09-12-01 Minutes
CHANHASSEN ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
September 12, 2001
Meeting called to order by Dotti Shay at 7:05 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Dotti Shay, Jo Mueller, Kim Hankins, Sharon Beduhn, Steve
Nalefski, Deborah Yungner
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Susan McAllister
STAFF PRESENT:
Jill Sinclair, Environmental Resources Coordinator, Bob
Generous, Senior Planner
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
July minutes were approved. No additions or corrections.
GUEST SPEAKER:
shay introduced Bob Generous, Senior Planner, and his topic of Organized
Collection. Bob began by describing the study that was done in 1992 and 1993. There were six
haulers at the time. Alternative methods of collection were studied to see what worked best.
From the other communities polled, it showed that the majority had open collection although
some of those had zone licensing. State statutes require cities to have options for residents to
properly dispose of waste. The Council directed staff to create reasonable districts and create a
menu of options. The study found that organized collection saves money, reduces the wear and
tear of infrastructure and improves neighborhood aesthetics. The City looked at creating a one-
day pick-up in neighborhoods as their first choice for organized collection. In 1994, staff
developed the following strategy: put out for bid a schedule of provision for services. The city
received bids and selected the lowest two. A district system was developed, but the project was
tabled by the City Council. It was brought back to the council in 1995 and 1996, but no action
was taken. Since then, the issue has died. At the time City Council reasoned that the market
would lead itself to the most efficient and economical system. Currently, the city requires haulers
to be licensed, carry liability and provide a rate sheet. From a total of six haulers in 1993, there
are only two haulers now for residential accounts.
The commission discussed the information. Shay said that the focus of organized collection
should not only be eliminating truck trips through neighborhoods, but also addressing the issue of
waste destinations. Nalefski wondered if the situation was less political now because there are
only two haulers. Also questioned the liability of having our waste shipped out of state. Mueller
thought that the city should be able to ask the haulers their destinations, how much is recycled,
etc. Nalefski thought that should be part of licensing. Hankins offered that Waste Mgt.
Competes against its own franchises so it may be difficult to get a bid from them. Shay thought
the city of Hutchinson’s organized collection might be an excellent model to examine. Properly
managed waste has lots of potential for savings. Generous said that in Minneapolis residents
receive a $7 credit for recycling. Shay advised the Commission to educate themselves further on
this issue so that a plan can be developed and brought before the planning commission and city
council. Nalefski asked for a copy of the org. collection study. Hankins inform the commission
that the Field of Dreams recycling center is not for sale but it’s unclear whether or not it will stay
open. According to the City of Chaska, the CUP (conditional use permit) for the facility required
them to keep operating it as a recycling center. She also said that the HHW (household
hazardous waste) facility was denied by the County Board. She will invite Marcus Zbinden to
speak about hauler information and the recycling facility if the commission would like. Mueller
and Shay agreed that an investigative report on the hauler situation in Chanhassen would be an
excellent article for the Villager. Beduhn thought that the commission should ask other cities
what they did about organized collection, what works and what doesn’t. Generous recommended
that the commission develop a survey of questions to ask before calling so that the right questions
are asked and they are consistent. Nalefski said the commission needs to establish a fundamental
set of data – how much is collected, what’s done with it, etc. Shay said that the city should be
following the state hierarchy: reduce, reuse, recycle, incinerate, and landfill. The city is supposed
to be doing it, but it’s not. Yungner thought the newspaper article could tie in the construction
waste from NYC to local issues of waste and that an investigative report could be very useful and
powerful. She would be willing to contact reporters about it. Nalefski said that the political
climate is very different from 1994, but the commission needs to be very careful not to
sensationalize or emotionalize the issue and it needs more facts before doing any newspaper
articles or reports. He also saw a need to target schools with the information. The commission
will pursue leads and discuss them next month.
EE AWARD:
Reviewed application and made minor changes to the layout.
LIBRARY BOOKS:
Hankins got opinions from a list serve with some good feedback and
recommendations. She isn’t sure whether she should use the library’s list or create a new one.
The Commission decided to develop new list. Hankins asked each member to bring a list of 10
books to the next meeting. Yungner and Beduhn volunteered to ask local bookstores for
donations.
SUSTAINABLE PUBLIC BUILDING PRESENTATION:
Postpone until there is interest.
ADOPT-A-HIGHWAY:
The commission decided to put it on the Jan. or Feb. 2002 agenda.
PRESENTATION TO CHAMBER:
McAllister was not present to give update on OEA
presentation for Chamber.
POLLUTION PREVENTION WEEK (P2):
There won’t be coloring contest sponsored by the
Commission.
LONGACRES EDUCATION PROJECT:
The display at the annual neighborhood picnic had
brochures and composted along with a display board. Hankins said there was some interest, but
not much – it was very hot that day. Hankins and Mueller thought that maybe a follow-up
mailing on lawn care and water quality should be done for the neighborhood. Yungner suggested
holding a neighborhood meeting for that specific issue. Nalefski said that animal waste is a
problem too. Mueller maintained that a direct mailing on the issues would be the best idea.
Yungner wondered if Lotus would give Longacres residents a discount on fertilizers. It was
decided that Mueller and Haak would work on a mailing with a coupon.
NEXT AGENDA:
Citywide survey results, county preferable purchasing guide, distribute 3-ring
binders for commissioners.
Meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m.
Prepared and Submitted by Jill Sinclair
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