1c. Minnesota GreenCorps Support Resolution
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
DATE:
August 10, 2009
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SUBJ:
Minnesota GreenCorps Support Resolution
PROPOSED MOTION:
The City Council approves the attached resolution in support of hosting a
GreenCorps member at the city from September 2009 until July 2010.
Approval requires a simple majority vote of the City Council.
BACKGROUND
Currently there is an opportunity for local governments to apply to host a
GreenCorps member through the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA).
The GreenCorps program is part of the national AmeriCorps program that
provides service programs to meet critical needs in education, public safety,
health and the environment. The MN GreenCorps focuses its service work
exclusively in the environmental field.
The MN GreenCorps program offers service work in 5 areas: Local Government
Energy Conservation Specialist, School Waste Prevention Specialist, Living
Green Outreach Specialist, Local Food System Specialist, and Urban Forestry
Specialist. Organizations can apply to host two members, each serving in one
specific area. The City of Chanhassen has prepared an application requesting one
GreenCorps member to work in the urban forestry field.
The program will select 9 sites as host organizations with preferably 2
GreenCorps members at each site. The sites will be selected by the end of August
and the members will begin their projects in September.
The MPCA will provide the GreenCorps members with a stipend, basic training
in their project areas, reimbursement for expenditures, and benefits. The selected
host sites are responsible for providing professional supervision, office space and
supplies, necessary training, ongoing reporting to the MPCA and measurable
outcomes.
Chanhassen is a Community for life - Providing for Today and Planning for Tomorrow
Mr. Todd Gerhardt
August 10, 2009
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If selected, the assigned MN GreenCorps member would complete a city tree
inventory that would include boulevard and park trees. A tree inventory is the
systematic gathering of information about the urban forest and organizing into
usable data. The inventory would collect data not only on location and species,
but also health, size, maintenance needs and available planting spaces. With a
completed inventory the city can determine the level of management needed,
document the value of city trees, and analyze weaknesses and needs as well as
provide information for public outreach.
RECOMMENDA TION
Staff recommends that the City proceed with applying for a MN GreenCorps
member to complete a city-wide tree inventory and approve the attached
resolution.
ATTACHMENTS
1. MN GreenCorps Resolution
2. MN GreenCorps program information
CITY OF CHANHASSEN
CARVER AND HENNEPIN COUNTIES, MINNESOTA
DATE:
RESOLUTION NO:
2009-
MOTION BY:
SECONDED BY:
A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF HOSTING AN MPCA GREENCORPS MEMBER
FOR COMPLETION OF A CITY TREE INVENTORY
WHEREAS, local governments have the opportunity to apply to host a GreenCorps
member through the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA); and
WHEREAS, the program will select nine sites as host organizations to provide service
programs to meet critical needs in education, public safety, health, and environment; and
WHEREAS, the City of Chanhassen has prepared an application requesting a
GreenCorps member to work in the urban forestry field to complete a city tree inventory that
would include boulevard and park trees.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE CHANHASSEN CITY
COUNCIL hereby supports the application for Chanhassen to be a host community for a
Minnesota GreenCorps member during the period of September 2009 through July 2010.
Passed and adopted by the Chanhassen City Council this 10th day of August, 2009.
ATTEST:
Todd Gerhardt, City Manager
Thomas A. Furlong, Mayor
YES
NO
ABSENT
AMERICORPS Your world. Your chance to make it better.
MINNESOTA GREENCORPS
Minnesota GreenCorps is a statewide initiative to help preserve and protect Minnesota's
environment while training a new generation of environmental professionals.
Minnesota GreenCorps is a new program, coordinated by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
(MPCA), starting in September 2009. It was initiated in response to a variety of statewide needs:,
aiming to
. Respond to higher energy costs by local governments
. Assist community members to take eco friendly actions
. Reduce greenhouse gases and other air pollutants
. Transition to a green economy
. Train new environmental professionals
Minnesota GreenCorps is a statewide program that is designed to include in its fjrst year 18 full-time
members supported and deployed by the MPCA. Working in a strategic first-year partnership with
University of Minnesota - Morris (UMM), 4 part-time members will also be hosted at UMM's campus.
Eligible host sites include local governments, school districts, educational institutions and nonprofit
organizations. For-profit entities are not eligible to serve as host sites. Approximately 9 host sites will
be selected to participate in this program for 2009 - 2010. Placement will be from September 2009
through July 2010. Typically, teams of two Minnesota GreenCorps members will be placed at a host
site. Members will carry out one of five specific projects as outlined in this document.
This program is funded through a grant from the Corporation for National and Community Service as
well as through ServeMinnesota.
This manual is designed to provide prospective host sites with more information about the Minnesota
GreenCorps program, and to provide guidance for those communities who would like to apply to
become a Minnesota GreenCorps host site.
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