2012 10 10 Chanhassen Environmental Commission (EC)
Regular Meeting
October 10,2012
Members Present: Robert Kircher, Glenn Kaufmann, Katie Mahannah, Denny Hansen, Keith Anderson,
Matthew Myers, Amy Wenner
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: Jill Sinclair, Environmental Resource Specialist
Guests Present: None
Minutes: July minutes were approved.
Commission Joint Tour Recap: The commission thought this year's tour was better than last year. There was a
good mix of people with the three commissions. One of the highlights was seeing the cut for the Hwy 41
underpass. Staff did a great job, especially Todd Hoffman and Kate Aanenson. The commission is always
interested in hearing more about water resources and would like Terry to come to a spring meeting.
Seminary Fen event update: Glenn has the project planned with the DNR. It will be on Saturday,Nov. 3 from
9 am—noon. Katie has made a`Friends of the Chanhassen Environmental Commission' signup sheet for
volunteers. Jill will take care of getting refreshments and Glenn will help with picking up supplies.
Grant proposal: The commission reviewed their 5 main ideas for grant requests: physical resources, student
intern, stewardship projects, educational workshops, and reaching kids in the community. The commissioners
discussed the need to get ideas together with costs before applying for a grant. Local grants opportunities seem
more promising than national sources. The commission talked about whether the focus will be on service projects
or educational resources. They figure they could do the fen as an annual project especially if volunteers show up.
Commissioners further discussed details and ideas regarding grants. In the end, the consensus seemed to be that
once a proj ect is decided on, then the appropriate grant search and process can begin.
Environmental Excellence Award: Katie and Denny posted all of their flyers around town. Jill said that the
city hasn't received any applications yet. Jill will post a flyer at city hall and make sure it's on the reader board
and website. She'll also get in on the city's facebook page. The commission will re-evaluate the program after
this year's is over.
General Discussion:
• Jill showed the commission the Chinook Book, a coupon book for `green' businesses. The commission
liked the book,but didn't have an idea of how to specifically use it in their programs. They will keep it in
mind.
• Katie brought in a flyer for the Eden Prairie water conservation rebate she found at Home Depot. EP
gives rebates of$50 or$100 for water conservation fixtures and appliances. Jill said the city did that for a
year when it received grant money from the EPA for it. Currently,it's not in the budget to offer rebates
to Chan residents.
• Bob wondered how the recycling coupon program was going. Jill said it was on par with past year and
that the total cost will be $10,000 or more. The coupons used are automatically deducted by the county
from the grant money that the city receives each year.
• Amy wondered when the next newspaper article will be due. Jill brought up the work plan and found that
a holiday waste article is called for in November, to be published in December. Katie said she would try
writing one.
• The database of articles, etc.is put on hold.
Meeting adjourned at approximately 7:30 PM.
Minutes prepared by Jill Sinclair