7 p.m. October 22, 2008
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Chapman at 7:03 pm.
Attendees:
Risa Buck, Russ Chapman, Stuart Corns, Ross Finney, Jim Hartman were present.
Tracy Harding, Shelly Lotz, Jim McGinnis and Ross Finney were not present.
City Council member and Chair: Dave Chapman
Staff representative: Dick Wanderscheid
INTRODUCTION OF NEW MEMBER
The Commissioners introduced themselves to their newest member, Shelly Lotz.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Chapman moved to approve the minutes for September 24, 2008.
Corrections to the minutes:
Plastic Round Up dates should be the 14th and 15th of November.
Attendees included Ross Finney, but he was not present.
Commissioner Corns seconded the motion to approve minutes with date correction.
Voice Vote: All Ayes. The motion passed with a unanimous vote.
PUBLIC FORUM
Cynthis Salbato/34 Union St. spoke to the Commission regarding a community based web application that includes a sustainable game entitled Planet You. Included are health education, transportation, and home and waste aspects. The game helps people track their efforts in making life more green. This application was presented to Google and hopes that Ashland can be a testing ground. The Commission decided to put this item on the next agenda for further exploration.
GUEST SPEAKER
Annie Hoy from the Ashland Coop requested funds from the Commission to help sponsor an event at SOU for Elizabeth Royte who has written a new book, called Bottle Mania.
Commissioner Finney moved to support the event with Elizabeth Royte in the amount of $500.00. Commissioner Chapman seconded the motion.
Voice Vote: All Ayes. The motion passed with a unanimous vote.
ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
Commissioner Lotz, asked the Commission to become sponsors for the Earth Sustainable Global classes from the National Sustainable Building Advisory Program starting in February, currently sponsored by SOU and Earth Advantage. Mr. Wanderscheid will discuss the option with his staff at the Conservation Department for the City of Ashland.
ASHLAND SANITARY & RECYCLING UPDATE
http://www.ashlandsanitary.com/
Commissioner Buck updated the Commission for the month.
Compost Classes
This year there were 106 people who attended the 4 compost classes and she took time to thank the Commission members/staff who assisted Denny Morelli with facilitating the classes.
Salmon Festival
The successful event strove for zero waste with supporters from the
John Muir School, Ashland Middle School and the Master Recyclers.
Commercial Compost Program
There are now 31 participants; their next goal is a total of 40.
Nursery Plastics Collection
November 5th 17th at the recycling center.
Free Leaf Drop Off
November 4th and 18th at the recycling center.
Leaf Bag Program
2nd year Ashland Sanitary will partner with the City of Ashland to help citizens receive a reduction in costs for bags to collect leaves and keep them out of the landfill and storm drains. There has been more public notice and response this year.
E-Waste Collection
Through the end of the year there will no charge for electronic waste
at the Transfer Station.
Oregon Green Schools
Currently Talent School participate, and Willow Wind will follow suit
soon.
Battery Recycling Program
Ashland Sanitary is starting an in house pilot battery recycling
program with a company called Thinkgreen.com to see how well the
program functions.
Plastic Bag and Shrink Wrap Collection
Going well at the recycle center.
Car Share Program
Becky Brown received a grant and will move toward implementing the
program in Ashland.
Southern Oregon Plastics Roundup Event
November 14-15 from 8am - 4pm
Materials Recovery Report
Jackson County was down in 2007, first time the rate has been down
in a long time.
OLD BUSINESS
Sub Committee Reports
Green Business
Scheduled for the 13th, waiting for initial round of reports to go out to
2008.
Fourth of July Committee
Commissioner Corns reported their next meeting would be
brainstorming about lessons learned and ideas that could be
implemented for next year.
Looking to use education and incentives as an approach to
implement more awareness and motivate citizens, instead of
creating an ordinance banning plastic bags.
Education Committee
No report
Cities for Climate Protection Committee
Next meeting they will draft preliminary goals.
NEW BUSINESS
ClearMax Discussion
The Commission discussed various options for implementing a
program and how the Commission would support a project.
Next Meeting Date
December 10th, at the Community Development Building Conference
Room.
Recycling Video
The Commission watched a recycling video made by Nick Stevens
an SOU graduate.
ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
Dick Wanderscheid reported a very successful and sold out solar tour. He also reported about a Wind Farm he visited in Pendleton, and explained their production and operations.
Chairperson Chapman asked the Commission to remember the City Council goals regarding conservation and asked the Commission to thing about efficiencies that we could implement without adding additional staff members.
The next meeting is December 10, 2008 combining the months of
November and December.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned after 9:10pm
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