04-15-08 Agenda
Environmental Commission Agenda
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
6:30 p.m.
Regular Meeting
6:30 – 6:35 pm Approve February minutes
6:35 –6:45 pm Introductions of new members
6:45 – 6:55 pm Review by-laws
6:55 – 7:05 pm Elect Chair/Vice-Chair
7:05 – 7:15 pm Finalize Arbor Day work plan
7:15 – 7:35 pm Discuss joint meeting with City Council
7:35 – 8:00 pm Update on Water Conservation and Education program
8:00 pm Adjourn
Upcoming events:
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April 1 - First day of term
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April 22 - Earth Day
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April 25 - MN Arbor Day
Futureagendas
May June July
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Arbor Day summary Organize parade entry Organize parade entry
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Planning for 4 of July Planning for P2 week or Planning for P2 week or
parade National Recycling Day National Recycling Day
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Water Conservation Water Conservation
Education Program Education Program
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May - Arbor Month
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May 3 - Chanhassen Arbor
Day
G:\AGENDAS\ENV\AGND4-15--08
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION
CITY OF CHANHASSEN
BY-LAWS
The following by-laws are adopted by the Chanhassen Environmental Commission to facilitate
the performances of its duties and the exercising of its functions as a Commission established by the
City Council pursuant to the provision of Subdivision 1, Section 462.354, Minnesota State Statutes
annotated.
Section 1 - Duties and Responsibilities
1.1 The Environmental Commission has the purpose and responsibility to provide the residents of
Chanhassen with opportunities to improve the quality of their environment, address issues that
affect the city’s natural resources, provide environmental education to the public, bring a
comprehensive perspective to environmental issues, and advocate the benefits and necessity of
Chanhassen’s natural resources.
1.2 The Environmental Commission shall serve as an advisory body to the City Council and
Planning Commission in addressing the needs of theenvironment as directed by the City
Council. All final decisions are to be made by the City Council.
1.3 The Environmental Commission will consider and make recommendations at the direction of
the City Council regarding environmental issues.
1.4 The Environmental Commission will make recommendations at the direction of the City
Council regarding funding for environmental projects.
1.5 The Environmental Commission may propose studies to the City Counciland make
recommendations according to the results.
1.6 The Environmental Commission will coordinate services with other governmental and private
agencies for related issues
1.7 Establishment of Sub-Committees. The Environmental Commission may, as they deem
appropriate, establish special sub-committees comprised solely of their own members.
Section 2 - Meetings
2.1 Time and Place. Regular meetings of the Commission shall be held on the second Tuesday of
each month at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall, 7700 Market Boulevard, unless otherwise directed by the
Chairperson, in which case, at least 24 hours notice will be given to all members. Regular
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meetings shall have a curfew of 8:30 p.m. which may be waived at the discretion of the
Chairperson. All unfinished business will be carried over to the next regular meeting. When
the regular meeting day falls on a legal holiday, there shall be no meeting. In such an event, the
monthly meeting shall be rescheduled by consensus.
2.2 Special Meetings. Special meetings shall be held upon call by consensus of the Commission
and with at least 48 hours of notice to all members.
2.3 Attendance. The Environmental Commission members shall attend not less than 75% of all
regular and special meetings held during a given calendar year and shall not be absent from
three consecutive meetings. Failure to meet this minimum attendance requirement will result in
removal from the commission.
Section 3 - Commission Composition - Terms and Vacancies
3.1 Composition. The Environmental Commission shall consist of seven voting members.Seven
members shall be appointed by the City Council and may be removed by the Council. The City
Council may appoint one of their members to serve as a liaison to the Commission.
3.2 Terms and Vacancies. The City Council shall appoint seven members to the commission for
terms of three years. Vacancies during the term shall be filled by the Council for the unexpired
portion of the term. All members shall serve without compensation.
3.3Member Requirements. All members of the Environmental Commission shall be in compliance
with all local, state, and federal environmental regulations at their homes and owned
businesses. Members will be allowed six months to correct any violations. Violations existing
after that time will be reasonable cause for removal from the Commission by action of the City
Council.
3.4Quorum. Four Environmental Commission members shall constitute a quorum for the
transaction of business. Whenever a quorum is not present, no final or official action shall be
taken at such meeting.
Section 4 - Organization
4.1 Election of Officers. The first meeting in April of each year, the Environmental Commission
shall hold an organizational meeting. At this meeting, the Commission shall elect from its
membership a chairperson and vice-chairperson. This shall be done by voice vote. Vice-
Chairperson shall be elected from the remaining members by the same proceeding. If the
Chairperson retires from the Environmental Commission before the next regular organizational
meeting, the Vice-Chairperson shall be Chairperson. If both Chairperson and Vice-
Chairperson retire, new officers shall be elected at the next regular meeting. If both
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Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson are absent from a meeting, the Commission shall elect a
temporary Chairperson by voice vote.
4.2 Duties of Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson. The Chairperson, or in his/her absence, the Vice
Chairperson, shall conduct the meeting so as to keep it moving as rapidly and efficiently as
possible and shall remind members, witnesses and petitioners to preserve order and decorum
and to keep comments to the subject at hand. The Chairperson shall not move for action but
may second motions.
Section 5 - Procedure
5.1 Procedure. When appropriate, parliamentary procedure governed by Robert's Rules of Order
Revised shall be followed.
Section 6 - Informational Meetings
6.1 Purpose of Informational Meetings. The purpose of an informational meeting is to collect
information and facts in order for the Commission to develop a rational environmental issue
recommendation for the City Council.
6.2 Meeting Procedure. At informational meetings, the following procedures shall be followed in
each case:
a. The Chairperson shall state the purpose of the meeting.
b. Interested persons may address the Commission, giving information regarding the
particular proposal.
Section 7 - Miscellaneous
7.1 Environmental Commission Discussion. Matters for discussion which do not appear on the
agenda may not be considered and discussed by the Commission untilthe end of the agenda.
7.2 Suspension of Rules. The Commission may suspend any of these rules by unanimous vote of
the members present.
7.3 Amendments. Amendments of these by-laws may be made at any regular or special meeting of
the Environmental Commission but only if scheduled on the meeting agenda in advance of the
meeting.
7.4 Review. At the first meeting in Aprilof each year, these by-laws shall be read and adopted by
the Environmental Commission.
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Adopted this 11 day of April, 2006.
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_______________________, Chairperson
_______________________, Mayor
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