Conservation and Climate Outreach Committee (View All)
Conservation Commission Regular Meeting
Agenda Wednesday, October 24, 2007
These minutes will be approved by the Conservation Commission at the November 28th, 2007 meeting.
7PM - October 24, 2007
Siskiyou Room
Community Development Building
51 Winburn Way
Ashland, OR 97520
CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson Chapman called the meeting to order at 7:00pm in the Siskiyou room at the CommunityDevelopmentBuilding. The Commission members introduced themselves to the two guests present, Jennien Rossa and Donette Miranda.
Attendees: Risa Buck, Russ Chapman, Stuart Corns, Ross Finney, Jim Hartman, Jim McGinnis and Tracy Harding. Melisssa Schweisguth was not present.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Chairperson Chapman asked for an approval of the September 26, 2007 minutes.
The following corrections were noted:
Commissioner Buck clarified , NorthMountain park will contribute $10.00 per bin, when match by the Conservation Commission toward a citizen’s purchase of a compost bin.
The following correction was read in reference to a letter of appreciation that was read to the Commission about their purchase of Green Tags at the last meeting.
The Green Energy Fee instated by the student vote is in effect for 3 years, through June 2010. It is anticipated that the number of Green Tags needed to cover campus-wide energy use will decrease annually due to conservation strategies being employed by SOU Facilities Management; the number of Green Tags purchased will be adjusted to match actual energy data usage each year. The total purchase over 3 years will be under $410,000.
Commissioner Hartman moved to accept the addendum into the minutes, seconded by Commissioner Finney.
Voice Vote: All Ayes
Chairperson Chapman stated Approval of the minutes as amended without objection.
PUBLIC FORUM
Huelz Gutcheon introduced himself to the guests/new members of the Commission and explained briefly
about Zero Net Energy Homes.
Jeannine Rossa/Talent spoke to the Commission on behalf of the Bear Creek Watershed Council. She explained the intent of the Watershed Council and the assessment they are currently conducting. Her common goal was to link and share information with all concerning parties that might be interested and affected by the assessment. Commissioner Finney felt there might be a good Educational opportunity supporting the Council in some way. She will bring back to the Council the Bear Creek Watershed’s action plan when it is finalized. She may be reached at ecolink1@earthlink.net.
ASHLAND SANITARY & RECYCLING UPDATE
Commissioner Buck reported:
The successful E-Way Electronic Collection Day in Medford, filling up six (6) 53 foot trailers of electronic waste.
26 people attended the final compost class this year, bringing the annual total to 96.
Free Fall nursery recycling will be Nov 6th -20th.
Free leaf drop off at the recycling center will be two (2) Tuesdays in November, the 6th and the 20th.
Commissioner Buck explained about a New Program that will be subsidized by The City of Ashland. Vouchers sold at the Community Development Center for 5 Leaf Bags, which hold up to 35 pounds of leaves, would be ˝ the cost to the citizens, with the City subsidizing the rest of the cost. During the months of November/December 2007, these bags may be put out curbside on the scheduled pick up days for Residential Green Debris collection. See the website for further information. http://www.ashlandsanitary.com .
She passed around a brochure from a plastics recycling conference she attended in Eugene.
She will be meeting with the Green Task Force from The Oregon Shakespeare Festival to discuss reduction in waste and recycling options.
She is currently working with some SOU capstone students initiating a pilot recycling program in one of the Resident Halls
OLD BUSINESS
July 4th Recycling Discussion
The Commissioners discussed Commissioner McGinnis’s proposal to the Ashland Chamber of Commerce’s 4th of July event. Using his proposal as a work in progress long term plan, Commissioners McGinnis, Harding and Councilman Chapman will introduce to the Chamber different ideas for the 2008 event. They hope to organize 10-30 volunteers to help with recycling efforts.
Memo, Bottled Water
The Commissioners wanted clarification on “City sponsored event”, trying to determine if contractor/vendors who participated within City events would not be able to purchase/sell bottled water. Commissioner Chapman suggested they simplify a recommendation to requiring the City not to purchase any bottled water. They also requested information on how much the City purchases for bottled water and what would be the gain from not purchasing them. The Commissioners were interested in City staff input.
Sub-Committee Reports
Education
No report
Green Business
Commissioner Finney recapped the Green Team that participate in recruitment and evaluation of new/existing green businesses.
Car sticker/Carbon offset Update
Commissioner Hartman hopes to update the Commission with a design at the next meeting.
NEW BUSINESS
Sponsorship for Solar Video
Cathy Cartmill explained about a promotional/educational video that will highlight solar home tours. Don McCoy was working in conjunction with the Southern Oregon producer/director Kim Lewis of Kingsley Lewis & Associates, Inc to produce the video. Cathy is hoping to preview the video and be able to show the Commission at the next meeting. Mr. McCoy is asking for monetary support for his project.
Budget Items
There were no Items presented for the current budget, but Cathy Cartmill reminded the Commission of the annual thank-you ad for the Solar Pioneer Program, Adopt a Street Program and Green Business Program that would be published soon. The Commission and the Conservation Deparment split the cost of the ad.
The Commissioners requested information from past budgets and Mary McClary will forward those budgets to them.
COMMISSION ITEMS NOT ON AGENDA
Commissioner Buck passed around a copy of a flyer advocating clean air by not participating in outdoor burning.
Chairperson Chapman explained the outdoor burning ordinance to the Commissioners.
The Commission also discussed gas powered leaf blowers, collection of leaves and the different programs available. Commissioner McGinnis offered to do some research on power blowers and report back to the Commission.
Commissioner Finney reported about the grand opening of the Dry Creek Landfill Water to Energy facility that produces electricity from burning waste. The Commissioners decided to put together another tour of the Ashland Sanitary Transfer Station, Dry Creek, and BioMass.
Commissioner Buck would like to put Jarred Ferman from SOU to give the Commission a quarterly report.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Next meeting November 28, 2007
ADJOURNMENT
9 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by,
Mary McClary, Administrative Assistant to
Electric/Telecommunications Department
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the Community Development office at 541-488-5305 (TTY phone number is 1-800-735-2900). Notification 72 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to the meeting (28 CFR 35.102-35.104 ADA Title1).
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