09-11-20191
Chanhassen Environmental Commission (EC)
Regular Meeting
September 11, 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: June minutes were approved.
Chair/Vice-chair selection: The commission elected a new chair and vice-chair at the meeting since
Keith had resigned as Chair at the previous meeting. Don Vasatka was nominated and voted in as Chair
and Jeff was nominated and voted in as Vice-Chair.
RPBCWD Event: Jeff attended the 50th anniversary event at the watershed district on Aug. 28. He
said there was a short program in which staff and managers received awards and the district was
presented with an award from the state. There was a water tasting ‘game’ as well as artwork and history
exhibits.
CEE Energy Hub: The Center for Energy and Environment had sent out a link to their online resource
center ‘Energy Hub’. Some of the commissioners had looked at it and said it provided broad
information on lots of subjects. The commission decided to promote it in the next city newsletter and at
the energy efficiency workshop. Bill will ask CEE to talk about it at the workshop event.
Fall Energy Efficiency workshop: As of Sept. 11, CEE, MVEC and Xcel have been confirmed to
attend. The commission talked about the agenda and developed the following tentative outline:
CEE – present overall reasons why to be energy efficient – 30 min
Xcel – present individual rebate programs – 10-15 min
MVEC – present individual rebate programs – 10-15 min
It was decided to leave CenterPoint off of the program since they have not been confirmed. A
commissioner will still try and secure them. It was recommend that CEE be told that CP may not be
available and that CEE could cover gas energy efficiency in their presentation. For giveaways, the
commission decided to request 2 trivia questions from each organization which can be asked to the
audience. Winners get a pack of LED lights. Refreshments will be cookies and juice
Winter Connection article: Jeff had drafted an article about energy star products. The commission
reviewed and had no changes. It was suggested to add a call out box highlighted holiday purchases with
Energy Star in mind. Jeff will add and send to Jill.
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General Discussion:
• Bill brought up an article highlighting St Paul and how they’re getting money for the purchase
of electric vehicles.
• The commission thinks recycling may be next year’s focus.
• July 4 recap – commission said it was underwhelming; need an attention grabber for next year;
should get the recycling trailer from DemCon; there were more adults than kids therefore not
many stickers given out. Rachel said she attended a city festival in Plymouth and the EC was
there near popular booths and maybe had more interest due to people standing in line in front
of table.
• Clean Up for Water Quality – leaf clean up event is scheduled for Sat., Oct 26. No one from
the commission is able to attend.
• The GreenStep Cities worksheet review will be moved to the October agenda, from November.
Along with the discussion of the 2020 focus topic. Terry Jeffery is scheduled for November.
Meeting adjourned at 7:30 pm
Minutes prepared by Jill Sinclair