EC SUM 2011 11 09
Chanhassen Environmental Commission (EC)
Regular Meeting
November 9, 2011
Members Present:
Dennis Hansen, Amy Wenner, Glenn Kaufmann, David Christianson, Katie Mahannah,
Robert Kircher
Members Absent
: Matthew Myers
Staff Present:
Jill Sinclair, Environmental Resources Specialist
Guests Present:
Laurie Susla
Minutes:
October minutes were approved with typo corrections.
Holiday article:
Commissioners reviewed the holiday recycling article written by Beverly Foster last year and want to update it for
submission to the Villager this year. Glenn will edit the article and send it to the commission for review in the
next couple of weeks.
Environmental Excellence Award:
Two applications were submitted for this year’s Environmental Excellence Award. Lakewinds submitted an
application for the Business category and Lotus Lake Clean Water Association submitted in the Organization
category. There were no applications in category A, Individuals/Families. The commission reviewed the
applications and discussed the merits of each. A motion was made and seconded to approve both applications
and recommend them to the City Council.
Chanhassen Sustainability Report:
Commissioners reviewed the current report. David had updated the Water Conservation section and added
formatting which the commission liked. The Urban Forestry section had also been updated. Commissioners
recommended that pictures be added to each section. The issue of buckthorn should also be mentioned in the UF
section. The commission discussed format and content and decided that specific sections would be reviewed at
upcoming meetings. At the January meeting, the Urban Forestry and Stormwater sections will be reviewed.
Matthew, Glenn and Bob will be developing these sections.
Arbor Day planning:
Arbor Day 2012 will be on Saturday, May 5 at Lake Ann Park. Ballfields 5 and 6 will be inter-planted with new
trees. Amy described the spring cleanup programs run by Carver County and the Freshwater Society where they
focus on cleaning leaves and debris from streets. The organizations keep track of where groups are working, how
much they collect and report the quantities collected back to the cities. Chanhassen could develop a similar
program. Katie brought up the volunteer email database that the city of Minnetonka created. Whenever a natural
resource event happens, an email goes out to volunteers with the event details and the volunteers needed. Perhaps
the city could start something like that.
General Discussion:
Terry Jeffery will be presenting information on the City’s SWMP program at the December meeting.
The next meeting will be held Wednesday, December 14 at 6:00pm.
Meeting adjourned at approximately 7:40 PM.
Minutes prepared by Jill Sinclair