1c. 2008 Environmental Excellence Awards
CITY OF
CHANHASSEN
7700 Market Boulevard
PO Box 147
Chanhassen, MN 55317
Administration
Phone: 952.227,1100
Fax: 952.227.1110
Building Inspections
Phone: 952.227,1180
Fax: 952,227.1190
Engineering
Phone: 952.227.1160
Fax: 952,227.1170
Finance
Phone: 952.227.1140
Fax: 952,227.1110
Park & Recreation
Phone: 952.227.1120
Fax: 952,227.1110
Recreation Center
2310 Coulter Boulevard
Phone: 952.227,1400
Fax: 952.227.1404
Planning &
Natural Resources
Phone: 952,227.1130
Fax: 952.227.1110
Public Works
1591 Park Road
Phone: 952,227.1300
Fax: 952.227,1310
Senior Center
Phone: 952.227.1125
Fax: 952.227.1110
Web Site
www.ci.chanhassen.mn.us
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MEMORANDUM
TO: Todd Gerhardt, City Manager
FROM:
Jill Sinclair, Environmental Resources Specialist
November 24, 2008 ~~'
DATE:
SUBJ:
2008 Environmental Excellence Awards
PROPOSED MOTION:
'The Chanhassen City Council approves the following nominees for the 2008
Environmental Excellence A wards to be presented at the December 8, 2008 City
Council Meeting:
. Lake Riley Woods neighborhood
. Mary Borns"
City Council approval requires a majority of City Council present.
DISCUSSION
Environmental Excellence Awards are given by the City of Chanhassen to
recognize environmental improvements and encourage environmental stewardship
throughout the community. These awards are designed not only to recognize
achievement, but also to communicate new ideas and help educate the members
of the Chanhassen community. For 2008, two nominees have been recommended
by the Environmental Commission.
This summer the Lake Riley Woods neighborhood installed six large rain gardens
in the right-of-way along Foxford Road. This project was implemented because
the neighborhood was experiencing a large amount of stormwater runoff that was
causing erosion issues downstream and eventually draining into Lake Riley,
bringing with it sediment, nutrients, and other pollutants. With the rain gardens in
place, the stormwater runoff will be captured and filtered before entering Lake
Riley. The rain gardens were planted in the spring by neighborhood residents,
many of whom volunteered even though they were not able to have a rain garden
installed on their own property. The large amountof neighborhood volunteers, as
well as their enthusiasm and participation in the planning process, allowed the
project to be installed quickly and successfully.
Chanhassen is a Community for Life - Providing for Today and Planning for Tomorrow
Todd Gerhardt
2008 Environmental Excellence A wards
November 24, 2008
Page 2 of 2
Mary Borns has been active in the Riley-Purgatory-Bluff Creek Watershed District (RPBCWD)
citizen advisory committee. Over the past year, Mary has taken her own time and resources to
meet and educate residents within the Laredo Drive reconstruction area about the benefits of rain
gardens. Through her efforts, she has compiled a list of residents who would be amenable to
installing rain gardens on their property to help the City of Chanhassen address stormwater
runoff in the Lotus Lake Watershed. This list is intended to be used by the City of Chanhassen
to work cooperatively with the RPBCWD to install low impact development features throughout
the Laredo Drive area. In addition to her work with the rain gardens, Mary has worked with
other Lake Associations to coordinate carp harvesting from area lakes.
The award presentation is scheduled for the December 8th City Council meeting.
RECOMMENDA TION
The Environmental Commission recommends the following awards for the recipients:
Chanhassen Gift Certificate - Lake Riley Woods Neighborhood
Chanhassen Gift Certificate - Mary Borns
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