EC 2017 06 14
Chanhassen Environmental Commission (EC)
Regular Meeting
June 14, 2017
Members Present: Charlotte Chappell, Bill Chappell, Keith Butcher, Don Vasatka, Wayne Benbow, David
Hess, Rachel Popken
Members Absent:
Staff Present: Jill Sinclair, Environmental Resource Specialist
Minutes: May minutes were approved with clarifications.
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July 3 Trade Fair planning: The expo will take place on July 3 and runs 4:30-7:30pm. Bill shared his quest
to find a hive for displays. There wasn’t any available from the Arboretum or the Bee Squad. Bill says he’s
waiting to hear back from a beekeeper. He said that the education dept. at the Arb offered to supply pollinator ID
sheets, coloring sheets (we would need to provide crayons), paper bee crowns, and seed packets. Bill will contact
the Arb and request the materials. The commission decide they would like to have pollinator friendly plants on
display as well as a large pollinator ID poster. They also thought that a display of neonic insecticides would be a
good visual so people know what to avoid using. To educate the public, the commission would have a list of
alternative insecticides that don’t harm pollinators. The following posters will be on display: pollinator friendly
plants, neonic insecticides, grocery store produce dept. with and without pollinated food. The commission agreed
that trivia questions with candy prizes would be a good way to engage people. Rachel volunteered to look into
getting Buzz the bee from GM and possibly packages of honey nut cheerios. Each commission is to send Jill 5
bee trivia questions by June 23. She will compile and have ready for expo. Handouts for the table will include
the pollinator friendly plants with supplier resources. Bill will look into getting plants from the Plant Place,
handout from the Arb, and send Jill the assortment of neonic images he has. On the day of the event, the
following commission can staff the booth: Bill, Charlotte, Dave and Keith. Wayne’s a maybe. Rachel and Don
are unavailable.
Chanhassen Day planning: Jill shared that the city and county will be co-sponsoring a bee class for kids so
there will be no fees for families. Also scheduled is a morning story time and guided nature walk. A tree
scavenger hunt sheet is available throughout the day for families. Jill and Bill will be meeting on June 26 with the
Arb and County to finalize plans for the day.
Comp Plan recommendations: The commission decided to wait until September and/or the public open houses
to compile their recommendation for the comprehensive plan.
General Discussion:
Jill informed the commission that they can continue to work on a plan for the city’s adoption of the Green
Step Cities program. The commission will begin by compiling a more concrete listing of what the city
has already accomplished for action items. Once that information is gathered, they will request the city
adopt a resolution for the program and give them an update on the city’s progress for attaining a Step 2
City designation. Rachel will create a survey/spreadsheet for each section that can be sent to the
appropriate city department. Jill will facilitate the disbursement of the surveys. The commission hopes to
have a resolution in front of the council in August.
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Meeting adjourned at 7:30 pm
Minutes prepared by Jill Sinclair
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