1h. Environmental Commission Minutes November 7, 1996.1
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CHANHASSEN ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
November 7,1996
Meeting called to order by Uli Sacchet at 7:20 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Susan Markert, Andrew Leith, Susan Morgan, Maureen Farrell, Bill
Coldwell, Uli Sacchet
MEMBERS ABSENT: Greg Havlik, Charlie Eiler, and Susan Wright
STAFF PRESENT Jill Sinclair, Environmental Resources Coordinator
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Bill Coldwell motioned to approve Commission minutes from
September 5, 1996. Andy Leith seconded and the minutes were approved unanimously.
REVIEW OF PROPOSED ORDINANCE: Dr. Leith reviewed the ordinance, which he had
not seen previously, and approved the draft. Maureen Farrell asked about the use of copper
sulfate. The Commission believed that even though the DNR permits its use in lakes for algae
control, it would still be a prohibited chemical in stormwater ponds. Dr. Leith suggested that the
city is pro -algae and should think of changing the city's logo to include some filamentous algae.
All was said as a joke. As stated at the previous meeting, item #4 will be added to the ordinance
with a slight change. It states "One time public notification in the city newsletter is required
within two weeks prior to treatment." It was decided by the Commission that the ordinance
should be sent to the City Council.
UPDATE ON ALGAE BROCHURE: Sue Morgan showed the Commission text for the
proposed brochure on algae treatment in ponds. Most text was taken from the article that was
published in the Villager. The text is ready to by typeset by city staff. Resources listed in the
brochure include Jill, Phil, Arboretum, and DNR. Mr. Coldwell suggested titles be listed instead
of individuals to keep the brochure from becoming out -of -date. Ms. Morgan decides against
specific references of commercial products or resources. Mr. Sacchet suggested changing a
section of the brochure that referred to "water residence" to more common terms. Ms. Morgan
was commended on her excellent work on the brochure.
FUTURE PLANS, EVENTS, IDEAS Ms. Sinclair asked the Commission to participate in the
event planning for Earth Day, Arbor Day, and/or Park Pride Day. Ms. Morgan shared with the
Commission an article about the MN Aquatics Program run by the DNR. She suggested that
Chanhassen could host a program next summer, perhaps in conjunction with an event. She will
call the DNR to find out about scheduling. Options for events include one day events, week long
activities, or ? Ms. Farrell thought we should involve schools. Ms. Morgan suggested we have a
liaison to the schools and that it might be Maureen. General consensus was that Arbor Day be
celebrated on Saturday and focus on kids. Earth Day will also be celebrated and focused on
adults and families.
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Environmental Commission Minutes
August 1, 1996
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Ideas for Arbor Day activities included: Tree Photography Contest, Pictures of the City with and
without trees, `Dress like a Tree' contest, children's coloring books. '
Ideas for Earth Day included: Asking the Carver Cty. HHW van to set up in downtown for a
collection day, developing and distributing a recycling guide for the city. ,
More brainstorming and ideas will be heard at the December meeting.
REVIEW OF ARTICLES FOR VILLAGER: Mr. Coldwell's article on milfoil will be '
reviewed by the Commissioners and comments will be returned to him by Saturday, November 9.
The article will be submitted to the paper the week of the 111h . Dr. Leith will write a water '
quality article. Greg Havlik will prepare an article on deer control. Organization of upcoming
articles will be discussed at the December meeting.
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GENERAL DISCUSSION Ms. Sinclair asked the co mmission to consider meeting twice
monthly beginning in January. She also shared radon information she had learned at a
conference she had attended last week. Radon test kits were given to commissioners interested '
in testing their homes.
Meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m. '
Prepared and Submitted by Jill Sinclair
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Environmental Commission Agenda
Thursday, December 5, 1996 at 7:00 p.m.
City Hall Council Chambers
690 Coulter Drive
1. Approval of Minutes.
2. Visitor Presentation: Marcus Zbinden, Carver County Environmental Services.
Proposed Carver County Recycling Center to be located in Chaska.
3. Visitor Presentation: Craig Anderson, Buchen Environmental Services, Inc.,
Introduction to upcoming city program for sump pump inspections and invitation
to assist in program.
4. Update from city staff on ordinance review by City Council.
5. Update and review of brochure on algae treatment.
6. Event planning for Arbor Day, Earth Day, Park Pride Day.
7. Outline of upcoming articles for the Villager.
8. Discussion of twice monthly meetings starting in January.
9. Discuss inclusion of Environmental Commission in city's web site.
10. General Discussion.
11. Adjournment.