06-08-2022 EC Agenda
AGENDA
CHANHASSEN ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 2022
FOUNTAIN CONFERENCE ROOM, 7700 MARKET BOULEVARD
6:00 P.M. CALL TO ORDER
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Approve minutes dated May 11, 2022
VISITOR PRESENTATIONS
DISCUSSION ITEMS
Assign Connection Article on Focus Topic
Final Planning for July 3rd Business Expo Display
Promote Plastic Free July?
Update on GreenStep Step 3 Progress
COMMISSION PRESENTATIONS
ADJOURNMENT
UPCOMING ITEMS AND EVENTS
2022 Commission Work Plan
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Chanhassen Environmental Commission (EC)
Chanhassen City Hall, Fountain Conference Room
6:00 pm
May 11, 2022
Members Present: Kristin Fulkerson, Leslie Elhadi, Scot Lacek, Julia Adams, Greg Hawks, Markus
Fischer, Scott Grefe, and Kaisa Buckholz
Members Absent:
Staff Present: Jill Sinclair, Environmental Resources Specialist
Visitors: none
Minutes: April minutes were approved.
Regional Environmental Commission conference review: Greg, Leslie and Kaisa attended the state
conference held at Ridgedale Library in Minnetonka. There were about 30-40 commissioners in
attendance, down from pre-pandemic conferences. Greg said there were 3 speakers. The first spoke
about carbon reduction plans; the second talked about EV chargers; the third talked about MN Cities
Climate Caucus promoting climate change issues. The Commission conference was first held 5 years
ago and took a break for the Covid years. It’s starting up slowly again.
July 3rd Trade Fair table: Greg said that the watershed district has an aquifer display. Maybe the
commission could have a QR code to a video so that people could get more info about aquifers. The
commission could make a poster about aquifers. The display might be too complex for a quick demo for
passers-by. The goal is to educate people on not polluting water and groundwater. The commission
could use different sizes of orbs and different size screens to show how things get percolated through the
soil layers. Could have a QR code to info on that. The commission could also make a water table.
Marcus has a fact sheet on assets and liabilities of how water is used. What’s the message going to be?
‘Protect our water.’ ‘This is what it takes to get water to you, don’t waste it.’ Maybe the commission
could put a dollar amount on the cost of wells, water towers and treatment plants to show how it costs
everyone. Have a water conservation theme and use a board with vials and separate activities to show
how water is consumed. Make it a game to see if you have enough water. Give choices such as watering
the lawn, cooking dinner, etc. Could have an example of the average use (use pie charts with
percentages). Make a poster with water use – how much each activity uses – and recommend actions for
water savings. Make a display sign with water use, tips on water conservation, do a game, have a QR
code to WaterWise and show where your water comes from. Laminate the pa-gov. kids test or enlarge
and post behind the table - ‘Test Your Water Sense’ questions.
Meeting adjourned abruptly at 7? pm for tornado warning
Minutes prepared by Jill Sinclair
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https://greenstep.pca.state.mn.us/
Step 3
Step 3 is about continuing and adding upon the work completed in Step 2 by doubling
the number of best practices (BPs) depending on your category (Look at your GreenStep page to
see your category):
Category C communities report 8 Best Practices
Category B communities report 12 Best Practices
Category A communities report 16 Best Practices
To receive Step 3 recognition, a number of 'recognition minimums' need to be reported to move
forward. These are key actions that a city or tribal nation at this level is expected to achieve. The
best practice actions (BPAs) 'recognition minimums' are different for each city category:
Category A
communities must
report:
BPA 1.1, BPA 1.2, and any ONE additional action from BP 1 - Efficient Existing
Public Buildings
Any ONE other Buildings & Lighting BP (2-5)
BPA 6.1, BPA 6.2, and any ONE other Land Use BP (7-10)
BPA 11.1 and any TWO additional actions from BP 11 - Living & Complete Streets
Any TWO actions from BP 12 - Mobility Options
BPA 15.1 and any ONE additional action from BP 15 - Sustainable Purchasing
Any TWO actions from BP 16 - Community Forests & Soils
Any ONE action from BP 17 - Stormwater Management
BPA 24.1 and BPA 24.2 - Benchmarking & Community Engagement
Any TWO actions from BP 25 - Green Business Development
BPA 29.1 (at a 2- or 3-star rating) - Climate Adaptation and Community Resilience
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Chanhassen Environmental
Commission
Annual Work Plan 2022
Commissioner events highlighted in bold
January
Guest speaker: Terry Jeffery, RPBCWD
Select Arbor Day contest theme
Populate 2022 communications plan
Develop Water education for 2022
Advertisement Posted for Openings on
Environmental Commission
Jan 3 – Spring/Summer Connection article due
February
Possible public/youth event planning
Communication annual plan development
Arbor Day poster contest – finalize details
Arbor Day Planning – develop activities
Partner with CNHS for earth day event – planning?
Earth Hour – promotion?
Feb x - Interviews with CC for new members
March
Tour of Environmental Center
Review updates to onboarding packet
List of Term Accomplishments assignment
Joint Council Meeting Reminder?
GreenStep city actions update
March 31 - Last Day of Term
April
Appointment of New Members
New member orientation
Review By-Laws
Appoint Chair/Vice-Chair
Select Arbor Day Poster Contest Winner
Joint Council meeting prep
o Discuss 2022 Priorities/Work Plan
July 3rd Trade Fair Planning
Finalize Arbor Day Work Plan
Arbor Day Poster Contest Presentation
April 1 - First Day of Term
April 22 - Earth Day
April - Arbor Day Poster Contest Presentation at
City Council
April 29 - MN Arbor Day
May
July 3rd Trade Fair Planning
Arbor Day Summary
Env. Comm regional Meeting Summary
Social media calendar update
May - Arbor Month
May 1 – Deadline for GreenStep Cities Action Input
May 7 – Chan Arbor Day
May 21 – Paper shredding event
June
Connection article on focus topic
July 3rd Trade Fair Progress
Plan promotions for Plastic Free July
Review GreenSteps – progress towards Step 3
Advertise for youth commissioner
July
Plan Fall Community Service Event
Promote Plastic Free July
Trade Fair Event Summary
July 3 – EC at Trade Fair Event
July - Newsletter article due for fall/winter edition
Youth commissioner interviews
August
Month off
Aug. 31 – Last day of term, youth commissioner
September
Date TBD – Joint Commission Tour
GreenStep update
Plastic Free update
Sept. 1 – First day of term, youth commissioner
October
Harvest Moon Potluck
Discuss and assign Villager Submittal - Holiday
Waste
November
2023 focus topic finalization
Media calendar for 2022 review and develop
Update commission interview questions
Nov 6 – Yard waste collection day
Nov 15 – National Recycling Day
December
2023 Work Plan finalization
Work on filling 2023 media calendar
Assign Spring/Summer Connection article
Possible tours/speakers
Carver County Environmental Center-
selected
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Arb Pollinator Center
Blue Lake wastewater treatment facility
SMSC compost facility
Chanhassen water treatment facility
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