10-10-01 Minutes
CHANHASSEN ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
October 10, 2001
Meeting called to order by Dotti Shay at 7:05 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Dotti Shay, Jo Mueller, Kim Hankins, Deborah Yungner
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Susan McAllister, Sharon Beduhn, Steve Nalefski
STAFF PRESENT:
Jill Sinclair, Environmental Resources Coordinator
COUNCIL PRESENT:
Bob Ayotte
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
September minutes were approved. No additions or corrections.
BY-LAWS:
Commission moved to add language to the by-laws stating that all members should
be in compliance with all environmental regulations at their residences and home businesses. If a
member were not in compliance, they would have six months to mitigate the infractions unless
otherwise deemed by the environmental regulating body. Sinclair will check with city attorney for
proper language and appropriateness.
SOLID WASTE/ORG COLLECTION:
Tabled until further notice. One point made: Solid
Waste Association of North America luncheon on Oct. 17 – topic is organized collection.
Commissioners invited to attend.
CITYWIDE SURVEY:
Ayotte presented some results of interest from the survey:
49% of residents have children; Commission should be right on the mark for target
?
audience
The newsletter received low marks, it’s read a lot but rec’d low marks; Sinclair will
?
confirm results
City water got high marks overall, but quality was poor. The potential for increasing
?
quality will be in the homes since a treatment plant costs are too high.
Energy management is needed. City will be installing meters for accurate measure of
?
usage. Also considering eliminating decorative lighting.
Hankins thought it was interesting that only 9% drive to work with 2 or more occupants. Shay
asked for information regarding mass transit from the Southwest Metro station and thought
Teresa Burgess should do a presentation on water issues. Ayotte mentioned that the city council
is establishing a licensing program for apartment buildings to ensure that they comply with
building codes, background checks, etc. and that perhaps the commission should take a look at
the proposal. Yungner was curious about testing standards for city water and what was
happening in the federal legislation for air and water quality. Ayotte replied that the current
administration has loosened up federal regulations for arsenic, but that air quality issues are in
better standing. Kelly Janes, utility supervisor, may be able to answer those questions better.
Shay wondered how often levels are measured. The last report she saw was from 1994. Ayotte
suggested that the commission prepare a list of questions for the public works staff. He’s unsure
how much of the information is available to the public, but thought it would be appropriate to ask
what elements are tested for, when, how much, how often, etc. Yungner requested a list of the
city’s results from testing and what the allowable levels are. She thought it was good to
implement conservation methods but there is always a need to stress the importance of
stewardship and reduce, reuse, recycle. The public needs education to understand the why’s of
conservation. She presented her Earth Star educational materials to Ayotte and the commission.
Ayotte commented that the commission is the educational resource for the introduction of change.
PREFERABLE PURCHASING GUIDE:
Hankins is working at Carver County with the
maintenance department trying to get them to use alternative products for cleaning and
maintenance. She talked to RBM, the city’s cleaning service, and they seemed open to product
changes and trials. She’s also working with the county highway department on switching over to
environmentally preferable products. The easiest change so far has been getting departments to
switch over to 100% recycled content garbage bags. RBM was very interested in them, the jail
has so far refused to switch. The commission agreed that this purchasing strategy should be
incorporated into city policy and moved to request the City Council to pass a resolution to do so.
Ayotte said the commission should draft one, have it reviewed by staff and pass it on to the
council. Yungner asked how long purchasing contracts last and how often are listings in the
guide revised. Hankins said she would check into it and that perhaps a presentation by Marcus on
the guide might be of interest.
BLUFF CREEK RESTORATION PROJECT:
The city received a Conservation Partners
Grant from the DNR for the project. The first job will be organizing a buckthorn removal in the
woods at the north end of the property. Dotti was asked to see if there were Pillsbury employees
who would volunteer for the job. Other volunteer groups suggested were the Rotary Club and
the Dover building employees. Yungner presented information on Greener Pastures, an
environmentally friendly lawn care product company.
LIBRARY BOOKS:
Hankins asked members to turn in their list of recommendations. Mueller
presented hers. It was suggested that the Earth Star materials be added to the list. Mueller
advised adding a reference book that lists environmental education resources. Sinclair presented
the books donated by Barnes and Noble. Yungner suggested that the donation letter be copied
for each commissioner so that they could take it to a bookstore of their choice. Also that
Amazon.com be sent the letter and list and see what happens.
CHILDREN’S WATER FESTIVAL:
Hankins and Haak volunteered at the event. Hankins
said it was fun and that there were lots of volunteers. The event is looking for 3 – 4 big sponsors
rather than the usual large group of small contributors.
Meeting was adjourned at 9:05 p.m.
Prepared and Submitted by Jill Sinclair
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