09-09-20 MIN1
Chanhassen Environmental Commission (EC)
Regular Meeting – Fountain Conference Room and Zoom Online Meeting
6:00 pm
September 9, 2020
Members Present: Bill Chappell (zoom), Kristin Fulkerson, Jeff Harken, Greg Hawks (zoom), Don
Vasatka, Lucy Rehm (zoom) and Markus Fischer (zoom)
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: Jill Sinclair, Environmental Resources Specialist
Guests Present: Ashley Kennedy and Kim Erickson from Zero Waste West Metro; Chelsea,
Chanhassen resident
Minutes: July minutes were approved.
Zero Waste Workshop event: Ashley and Kim introduced themselves to the group and explained what
they’ll be covering in their presentation. They’ll have a slideshow and a video they hope to show. Jill
said she will work with IT staff to make sure Kim and Ashley have the set up they need. Jeff offered to
help at the event. Other commissioners will attend via zoom. Registrations are slow now, but the city
plans on increasing promotion of the event over the next few weeks.
City updates:
• BioBlitz for Chanhassen on iNaturalist has started. Lucy and Bill are participating. Others are
encouraged.
• The Lake Ann playground is being replaced this month.
• The last addition of The Park will be going to city council on Sept 14. It will be called The
Bluffs at Lake Lucy
• Pavers in City Center Park are being replaced. Many had started to crumble and deteriorate.
• Work is continuing on the new pedestrian crossing at Powers Blvd and Lake Lucy Road. It
should be completed this fall.
• There will be no Night to Unite this year.
• Fall Yard Waste Collection will be happening on Nov. 7, 8a-4p at the Public Works bldg.
• Fall Recycling Day at the Environmental Center will be changed to a voucher program where
residents will be able to apply $20 towards recycling fees by presenting the voucher anytime
before the end of the year. The Center didn’t want to host a big event during Covid.
Recycling Communications: Markus offered to take the full year plan and drop in the commission
work plan. Jeff offered to help, if needed. The commission will review it at the October meeting.
2
Newsletter winter article: Markus has completed the article and will send it to the commission for
comments. The article deadline is Sept. 14.
General Discussion:
• Greg attended the Blue Couch zoom webinar on Aug 6. He said they had a good presentation
with good advice. The commission could possibly use them in the future. The commission
wondered if a video could be posted on YouTube.
• Greg gave an update on the latest RPBCWD meting. Retiring commissioner Jan Callison gave a
synopsis of how Covid-19 has affected Henn. Cty. Joan Palmquist gave the Citizen Advisory
Committee update. Lucy asked about the St Hubert project. Greg said that the catch basin has
failed and caused erosion and damage. They’re having trouble fixing it because of money – who
is responsible for paying for what.
Meeting adjourned at 7:10 pm
Minutes prepared by Jill Sinclair
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