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1d. Approval of Nominations for 2011 Environmental Excellence Awards0 CITY OF CAANHASSEN 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 7901 Park Place 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 MEMORANDUM TO: Todd Gerhardt, City Manager FROM: Jill Sinclair, Environmental Resources Specialist DATE: November 28, 2011 SUBJ: 2011 Environmental Excellence Awards PROPOSED MOTION: "The Chanhassen City Council approves the following nominees for 2011 Environmental Excellence Awards to be presented at the December 12, 2011 City Council Meeting: • Lakewinds Natural Foods The Lotus Lake Clean Water Organization" Approval requires a majority vote of the City Council. DISCUSSION The 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 ideas and help educate members of the Chanhassen community. For 2011, two nominees have been recommended by the Environmental Commission. Lakewinds Natural Foods submitted an application that details their efforts to create a sustainable workplace. The store has reduced energy costs through lighting and appliance selections, reduced waste by increasing recycling and reusing materials, selected cleaning and improvement products that have low to no environmental impacts and offered recycling services to customers. The store has also created an internal committee to address ongoing strategies for environmental improvements. The Lotus Lake Clean Water Organization is a group of Chanhassen residents committed to educating the community on water quality issues. The most important and current issue for the group is zebra mussels. To educate themselves in order to pass on the information to the public, the group organized DNR Chanhassen is a Community for Life - Providing for Today and Planning for Tomorrow Todd Gerhardt 2010 Environmental Excellence Awards November 22, 2010 Page 2 of 2 sessions was then passed on to the public through education offered at the South Lotus Lake boat ramp, public meetings at the Chanhassen library and city hall, numerous newspaper articles, and a community forum with a DNR employee as the guest speaker. The organization has worked hard to increase public awareness and education of the zebra mussel issue. The award presentation is scheduled for the December 12 City Council meeting. gAplan \js \ec \projects \ee award \ee award memo 1 Ldoc ENVIRONMENTAL EXCELLENCE A WARD APPLICA TION FORM Application headline is October 31, 2011 Name: Address or Location of Entry: iw)]V 'se r) � A joklyl-l i fIL Contact Person: 6+h-e- i Address: "° � t'i i AAA 0 , M I 6 5 ' 3 Phone Number: G 1 2, _70' � ? i" �� c� l tJi { Category: 1 If in Category 8, Ji l'` (business name) certifies that it is in compliance with all city, state and federal regulations. Activity Description: (Additional narratives, photos or other formats to describe project are encouraged. All documentation will be returned upon request. ) Release of Information The City of Chanhassen and the Chanhassen Chamber of Commerce reserve the right to use winning entries for promotional purposes through newspaper articles, tours, or other means. I agree to allow the city to publish my address, name and description of project. This release is only valid for winning entries.Z Signature: _�� RECEIVED OCT 3 1 201 ■ Environmental Excellence Award Lakewinds is a growing natural foods co -op located in Chanhassen and Minnetonka, Minnesota. One of our core missions is to promote sustainable practices within and without the store. Over the past several years, several initiatives have been enacted, which will be detailed below. Building Our earliest endeavor was changing all of our lights from 35 watts to 28 watts, reducing energy waste. Including within this project was the installation of sensor switches in our bathrooms and break room, minimizing energy waste by shutting off lights while the rooms are not in use. At our Chanhassen location, we've started using Organics Disposal, LLC in conjunction with our on -site recycling program. By employing this company, we've reduced landfill waste by 66 %. It's a storewide program that has channeled waste from what would have gone to landfills to composting and made into fresh usable soil. Waste Technology has provided support in the recycling of glass, aluminum, and plastic containers. Our efforts to reduce paper waste include extensive cardboard recycling and 100% post - consumer paper products. We recycle nearly three tons of cardboard a month, and all waxed cardboard waste is composted through Organic Disposal, LLC. Recent renovations of the store were conducted with sustainability and recyclability in mind. No or low VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) paints were used during the remodeling project, and any extraneous waste was recycled through a local construction recycling company. Old fixtures and shelving have, instead of disposed, have been sold back to the suppliers for reuse. Solar window film has been applied to our Chanhassen store windows to reduce overheating within the store, and to regulate the overall temperature. This has allowed our coolers to operate efficiently, minimizing energy waste. Cleaning supplies used throughout the store are all natural, containing essential oils and extracts found within plant life. These supplies are either made on -site, or purchased from a sustainable, local company (Restore the Earth). As a service to our customers, we offer battery, cell phone, eyeglass, inkjet cartridge, and plastic bag recycling, located within the store. We also encourage customers to conduct personal sustainability practices by bringing their own bags when they shop for their purchases. Department Each department is equipped with their own compost and recycling containers. Our Deli department has been our biggest change by converting to compostable eating utensils and dishware for our to -go customers. To reduce in -house waste, we've gotten rid of plastic and moved to real forks, spoons, plates, and bowls, which are washed on -site in a highly efficient dishwasher. Each department is encouraged to work with their vendors in reducing packaging which is not recyclable. Included within this venture is the recycling of packing peanuts, bubble wrap, and plastic overwrap to local sources. With our general merchandise, a strong emphasis is placed on providing items which support our sustainability mission. This includes items that are made from post - consumer materials, biodegradable items and packaging, and renewable resources such as bamboo. We were the first in the nation to employ the use of tapioca shopping bags. These products are 100% compostable and biodegradable, and produced from renewable sources. When produce isn't pristine, but still useable, we channel it to other departments who may benefit from the product, instead of creating more waste. This practice has saved money, delivery costs, and in the long run, fuel waste. Our second -grade bananas, for example, are used in the Deli for smoothies and baked goods. Individual A committee has been established to promote our commitment to sustainability, called the "Green Team." This group focuses on issues related to reducing waste within the store, staying up -to -date on new practices and merchandising that would promote sustainability. We also conduct training on safety and waste management for each new employee. This details our compost and recycling program, and elaborates on what can be recycled. or composted. We take this time to inform each new employee that their initiative in this matter goes a long way in providing a better Earth for everyone. Our Green Team mission statement: Lakewinds encourages policies and practices that reduce our impact on the environment. FVe embody the compassion to exceed our goals in waste reduction, energy, efficiency, and community education. Being "Green" requires a cooperative commitment to achieve beneficial results for our planet's wellbeing. Our compostable to -go containers along with real plates for a great meal. Recycled materials that has been turned back into consumer based products. Center picture; A Load of materials that will be made into potting soil. One of the collection containers that is used for colleting bubble wrap and packing peanuts which go back into the community to be re- used. This container below is the plastic wrap that goes around pallets and case pack food items. We bag this up and then a company comes and picks it up from us. ENVIRONMENTAL EXCELLENCE A WAJECEIVED A MMA TrON FORM OCT 3 1 2011 Application Deadline is October 31, 2011 CITY OF CHANHASSEN Name: - Tkt Lo+"s La� 0-envi vva+&,,- Address or Location of Entry: L 0 +U S LA U, Contact Person: _SJ V(- 'Do o V1 ?4'es' deyrr 6 JW Lj-(? Wo. Address: L4 I i/l+i *t v :[V e4 r A/yx Ka Phone Number; Category: . T �`t tA)CWdsk-; If in Category B, (business name) certifies that it is in compliance with all city, state and federal regulations Activity Description: (Additional narratives, photos or other formats to describe project are encouraged. All documentation will be returned upon request. ) Release of Information The City of Chanhassen and the Chanhassen Chamber of Commerce reserve the right to use winning entries for promotional purposes through newspaper articles, tours, or other means. I agree to allow the city to publish my address, name and description of project. This release is only valid f or winning entries. Signature: �;tvc bovu 'l. — ou' o� tmuy"-- coAzt acrf 2011 Accomplishments: - Sponsored five separate DNR Training sessions to educate a total of 61 Volunteers to work at the South Lotus Lake Park boat ramp this summer. - Worked nearly 700 hours at the Lotus Lake boat ramp, performing boat inspections and educating boaters about AIS. - Inspected 917 boats, many of which were arriving from infested waters, and many of which had hull plugs in place and/or water on board. Water on boats, trailers, live wells, etc. is the primary means of AIS spread. - Maintained the Lotus Lake Clean Water Organization website: o htp 3 tusiake lean r,cor - Fleld four public informational meetings at the Chanhassen Public Library to update the community about the threat of AIS. - Held several meetings with City leaders to inform them about AIS issues. - Presented before the Parks & Recreation. Commission concerning AIS and Lotus Lake. - Be:ld an informational open forum with the City Council on October 29` where the DNR discussed AIS, and we discussed our plans to keep AIS out of Lotus Lake. 2011 Findings: Of the 917 boats that were inspected at Lotus Lake, we found: 138 boats (15% ) were coming from infested waters a 54 hashing boats (38 %) 0 50 runabouts (35 %) 0 23 ski boats (17 %) 0 7 jet skis (5 %) 0 2 kayaks (2 %) 0 2 canoes (2 %) - 122 (13%) of boats were arriving with hull plugs in place and/or water on board 2011 Press Coverage: http:/` `www.chanvillager.com /viewffull . s.t,o.,r ?instancc=article results enconvview/full story /1'645686 'article-Zebra-m LIS - atch http ............. . ) 11 lit tp chanyi I lager. coni/vicw,f ful I storv/' ections--the htqi stL)r) - - ------------ . . . .......... ..... . .... mussels http w - 'ww.chaii , . , iiia�- , et - .coni..t , viexA ,, /I'tilI sLorv. 489/ailicle-l-etter--Wli,-�it-aboLit-�-yreater-tiood .. .............. ..... .... ........ ........ :r .