4. Support the Cities for Climate Protection (ICLEI)
Lead Commissioner -- Jim McGinnis
Commissioner McGinnis reported he feels to continue this goal would mean a focus on greenhouse gas, baseline inventory for the City. Any efforts for plans and sustainability would need this baseline. The Commissioners discussed different options how the City would benefit from retaining this goal.
5. Encourage New & On-going participation in Ashland’s Green Business Program
Lead Commissioner— Ross Finney
Commissioner Finney reported the City Council approved this an official program around 1999 to be under the Conservation Commission. The program has been re-designed this year and revitalized and is supported with and entire Green Team instead of just one staff member. Seven businesses have been certified in the program, and eight businesses in process, a total of 15 for 2008. The goal for 2008 was achieved through these efforts and there is also a waiting list from interested businesses to move forward to next year.
Chairperson Jackson initiated discussion concerning the appropriate role of the City and its responsibility with Energy usage.
BIG PICTURE BRAINSTORMING EXERCISE
The Commission listed brainstorming ideas and Dick Wanderscheid organized the ideas on a chart as follows:
Recycling-lack of curb side collection of post consumer organics, packaging, recycling content purchasing,
demolition waste.
Energy Conservation-plug-in electric cars, energy conservation for natural gas & oil usage, home & business energy use and indoor air quality, building inefficiencies, new construction passive solar and solar H2O.
Water Conservation- storm drains, water catchments, grey water reuse, pollution reduction/clean up, drugs & poisons out of waste water 7 storm drain, water quality and quantity, thermal water pollution, non-point pollution, us as fungi to reduce toxins.
Resource conservation—none
New Power source—Local energy production
Renewable Resource—renewable energy generation
Air Quality—residential burning of plastic
Education—none
Climate Change—Global warming/climate change, cap and trade legislation, carbon taxes, increased CO2 production, carbon sequestration.
Sustainability—peak oil, sustainability, natural resources
Non Relevant to Commission or handled by other commissions
Excessive TV, computer games, computer time, noise pollution, disconnect from nature, public transportation, vehicle idling, single vehicle occupancy, citizen involvement in community, population increases, wildfire risk, taking care of creeks, urban heat production, aging population/demographics, alternative currencies, resource hording, investment in green technology, localizing investments in green
tech/jobs, support local economy, climate refuges, local food production, increased energy costs, traffic congestion/volume, safe pedestrian & bike travel lanes, financial collapse and reaction, land conservation for green space, forests & farming
POSTER BOARD DISPLAY DISCUSSION
The Commissioner went over the display board’s content and position and possible different aspects for the Earth Day event coming up in April. Commissioner Harding sent an email resigning from the Commission due to personal commitments.
COMMISSION POWERS AND DUTIES DISCUSSION
The Commission members discussed different responsibilities and aspects of the Commission. Looking at how to adapt to changing times and needs, they discussed how they could best be proactive.
2009 GOAL SETTING
Dick Wanderscheid volunteered to organize the brainstorming into a format that 2009 goals could be formulated. He will send out communication to the Commission before the next meeting.
ADJOURMENT
3:45pm
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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