04-10-20191
Chanhassen Environmental Commission (EC)
Regular Meeting
April 10, 2019
Members Present: Bill Chappell, Keith Butcher, Don Vasatka, Greg Hawks, Rachel Popken, Kristin
Fulkerson, Jeff Harken
Members Absent:
Staff Present: Jill Sinclair, Environmental Resource Specialist;
Minutes: March minutes were approved.
Elect Chair and Vice-Chair: The commissioners nominated Keith for Chair and Don for Vice-Chair.
It was approved unanimously.
Joint Council meeting review: Commissioners reported that the meeting went quickly. Keith
reviewed what the commission had done over the previous year and what is on the work plan for this
year. The mayor said she would like the council to receive minutes from the commission. Jill and Todd
G will arrange that.
July 3 Trade Fair planning: The theme will be Energy Efficiency. Commissioners discussed whether
or not to have an EE expert there to help answer questions. Keith said he could ask someone from the
Center for Energy and Environment. He said he also had LED light sample and Energy Star display
posters. Rachel said a common question that they’ll probably be asked is what is the LED equivalent for
the 60 watt lightbulb. CERT has a Right Light Guide. Cities have permission to print the guides for
handouts. There is a template to download and we can add the city logo. Bill thought having meters on
the lights would be informational to show how much less electricity is used by LED. Don said he has
meters he could bring. Keith said he has a kw meter that could be used too. Kristin had an idea for the
kid’s giveaway. Instead of candy, there could be light switch plates that kids could decorate with the
reminder to turn lights off. Or maybe get a sticker they could put on switch plates. Keith will look to
see what giveaways he may have access to. The commission requested a sign for the front of the table
identifying the group that could be used year after year.
Arbor Day Event planning: All commissioners will probably be available to help with Arbor Day on
May 4 at Rice Marsh Lake Park. They will plan on arriving at 8:30a to help with set up. The event
starts at 9a. Volunteers will be planting 19 trees.
GreenStep update and documentation: Jill reported that she inputted 17 actions that the city has
taken and thought the city was well over the 8 required actions to become a step 2 city. The reporting
was reviewed by GreenStep and while there were 17 actions, they were only from 6 Best Management
Practices and fell short of the 8 required. Jill reviewed the qualifying actions again and found a couple
2
more that the city had completed in 2 different and previously unreported Best Management Practices.
The city will find out in May if it qualifies as a Step 2 city. Keith thought that if the city does receive
the Step 2 designation, then commissioners would like to be a part of the city contingency that attends
the recognition ceremony. Jill said she would let the commission know when she receives any
information about the status.
General Discussion:
• Jill informed the commission that the city will be purchasing a vactor street sweeper, aka
regenerative air sweeper. This equipment captures much more fine particulates and will be
beneficial to the city. The city also received a grant from RPBCWD for the purchase.
• Jill has received complaints from residents of and visitors to Chanhassen about the lack of
recycling at some area businesses. Callers reported no recycling at Paisley Park, Spalon
Montage, and Panera. Jill worked with Carver County Environmental services to contact
businesses and bring them into compliance. Its state law that businesses generating 4 cu yds
of waste must recycle at least 3 materials. Spalon Montage’s building Management Company
and Paisley Park nearly immediately remedied the situation and are offering recycling. Panera
has not yet responded. A complaint was received about Chik fil A. That will be investigated
and followed up on. Keith thought that maybe recycling can be the focus topic for 2020.
• Greg will be attending the Metro Environmental Commission Conference this Saturday, April
13. 40 people from 25 different communities are signed up to attend. Jill will add this to the
work plan dates for April.
• Greg attended the latest RPBCWD meeting. Agenda highlights are Red Rock Lake AIS
program starting, Highland Lake alum treatment, some resident complaints.
Meeting adjourned at 7:20 pm
Minutes prepared by Jill Sinclair