11-12-03 Minutes
CHANHASSEN ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION (EC)
REGULAR MEETING
November 12, 2003
Meeting called to order at 7:10 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Dotti Shay, Deborah Yungner, Kim Grant, Ron Olsen, Marcus
Zbinden
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Steve Nalefski, Jo Mueller
STAFF PRESENT:
Jill Sinclair, Environmental Resources Specialist
COUNCIL PRESENT:
none
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
October minutes were approved
REVIEW OF PRESENTATION BY FRED ROZUMALSKI, BARR ENGINEERING,
ECO-YARDS:
Dotti summarized Fred’s presentation on rain gardens and his work on the
Spring Peeper meadow. Marcus said Fred met with Carver County to do a project at the
Environmental Center. From the joint meeting with the City Council, the commission was
directed into looking into partnering with the Arboretum. Perhaps a class by Fred would be a
good idea in the spring.
PARTNERSHIP WITH ARBORETUM:
Jill was directed by the commission to contact the
arboretum and inquire about possibilities for an event partnership in 2004. Perhaps an
Arboretum staff person could attend a commission meeting for a brainstorming session.
RECYCLING COUPON PRESENTATION:
Marcus presented an overview of the 2003
operations of the recycling center and specific information on the coupon program with
Chanhassen. The presentation will be given to the city council on Dec. 8.
AMERICA RECYCLES DAY:
America Recycles Day is on Nov. 15. Jill contacted Melissa
at the paper and Melissa did an article including that information as well as the Christmas Tree
recycling, the Environmental Excellence Award and plastic bag recycling. The commission
watched a video, Recycling Works For Minnesota. The video will be played on the city’s cable
channel in November and December.
CHRISTMAS TREE RECYCLING:
Boy Scout troop 337? will be collecting Christmas trees
again this year. The event is advertised in the Chanhassen Connection.
WASTE REDUCTION DURING THE HOLIDAYS:
Marcus volunteered to write an article
for the paper on the subject. The article will be submitted on Dec. 1.
WM SINGLE-SORT, BI-WEEKLY REQUEST:
Jill informed the commission that Waste
Management has sent a letter to the city requesting a change in city ordinance allowing them to
do bi-weekly recycling collection so that they can implement single-sort recycling. Marcus and
Dotti referred to a study done last year by Eureka Recycling that showed single-sort recycling
does not improve collection rates. There is actually less recycled through single-sort because the
level of contamination of recyclables increases. The commission recommended that if the issue
is brought before the City Council that the ordinance not be changed.
2004 WORK PLAN:
The commission briefly reviewed the work plan. The plan will be
brought back again next month.
NEW RESIDENT PACKETS:
The commission prepared 66 packets.
GENERAL DISCUSSION:
The December meeting will be held at Ron Olsen’s home.
?
Meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m.
Prepared and Submitted by Jill Sinclair
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