A-2. Joint Meeting with Environmental Commission4
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
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: May 28, 2013
=
SUBJ: Joint Meeting with the Environmental Commission
A — ,�
The Environmental Commission is looking forward to the opportunity to discuss
current projects and updates with the Mayor and City Council. Submitted for
Council review is the commission's annual work plan, 2012 -2013 commission
accomplishments and work report and the 2013 Chanhassen Sustainability Report.
2013 Environmental Commission Focus Topics
• Urban forestry
• Water quality
• Water conservation
• Stormwater management
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Chanhassen is a Community for Life - Providing for Today and Planning for Tomorrow
Chanhassen Environmental Commission
Annual Work Plan 2013
January
• Final Discussion /Approval 2013 Work Plan
• Review Sustainability Report
• Discuss Needs
• Assign Duties /Due Dates
• Confirm Commission Goals
• Define Partnerships
• Discussion & Priority
• Education Plan / Potential Projects
• Environmental Class Series
• School District Environment Day
• Mentoring
• Outreach PDF's & Flyers
• Mailings for Arbor Day Poster Contest
• Advertisement Posted for Openings on
Environmental Commission
May
• July 4 th Parade & Trade Fair Planning
• Booth
• Parade entry
• Arbor Day Summary
• Joint Council Summary
• May 4 — Chanhassen Arbor Day
• May 12 — Fishing Opener
• May - Arbor Month
June
• July 4 th Parade & Trade Fair Progress
o Finalize details
• Villager Submittal — Water Conservation
• Revisit Work Plan
February
• Interviews for New Members
• Sustainability Report Progress
• Education plan: school update
• Media and Communication Discussion
o Appoint Liaison to Newspaper?
March
• Select Arbor Day Poster Contest Winner
• Arbor Day Planning
• Determine Needs /Assign Duties
• Attendance
• Final Sustainability Report
• List of Term Accomplishments
• Joint Council Reminder
• Villager Submittal - Arbor Day and Earth Day
• March 31 - Last Day of Term
April
• Appointment of New Members
• Review By -Laws
• Appoint Chair/Vice -Chair
• Joint Council meeting prep
• Sustainability Report
• Term Progress
• Discuss 2013 Priorities on Work Plan
• July 4 th Parade & Trade Fair Planning
• Finalize Arbor Day Work Plan
• Arbor Day Poster Contest Presentation
at City Council
• April - First Day of Term
• April 22 - Earth Day
• April 22 - Arbor Day Poster Contest
Presentation at City Council
• April — Joint Council Meeting
• April 26 - MN Arbor Day
July
• Storm Water Update from Staff
• General Discussion
• Watersheds and Inventory
• Permeable Surfaces
• Storm Water Billing & Costs
• Parade Summary
• July 3 — EC at Trade Fair Event
• July 4 — EC Entry at Parade Event
August
• Month Off
September
• Villager Submittal — Surface Water Quality
• Fen Day Planning
o Determine Needs /Assign Duties
• City Commissions Joint Tour
October
• Harvest Moon Potluck
• Fen Day Planning
o Finalize details, plan attendance
• Oct 14126 — Seminary Fen Clean Up Day
November
• Discuss Educational Promotion on Waste
Reduction During the Holidays
• Develop 2014 Preliminary Work Plan
• Nov 2 - Deer Opener
• Nov 15 — National Recycling Day
December
• Villager Submittal - Holiday Waste
• Send Letters to Schools Regarding Poster
Contest
• 2014 Work Plan Discussion
Chanhassen Environmental Commission 2012 -2013 Accomplishments
Arbor Day - Lake Ann - May 5th
City staff and the commission hosted an opportunity for the community to come to Lake Ann
Park and plant trees in celebration of Arbor Day. Information was available about trees and
Emerald ash borer.
Water Conservation Article - Villager - June 28th
How a water tower works and where our water comes from.
Trade Fair Informational Booth - July 3rd
Members of the commission provided educational materials and met with fair attendees.
Parade - July 4th
Members walked along side a truck decorated in recycling posters. We handed out recycling
coupons and flyers for Chanhassen /Carver County Arboretum day.
Seminary Fen Work Day - November 3rd
The commission provided an opportunity for the community to remove buckthorn. We also
promoted "Friends of the Chanhassen Environmental Commission."
Holiday Article - Villager - November 20
Holiday Sustainability - Focus on each other.
Sustainability Report Update — January — April
The commission undertook research into the annual status of the 4 key focus areas and
compiled summaries of actions and challenges.
Arbor Day Poster Contest — April
Provides opportunity to 5 th graders to learn about trees.
Workshops, Education and Activities commissioners have taken part in:
• The Minnehaha Creek Watershed Stormwater Adaptation Study
Seminary Fen Tour
Conservation Design Principles & Practices for Local Leaders
Environmental, Planning and Park Commission Tour
• Clean Water Summit, U of M Arboretum
• Riley Purgatory Bluff Creek Watershed District Meetings
Seminary Fen Workgroup
Stormwater U Education Series — Function, Design, Selection and Maintenance of
Stormwater BMPs
• MN AIS Symposium
2013 Chanhassen SustdM'dbility Report
The City of Chanhassen is committed to protecting our natural resources now and into the future. To ensure the
continuation of this effort, the city endeavors to promote the development of sound policies, take advantage of
new technologies, and use educational programs to engage the community on the topic of the environment. The
goal is natural resources sustainability through protection, conservation and best management practices.
In 2011, the Chanhassen Environmental Commission was interested in knowing if our city was growing and
functioning in a sustainable fashion. This report is the result of that curiosity. The City Council assigned the com-
mission four key focus areas: Stormwater, Surface Water Quality, Urban Forestry and Water Conservation. In
each of these areas, the group investigated the current goals established by the city's comprehensive plan. Then
they selected the three most important goals from each area. They determined through interviews with city em-
ployees or publicly available information, the current status of those goals along with trends and improvements
or challenges and any recent activities. Ultimately, the commission documented a baseline inventory for each of
the topic areas.
This 2013 version of the Sustainability Report includes the ongoing goals and provides an annual update and re-
cent activities. Information about these activities was collected from interviews with city staff and the Watershed
District as well as publicly available information.
The report achieves the goal of educating Chanhassen residents in the Environmental Commission's focus
areas.
Here is the 2013 Chanhassen Sustainability Report.
Surface Water
Chanhassen residents enjoy the many recreational opportunities available in city lakes. Maintaining not only healthy lakes,
but also wetlands, rivers and streams is essential to the quality of life in Chanhassen. The city is also home to a rare and
unique calcareous fen, a state - protected Scientific and Natural Area (SNA). Efforts to preserve all of these important natural
water resources require partnerships between the city, county, watershed districts, Met Council, Minnesota Department of
Natural Resources ( MNDNR ) and Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA).
Goals
• Maintain and improve the water quality in city lakes, streams, and wetlands.
• Prevent or control aquatic invasive species.
• Provide information and educational resources to improve knowledge and
promote an active public role in the management of water resources.
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Recent City and Comunity Activities
Riley Purgatory Bluff Creek Watershed District (RPBCWD) includes the majority of Chanhassen and the organization
has worked with the city on Low Impact Development (LID) projects in the watershed surrounding Lake Susan.
Projects have included raingardens, swales and catchments. In addition, Use - Attainability Analyses
(the so called "fishable /swimmable" uses) are being completed for Lakes Lucy, Ann and Susan.
During the summer of 2012, the city and RPBCWD collaborated on a Stormwater Pond Protocol and
Prioritization project designed to identify stormwater ponds that may be contributing excessive amounts of
phosphorus to our natural waterbodies. Once identified, these high risk ponds may be rehabilitated to minimize
the impact on our surface waters.
Chanhassen, Carver County, MNDNR and Met Council are currently studying the effects of development around the
Seminary Fen SNA. Results of these studies will clarify the best course in developing a stewardship plan.
Local government units have been listening to concerned citizens and acting to control or prevent aquatic
invasive species. This summer, Lakes Susan and Riley will be treated for curly -leaf pondweed. The watershed
district installed an aeration system in Rice Marsh Lake to increase dissolved oxygen and prevent a fish kill in the
winter. This activity should also discourage the establishment of non - native fish, like carp. The imminent threat of
zebra mussels found in nearby Lake Minnetonka has spurred a boat inspection campaign. During the summer
of 2012, the city, RPBCWD, MNDNR and Carver County collaborated to provide educational signage and boat
inspections at Lakes Ann, Lotus and Minnewashta. Inspections will continue and possibly be increased in 2013.
Sorenson Labs is a team of researchers at the University of Minnesota investigating aquatic invasive species
- - controls. To date, they have harvested carp in Lakes Lucy, Susan and Riley in an effort to minimize populations
of this abundant fish and encourage the reestablishment of native plant and fish populations.
The city utilizes county training resources and a private nonprofit, Metro Blooms, to provide community.%
educational seminars. The city also disseminates information on surface water to its citizens through several
" means: brochures, the Natural Resources city web page, and the quarterly publication Chanhassen Connection.
Additionally, the Environmental Commission has the directive educating citizens on the surface water priorities .
set forth by the council.
/ Resources: City of Chanhassen "Second Generation Surface Water Management Plan' www.ci. chanhassen.mn.us /index.aspx ?NID =588 - -
/ Bluff Creek TMDL— Turbidity and Fish Biota www.pca.state.mn.us /index.php/ water /water - types- and - programs /minnesotas- impaired- waters - and - tmdls/
tmdl- projects / minnesota- river - basin -tmdl /project -bluff- creek - turbidity- and - fish- b iota. htmI
Stormwdter
As precipitation runs over impervious surfaces such as rooftops, pavement and compacted lawns, it picks up pollutants. These
pollutants can be oil, fertilizers, herbicides or pet waste, as well as trash and soil. Controlling this polluted water flow is crucial
to preserving Chanhassen's natural environment and protecting our surface water resources. Installing flow control features
that increase infiltration and reduce the volume of water runoff as well as protect water quality in surface waters are part of an
ongoing stormwater management plan developed by the city. iL fit, qdw �1111
Goals
• Minimize soil erosion, sedimentation, and storm water runoff.
• Maintain primary responsibility for managing water resources at the
local level but continue coordination with other agencies and organizations.
• Provide information and educational resources to improve knowledge
and promote an active public role in managing water resources.
Other City ' � Activities
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A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Management Plan for Bluff Creek was approved by the MPCA and adopted by
the city. A Bluff Creek ravine stabilization is planned for 2013 and includes an impairment repair implementation plan.
The city utilizes cutting edge technologies in treating stormwater runoff. These technologies, developed at the
St. Anthony Falls Laboratory (SAFL) at the University of Minnesota, are well- suited for northern climates and represent
the best management practices of our time. During street reconstruction in the Greenwood Shores neighborhood,
the city utilized manhole baffles developed by SAFL to catch sediment inflow from stormwater. The "Minnesota Filter"
Iron Filing Filtration System was installed during street upgrades in the Lake Minnewashta watershed. This system
should reduce phosphorus loading into the lake. The city also coordinated with an Eagle Scout and his troop to plant
the Minnewashta Heights neighborhood raingardens.
City staff continued to educate and encourage neighborhood groups about LID installation opportunities, such
as raingardens and rain barrels, and their benefits.
The city and Metro Blooms will provide education in 2013 on environmentally sound landscape practices,
such as permeable pavers and shoreline buffers.
Community volunteers continue to annually install storm drain markers on neighborhood storm drains.
Water Conservation
Chanhassen's water distribution system is comprised of 13 wells, 3 reservoirs and a water treatment facility. The distribution
system also contains over 148 miles of watermain and serves over 7,000 residential and nearly 300 commercial accounts daily.
Pipelines and physical facilities, such as wells and reservoirs, are geographically distributed throughout the city including a new
water tower recently built near Minnetonka Middle School West. Water conservation education is our best economical action
to manage fresh water as a sustainable resource for current and future human demand.
Goals
• Encourage conservation through structured water rates and watering restriction hours.
• Promote residential water conservation programs through city education
and seasonal publications.
• Partner with commercial entities to conserve water.
City & Community Activities
The city has a tiered billing system in place to incent water conservation. City code limits the use of the city water
supply system for lawn and garden sprinkling, irrigation, car washing or other non - potable uses to odd -even days.
The city provides education and promotes water conservation and stewardship with various local
municipal publications.
The city enforces ordinances regarding treescaping for new developments. Trees shade turfgrass
and reduce evaportranspiration and therefore prevent or reduce the need for irrigation.
Chanhassen partners with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in their WaterSense program.
This program seeks to protect the future of our nation's water supply by offering people a simple way
to use less water with water- efficient products, new homes, and services.
Rain barrel and compost bins are offered for sale through Carver County Environmental Services.
The Chanhassen Environmental Commission published an entertaining article in the Chanhassen Villager
encouraging water conservation on June 28, 2012.
Chanhassen offers irrigation system audits, free of charge, to Homeowners' Associations, businesses, and other
organizations as a way to promote water - saving best management practices. The audits are performed by a
WaterSense- certified city utility department employee.
esources: City of Chanhassen "2030 Comprehensive Plan," Chapter 9: Water www anhassen.
.ci.chmn uslse ate
ry /compplan1/Wr.pd
/, NIN DNR water use data 192. www.dnr.state.mn.us / waters /watermgmt_ section /appropriations /wateruse.htmi
Urban Forestry
Trees provide our city with countless benefits. From increased property values and curb appeal to decreased energy costs
and cleaner air, trees pay us back annually. Recently, a study published by the American Journal of Preventative Medicine
documents the measurable negative effect on human health in the eastern US, due to the significant loss of ash trees. Ad-
ditionally, research has also shown the quantifiable effects of trees on decreasing stormwater runoff. The beneficial effects
of trees cross economical, social, medical and environmental lines, providing our community with a plethora of returns on
our planting investments.
Goals
• Increase tree cover throughout the city using diverse tree species.
• Preserve contiguous forests and facilitate greenways.
• Develop urban forestry management plan.
City & Community Actities
A public tree inventory is nearing completion. All park trees have been inspected and recorded in a GIS map
that includes data on species, size, condition, location, etc. Street trees are in the process of being completed.
The information will be used to make short- and long -term urban forest management decisions.
The annual Arbor Day tree planting project continues to add diversity and canopy coverage at the city's most
popular parks. The additional trees planted each year serve as future replacements for old or vulnerable trees
and allow community members to participate in creating a lasting public legacy.
The city promotes tree planting each spring during the month of May, which is Arbor Month in Minnesota. The city
offers either a tree sale or tree coupons to city residents to encourage tree planting throughout neighborhoods.
The city and Environmental Commission sponsor an annual Arbor Day Poster Contest for local elementary schools.
The program provides education on the importance and benefits of trees in our community and recognizes
local 5th graders who best communicate the sentiment "Trees are Terrific...
Chanhassen continues to be designated as a Tree City USA by the National Arbor Day Foundation. The program
is important because it increases public awareness about the benefits of trees, adds to community pride and can
give preference over other communities when state grant money is distributed for tree - related projects.
The city is in the initial planning stages of developing a management plan for the emerald ash borer. The insect
is confirmed in neighboring Hennepin County and it is only a matter of time before its presence in Carver County
and Chanhassen is confirmed. The city is also preparing outreach materials for residents on how to manage
their ash trees. _
The city continues to incorporate boulevard tree plantings and replacements in neighborhood street reconstruction
projects, saving trees along streets where possible and replacing them when not. All street trees within the
targeted neighborhood are inspected for preservation or removal prior to any construction activities. _
Resources: Emerald as borer: "www.emeraidash borer. info
Benefits of trees: www.arborday.org