12-08-04 Minutes
Chanhassen Environmental Commission (EC)
Regular Meeting
December 8, 2004
Meeting Called to order 6:00 p.m.
Members Present:
Marcus Zbinden, Dotti Shay, David Wanek, Kim Grant, Ron Olsen, Jo Mueller
Members Absent:
Deborah Yungner
Staff Present:
Jill Sinclair, Environmental Resources Specialist, Lori Haak, Water Resources Coordinator
Guests Present:
None
November Minutes:
The minutes were approved.
2005 Work Plan:
The commissioner decided to move the presentation from Waste Management to
February. They are also interested in requesting a joint meeting with the council in January or February.
The commission would like to plan a tour of the Eureka recycling facility in spring. The plan was
unanimously approved.
Recycling coupon:
Marcus said there was a good turnout for the Recycling Day in November because of
the advertising for the event. Jill said she’d like to plan on doing it again in the spring. Jo suggested that it
be held on Earth Day. According to Marcus, the best days to have the event would be a Thursday or
Friday. He said the county can track usage for that day and maybe do more advertising or add a Fall
recycling day. He thought that the last hour of the event wasn’t worth it since there were very few
customers during that time. Jill said the city is planning on doing the coupon program again next year. She
will be presenting the 2004 data to the council at the Jan. 24 work session.
Arbor Day Planning:
The commission brainstormed about different activities for the day. There will be a
family craft activity again. Suggestions included: bird houses again, bird feeders, bat houses, poop
composters, butterfly houses, native plant seedlings. The children’s storytime will continue and perhaps an
local environmental author could be invited. Marcus suggested Hans Morsbach, author of Commensense
Forestry. Jill will look into it.
2005 education series at the Arboretum:
Jill updated the commission on the class series for 2005 at the
Arboretum. Class topics planned include trees/tree care, birds/wildlife, composting, woodland restoration.
The arboretum is working on scheduling presenters and arranging dates. Jill should have a final agenda of
classes by the December meeting.
General Discussion:
2005 learning series at Arb – no new news, but everything should be finalized by the end of the month.
?
Jill will check with Melissa regarding an article about waste reduction.
?
Renewable energy – ME3 has been invited to the Jan meeting to talk about grant opportunities. Ron
?
said the city would need to have a wind expert come and take measurements to determine the wind
resources in Chanhassen.
EE Awards – Marcus and Dotti can attend. Kim might be able to make it.
?
Meeting adjourned at 8:00 pm
Prepared and submitted by Jill Sinclair
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