Agendas and Minutes

Conservation and Climate Outreach Committee (View All)

Conservation Commission Monthly Meeting 02/24/2010

Agenda
Wednesday, February 24, 2010

 
ASHLAND CONSERVATION COMMISSION
MINUTES
6 p.m. – February 24, 2010
Community Development Center

CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson Finney called the meeting to order at 6:05 pm.
 
Attendees: Risa Buck, Larry Blake, Russ Chapman, Stuart Corns, Ross Finney, Jim Hartman, Jim McGinnis and David Runkel were present. Shelley Lotz was not present

City Council Liaison: Carol Voison
Staff Representative: Larry Giardina

APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Chairperson Finney asked for approval of the minutes for January 27, 2010.

Commissioner Corns pointed out that Larry Blake name was spelled incorrectly.
 
Commissioner Chapman approved minutes as corrected and Commissioner Buck seconded the motion.
 
Voice Vote: All Ayes. The motion passed with a unanimous vote.
 
PUBLIC FORUM
Commissioner Chapman introduced Steve DiFabion, the General Manager of Recology, who was present to
meet the Commission and observe the meeting.

Megan Janssen, Melanie Melin and Huelz Gutcheon were all in attendance as they have been in prior meetings.

ANNOUNCEMENTS
Next Meeting- March 31, 2010, the 5th week of the month due to spring break.

Councilor Voison announced there could be an opportunity for the Commission to submit
content on the show, Winning with Nature, that airs on the 2nd Wednesday of the month, September through June. The programming is tentatively set for this season, but next fall, the Commission could submit ideas for presentation. The Commission talked about the new Drain Stencil Project as a possibility.


GUEST SPEAKER- Adam Hanks
Adam Hanks, Project Manager and Strategic Planning for the City of Ashland, presented a Powerpoint presentation to the Commission regarding his position, goals of his position and how it might integrate with the Commission.   Adam answered questions regarding his role in fulfilling two of the Council goals in respect to his job duties.
 
The Commission spent time discussing the importance of communication as new groups within and around the City develop in regards to sustainability, conservation, strategic planning, capital projects and responsibilities.

The Commission thanked Mr. Hanks for his presence, presentation and his efforts to work with the Commission now and in the future.
                                       

OLD BUSINESS
 A.  Sub-Committees
      1. Sustainability Strategic
         Commissioner McGinnis requested support/recommendations from the Commission
         referencing his Powerpoint presentation that was included in their packets. There
         was much discussion about how and when the Commission would make a
         recommendation to the City Council to establish a group that would study ICLEI,
         Natural Step, permaculture, and sustainability/resiliency. The ultimate goal would be
         to establish recommendation to the City Council and Mayor. The Commission
         discussed differences to what Mr. Hanks does within the City and how this group
         would be different because it would include a cross section of City staff, and
         community members and primary concern with the City itself, not just City
         government.

         The Commission ultimately decided they would need to have more discussions, due
         to the enormous possibilities to consider before they would be able to send this
         recommendation to the Council.
                       

     2.   Green Building
          No report this month.

    3.   Local Energy Production
          Larry Giardina explained to the Commission about Tier 2 power, how the process
         would be effect our City. Our goal is to make Tier 1 power to as far as we can
         through implementation of conservation and additional changes within the City.

     4.  Water Quality and Storm Runoff
          The Storm Stencil Drain Project is moving ahead, creating a guide on how to do it
          and ready to launch a pilot in the near future. They are creating door hangers,
         maybe a video and Commissioner Buck will submit information for the Ashland City
          source as another way to inform the public of this project.
 
    5. Climate Change Initiatives
         Combined with Sustainability Strategic subcommittee.

  B. Council Goal
     Chairperson Finney moved this item ahead of item B. Compost classes. He reported to
      the Commission about his attendance to the City Council meeting on February 16,
      2010 and went over his Memo presented to the Council at that meeting. (Included in
      the Commission packet). The Council did change and adopt under the B .Proposed
      Environmental Goal, the Commission’s recommendation of adding the word Green to
      Building standards. The Council appreciated the work this Commission did with 
      suggestions and Chairperson Finney felt it was very beneficial to speak to them
      directly. The members sincerely thanked Chairperson Finney for attending the meeting
      and representing the Commission. The Commission also clarified they were not
      proposing new goals for the Council, just additions to existing goals.

      Adam Hanks also explained how the City Administrator is responsible for implementing
       the Council goals and assigns staff to work on each goal.

Croman Advisory Committee
No report at this time.
                       

NEW BUSINESS
 Earth Day
  Set aside
 
Quarterly Liaison Reports
   Commissioner Hartman representing the Ashland School District presented a  
   Powerpoint presentation to the Commission regarding Conservation measures/projects
    within Ashland High School. The Commission was appreciative of his work within the
   system, especially since funding was cut for his official Conservation position.
 
   The school has their own composting system, Rain Barrel Collection Project, and their
   Green Roof Project.

Future of Compost Classes
  Set aside.

COMMISSION ITEMS NOT ON AGENDA
Commissioner Corns explained his position at SOU was lost due to budget cuts, but his is now working out of The University of Oregon. He would like to still represent the University, or stay on as a citizen. He will speak to
Larry Blake about how best to support the Commission.
ADJOURNMENT
8:10 pm.



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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