EC SUM 2012 01 11Chanhassen Environmental Commission (EC)
Regular Meeting
January 11, 2012
Members Present: Denny Hansen, Glenn Kaufmann, Katie Mahannah, Robert Kircher, Matthew Myers
Members Absent: Amy Wenner, David Christianson
Staff Present: Jill Sinclair, Environmental Resources Specialist
Guests Present: none
Minutes: December minutes were approved.
Sustainability Report:
Matthew introduced the Urban Forestry section of the report and shared his research for the section. He found the
US Forest Service's Community Forestry website and information. He thought it was excellent information and
would like to include as much as possible. There's lots of information on the many benefits of trees — too much
for the report so he wondered what should be included. The commission thought that air quality, energy savings,
etc. were all important. The discussion then turned to the city target goals for urban forestry and how they will
relate and be incorporated into the document. Doing so would help focus the section and respond to present
concerns and goals that the icty has. Matthew would like to introduce the section with basic facts and benefits of
trees and build on that.
The section discussion was put on hold while the commission talked about the vision for the report. The original
template for the report is the Minneapolis Greenprint. Commissioners should use this when writing about their
assigned topics. In the Greenprint, the first section states what the topic is, the next covers strategies and then
targets and goals. Each topic should have only I — 3 targets/goals. Within the Trend Analysis, each target is
discussed separately.
(The commissioners agreed that each person should work in a different color when editing the document online.)
The commission reviewed each section's targets and chose 3 target goals for each, with the exception of Water
Conservation. The sections will be worked on again before the February meeting.
2012 Work Plan:
The commission made changes/updates to the plan. It will be reviewed and approved at the February meeting.
General Discussion:
• The commission decided to continue the Arbor Day Poster Contest this year with a theme of "Trees are
Terrific .... In Chanhassen!". Jill will send contest invitation letters to the schools tomorrow.
• Bob brought up the possibility of applying for grants for various projects. He wondered if the
commission would be interested. He volunteered to research grants if the commission would like to
pursue the idea. Jill will check with city hall regarding any grants. The commission talked about looking
into grants to cover the costs of speakers, classes, and events.
The next meeting will be held Wednesday, February 8 at 6:00pm.
Meeting adjourned at approximately 7:50 PM.
Minutes prepared by Jill Sinclair