Agendas and Minutes

Conservation and Climate Outreach Committee (View All)

Conservation Commisson Monthly Meeting 09/27/11

Agenda
Tuesday, September 27, 2011

 

CONSERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES

6-8 p.m. –September 27, 2011

Community Development Building---To be approved at the October 26th, Commission meeting

 

CALL TO ORDER

Chairperson Hartman called the meeting to order at 6:05 pm.

Attendees:

 Risa Buck, Thomas Beam, Sheri Cellini, Stuart Corns, Cat Gould, Jim Hartman, Jim McGinnis, and David Runkel were present.  

 

City Council Liaison: Carol Voisin,

Staff Representative: Lee Tuneberg, Larry Giardina, and Mary McClary.

 

 

INTRODUCTION OF GUEST

Mark Weir from Strawjet Corporation attended the meeting to better understand the Commission and what they accomplish.  The members introduced themselves and Mark spoke of this background.  Strawjet Corporation, based in Talent, Oregon builds alternative wood products primarily for east Africa, and Indonesia.  His background included: environmental sustainability, Clean Development Mechanism projects throughout the world, and they are gold standard certified.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Chairperson Hartman asked for approval of the minutes for August 24, 2011.

 

Commissioner Corns made a motion to approve the minutes as stated and Commissioner Runkel seconded the motion.

Voice Vote: All Ayes.  The motion passed with a unanimous vote.

 

PUBLIC FORUM

No one present to speak.

 

Chairperson Hartman reminded the Commission at the August 24th meeting they passed a motion to spend the entire meeting on the Sustainability letter to be brought in front of the City Council, but Commissioner McGinnis was present at that time, so he went on to other business.

 

Chairperson Hartman went over the agenda and timeline for the meeting.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Set aside to end of meeting.

The next Commission meeting will be October 26, 2011.

 

NEW BUSINNESS

Item B. from New Business

   Removed

Item C from New Business

   Removed

 

Item A. from New Business:

Sustainability Commission Draft Outline

Waiting for Commissioner McGinnis

 

Item A. from Old Business:

Will be covered with Item A from New Business

 

Item C. from Old Business:

4th of July Planning

Set aside until next meeting.

 

Chairperson Hartman spoke to the Commission about the refurbishing of the compost area at the Recycling area, and the members supported their efforts.

 

 Item B from Old Business:

Road Diet

Commissioner Runkel put together a letter from discussions from the last meeting, to be submitted to the City Council asking for an environmental impact study to be performed in relationship to the upcoming project.  The members discussed the letter content and any changes they would like to add.

 

Councilor Voisin spoke to the Commission about the estimated cost of an environmental impact study and the members then looked at different ways to obtain the information they requested, possibly from other cities.  She stated the purpose of the Road Diet was for safety and to encourage multi forms of transportation. 

 

The members discussed how this project would fit nicely with a Sustainability Commission.

 

Commissioner Runkel pointed out this Commission would be primarily concerned with the environmental impact and without additional information, the City does not know if it impacts the area or not.  They discussed the pros and cons. 

 

Chairperson Hartman asked to change the intent to an environmental assessment, instead of impact, and also to research what other cities have learned.  Commissioner Buck pointed out if the re-alignment of Hersey and Wimer was done first, then the Road Diet would have been a second step.

 

Commissioner Runkel will take the changes and rewrite the letter to be presented to the Commission at the next meeting that would include additional issues, including environmental issues, without a huge expense.

 

Commissioner Beam suggested keeping in mind the successes of the Road Diet that could be used as a platform in other areas of the City. 

Commissioner Buck announced that they are putting up signs at the Recycling center:

“Kindly turn off your engine while unloading, we thank-you with every breath we take.”

 

 Items D, E, and F from Old Business:

Grey Water Update

Local Source for local Bags

Update on Water Master Plan

 

Larry Giardina went over the memo Robbin Pierce sent to the Commission dated 09/27/11 regarding Rainwater Harvesting Policy, Greywater, Cloth bags for Earth Day giveaway, AWAC and Green Business.  The Commissioner took some time to read over the memo:

            Rainwater Harvesting Policy – Rick Hackstock, Plumbing Inspector has submitted a draft to Mike Grubbs,

            Building Official and Bill Molnar, Planning Director for review. Here is a link for the details which we can

            discuss at a future meeting. . http://www.deq.state.or.us/wq/reuse/graywater.htm (Ongoing)

 

Greywater – DEQ issued its ruling and the resulting policy and procedure is available for viewing at the

 ruling is strict and will result in a slow measured implementation. (Ongoing)

 

Cloth bags for Earth Day giveaway – I have been in contact with a local vendor and will be receiving a bid

(Ongoing)

 

AWAC – The next meeting is scheduled for tomorrow September 28th. This group has not met since your

last meeting. (Ongoing)

 

Green Biz – I gave an update to the Parks Commission last month. I am working to certify Noble Coffee

 and New Age Cleaners. (Ongoing)

 

Councilor Voisin relayed information she received from the Mayor of Central Point, who stated Medford does not have a water conservation policy of any kind and either does Central Point.  She remarked the City of Ashland may be a pioneer in establishing policies for conservation and supporting a Conservation Commission.

 

 Item A from New Business:

Sustainability Commission Draft Outline

 Item A from Old Business:

Member’s reflection of Goal summaries/Reconstruction/Retreat

 

Lee Tuneberg explained the agenda for the City Council meeting on October 4th has already been finalized, so if this letter receives approval from this Commission, the soonest it could be placed on the Council’s agenda is October 18th.  He also explained the difference between a consent agenda and new business in regards to the Council meetings.

 

Commissioner McGinnis arrived and the Commission discussed the letter that was drafted by the sustainability subcommittee on August 30th, 2011.  They reviewed sustainability mission statements and statements of purpose:

Sausalito, CA, Flagstaff, AZ, Bloomington, IN, Benicia, CA, Lincoln City, OR, Red Wing, MN, Sedona, AZ, Dunwoody, GA, Carbondale, IL, Eugene, OR, and  Portland, OR.  They discussed the pros and cons of what a Sustainability Commission mission and purpose would consist of based on Ashland’s specific unique character and circumstances.

 

DRAFT

The Conservation Commission recommends that the Conservation Commission be re-chartered as the Sustainability Commission.  We think that a Sustainability Commission will better support the City Council in meeting current and future sustainability related Council goals, as well as support sustainability on a citywide basis. 

 

The new Sustainability Commission will broaden the current scope of the Conservation Commission, and will regularly work together with other City Commissions and Committees in areas related to sustainability.  It is our assessment that the current Conservation Commission has been doing excellent work within our current scope of operations.  However, since the original chartering of the commission in 1995, a more comprehensive understanding and acceptance of sustainability (which includes the current Conservation Commission scope) has emerged and has become broadly accepted by the general citizenry. 

 

We anticipate that the re-chartering of the new Sustainability Commission will involve disbanding the current Conservation Commission, and initiate a new Sustainability Commission application process. 

 

If the City Council concurs with our re-chartering proposal, the Conservation Commission will convene a 4-6 hour session in October to flesh out a new Sustainability Commission charter, draft goals and objectives for City Council deliberation and approval in November. 

 

Below is our recommendation for the mission and purpose of the new commission:

 

DRAFT

Sustainability Commission Mission:

To enhance environmental, social, and economic sustainability, the Sustainability Commission shall advise the City Council regarding policies, programs, regulations and strategies that will guide city operations, public awareness and action, toward best practices with measurable outcomes.

Sustainability Commission Purpose:

The commission is charged with the following roles and responsibilities:

    a. Develop and implement outreach and education programs that inform, engage, and promote

 sustainable practices.

                   b. Review and propose sustainability related policies: Evaluate and make recommendations to

       Council regarding existing and potential new Council goals, regulations, incentive programs and

       policy documents to further promote sustainability.

      c. Advise on policy matters related to sustainable practices and climate change

 adaptation/mitigation including:

·         Energy (demand, supply)

·         Air (quality)

·         Water (consumption, supply, quality, wastewater, grey water, water policy, education)

·         Waste (composting, reuse, recycle)

·         Green Infrastructure (parks, open space)

·         Built Environment (green zoning [1]and building codes, building design)

 

The members were highly disappointed different city projects do not include the Conservation Commission when establishing these projects, for example, AWACK and the Road Diet.  

 

The members discussed different ideas and changes to the letter, sustainability responsibilities, establishing a charter, impact on the city and city staff, costs and finances, educational processes, frame work, liaisons for other commissions, clear goals, received guidance from Council, budget committee, different departments within the city, directions or mandates, policies, member qualifications, understandable definition of sustainability, UN definition of sustainability, Valdez principles,  existing comprehensive plan and specific changes they want to make to the letter

Itself.

 

Commissioner Beam made a motion to adopt the letter to the Council regarding changing the Conservation Commission to a Sustainability Commission with stated changes.  Commissioner Buck seconded the motion.

 

Voice Vote: All Ayes.  The motion passed with a unanimous vote.

 

Revised letter:

September 27, 2011

Final Draft

 

Dear Council Members,

 

In response to the request from City Council to “Develop a concise sustainability plan for the community and for City operations” (per Jan. 2011 Council minutes), and the interest from City Council majority in the “Conservation Commission taking on a form of sustainability planning” (per Apr. 2011 Council working group notes), the Conservation Commission recommends that it be re-chartered as the Sustainability Commission.   The Conservation Commission was originally chartered in 1995.  It does not include the more contemporary aspects of sustainability issues, as currently accepted by the Council and general citizenry. 

 

The Conservation Commission anticipates that the re-chartering of the new Sustainability Commission will involve disbanding the current Conservation Commission, and initiate a new Sustainability Commission application process.  A Sustainability Commission will better support the City Council in meeting current and future sustainability related Council goals, as well as support sustainability on a citywide basis.  This new Commission will work in a research and advisory role with other city commissions and committees, and include aspects of sustainability as outlined in our proposed Mission and Purpose below.

 

If the City Council concurs with this re-chartering proposal, the Conservation Commission will convene a 4-6 hour session in October/November 2011 to flesh out a new Sustainability Commission charter, draft goals and objectives for City Council deliberation and approval in November/December 2011.

 

Definition of Sustainability:  The Conservation Commission July 28, 2010 letter to the Mayor and City Council defined sustainability as "Meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs; including protecting the environment, developing a healthy economy, and ensuring social equality" (follows 1987 UN WECD definition of sustainability).

 

Below is our recommendation for the mission and purpose of the Sustainability Commission:

 

Recommended Mission and Purpose

Sustainability Commission Mission:

To enhance environmental, social, and economic sustainability, the Sustainability Commission shall advise the City Council regarding policies, programs, regulations and strategies that will guide city operations, public awareness and action, toward best practices with measurable outcomes.

Sustainability Commission Purpose:

       The Sustainability Commission is charged with the following roles and responsibilities:

            a. Develop and implement outreach and education programs that inform, engage, and promote sustainable

 practices.

            b. Via liaison with other City Commissions and Committees, review and propose sustainability related

                        policies:

            Evaluate and make recommendations to Council regarding existing and potential new Council goals and the

 Comprehensive Plan, regulations, incentive programs and policy documents to further promote

sustainability.

              c. Advise on policy matters related to sustainable practices and climate change adaptation/mitigation

            including:

·         Energy (demand, supply) e.g.  supporting 2011-2012 City Council goal: “Develop a strategy to use

 conservation and local renewable sources to meet Tier 2 power demands.

·         Air (quality) e.g.  dust abatement, noise pollution, greenhouse gas reduction.

·         Water (consumption, supply, quality, wastewater, grey water, water policy, education)

·         Waste Prevention and Diversion (reduce, reuse, recycle, compost)

·         Green Infrastructure (parks, open space) e.g.  native planting to reduce water requirements and reduce fire hazard.

·         Sustainable Building Practices (green zoning and building codes, building design) e.g.  Rice Park

·         Transportation (transit, bike, pedestrian, vehicle)

·         Businesses that produce/promote sustainable products and services; eco-tourism (e.g Standing Stone

·         Agriculture/Food Security e.g.  farms, community gardens, farmers markets, farm-to-school

·         Other related issues that directly affect sustainability efforts considered by Council.

 

            d. Advise Council on possible partnerships to implement citywide and regional sustainability programs.

 

Lee explained about the Council Communication that would accompany the letter to the City Council.

 

Quarterly Liaison Report

Recology—postponed until October meeting.

 

COMMISSION ITEMS NOT ON AGENDA

Set aside

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

(Set aside to end of meeting).

 

The next Commission meeting will be October 26, 2011.

 

Bear Creek Festival will be held on October 1,2011. 

 

The members talked of possible dates for a retreat, October 22,29th, November 5th or 12th, or 19thth.

 

Commissioner Buck announced the annual plastic round up , held October 14, and 15th at the Armory from 9-4pm.

 

Commissioner McGinnis reported  the Climate Change Reality Presentation Event was attended by 160 people and he felt the event met their expectations.  He asked the Commission for reimbursement of funds for a technician ($125.00) and flyers ($130.00).  The Commission set aside budget requests until their next meeting.

 

Commissioner Beam-----------

 

Commissioner McGinnis announce a informal pot luck at his home for people who helped with his event, either on the 9th or 12 from 5-7pm.

 

Councilor Voisin announced October 13th is the deer census, deerashland @gmail.com to volunteer.

 

ADJOURNMENT

Chairperson Hartman adjourned the meeting at 8:10 pm.

 

Respectfully submitted by:

Mary McClary

Administrative Assistant for Electric, Telecommunication

and the Conservation Departments.

 

 

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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