01-14-2015
Chanhassen Environmental Commission (EC)
Regular Meeting
January 14, 2015
Members Present:
Glenn Kaufmann, Katie Mahannah, Bret Borth, Keith Anderson, Amy Wenner, Amy Omann
Members Absent:
Matthew Myers
Staff Present:
Jill Sinclair, Environmental Resources Specialist
Minutes:
December minutes were approved.
Establish Commission Goals:
The commission discussed the topic wondering if this had already been
established at last month’s meeting. Glenn updated the commissioners who weren’t at the December meeting
what had been decided at the December meeting for projects/focus in 2015. The commission talked about
establishing a goal for 2015, perhaps “community education and outreach in the four focus areas as laid out in the
2015 work plan. The commission will do 1 outreach project and 1 volunteer project and potentially help with
Water Day at Bluff Creek elementary” Amy O volunteered to craft a goal statement, such as “for 2015, our goal
is to attain 5 opportunities to educate the public on the focus areas.” It was suggested that the goal should be
established around the potential focus project. Another suggestion was to add to the 2016 work plan in January
“Agree on main objective or focus for the year for outreach and education” and delete “Establish commission
goals…” The commission should develop new ways to educate the public and establish planned projects. Much
discussion centered around how and when the commission should choose their projects and focus for the year. In
the end it was decided that the workplan will be changed for 2015/2016 as such: Dec 2015, add “Choose
theme/focus for upcoming year; develop projects; assign project leads”. In Jan 2016, add “Review theme; finalize
projects/leads”.
Sustainability Report:
Jill informed the commission that there was no current data on the number of website
hits on the report. The commission would like to advertise the 2015 report in the Connection, library, e-reader,
website, etc. The commission discussed whether or not the report needs to be re-designed. Perhaps make it a
one-page report or do a summary sheet in addition to the report. Minneapolis has a web-based report that’s
continually updated. Perhaps the commission could do a video covering the sustainability report? The
commission questioned whether paper copies of the report were needed. They’re really only needed internally
and not really necessary for general distribution. Online access would be better so this year’s report should be
more online based. There should be a one-page summary and the report should be advertised more. The
commission assigned duties as follows:
Urban Forestry – Amy W, Amy O
Stormwater – Glenn, Matthew
Surface Water – Bret, Keith
Water Conservation – Katie
Commissioners need to have their rough drafts prepared by the February meeting.
Arbor Day Theme:
Jill shared with the commission that the DNR and the Minnesota Shade Tree Advisory
Committee (MNSTAC) are putting together a tree care promotional program that they hope cities will take and
use in their communities. Jill advised the commission to hold off on a theme until the MNSTAC meeting
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tomorrow where the program will be outlined. She’ll pass along the info to the commission who can then base
the theme off of the state slogan.
Onboarding packet
: The commission reviewed the packet and thought it looked great and needed no changes.
It was suggested that perhaps the commission could supply new members with a mentor at the start of their term.
Meeting adjourned at approximately 8:00 PM.
Minutes prepared by Jill Sinclair
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