Agendas and Minutes

Conservation and Climate Outreach Committee (View All)

Regualr Monthly Meeting

Agenda
Wednesday, January 28, 2004

These Minutes are preliminary pending approval by Conservation Commission at the February 25, 2004 Conservation Commission Meeting.

MINUTES FOR Conservation Commission
January 28, 2004– 7:00 p.m.
Community Development Building
51 Winburn Way
Ashland

CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson, Alex Amarotico, called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Development Building.

ROLL CALL Attendees: Charles Bennett, Russ Chapman, Ross Finney, Joanne Krippaehne, and Paige Prewett. Lisa Black was also present. Carol Carlson, Bruce Moats and Jim Hartman were not present.

City Council Liaison: Alex Amarotico
Staff Liaison: Dick Wanderscheid

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

The chairperson, Alex Amarotico asked for an approval of the December 10, 2003 minutes.

Joanne Krippaehne noted there no longer is a Marketing sub-committee. Paige Prewett corrected Ashland Community Food Store, to Ashland Food Cooperative and Bonneville Environmental Foundation, not Association. Bennett noted Earth Day is not in August, but is in April. Chapman corrected citizens will utilize 3 containers, recycling, green waste and blue bins, not 4 containers. Also he noted Medford had not indicated to Ashland Sanitary about their co-mingle program. Ross Finney corrected renewal energy is 100% wind, not land. Alex Amarotico corrected under old business recycled trash cans, are just recycled cans.

Chapman moved to approve the minutes of December 10 as amended and Krippaehne seconded the motion.
Voice vote: all Ayes. The motion passed with a unanimous vote.

The minutes of the Conservation Commission Meeting of December 10, 2003 were approved.

Amarotico requested changing the agenda to include the City's Climate Protection campaign and address this section first.

PUBLIC FORUM

Eric Dittmer/SOU, Greg Jones/SOU and Jeanene O'Brien/175 Brooks Lane, Karen Caldwell

Dittmer remarked about the SOU resources available for this program would include Practicums, Internships, class project and/or a Capstone project. He described different examples of each resource and the quality work produced. Dittmer remarked the limitation would be the "timing" between SOU and the needs of the City.

Jones added remarks about community awareness and the different capstone projects. He felt a class project or support from a professor would work the best.

Bennett stated each step/goal would have student teams and also involve mentors.

Wanderscheid wondered if becoming a City for Climate Protection meant focusing on the activities of the City or the citizens and Jones explained it includes both. O'Brien remarked community groups were very important in communicating this information and would like to publish an educational brochure.

Discussion followed about when the SOU classes and programs would be able to start this project, spring or fall. Wanderscheid proposed to start as soon as possible and offered some staff support. Further discussions included obtaining information, implementing the results and the benefit of an overall educational process for everyone.

Wanderscheid offered to research and present at the next meeting a "process chart" for implementing this plan and asked Dittmer and Jones to research whether or not SOU can start participation in spring or fall. Discussion followed about representatives from the City and the faith community speaking at the SOU class about the purpose and results expected from this project.

ASHLAND SANITARY & RECYCLING UPDATE:

Lisa Black reported an outstanding response to the Friday co-mingling route with approx. 482 participants. Tuesday's route already has 520 participants and will begin pick--up February 2004. By the end of the year, all routes will be included in this program. Non-customers and customers who did not receive a brochure may sign up for this service directly at Ashland Sanitary. There is also the option of using the downtown Recycling Center that accommodates approx. 300 cars per day. Chapman stated this service is also extended to the businesses without extra charge.

Chapman announced with the implementation of this new program, Ashland Sanitary will not be able to offer a tour of the transfer station as previously discussed.

Black announced Chipper Day at the transfer station will be April 17th from 8-12 and the Latex Paint day will be April 24, the same day as Earth Day. The Hazardous waste event is scheduled for the Jackson County Expo May 7th and 8th. Discount day at the Transfer station is June 12 and offers $2.50 off the load with half of the proceeds going to access.

SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

1. Green Business

Prewett announced more and more businesses were becoming renewable pioneers and Ashland Food Cooperative purchased 47 green tags, Headwaters purchased 3, Greenleaf will buy 15 and Phoenix Spa decided to purchase 90 green tags. She discussed other businesses that were considering becoming renewable pioneers. Prewett remarked residential sign ups were low and would like to use the utility bill as a source of communication.

2. Education/Events

Bennett asked for follow-up to Free Bay and Wanderscheid reported there would be no special consideration given to any customer, and will get an update to the project for the next meeting.

Krippaehne remarked how successful the Winter Garden tour was and there was a great article in the Daily Tidings. She also noted the Conservation staff held a very successful Earth Advantage Workshop with 50 builders and homeowners. Wanderscheid reported his staff also made a presentation at the Planning Commission.

Prewett wondered if any City staff could participate in the Earth Day event on April 24th along with volunteers from the Commission from 11-4pm. She announced some plans for advertisement, food, and asked for ideas for exhibits to expand the number of exhibitors.

Bennett asked to place the Conservation board in a new location, the Library or Community Development Building.

Prewett announced a worm composting class, February 5th.

New Business

Amarotico asked for more clarification on the credits given for the wastewater SDC that was tied to the Earth Advantage Program and Wanderscheid mentioned Paula Brown would be the person to contact on this issue. Krippaehne went on to express her desire to see people receive a credit for other ways of diverting water such as rainwater harvesting.

Finny wondered if there were financial incentives for Earth Advantage homeowners and Wanderscheid announced there are tax credits and incentives up to 16,000. Power Point presentations were available.

OLD BUSINESS

Chapman reminded the Commission about buying a tent and table for the Farmer's Market and Earth Day presentations. Krippaehne volunteered to look into purchasing these items before Earth Day.

Budget

Wanderscheid announced the Commission needs to purchase more compost bins and Black will check the number of bins in stock. Prewett asked for funds to absorb some postage costs for the renewable pioneer's insert. Wanderscheid suggested BEF pay one third, Conservation Commission pay one third, and the Conservation Department pay for one third.

Krippaehne reminded the Commission about placing adds for Renewable Pioneers and the Green Businesses. Wanderscheid added they could add the Adopt a Street Program.

Items not on the Agenda

Wanderscheid asked to change the meeting in March to the 5th Wednesday of the month, the 31st, due to spring break.

Chapman reported the Planning Commission deleted, from the North Mountain subdivision CC & R's, the prohibition on outside clothes drying. It was also noted Kari KenCerr was instrumental in preserving small wetlands.

Bennett announced a Cob House workshop this weekend for $330.00.

ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at 8:45 pm.

Respectfully submitted,
Mary McClary, Assistant to Electric Department

Online City Services

Pay Your Utility Bill
 
Connect to
Ashland Fiber Network
Request Conservation
Evaluation
Proposals, Bids
& Notifications
Request Building
Inspection
Building Permit
Applications
Apply for Other
Permits & Licenses
Register for
Recreation Programs

©2024 City of Ashland, OR | Site Handcrafted in Ashland, Oregon by Project A

Quicklinks

Connect

Share

twitter facebook Email Share
back to top