11-13-24 EC Agenda and PacketA.6:00 P.M. CALL TO ORDER
A.1 Youth Commissioner Oath of Office
B.APPROVAL OF MINUTES
B.1 Approval of October 9, 2024 Environmental Commission Minutes
C.VISITOR PRESENTATIONS
C.1 Camp Fire Minnesota
D.DISCUSSION ITEMS
D.1 Environmental Trivia Recap
D.2 Discuss 2025 Focus Topic
D.3 Develop 2025 Social Media Calendar
E.COMMISSION PRESENTATIONS
F.UPCOMING ITEMS AND EVENTS
F.1 Fall Programs Ending: Pumpkin Drop-off and Yard Waste Site
G.ADJOURNMENT
AGENDA
CHANHASSEN ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2024
FOUNTAIN CONFERENCE ROOM, 7700 MARKET BOULEVARD
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Environmental Commission Item
November 13, 2024
Subject Youth Commissioner Oath of Office
Section 6:00 P.M. CALL TO ORDER
Prepared By Amy Weidman, Senior Admin Support Specialist
Wren Roemer Oath
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PH 952.227.1100 • www.chanhassenmn.gov • FX 952.227.1110
7700 MARKET BOULEVARD • P.O. BOX 147 • CHANHASSEN • MINNESOTA • 55317
OATH OF OFFICE
I, Rylee “Wren” Roemer, do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the
United States, the Constitution of the State of Minnesota, and to discharge faithfully the duties of
the Environmental Commissioner of the City of Chanhassen, Minnesota to the best of my
judgment and ability, so help me, God.
_____________________________________
Rylee Roemer
Date: November 13, 2024
STATE OF MINNESOTA )
(SS
COUNTY OF CARVER )
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 13th day of November, 2024.
_____________________________
Notary Public
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Environmental Commission Item
November 13, 2024
Subject Approval of October 9, 2024 Environmental Commission Minutes
Section APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Prepared By Amy Weidman, Senior Admin Support Specialist
October 9, 2024 Environmental Commission Minutes
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Chanhassen Environmental Commission (EC)
6:00 pm
October 9, 2024
Members Present: Scott Grefe, Kaisa Buckholz, Leslie Elhadi, Billy Cripe, Paget Pengelly,
Sidney Lindmark
Members Absent: John Stutzman, Wren Roemer
Staff Present: Jamie Marsh, Environmental Resource Specialist; Jenny Potter, City Clerk
Visitors: None
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 6:03 p.m.
Oath of Office
Youth Commissioner Roemer wasn’t in attendance so the oath will be administered at a future
meeting.
Minutes
Commissioner Grefe moved to approve the meeting minutes dated July 10, 2024 with clarifying
amendments; Commissioner Elhadi seconded. The minutes were approved with a 6-0 vote.
Discussion Items
1. Environmental Academy Update
The first Environmental Academy course was held at Chanhassen City Hall where City Manager
Laurie Hokkanen presented about the Civic Campus project highlighting environmentally related
initiatives. Initiatives she covered included the stormwater reuse system, a grant acquired by the
city to install solar panels on the new building, pollinator friendly landscaping plan and energy
efficient systems.
The Reuse Night was held on September 12; about a dozen people participated, and the overall
message was that waste reduction is the most effective method. The group also went to the
Lending Library in Chaska where they were taught how the whole operation works.
The event at SMSC Organics Recycling Facility was rescheduled from August 29 to September
30. Approximately 20 people attended. SMSC takes in organic waste and yard waste and
processes it. They do sell mulch and compost.
There are three remaining Academy events this month.
2. Environmental Trivia Updates
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Commissioner Grefe and Commissioner Pengelly will be checking teams in. Commissioner
Cripe will run the laptop, and Commissioner Stutzman will operate the timer up front.
Commissioner Pengelly and Commissioner Lindmark will be collecting answer sheets after each
round. Commissioner Elhadi and Commissioner Buckholz will be keeping score after each
round. Dave Ryan will once again emcee for trivia night.
Topics include aquatic invasive species, terrestrial invasive species, climate change, Chan-
Happening, and Environmental Academy. One tie-breaker question will be ready as well.
Questions were written by the commissioners.
The commission discussed prizes and the possibility of introducing bamboo kitchen tools or
local gift cards as a new option.
3. Outreach Opportunities
Ms. Marsh is looking to improve outreach for educational opportunities. The spring Chanhassen
Connection article is due soon and she would like to introduce new information. Commissioner
Lindmark recommended discussing new invasive species, such as phragmites. Commissioner
Pengelly mentioned partnering with Camp Fire Minnesota for an interpretive nature walk.
Additional ideas included visiting a local farm, highlighting new practices in farming, and taking
part in the farmers’ market. The commissioners also discussed the idea of making short video
content. Ms. Marsh advised that they will likely need to hone in on some ideas to maintain a
reasonable workload. Meeting with Camp Fire is a next step as there is an established space and
a naturalist.
4. Commission Report
Ms. Marsh shared a previous Environmental Commission report that will be referenced as a
guide for the 2024 Environmental Commission Report is created for a year-end review.
Commission Presentations
Upcoming Items and Events
There will be a pumpkin drop off at public works from November 1 to November 15. The
pumpkins will then be brought to a farm for animals to eat. This is the first year for the pumpkin
drop off program.
The Boy Scouts will be doing their annual tree pick-up after Christmas season.
Adjournment
Commissioner Lindmark moved to adjourn the meeting, Commissioner Pengelly seconded.
Chair Grefe adjourned at 7:33 p.m with a vote of 6-0.
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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
November 13, 2024
Subject Camp Fire Minnesota
Section VISITOR PRESENTATIONS
Prepared By Jamie Marsh, Environmental Resource Specialist
A representative from Camp Fire Minnesota will be coming to present about the program and the
Commission will discuss potential opportunities to collaborate with the organization.
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Environmental Commission Item
November 13, 2024
Subject Fall Programs Ending: Pumpkin Drop-off and Yard Waste Site
Section UPCOMING ITEMS AND EVENTS
Prepared By Jamie Marsh, Environmental Resource Specialist
This is the first year that the city held a pumpkin drop-off program. Pumpkins are being collected until
November 15 and then will be brought to a Minnesota farm where they will be fed to farm animals. The
yard waste site has extended the open date to November 25.
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