11-12-20 MIN1
Chanhassen Environmental Commission (EC)
Regular Meeting – Fountain Conference Room and Zoom Online Meeting
6:00 pm
November 12, 2020
Members Present: Bill Chappell (zoom), Kristin Fulkerson (zoom), Jeff Harken, Greg Hawks, Don
Vasatka (zoom), Lucy Rehm (zoom) and Markus Fischer (zoom)
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: Jill Sinclair, Environmental Resources Specialist
Minutes: October minutes were approved.
Zero Waste Workshop event survey review: A survey was sent out to all attendees asking 4 questions
about the event. The commission had a list of questions, but by using the free service the questions were
limited to yes/no answers and 1 multiple choice. The survey got 45 responses, but again with the free
service viewing was limited to 40 responses. The first questions was ‘how did you hear about the
event?’ and the vast majority selected the sandwich board signs (25), followed by the city newsletter (6)
and ‘other’(6), and finally, the website (1) and social media (2). The commission concluded that events
need to be pushed out rather than expecting people to come and ‘find’ them on website/social media.
They wondered how many shared the event on Facebook and Twitter. And how many people check the
website? In the future, there should always be a virtual option for events.
City updates:
• Kerber Pond Park buckthorn removal project wraps up this week. The buckthorn was very thick
along the pond and neighboring properties on the east side and it snowed each week so progress
was slow. The difference in the environment along the trail is significant; you can see the pond
now. If the whole project area isn’t completed this year, it will be started again next fall/winter.
• The Boy Scouts will again be collecting Christmas trees curbside this winter. Sign up is done
directly with the scouts. Recycling the trees is important since trees picked up by garbage
haulers can unfortunately be put in landfills.
• The Clean Up for Water Quality event happened on Sat., Oct. 26. It was a cold and damp
morning with a low turnout. There were 5 volunteers, one of whom was Lucy. They collected
33 bags of leaves along Carver Beach Road.
• Since Emerald Ash Borer was discovered in Carver County down by Belle Plaine along the MN
River, the MN Dept of Agriculture is planning on hosting an informational meeting for Carver
and Sibley counties. The virtual meeting is Tues, Nov 17 at 10a or 6:30p. Sign up is through the
MN Dept of Agriculture.
• The Yard Waste Collection event happened on Sat. Nov 7. The weather was good but windy. It
was a steady stream of traffic, not too busy. Got some pumpkin drop offs
2
Communications Calendar: The commission will fill in specific dates once the 2021 work plan is
approved. Currently, Markus and Jill have editing rights. The commission agreed to leave it as such.
Focus Topic for 2021: The commission discussed the previous suggestions – recycling, natural
resources, and 5Rs. It was decided to combine recycling and 5Rs for 2021. Since the newsletter is
going to 2x a year, Jill will confirm the publishing dates and deadlines and get that information to the
commission. Jeff volunteered to write the first Connection article, “Recycling in a pandemic”.
General Discussion:
• Markus volunteered to write the holiday waste article for the Villager. Jill will send him the last
3 years of articles. He’ll work with Kristin on submission details.
• RPBCWD update from Greg: The city of Chanhassen is requesting funding for the Kerber Pond
Park Ravine restoration project. There’s a couple of options being proposed at an estimated cost
of $400K - $700K. Carp netting is happening in Chanhassen lakes in a 3-year rotation. The
netting helps reduce the Phosphorous loading in the lakes. The failed catch basin at St Huberts is
still being discussed. No cooperative agreement between the city, district, county and St Huberts
has been able to be reached.
• The commission discussed more outreach on fb. Jill said the commission can submit items for
posting whenever. The commission shouldn’t create their own account; they should post all
events/notices on the city’s official Facebook account.
• Lucy wondered if the commission should have a table at Feb Fest or the Farmers Market for
more outreach and connections with residents. Or could plan an event like a drive in movie or
concert. Or have a float in the July 4 parade – maybe all ride bikes with EC t-shirts on.
Meeting adjourned at 7:35 pm
Minutes prepared by Jill Sinclair