11-9-22 EC Agenda
AGENDA
CHANHASSEN ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2022
FOUNTAIN CONFERENCE ROOM, 7700 MARKET BOULEVARD
6:00 P.M. CALL TO ORDER
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
October meeting minutes
VISITOR PRESENTATIONS
DISCUSSION ITEMS
Discuss and approve 2023 environmental focus topic for commission
2022 Media Calendar review and update for 2023
Discuss winter Environmental Trivia Night event
Plan topics and dates for Environmental Academy
2023 Work Plan development
Update Commission interview questions
COMMISSION PRESENTATIONS
ADJOURNMENT
UPCOMING ITEMS AND EVENTS
1
Environmental Commission Item
November 9, 2022
Subject October meeting minutes
Section APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Prepared By Jill Sinclair, Environmental Resource Specialist
10-12-22 MIN.docx
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Chanhassen Environmental Commission (EC)
Chanhassen City Hall, Fountain Conference Room
6:00 pm
October 12, 2022
Members Present: Kristin Fulkerson, Leslie Elhadi, Scot Lacek, Julia Adams, Markus Fischer, and
Scott Grefe
Members Absent: Greg Hawks, Kaisa Buckholz
Staff Present: Jill Sinclair, Environmental Resources Specialist; Jamie Marsh, GreenCorps member
Visitors: none
Minutes: September minutes were approved.
Introduction of GreenCorps member: Jamie introduced herself and shared a bit about her
background. She was a GreenCorps member with Carver County last year and worked on recycling and
composting issues. This year with the City of Chanhassen she will be assisting with forestry and
stormwater projects. The commission asked about the GreenCorps program and welcomed her to the
city.
Fall Education Event: The commission did a review of the Trivia Night event. Kristin said the owner
stopped by the brewery during the event and loved seeing the crowd. He would be open to hosting
another event in the winter, probably in Jan, Feb, or March. The commission all agreed that Dave Ryan
did a fantastic job as emcee and really helped relax and entertain people. Scott said he surveyed teams
after the event and many of them asked for another event. Everyone said they had a good time. Julia
reported that her family really enjoyed the event. Response to the social media event post was positive.
The commission agreed that the event exceeded expectations. Things to work on for the next event
include better organization in announcing and presenting the winners (need to write out winners clearly
starting with 3rd place, have winning groups pick up their prizes and get picture before next group is
announced) and having the list of sources and references handy in case an answer is challenged.
Fall Buckthorn Removal Event: The event took place on Saturday, Oct 8 and the volunteer turnout
was great, 50 people or more. It was a chilly morning but volunteers warmed up quickly once everyone
got to work. The group cleared out a lot of buckthorn. The cut plants were hauled out into the open
park area and the Park Dept chipped the brush on Monday. They filled a dump truck and a half. Jill
said there were a lot of comments from people that they had a good time and wondered if another event
had been planned.
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Holiday Recycling Article: Leslie wrote the article last year, but it was never published. The
commission decided that it should be updated and used this year. Jill will send the article to Leslie for
review.
Environmental Academy discussion: Jill contacted the city of Plymouth and asked about their
program. This is the second year that they’ve offered the Academy. In 2021, 38 residents signed up; in
2022, 22 residents signed up. The Academy offered 4 courses over 4 months. The 2022 topics include
Water Sourcing and Water Plant Tour, Property Maintenance Practices, Water Resources, and Waste
and Recycling. Ideas for course topics if the commission chooses to host one include Water Treatment
tour, SMSC compost facility tour, Carver County Environmental Center tour, and landscaping for
pollinator habitat. It would help with the commission’s goal of public education and outreach. The
commission is interested in pursuing the idea and will discuss it more at the November meeting.
Commission Updates: Scott said the Park Task Force heard that the Parks Dept is moving ahead on a
plan development for the Lake Ann Park Preserve.
City Updates:
Avienda Townhomes going for final plat
Trees need to be watered into the fall. The County is classified in Extreme Drought and it’s
really hard on trees.
General Discussion: None
Meeting adjourned at 7:25p
Minutes prepared by Jill Sinclair
4
Environmental Commission Item
November 9, 2022
Subject Discuss and approve 2023 environmental focus topic for commission
Section DISCUSSION ITEMS
Prepared By Jill Sinclair, Environmental Resource Specialist
Environmental Commission Annual Focus Topics.docx
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Environmental Commission Annual Focus Topics
2022 – Water
2021 – Recycling and the 5R’s: reduce, reuse, repair, rot, refuse (repeated because of pandemic
interruption)
2020 -Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Refuse
2019 – Energy efficiency
2018 – Tree care
2017 – Bees and pollinators
2016 – Water conservation
2015 – EAB
2014 -
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Environmental Commission Item
November 9, 2022
Subject 2022 Media Calendar review and update for 2023
Section DISCUSSION ITEMS
Prepared By Jill Sinclair, Environmental Resource Specialist
Water education calendar assignments.docx
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Conservation Protection
Indoors Outdoors Outdoors
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec
Waterwise Waterwise Lakeshore
buffer,
lawn care
(promote
grants!)
Sump
pumps
no
mow
may
Rain
barrel,
irrigation
Irrigation,
car
washing
Irrigation,
car
washing
Lawn
fertilization
Leaves,
phosphorous
Garbage
disposal,
medication
and HHW
disposal
Salting,
snow
removal
(Jeff)Jeff Scot Greg Kristin Leslie Scot/Julia Markus/Joe S.Markus Kristin
REVISED APRIL 2022
Conservation Protection
Indoors Outdoors Outdoors
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec
Waterwise Waterwise Lakeshore
buffer,
lawn care
(promote
grants!)
Sump
pumps
Pollinat
ors
Rain
barrels
Irrigation Groundwater/drinking
water protection
Lawn
fertilization
Leaves,
phosphorous
Garbage
disposal,
medication
and HHW
disposal
Salting,
snow
removal
(Jeff)Jeff Scot Greg Kristin Leslie Julia Scot/Greg Scott Kaisa Markus Kristin
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Environmental Commission Item
November 9, 2022
Subject Discuss winter Environmental Trivia Night event
Section DISCUSSION ITEMS
Prepared By Jill Sinclair, Environmental Resource Specialist
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Environmental Commission Item
November 9, 2022
Subject Plan topics and dates for Environmental Academy
Section DISCUSSION ITEMS
Prepared By Jill Sinclair, Environmental Resource Specialist
10
Environmental Commission Item
November 9, 2022
Subject 2023 Work Plan development
Section DISCUSSION ITEMS
Prepared By Jill Sinclair, Environmental Resource Specialist
Env_WorkPlan_2022.doc
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Chanhassen Environmental
Commission
Annual Work Plan 2022
Commissioner events highlighted in bold
January
Guest speaker: Terry Jeffery, RPBCWD
Select Arbor Day contest theme
Populate 2022 communications plan
Develop Water education for 2022
Advertisement Posted for Openings on
Environmental Commission
Jan 3 – Spring/Summer Connection article due
February
Possible public/youth event planning
Communication annual plan development
Arbor Day poster contest – finalize details
Arbor Day Planning – develop activities
Partner with CNHS for earth day event – planning?
Earth Hour – promotion?
Feb x - Interviews with CC for new members
March
Tour of Environmental Center
Review updates to onboarding packet
List of Term Accomplishments assignment
Joint Council Meeting Reminder?
GreenStep city actions update
March 31 - Last Day of Term
April
Appointment of New Members
New member orientation
Review By-Laws
Appoint Chair/Vice-Chair
Select Arbor Day Poster Contest Winner
Joint Council meeting prep
o Discuss 2022 Priorities/Work Plan
July 3rd Trade Fair Planning
Finalize Arbor Day Work Plan
Arbor Day Poster Contest Presentation
April 1 - First Day of Term
April 22 - Earth Day
April - Arbor Day Poster Contest Presentation at
City Council
April 29 - MN Arbor Day
May
July 3rd Trade Fair Planning
Arbor Day Summary
Env. Comm regional Meeting Summary
Social media calendar update
May - Arbor Month
May 1 – Deadline for GreenStep Cities Action Input
May 7 – Chan Arbor Day
May 21 – Paper shredding event
June
Connection article on focus topic
July 3rd Trade Fair Progress
Plan promotions for Plastic Free July
Review GreenSteps – progress towards Step 3
Advertise for youth commissioner
July
Plan Fall Community Service Event
Promote Plastic Free July
Trade Fair Event Summary
SM education update
July 3 – EC at Trade Fair Event
July - Newsletter article due for fall/winter edition
Youth commissioner interviews
August
Month off
Aug. 31 – Last day of term, youth commissioner
September
Date TBD – Joint Commission Tour
GreenStep update
Discuss Environmental Academy program
Plastic Free update
Sept. 1 – First day of term, youth commissioner
October
Harvest Moon Potluck
Discuss and assign Villager Submittal - Holiday
Waste
November
2023 focus topic finalization
Media calendar for 2022 review and develop
Update commission interview questions
Choose topics and dates for EA
Nov 4 – Yard waste collection last day
Nov 15 – National Recycling Day
December
2023 Work Plan finalization
Work on filling 2023 media calendar
Assign Spring/Summer Connection article
Plan for winter trivia event (feb?)
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Possible tours/speakers
Carver County Environmental Center-
selected
Arb Pollinator Center
Blue Lake wastewater treatment facility
SMSC compost facility
Chanhassen water treatment facility
13
Environmental Commission Item
November 9, 2022
Subject Update Commission interview questions
Section DISCUSSION ITEMS
Prepared By Jill Sinclair, Environmental Resource Specialist
EC Interview Questionnaire 2021.doc
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Environmental Commission Interview Questionnaire
Candidate name:Score 1-5
What are your reasons for applying to the Commission?
What environmental issues interest you?
What local environmental issues are talked about in your neighborhood?
Are there environmental issues that you foresee Chanhassen having to face in the future?
Is there environmental education that the city should be providing that’s currently not promoted?
(Commissioner to explain volunteer time outside of meeting)
Are you able to make the time commitments involved in being a member of the Commission?
The commission is always looking for new ways to educate the public and communicate ideas. What ideas do you have
to promote environmental ideas.
What environmental issues concern you nationally and what can we do locally to help?
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