2012 12 12 Chanhassen Environmental Commission (EC)
Regular Meeting
December 12, 2012
Members Present: Robert Kircher, Glenn Kaufmann, Katie Mahannah, Denny Hansen, Keith Anderson,
Matthew Myers
Members Absent: Amy Wenner
Staff Present: Jill Sinclair, Environmental Resource Specialist
Guests Present: None
Minutes: November minutes were approved.
Recycling Coupon 2012 overview: Jill reviewed this year's expenses for the recycling coupon. It looks like the
total cost will be less than last year. She didn't have a count of the number of visits by Chanhassen residents to
date this year. It would be good to know if visits are less than last year as well. Jill will get that information from
the county after the end of the year. The commission discussed the program and its usefulness. It seems that the
coupon serves as a good way of introducing residents to the recycling center. The majority of visits by residents
do not involve the use of a coupon, so it's good to know that people do use the facility whether or not they have a
coupon. The commission briefly discussed other ways the grant money could be used, such as rebates or city
wide curbside collections. It was decided that for now,the coupon was a successful program and a good use of
funds.
Arbor Day planning: Jill informed the commission that the Park and Rec commission had discussed the Arbor
Day planting project for this year and recommended that trees be planted at Lake Susan Park. Jill showed the
commission an aerial of the park with existing tree locations and potential plating areas. There will be more than
enough sites for new trees in the park.
The commission then talked about the Arbor Day poster contest. Jill said she just found out that the MNLA
sponsored a state poster contest last year even though the national program was discontinued. Jill has emailed the
MNLA contact to see if the details for the 2013 contest are available. She will mail letters to the schools in the
first week of January about the contest. Last year the deadline for the state was mid-February, so if it's similar
this year the schools will need to do a very quick turnaround of the posters after receiving the letter. If the state is
not going to sponsor a contest, the city will hold their own again and the theme would be "Trees are Terrific...and
my favorite tree is.."
2013 Work Plan: Keith presented the preliminary work plan and work plan detail. The commission was asked
for any additional ideas to add to the plan. There were none. Some commissioners expressed concern that the
time commitment should not be increased by putting so many items into the work plan. Commissioners want to
make sure they're not biting off more than they can chew and thereby eliminating the possibility of accomplishing
anything completely. The commission discussed at length two items: `mentoring' and `School District
Environment Day'. The capstone projects required of Chan HS seniors was brought up in regards to the
mentoring' item on the work plan. It was suggested that the EC could be a great resource for the kids and this is
the perfect time to get involved with the school. The commission went on to discuss the school district
Environment Day idea. The district may or may not be interested. The commission does not have a specific plan
as to what the day would be like or which schools or what grades would be included. It could be a day where the
kids are bused to Lowry Nature Center. Or there could be activities planned at Camp Tanadoona or Minnewashta
Park. Another suggestion was to offer an Environmental Day on a weekend where children and parents could
both attend. The commission preferred the school district day. Keith said he would write up proposals for both
projects. A suggestion came up to also create environmental videos for the city facebook page. The work plan
will be finalized and approved at the January meeting.
General Discussion:
• Happy holidays to all.
Meeting adjourned at approximately 7:45 PM.
Minutes prepared by Jill Sinclair