12-10-2014
Chanhassen Environmental Commission (EC)
Regular Meeting
December 10, 2014
Members Present: Glenn Kaufmann, Katie Mahannah, Matthew Myers, Amy Wenner, Amy Omann
Members Absent: Bret Borth, Keith Anderson
Staff Present: Jill Sinclair, Environmental Resources Specialist
Minutes: November minutes were approved.
2014 Goals and projects brainstorming: Jill explained that this agenda item was added to allow the
commission some brainstorming time to think about future projects that may be a good fit for next year. The
commission has accomplished some large projects in the past few years – Sustainability Report, Fen volunteer
project, and a re-vamped Arbor Day event, but hasn’t implemented a new project recently. Jill presented a list of
topic ideas to facilitate discussion about what the next future project will be for 2015. The list included emerald
ash borer, invasive species, fix-it clinics, tree sale, water conservation, pollinators, recycling center volunteering,
Children’s Water Day volunteering, speaker series, and adopt-a-pond. The commission explored the ideas and
offered project suggestions for the topics. EAB was discussed and some good ideas came up. Water
conservation was discussed, also with good ideas. Pollinator projects were discussed. Glenn explained that the
Water Day volunteer project is an event Madeleine, from Carver County, is organizing at Chanhassen Elementary.
It will happen in May and Madeleine will need volunteers to help with the stations. The commissioners thought
that if scheduling permitted, any of the commissioners would probably be interested in assisting. Jill then said she
had talked to Bill at the Environmental Center about any volunteer needs there may be at the site. He said that in
January the center will be handing out radon kits and there may be a need on Saturdays for volunteers to help
record information from citizens picking up kits. There are other days as well that volunteers could help, such as
the compost bin and water barrel distribution days; perhaps 2 or 3 different events through the year. Glenn
reminded everyone that if a project is chosen, 1-2 commissioners need to spearhead it. If nobody wants to lead
the project, then the status quo work plan will be implemented. The commission decided to take a vote on the
projects and see which ones were of interest to the majority of the commission. The Water Day and recycling
center volunteering were excluded from the vote since commissioners thought they’d try to help with those
anyway, if possible. The two projects that rose to the top were EAB and Water Conservation. The commission
decided that EAB would be addressed in 2015 and Water Conservation could be the theme for 2016.
The commission then brainstormed for EAB. (Commissioners who may head up the specific ideas are in
parentheses) The issue could be highlighted by ribboning ash trees at Lake Ann Park to show their commonness
and the effect of its absence. The ribbons could also include a price tag explaining the value of the tree. (Amy O,
Katie) Jill said the DNR has these materials. There could be an article in the paper explaining the project and
garnering interest in the seeing the ribboned trees. (Glenn) An EAB lecture for homeowners could be offered. A
tree scavenger hunt could be offered to school kids over the summer. A tree photo contest could be offered on
Arbor Day and the winner selected by people’s choice at July 3 trade fair and then announced at Chan Day at the
Arb. (matthew) . The Arbor Day poster theme for 2014 should be diversity. A tree silhouette could be put up in
the library during May, Arbor Month, with felt leaves kids could put on and take off. (Matthew, Katie) The
library could display tree-related books and set up the EAB display. A tie-in with buckthorn could be made.
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Artists who work with buckthorn could be invited to display their work at the event. (Amy W.) A fall tree sale
could be organized. The commission will discuss it more at the January meeting.
General Discussion:
Jill will send out onboarding packet draft to the commission.
Meeting adjourned at approximately 8:00 PM.
Minutes prepared by Jill Sinclair
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