06-12-24 EC Agenda and Packet
AGENDA
CHANHASSEN ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12, 2024
FOUNTAIN CONFERENCE ROOM, 7700 MARKET BOULEVARD
6:00 P.M. CALL TO ORDER
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Approval of May 8, 2024 Environmental Commission Minutes
VISITOR PRESENTATIONS
Carver County Environmental Center- Recycling Ambassador Program
DISCUSSION ITEMS
Environmental Academy Planning
Environmental Trivia Night Planning
July 3rd Business Expo Planning
Park and Recreation Month Meeting Discussion
Adopt a Drain Program
Environmental Commission Shirt Update
COMMISSION PRESENTATIONS
Buy Chanhassen Update
Environmental Commission Regional Meeting Summary
AIS Inspections Update
UPCOMING ITEMS AND EVENTS
Youth Commissioner
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ADJOURNMENT
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Environmental Commission Item
June 12, 2024
Subject Approval of May 8, 2024 Environmental Commission Minutes
Section APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Prepared By Amy Weidman, Senior Admin Support Specialist
May 8, 2024 Environmental Commission Minutes
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Chanhassen Environmental Commission (EC)
6:00 pm
May 8, 2024
Members Present: Scott Grefe, Kaisa Buckholz, Billy Cripe, Paget Pengelly, Sidney Lindmark,
John Stutzman, Ryan Farnan
Members Absent: Leslie Elhadi
Staff Present: Jamie Marsh, Environmental Resource Specialist
Visitors: Linda Paulson, Resident
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 6:01 p.m.
Minutes
Commissioner Stutzman moved to approve the meeting minutes dated April 10, 2024 with no
changes; Commissioner Buckholz seconded. The minutes were approved with a 7-0 vote.
Visitor Presentations
Resident Linda Paulsen shared her interest in finding places in Chanhassen that accept wine
corks for recycling. Commissioner Buckholz will look into options. Ms. Paulsen also shared the
helpful advice she received from Jamie Marsh, Environmental Resource Specialist, that
recyclables shouldn’t be taped together to ensure that the recycling facilities can sort them
properly.
Arbor Day Recap
Commissioners, residents, and staff turned out on May 4 to Meadow Green Park to plant 24
trees. The conditions were very soggy after so much rain, but there was a good turnout. Manuel
Jordan, the Arborist, presented how to best plant a tree, which the commissioners found helpful.
Commissioners discussed using the games that weren’t needed at the July 3 expo. The bare root
trees are much more affordable; this allowed the city to plant more trees for less money than last
year, plus the Lions donated trees as well.
Communications Calendar
The Commissioners updated the social media calendar to schedule posts about Emerald Ash
Borer (EAB), lake quality, and invasive plant species.
July 3 Trade Fair Planning
The business expo table at Chanhassen 4th of July Celebration is reserved on July 3 from 4:00 to
6:00 p.m. The Commissioners organized a set-up/ early shift from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m., and a
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second half plus tear-down from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. They will utilize games and a Master
Gardener. Ms. Marsh is looking into a rain barrel for a possible giveaway. They will have a QR
code to sign up for Chan-happenings.
Environmental Academy
The Commissioners discussed possible topics for this year’s Environmental Academy events to
continue with the theme of invasive species, dates, and locations.
Tentatively, the plan is to schedule August 22 to teach about the green features that will be
implemented at the new Civic Campus. On September 26, participants will learn to identify
invasive species in trees on location at a city park, utilizing a picnic shelter and going to look at
trees in person. The last session will be at the Environmental Center on October 24. The plan is
to leave aquatic invasive species as a backup plan.
Update 2024 Summer Work Plan
Ms. Marsh reviewed the current work plan, and they added additional items to the upcoming
June and July meetings.
New Commission T-Shirts
The Commissioners discussed t-shirts versus work shirts. They have a lot of public-facing
events, so some type of shirt is helpful to identify themselves. They are looking into options and
will revisit in June.
Commission Presentations
Chair Grefe shared some updates from the April 22 Solid Waste Management Stakeholder
meeting. The group’s goal, with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, is to reduce what goes
in the landfill and find ways to facilitate that goal.
Commissioner Cripe discussed the Green Steps initiative to support shopping locally. Mr. Cripe
met with Buy Chanhassen to discuss options. He’d like to highlight why and how construction
sites use silt fencing to protect the environment. Utilizing fencing at the Civic Campus
construction site to link to educational videos and promote local businesses could be an
opportunity to meet another Green Steps initiative.
Upcoming Items and Events
Ruth Slivken from the Commission on Aging is coordinating the planting of a pollinator garden
on May 18 at 1:00 p.m. at the Lake Place Apartments. Any commissioners wishing to volunteer
at this event can let Jamie know.
Adjournment
Commissioner Cripe moved; Commission Paget seconded a motion to adjourn. The vote was 7-0
and the meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
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Minutes prepared by Amy Weidman, Senior Administrative Support Specialist
Minutes Submitted by Jamie Marsh, Environmental Resource Specialist
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Environmental Commission Item
June 12, 2024
Subject Adopt a Drain Program
Section DISCUSSION ITEMS
Prepared By Jamie Marsh, Environmental Resource Specialist
https://adopt-a-drain.org/
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