3-8-23 MIN1
Chanhassen Environmental Commission (EC)
Chanhassen City Hall, Fountain Conference Room
6:00 pm
March 8, 2023
Members Present: Kristin Fulkerson, Leslie Elhadi, Greg Hawks, Kaisa Buckholz, Scot Lacek
Members Absent: Julia Adams, Scott Grefe, Markus Fischer
Staff Present: Matt Unmacht, Assistant City Manager, Jamie Marsh, Greencorps Member
Visitors: Judy Hearth, and Keely
Minutes: February minutes were approved.
Water Treatment Facility Tour Update
Matt Unmacht discussed a tour for the Environmental Academy that happens in August – 20 people
might be too many people for a tour because the plant is so loud. The suggestion by staff was to break
up the group and do approximately 10 at the West Water Treatment Plant and approximately 10 at the
East Water Treatment Plant. Commission members decided that two groups would be good for the
academy.
A tour for Environmental Commission is possible, but the West Water Treatment Plant does not have a
conference room for the Commission to meet right after the tour. The East Water Treatment Plant has a
conference room for the meeting after the tour. Another option would be to tour the facility on a night
that isn’t an Environmental Commission meeting night. It was decided that the tour would be on June
14, 2023, at the East Water Treatment Plant, with the meeting to take place right after.
Arbor Day Planning Follow-Up
Jamie Marsh reported that they have the species, park, and locations for planting trees for the event
planned. She shared that Bandimere Park is where the plantings will take place. There are 21 trees of
various species that will be planted. The event will be held from 9-10 AM on May 6, 2023. There are
frisbees available and 75 balsam fir seedlings that will be given away as prizes. A possible activity could
be a scavenger hunt or Bingo. Setting up a table that describes Emerald Ash Borer or Dutch Elm disease
is possible. Tree stump frisbee and a giant tic-tac-toe board were decided on for activities. Creating seed
bombs was discussed as well. The Environmental Club from the high school would like to assist in the
day’s activities.
2
Earth Hour Promotion Follow-up
Matt shared the posting that would be used for Earth Hour. The Commission provided some minor
comments that Matt will work with the Communications team to incorporate.
Commission Presentations
Greg gave an update from the Riley Purgatory Watershed. They will post the accomplishments at the 5-
year mark of the 10-year plan on their website.
Upcoming Items and Events
Local Option Sales Tax was discussed for the Chanhassen Bluffs Recreational Facility at Avienda.
Highway 5 expansion project is causing concerns about chloride levels in area waterways.
Meeting adjourned at 6:41 pm
Minutes prepared by Jenny Potter