11-08-00 Minutes
CHANHASSEN ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
November 8, 2000
Meeting called to order by Dotti Shay at 7:05 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Jack Atkins, Jo Mueller, Dotti Shay, Clay Smith
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Sharon Beduhn, Susan McAllister, Peder Otterson
STAFF PRESENT:
Lori Haak, Water Resources Coordinator
GUESTS PRESENT:
Christy Anderson and Laura Knight, Chaska High School Environmental
Club; Colleen Hetzel, Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance (MOEA)
GUESTS: CHASKA HIGH SCHOOL ENVIRONMENTAL CLUB:
Christy and Laura
described the projects being done by the club. The Commission encouraged them to employ staff,
the Commission and the MOEA as resources.
GUEST: WASTE-FREE FRIDAYS:
Colleen explained the Waste-Free Friday program that
was started by the MOEA. Waste-Free Fridays is a program in which businesses provide
incentives on Fridays for using reusable items (i.e., bags, mugs). Colleen indicated that local
governments become involved in the program by promoting the program, assisting in program
implementation and tracking progress. The Commission discussed having a waste assessment
done for City government in an attempt to make the waste assessment portion of the program less
threatening to local businesses.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Minutes from the October 11 meeting were approved.
ENVIRONMENTAL EXCELLENCE AWARD PROGRAM:
Lori provided the Commission
with a list of businesses, churches, developers and landscapers so they could review and edit the
list. Dotti indicated that she would try to get another presentation before the Chanhassen
Chamber of Commerce to encourage those businesses to apply. Lori stated that she would print
the letter and the labels and call the Commission when envelopes needed to be stuffed. The
Commission discussed having local businesses used recycled products to create awards that
incorporated the phrase “Working Toward Environmental Excellence in Chanhassen” and the
year. Lori indicated that she would work with a representative from the Chanhassen Villager on
an article that would be run in the same issue as the award advertisement. The Commission
agreed that the Commission’s focus at this point should be on encouraging applications.
PILOT NEIGHBORHOOD WETLAND BUFFER PROJECT:
Jo indicated the Longacres
newsletter had gone out. Jo stated that she would obtain a copy of the newsletter and have it
included in the next packet.
DISCUSSION OF HAULER SERVICES:
Lori stated that she recently received information
from the County and she would compile the information for the next meeting.
DISCUSSION OF ORGANIC COMPOSTING PILOT PROGRAM:
The Commission asked
if a speaker was available on this topic. Lori replied that she would check.
GENERAL DISCUSSION:
Lori summarized the Hydrologic/Hydraulic and Pollutant Loading
Model of the Minnehaha Creek Watershed and asked if anyone from the Commission would be
willing to serve on the regional team. Clay indicated he was interested. Lori stated that she
would probably provide the watershed district with Peder’s name as well.
Lori distributed copies of the environmentally-related materials requested by Kathy Perschmann
of the Chanhassen Library. The Commission discussed potential donors for books and/or funds.
The Commission agreed that someone should ask Sharon to talk to Target about donating some
of the books. Lori indicated that some funding for water-related materials might be available
through the Surface Water Management Plan fund.
Meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
Prepared and Submitted by Lori Haak
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