Loading...
04-08-2026 EC Agenda PacketA.6:00 P.M. CALL TO ORDER A.1 Oaths of Office A.2 Appoint Chair and Vice Chair A.3 Review Bylaws B.APPROVAL OF MINUTES B.1 Approval of March 11, 2026 Environmental Commission Minutes C.VISITOR PRESENTATIONS D.DISCUSSION ITEMS D.1 Vote on Arbor Day Poster Contest Winner D.2 July 3rd Trade Fair Planning E.COMMISSION PRESENTATIONS F.UPCOMING ITEMS AND EVENTS F.1 Residential Tree Sale G.ADJOURNMENT AGENDA CHANHASSEN ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8, 2026 LAKE SUSAN CONFERENCE ROOM, 7700 MARKET BOULEVARD 1 Environmental Commission Item April 8, 2026 Subject Oaths of Office Section 6:00 P.M. CALL TO ORDER Prepared By Amy Weidman, Senior Admin Support Specialist Mary Humphries Oath Paul Granos Oath 2 PH 952.227.1100 • www.chanhassenmn.gov • FX 952.227.111 0 7700 MARKET BOULEVAR D • PO BOX 147 • CHANHASSEN • MINNESOTA • 55317 OATH OF OFFICE I, Mary Humphries, do solemnly swear to support the Constitution of the United States, the Constitution of the State of Minnesota, and to discharge faithfully the duties of the office of Environmental Commissioner of the City of Chanhassen, Minnesota to the best of my judgment and ability, so help me, God. Mary Humphries Date: April 8, 2026 STATE OF MINNESOTA ) ( ss COUNTY OF CARVER ) Subscribed and sworn to before me this 8 day of April 2026. Notary Public 3 PH 952.227.1100 • www.chanhassenmn.gov • FX 952.227.111 0 7700 MARKET BOULEVAR D • PO BOX 147 • CHANHASSEN • MINNESOTA • 55317 OATH OF OFFICE I, Paul Granos, do solemnly swear to support the Constitution of the United States, the Constitution of the State of Minnesota, and to discharge faithfully the duties of the office of Environmental Commissioner of the City of Chanhassen, Minnesota to the best of my judgment and ability, so help me, God. Paul Granos Date: April 8, 2026 STATE OF MINNESOTA ) ( ss COUNTY OF CARVER ) Subscribed and sworn to before me this 8 day of April 2026. Notary Public 4 Environmental Commission Item April 8, 2026 Subject Appoint Chair and Vice Chair Section 6:00 P.M. CALL TO ORDER Prepared By Amy Weidman, Senior Admin Support Specialist The commission shall elect a chair and vice chair from its membership. 5 Environmental Commission Item April 8, 2026 Subject Review Bylaws Section 6:00 P.M. CALL TO ORDER Prepared By Amy Weidman, Senior Admin Support Specialist 2025 Environmental Commission Bylaws 6 1 CITY OF CHANHASSEN ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION BYLAWS The following by-laws are adopted by the Chanhassen Environmental Commission to facilitate the performances of its duties and the exercising of its functions as a Commission established by the City Council pursuant to the provision of Subdivision 1, Section 462.354, Minnesota State Statutes annotated. Section 1 - Duties and Responsibilities 1.1 The Environmental Commission has the purpose and responsibility to provide the residents of Chanhassen with opportunities to improve the quality of their environment, provide environmental education to the public, bring a comprehensive perspective to environmental issues, and advocate the benefits and necessity of Chanhassen’s natural resources. 1.2 The Environmental Commission shall serve as an advisory body to the City Council and Planning Commission in addressing the needs of the environment as directed by the City Council. All final decisions are to be made by the City Council. 1.3 The Environmental Commission will consider and make recommendations at the direction of the City Council regarding environmental issues. 1.4 The Environmental Commission will make recommendations at the direction of the City Council regarding funding for environmental projects. 1.5 The Environmental Commission may propose studies to the City Council and make recommendations according to the results. 1.6 The Environmental Commission will coordinate services with other governmental and private agencies for related issues 1.7 Establishment of Sub-Committees. The Environmental Commission may, as they deem appropriate, establish special sub-committees comprised solely of their own members. Section 2 - Meetings 2.1 Time and Place. Regular meetings of the Commission shall be held on the second Wednesday of each month at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall, 7700 Market Boulevard, unless otherwise directed by the Chairperson, in which case, at least 24-hour notice will be given to all members. Regular meetings shall have a curfew of 8:30 p.m. which may be waived at the discretion of the Chairperson. All unfinished business will be carried over to the next regular meeting. When the regular meeting day falls on a legal holiday, there shall be no meeting. In such an event, the monthly meeting shall be rescheduled by consensus. 7 2 2.2 Special Meetings. Special meetings shall be held upon call by consensus of the Commission and with at least 48 hours of notice to all members. 2.3 Attendance. The Environmental Commission members shall attend not less than 75% of all regular and special meetings held during a given calendar year and shall not be absent from three consecutive meetings. Failure to meet this minimum attendance requirement will result in removal from the commission. Section 3 - Commission Composition - Terms and Vacancies 3.1 Composition. The Environmental Commission shall consist of seven adult voting members. Additionally, one youth (age 16-18) voting member may also be appointed. The members shall be appointed by the City Council and may be removed by the Council. The City Council may appoint one of their members to serve as a liaison to the Commission. 3.2 Terms and Vacancies. The City Council shall appoint seven members to the commission for terms of three years. The City Council shall appoint a youth member for a term of one year. Vacancies during the term shall be filled by the Council for the unexpired portion of the term. All members shall serve without compensation. 3.3 Member Requirements. All members of the Environmental Commission shall be in compliance with all local, state, and federal environmental regulations at their homes and owned businesses. Members will be allowed six months to correct any violations. Violations existing after that time will be reasonable cause for removal from the Commission by action of the City Council. 3.4 Quorum. Four Environmental Commission members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Whenever a quorum is not present, no final or official action shall be taken at such meeting. Section 4 - Organization 4.1 Election of Officers. The first meeting in April of each year, the Environmental Commission shall hold an organizational meeting. At this meeting, the Commission shall elect from its membership a chairperson and vice-chairperson. This shall be done by voice vote. Vice-Chairperson shall be elected from the remaining members by the same proceeding. If the Chairperson retires from the Environmental Commission before the next regular organizational meeting, the Vice-Chairperson shall be Chairperson. If both Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson retire, new officers shall be elected at the next regular meeting. If both Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson are absent from a meeting, the Commission shall elect a temporary Chairperson by voice vote. 4.2 Duties of Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson. The Chairperson, or in his/her absence, the Vice Chairperson, shall conduct the meeting so as to keep it moving as rapidly and efficiently as possible and shall remind members, witnesses and petitioners to preserve order 8 3 and decorum and to keep comments to the subject at hand. The Chairperson shall not move for action but may second motions. Section 5 - Procedure 5.1 Procedure. When appropriate, parliamentary procedure governed by Robert's Rules of Order Revised shall be followed. Section 6 - Informational Meetings 6.1 Purpose of Informational Meetings. The purpose of an informational meeting is to collect information and facts in order for the Commission to develop a rational environmental issue recommendation for the City Council. 6.2 Meeting Procedure. At informational meetings, the following procedures shall be followed in each case: a. The Chairperson shall state the purpose of the meeting. b. Interested persons may address the Commission, giving information regarding the particular proposal. Section 7 - Miscellaneous 7.1 Environmental Commission Discussion. Matters for discussion which do not appear on the agenda may not be considered and discussed by the Commission until the end of the agenda. 7.2 Suspension of Rules. The Commission may suspend any of these rules by unanimous vote of the members present. 7.3 Amendments. Amendments of these by-laws may be made at any regular or special meeting of the Environmental Commission but only if scheduled on the meeting agenda in advance of the meeting. 7.4 Review. At the first meeting in April of each year, these by-laws shall be read and adopted by the Environmental Commission. Date adopted , Chairperson 9 Environmental Commission Item April 8, 2026 Subject Approval of March 11, 2026 Environmental Commission Minutes Section APPROVAL OF MINUTES Prepared By Amy Weidman, Senior Admin Support Specialist Environmental Commission Minutes dated March 11, 2026 10 Chanhassen Environmental Commission (EC) 6:00 pm March 11, 2026 Members Present: Chair Scott Grefe, Leslie Elhadi, Paget Pengelly, Sidney Lindmark, Glenn Stolar, Tanvi Akuthota Members Absent: Vice Chair John Stutzman Staff Present: Jamie Marsh, Environmental Resource Specialist Visitors: None Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 6:01 p.m. Minutes The commissioners reviewed the minutes. Commissioner Pengelly moved to approve the minutes, and Commissioner Elhadi seconded. The motion passed 6-0. Discussion Items 1. Communication Strategies The commission discussed using flash vote as a way to seek input to guide topics for the commission events. The flash vote is a tool that is used very conservatively by the city. The commissioners discussed that a potential question could be centered around, “how many people are aware of the Environmental Commission.” One option could be to collaborate with other commissions to aid in receiving approval for the flash vote. The questions need to be crafted intentionally to gather information that is helpful. The commission expressed interest in getting to know the other commissions. Ms. Marsh suggested revisiting the subject in May. 2. Arbor Day Planning Ms. Marsh announced that this year’s tree planting event will be at South Lotus Lake Park on Saturday, May 2 at 9 a.m. This park was selected due to recent ash tree removals and a trail project. This year, the trees will be in containers rather than bare root. The event begins with a planting demonstration, followed by the tree plantings. The commissioners arrive early for preparations. Usually about 20 trees are planted. They discussed the campaign to advertise the event, and ways to reach out to youth groups and service groups to invite volunteers. Light refreshments are provided. They will bring milkweed seed bombs, frisbees and tree seedlings. The intent is to keep the event simple and focused on tree planting. 11 Commission Presentations: Chair Grefe advised that he was on the interview panel, but nobody was appointed to the Environmental Commission. The commissioners discussed the process. The next round of applicants will be interviewed March 23. Chair Grefe isn’t available to attend. Vice Chair Stutzman will be invited, and Commissioner Pengelly is able to attend if he is not available. Upcoming Items and Events Ms. Marsh shared that she is working to secure a date for the next Environmental Trivia. Once the date and location are secured, the questions and prizes are in place. The Arbor Day poster contest is coming up. The July 3 Business Expo will be discussed at a future meeting. The spring paper shredding and garden tool swap events are both scheduled for May. Chair Grefe and the other commissioners thanked Commissioner Elhadi for her years of service on the commission. Today is her final meeting. Adjournment Commissioner Elhadi moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion was carried, and the meeting adjourned at 6:59 p.m. Minutes prepared by Amy Weidman, Senior Administrative Support Specialist Minutes Submitted by Jamie Marsh, Environmental Resource Specialist 12 Environmental Commission Item April 8, 2026 Subject Vote on Arbor Day Poster Contest Winner Section DISCUSSION ITEMS Prepared By Jamie Marsh, Environmental Resource Specialist Each year, the Environmental Commission invites local 5th grade students to submit artwork based on an Arbor Day theme. The theme selected by the Commission this year was "Trees are Terrific...in all Colors!" The Environmental Commission will vote on a 1st place winner and up to 9 runners-up. 13 Environmental Commission Item April 8, 2026 Subject July 3rd Trade Fair Planning Section DISCUSSION ITEMS Prepared By Jamie Marsh, Environmental Resource Specialist The July 3rd Business Expo is scheduled from 4-6 pm at City Center Park. The Commission will discuss the educational initiative for the event which will be guided by the focus topic of the year- Management of Waste. 14 Environmental Commission Item April 8, 2026 Subject Residential Tree Sale Section UPCOMING ITEMS AND EVENTS Prepared By Jamie Marsh, Environmental Resource Specialist This is the 3rd year that the City of Chanhassen has organized a residential tree sale. The sale is live and is open until April Friday, 24th. Residents can choose from 8 different tree species and order up to 5 trees per household. There are volunteer spots available on Friday, May 8th, from 3-5, and Saturday, May 9th, from 9-11 am. Volunteers would help with gathering trees and loading them into vehicles. 15