7 p.m. – July 23, 2008
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Vice-Chairperson Finney at 7:08 pm.
Attendees:
Risa Buck, Russ Chapman, Stuart Corns, Ross Finney, Tracy Harding, and Jim McGinnis were present, Jim Hartman and Kerry KenCairn were not present.
City Council member and Chair: Dave Chapman not present
Staff representative: Larry Giardina
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Vice Chairperson Finney called for the approval of the minutes for June 25, 2008.
Commissioner Buck clarified she misspoke at the last meeting under:
Educational PS’
“Commissioner Buck remarked that state wide in
diesel is 5% bio-diesel now. “
She clarified all diesel is 2% not 5% and once production reaches 15
million gallons then it will go up to 5%.
Commissioner Corns made a motion to approve the minutes with the stated correction and Commissioner Buck seconded the motion.
Voice Vote: All Ayes. The motion passed with a unanimous vote.
PUBLIC FORUM
No Comments.
Commissioner Buck updated the Commission for the month.
Compost Classes
The 2nd compost class had 40 people, Commissioner Harding
explained how she supported the class with
Denny Morelli, the instructor. She introduced herself and welcomed
the attendees explaining the Conservation Commission, City of
introduced Denny and kept track of attendees, late arrivals, and made
announcements giving information/phone numbers of places that were
connected to the class. For example: Where you can get local
worms. Larry Giardina is scheduled to support the class for August
23rd.
Electronic Recycling
Commissioner Chapman talked about the success of the program and that they are receiving so many TVs. The law changes January 2009 which will require landfills to accept computers/monitors and TVs for free. Ashland Sanitary is working with ECS Regenisis out of
Commissioner Buck remarked there is a proposal to recycle shrink wrap and plastic bags at the recycle center.
Commissioner Buck, Harding and McGinnis watched a Shakespeare Green Show performance called Earth Capades (earthcapdes.com) regarding reduce/reuse/recycle with music and juggling.
Nursery Plastics – The event was held from May 11- June 2 and collected
1.520 pounds of material.
Jackson County Recycling Partnership and the Master Recycle Program are working on a proposed plastics collection event in November.
Prepaid Leaf Bag Program – Ashland Sanitary will definitely renew the
Program and waiting to hear from the City if
they would like to participate again.
Brochure --- An updated brochure has information about electronic waste and
new rates for the Transfer Station.
SOU Pilot Program -- There has been some turnover in employees, but Eric
Bitner will help to try and make the
program happen.
Bottle Bill – January 2009, all water bottles will have a .05 cent value, but not
other types of liquid.
Reuse/Recycling Association)
Educational Radio Public Announcement – On hold until the fall.
Commissioner Chapman reported to the Commission regarding Florescent Bulb Program which the Commission first started with 500.00 grants. Ashland Sanitary for the first 6 months supporting the program on its own has spent 1,800.00, and Commissioner Chapman wondered if the Commission wanted to help subsidize the program again. With the news of Home Depoe taking all florescent bulbs then Ashland Sanitary would consider not continuing the program.
He would like to put this item on the agenda for next month after some time to do some research.
Commissioner Buck made a motion that the Commission purchase 50 more bins from suppliers at the best rate. Commissioner Harding seconded the motion.
Voice Vote: All Ayes. The motion passed with a unanimous vote.
OLD BUSINESS
Sub-Committee Reports
Green Business Committee
Commissioner Finney reported the committee met on August
17th and received an update from Robbin. There are 14
business that have been evaluated and recommendations
developed and then there are new businesses that are not
quite at that stage yet. The Committee wants to finish
with the businesses they have before they take on new
businesses comprising of a 2008 “Class”.
They are:
Brothers Restaurant
Parkside Inn
Shop and Kart
Standing Stone
Strafford inn
United Bicycles
First Congregational Church
Gorilla Bites
Pam Lott Photography
Dreamsacks
Eric Larsen
Paddington Station
New Businesses
City of
Parks and Recreation
YMCA
The Committee would like to get the first 14 through the entire
process of being defined a Green Business before taking on
new ones.
Other items developing:
Adding text to The Green Business Program on the
City’s Web Site, with links for the participating
businesses.
Window decal stickers
More staff time, allocation for the program
Linking areas that show what the business has
actually accomplished or photos
New Logo
Next meeting is August 14th.
4th of July
Set aside for next meeting per Commissioner Finney’s
request.
Commissioner Buck was excited at the first attempt for this
event receiving lots of feedback and positive comments. She
is hoping for a larger collaboration with the Commission and
the Master Recyclers. Commission Finney suggested to
keep this in mind for goal setting next year.
Plastic Bag/Non-Petroleum Dinnerware Committee
Commissioner Harding reported that they have met and continued their scurvies with business owners and retail business owners. They looked at the SF ordinance and are looking for positive suggestions that would work for lots of businesses.
Education Committee
Commissioner Harding reported she would check with Dick
Wanderscheid to see if she can support with Solar Pioneer
II. She is involved with many outreach areas such as Britt
Festival, Clearstream education, fairs, and would like to be
involved with fire camp education.
Cities for Climate Protection Committee
Commissioner Corns reported they are looking at long term goals with objective terms. He wanted to set aside until next meeting.
NEW BUSINESS
Kerry KenCairn
Commissioner Buck reported she mentioned she would be
present at this meeting, and would need to resign at this time.
The Commissioners decided to review applications that were
submitted and email their suggestions to Chairperson
Chapman. Also Mary McClary was going to contact Kerry
KenCairn to ask for a written statement of her intention since
she was not present at this meeting.
There was discussion about how to note in the minutes when a member is absent and to let Mary McClary know that you are not attending. Commissioner Finney suggested we write Not present and Unexcused and Commissioner Buck also suggested Mary or Commissioner Chapman follow up and try to communicate with the member missing. All members agree notifying when you’re not going to be present should not be difficult. This item is to be on next month’s agenda.
Clearstream
Commissioner Buck clarified that the Clearstream product is
called Clear Max, which is a metal protected container that
can be used in public places to collect water bottles and
aluminum cans. Benefits from using these containers, is non-
profit organizations may adopt these containers, service
them, use the revenue for their organization while helping to
divert recyclables from the waste stream. Commissioner
Buck would like to propose 4 of these containers purchased
at the price of $2,196 and a non profit could apply for an
Ashland Coop Community Grant of 1500.00 to offset the cost.
Commissioner Finney asked about regulations concerning
using City property (sidewalks) and
Commissioner Buck and Cathy would check and report
back. Commissioner Buck was looking for
feedback from the Commission on the project.
Car Free Day
Commissioner Harding wanted a commitment for the
Conservation Commission to host a table, the event takes
place September 22. In addition, RVTV is sponsoring free
bus service for that day and the event and RVTV are also
sponsoring a commuter challenge.
Commissioner Harding asked the Commission to join and
commit to tracking converted automobile miles to other
transportation miles. Also she intends to challenge the other
Commissions.
Education is a primary goal of Car Free Day and the
Community challenge is another way to support that goal.
The first week in October would be an announcement
with awards for the results of the challenge for most miles
converted.
Budget
No other items submitted.
ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
Commissioner Harding announced the Grower Marketplace is now on
Saturday at the Old Copeland
Lumber site on
Commissioner Buck announced there might be another opportunity
to sponsor a Elizabeth Royte event, based on her new book called:
Bottle mania, why water went on sale and why we bought it.
Commissioner Buck wondered if the Commission would consider
supporting an idea of making it a mandatory requirement for events
that had 25 or more people, would require recycling or a permit?
The Commission discussed different events within the City that would
qualify and who would reinforce a policy of this nature.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Next Meeting is scheduled for August 27, 2008.
ADJOURNMENT –
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