presented about the biochar program and the invasive species mitigation—in particular
buckthorn. It will be a project that lasts over several years. There could be some community
events during that time. The commissioners thought this could be an opportunity for the
Environmental Academy.
Upcoming Items and Events
1. Residential Tree Sale
The tree sale opens to Chanhassen residents on March 17. The tree sale will be subsidized by the
city this year. The bareroot trees will range from five to ten feet tall, depending on which of the
seven available species that tree is. The tree pickup is in May, and she asked for volunteers for
those days to help.
Commissioner Lindmark will volunteer at the pick-up on Friday, and Commissioner Elhadi will
volunteer on Saturday.
The commissioners discussed the variety of trees being offered.
Adjournment
Commissioner Cripe moved to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Elhadi seconded. The motion
carried 6-0 and Chair Grefe adjourned at 7:35 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Amy Weidman, Senior Administrative Support Specialist
Minutes Submitted by Jamie Marsh, Environmental Resource Specialist