Agendas and Minutes

Conservation and Climate Outreach Committee (View All)

Conservation Commission Monthly Meeting 12/19/12

Agenda
Wednesday, December 19, 2012

 

CONSERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES

6:00pm-8:00pm –December 19, 2012
Community Development Building
51 Winburn Way, Ashland, OR  97520
--- To be approved at the January 23, 2013 Commission Meeting
 

CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson Beam called the meeting to order at 6:00pm.

Attendees: Thomas Beam,(arrived at 7:00pm) Risa Buck, Jim Hartman, Cat Gould, Marni Koopman, Jim McGinnis, David Runkel (left at 7:21), and Mark Weir.
Roxane Beigel-Coryell, were not present.
 
City Council Liaison: Carol Voisin
Staff Representative: Lee Tuneberg, Adam Hanks, and Mary McClary
 
 
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Acting Chairperson Weir asked for approval of the minutes for November 28, 2012.
 
Commissioner Buck moved to approve the minutes with stated additions for October 24, 2012, seconded by Commissioner Gould.
Voice Vote: All Ayes.  The motion passed with a unanimous vote.
 
                                                                                                                                                                                       
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The next Conservation Commission meeting would be held January 23, 2013. 
 
Upcoming sub-committee meetings:
        Water   January 14, 2013, 5:45pm, Ashland Public Library
        Water   February 11, 2013, 5:45pm, Ashland Public Library
 
Commissioner Buck announced mattress recycling at the transfer station will start in 2013, costing the same as disposal.

She also mentioned a letter to the Editor of the Daily Tidings that stated city solar rebates could be higher.  The Commissioners held a discussion about incentives and qualifications for solar rebates. 
Adam explained our rebates are equal to or better than Energy Trust, and the money rebated was rate based, not income from Bonneville Power Administration.
 
 Commissioner Koopman announced a meeting for Southern Oregon Climate Action Network (SOCAN)    would be January 29, 2013 from 6:30-8:30 at the Medford Library.
 
Commissioner Runkel announced he needed to leave tonight’s meeting at 7:30pm.
 
North Mountain Park is hosting a Grey Water coarse April 30, 2013 from 7-8pm.
 
 
PUBLIC FORUM
No one present.
 
 
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
  2012-13 Commission Master Calendar Review
  Council Goal setting will be held on January 26th and is open to the public.
 
 
NEW BUSINESS
Compost Class Planning for 2013
Commissioner Buck suggested the format for this year’s classes be three (3) beginning classes, and one (1) advanced class.

She also talked about the re-design at the recycling center for the compost area, and possible new signage.  The Commissioners discussed some ideas for the re-design. Commission Gould suggested scheduling Commissioners on a calendar for the classes.  Commissioner Weir discussed using Commission funds to expand the compost project as it had a direct result on the municipal water stream.  Councilor Voisin also talked about including the efforts and participation of businesses not just residents, for example, Standing Stone’s approach for composting.  They discussed developing a sub-committee in the coming year.
 
 
Anti-Idling Project
Commissioner Gould reported she was researching different idling programs and her interest lied in communicating and educating the school districts.  Air quality, cardigans, safety issues, engines and exhaust were all topics of discussion for educating parents, school boards, PTA, employees and student groups. 
 
She stated she may request funds from the Commission to develop signs for the districts regarding idling when dropping off or picking up children.  She believed voluntary compliance and education would be the most effective solution for the schools.
 
Commissioner Runkel remarked the bigger issue would be to reduce the amount of traffic used for transportation to and from the schools, educating and promoting different forms of transportation such as bicycling, walking, car pools and buses.  They discussed incorporating a program that would recognize efforts to use alternative transportation, and then decided this topic would fall more under the Transportation Commission.
 
The members discussed the existing City Code on idling and whether it applies to schools.  The code section was in the Municipal Code Chapter that regulates parking in the public right of way or on a public parking area and would not apply to a school parking lot, but would apply to the public streets.
 
Conservation Awards Planning for 2013
Commissioners Runkel, Koopman, Gould and Buck would work on the award process and bring back to the Commission a recommended package that would include award categories, type of award, and a time line for announcements, applications and presentation of awards.
 
Commissioner Weir moved to appoint Commissioner Runkel the head of a subcommittee for the Conservation Award Project. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Buck.
Voice Vote: All Ayes.  The motion passed with a unanimous vote.
 
Commissioner Hartman moved to establish an award for the “Best Conservationist” for all schools, including Willow Wind, 3 Elementary, 1 Middle School, 1 High School and the SOU University.  Commissioner Beam seconded the motion.
After discussion, Commissioner Hartman withdrew the motion and Commissioner Beam withdrew the second.
 
 
Commission Retreat Summary and Recap moved to after Council Liaison Report.
 
 
 
 
COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT
Councilor Voisin reported on several topics.
 
Plaza re-design Project
This project would begin January 2, 2013 and include tree removal, and concrete removal. She would be requesting a sustainability report to include sustainable measures per a City Council discussion. A Council committee would be working with the Recology Ashland Sanitary for removal of trash and she felt a Commissioner should be included.
 
Commissioner Weir moved to recommend Commissioner Beam be included in the process, and work with staff for communication to the City Council.  The motion was seconded by Commissioner Gould.
Voice Vote: All Ayes.  The motion passed with a unanimous vote.
 
 
Wastewater Treatment Plant Project
This city will issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) to evaluate options in meeting a variety of DEQ requirements at the Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) regarding effluent discharge to Bear Creek.  Staff will provide an update on the project to the Commission when the information is available.  The RFP maybe combined with a tree shading project.  Counselor Voisin suggested the Commission be proactive and stay informed in the coming months.
 
Water Treatment Plant Construction
The Water Master Plan includes capital projects including a second water treatment plant. Energy efficiency would be an important factor included in this project.  She encouraged the Commission to consider requesting some policy level adoptions prior to the beginning of construction design in FY2016, and possibly through the construction as could be outlined in a City Operational Sustainability Plan and/or a letter to the Council.  The Commissioners discussed a lot about standard certifications, for example, Leed certifications for Construction.
 
 
NEW BUSINESS
Commission Retreat Summary and Recap
The Commission decided more time was needed for a drafting /review of goals.
 
Commissioner Beam made a motion that the Chair draft a letter to be delivered and put into the Council packet stating the goals of the past year, highlighting the achievements, gratitude for efforts and new or existing goals for 2013.   The motion was seconded by Commissioner Weir.
 
The members discussed format and structure of the proposed letter to include prioritization, emphasis for the most important goals/issues, bullet points, and specific recommendations.
Voice Vote: All Ayes.  The motion passed with a unanimous vote.
 
 
Commissioner Beam made a motion to approve the minutes of the retreat, seconded by Commissioner Buck
Voice Vote: All Ayes.  The motion passed with a unanimous vote.
 
 
OLD BUSINESS
Water Sub-Committee
Commissioner Weir requested the Commission approve and support 3 goals for the Water Sub-Committee.
  1. Storm Drain Program
  2. Car Wash Program/Project
  3. Earth Day event
 
Commissioner Gould made a motion to approve and support the first two goals, Storm Drain Program and Car Wash Program/Project. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Beam.
Voice Vote: All Ayes.  The motion passed with a unanimous vote.
 
The Commission talked about making the Earth Day Event more of an educational event.
 
 
 
Commissioner Buck made a motion to extend the meeting a few minutes, seconded by Commissioner Beam.
Voice Vote: All Ayes.  The motion passed with a unanimous vote.
 
They discussed working on a Water Conservation Tour much like the city Solar and Energy Tour.
Also, they requested to meet with the new Councilors, sooner than later, Rich Rosenthal and Pam March.
 
 
QUARTERLY LIAISON REPORTS
Set aside.
 
 
OTHER BUSINESS FROM COMMISSIONERS NOT ON AGENDA
Set aside
 
 
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:07.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Respectfully submitted by:
Mary McClary
Administrative Assistant for Electric, IT and
The Telecommunication Department.
 
 
 
 
 

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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