signed 2026 Env Commission Bylaws1
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 or staff, 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.
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2.2 Special Meetings. Special meetings shall be held upon call by consensus of the
Commission and with at least 3 days notice 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 commissioner ,enrolled in High School, (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. A majority of filled Environmental Commission positions 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
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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 May 13, 2026
, Chairperson
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