10-09-20191
Chanhassen Environmental Commission (EC)
Regular Meeting
October 9, 2019
Members Present: Bill Chappell, Keith Butcher, Greg Hawks, Rachel Popken, Kristin Fulkerson, Jeff
Harken, Don Vasatka
Members Absent:
Staff Present: Jill Sinclair, Environmental Resource Specialist;
Minutes: September minutes were approved.
Fall Energy Efficiency workshop review: The event had really good attendance and the speakers
complemented each other very well without much overlap. Attendance was slightly over 50, not
including commissioners and presenters. The audience demographic was slightly older than expected,
but there was a good mix of ages. The advertising for the event was good with some attendees saying
they saw the sandwich board signs at the downtown intersections and others seeing the Villager insert.
It was also on the homepage and Facebook. Talking to attendees afterwards, people liked the advice to
‘Do One Thing’ to improve energy efficiency. It made it a manageable endeavor. A number of people
intended to sign up for the energy audits. It seemed like everyone got something out of the
presentations. Bill suggested doing a follow-up with the paper on the event. Add some content about
EE to further the public education. Jill will post the CEE presentation on the city’s website.
GreenStep Cities worksheet review: The commission reviewed the complete and incomplete actions
and discussed which action items could be tackled in the next year or so.
• 24.1-The commission may be doing something like this already; should add GreenStep to the EC
by-laws; Keith will draft some language for review
• 25.2-The city should add links on its website to utilities for residents and businesses; maybe give
brochures on EE with building permits or utility bills
• 25.7-Buy Chanhassen program; city newsletter article promoting it and city helps with event
• B-3-Should start by creating spreadsheet and entering building information based on B3 data
required. Jill will look into and start on that.
• 1.2-install programmable thermostats, light motion sensors, etc.
• 2.1-EE workshop and articles should qualify.
Jill will research the items listed and update the commission on the status at a future meeting.
Commission can vote on which to pursue.
2
Winter Connection article: The article will be on Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Refuse – the 2020 focus
topic.
General Discussion:
• Rachel will not be at Nov or Dec meetings.
• The 2020 focus topic will be Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Refuse
• Kristin will write the Holiday recycling article
• Work plan 2020 idea – tour Environmental Center
Meeting adjourned at 7:40 pm
Minutes prepared by Jill Sinclair