Minutes
Conservation Commission
07/27/05
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These Minutes are preliminary pending approval by Conservation Commission at the August 24, 2005 Conservation Commission Meeting. |
July 27, 2005– 7:00 p.m.
Community Development Building
51 Winburn Way
Ashland
CALL TO ORDER
Vice-Chairperson Chapman called the meeting to order at 7:25 p.m. in the Community Development Building.
ROLL CALL
Attendees: Charles Bennett, Carol Carlson, Russ Chapman, Joanne Krippaehne, Ross Finney and Paige Prewett. Kate DeWayne, and Jim Hartman were absent.
City Council Liaison: Alex Amarotico-Absent
Staff Liaison: Dick Wanderscheid
Student Liaison: none present
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Acting Chairperson Chapman asked for an approval of the June 22nd minutes.
Commissioner Bennett made a motion to approve the minutes of June 22nd, 2005 and Commissioner Krippaehne seconded the motion.
Voice vote: all Ayes. The motion passed with a unanimous vote.
The minutes of the Conservation Commission Meeting of June 22, 2005 were approved as written.
PUBLIC FORUM
None present.
ASHLAND SANITARY & RECYCLING UPDATE:
Commissioner Chapman reported $179.00 of the $500.00 grant for florescent light disposal has been used and this program was started on July 1, 2005.
He brought in a recyclable container for plastic bottles and aluminum cans that he purchased as a trial for the 4th of July. He reported that these cans were not contaminated with other waste products, which had always been the problem in trying to recycle downtown or in Lithia Park. Commission Carlson congratulated him on his persistence and ability to find a product that worked. Commission Chapman also explained that these containers could be used for other large events, citing SOU as an example.
OLD BUSINESS
Mr. Wanderscheid reported to the Commission that beginning July 1, 2005 there would be a promotion by different businesses to sell florescent light bulbs for .99 cents.
He also mentioned one of the Council Goals this year was for the Conservation Commission to implement permanent downtown recycling bins.
Green Tag Envelopes
Mr. Wanderscheid informed the Committee that he received a quote for approximately $375.80 for 20,000 envelopes and Mr. Wanderscheid was able to negotiate so the Commission would only need to pay $134.00 for 2 mailings.
Commissioner Carlson made a motion to authorize Dick Wanderscheid to explore 20,000 to 40,000 Green Tag Envelopes and Commissioner Krippaehne seconded the motion.
Voice vote: Ayes: Charles Bennett, Carol Carlson, Russ Chapman, Joanne Krippaehne, and Ross
Finney
Abstain: Paige Prewett
The motion passed with a majority vote.
Faye Weisler, from the Ashland Housing Committee, joined the meeting in progress. She introduced herself and her desire to be a liaison with this Commission. Her goals are to combine conservation with affordable housing. Mr. Wanderscheid explained the possibility of creating a fund from the refund the City receives for the sale of Green Tags to be directed in that area.
Green Tag Marketing Strategy
Commissioner Prewett reviewed the Renewable Pioneers Marketing Strategy that was previously sent to each Commissioner. (Attached to minutes)
NEW BUSINESS
Mr. Wanderscheid presented the Commission with background information regarding Earth Advantage/Density Bonus presentation that was made to the Planning Commission. Mr. Wanderscheid has compiled a staff report to present to the Planning Commission and was hoping for a Conservation Commission endorsement.
Commission member Krippaehne moved to request Mr. Wanderscheid and the Chairman, Alex Amarotico, to draft a memo to the Planning Commission in supporting the Earth Advantage Amendment regarding Density Bonus.
City Council Presentation August 16
Commissioners Finney and Bennett reviewed their power point presentation that they will present to the City Council.
Budget
$3,850.00
SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
1. Historic Conservation
2. Education/Events
Commission Carlson is teaching a class on Winter Gardening in September.
There will be a bio-diesel in the future.
3. Green Business
COMMISSION ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
Next meeting scheduled for August 24, 2005.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 9:00 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary McClary, Assistant to
Electric Department
Renewable Pioneers Marketing Strategy
Target Date: September – November 2005
Ashland utility bill envelope:
· Print RP message on reverse side of #9 return envelope
· BEF marketing staff will design message
· Mail to 2-3 billing cycles in Fall 05
· Cost of envelope - 10,000= $289.70, $20,000= $510.40
· Determine difference between cost of envelope normally mailed, and higher cost of printed envelope? (Current envelopes - #9 envelope w/donation info printed on back accidentally; Aug 2004 purchased 140,000 = 18.79/1,000). Find out when utility billing office will be ordering more a new batch; Kari can check inventory. Can cost be shared?
· Dick: Will check with Kari about envelop and printing costs; perhaps Commission will fund
City Source article:
· Time article to coincide with utility envelope mailing
· Paige/BEF write article and get approval from Dick/City
· Check w/Dick to see if space for article can be reserved for RP story
· Dick: Get article written and get in queue to reserve space in the fall
· Cost: none
BEF postcard mailing:
· BEF is exploring the possibility of funding a series of 3 postcards that will encourage Ashland utility customers to become Renewable Pioneers by visiting the website.
· Can BEF utilize City utility customer list? (Preferred method)
· Can BEF utilize City mailing service? Reimburse City for cost?
· Postcards may have tie to business customers with coupon to local business, which can be used regardless of sign up; Paige has talked with a few businesses to get a feel on this. So far it seems that it will be a challenge to get a business to have a coupon on the postcard – they view it as too much of a commitment, especially if it can be redeemed without becoming a Pioneer.
· Dick: Will check to see if BEF can go through City/NW Mail Services. Needs to find out if precedent set with using City list. Perhaps City can mail and BEF can reimburse.
· Cost: not yet known
Coupon incentive:
· Renewable Pioneers purchasing Green Tags within a given time frame may receive a small booklet of coupons from participating RP business; i.e. $1.00 off appetizer at Standing Stone; $.50 of Dagoba Chocolate bar.
· BEF would publish booklet and mail to new (and pre-existing?) program participants with an Ashland address (or perhaps by promotional code)
· Dick: Likes idea, starts cross-recognition for businesses; could be time-consuming
JPR underwriting:
· Conservation Commission purchased Rhythm and News underwriting: 30 spots on Weekday News Rotation (3x week/10 weeks), 10 spots on Living on Earth (1x week/10 weeks)
· Underwriting will begin in Sept.
· Cost: $741.00, already paid
RP Brochures:
· Using Commission and BEF funds, more brochures will be printed and placed in businesses and public places
· BEF is looking at having special informational brochure racks (made of cardboard) printed
· Dick: Is interested in doing 3-way cost share between the Conservation Division, Commission and BEF for a large printing of brochures.
Ashland Fiber Network (AFN) ads:
· Mark Butterfield will make commercials for approx $300.00
· RVTV sometimes creates ads for the City (Ann) for little or no cost. Contact would be Howard Schreiber at RVTV, 552.8890; would need to coordinate with Ann
· Cost is 5.00 per spot, minimum 40 30-second spots $200.00
· Broadcast into ½ of Ashland’s homes, 6 hotels and several taverns
· As a non-profit, AFN can give us up to double the spots that are paid for.
· Ads run 8-midnight on A&E, TV Food, ESPN, MTV, Lifetime, TLC, WTBS and CNN
· When the commercial is ready to air, contact is Mike Ainsworth, 552.2361; Lead time - at least two work days
· Annie Hoy at Ashland Food Co-op suggested partnering with other businesses on the ad with message “We have signed up and encourage you to do the same” – and have businesses help pay for it possibly.
· Dick: Directed Paige to contact Tim Bewley at RVTV regarding an ad. Recommends that the ad be generic so that it could have a long shelf life. Feels this is great targeted audience
Media attention:
· BEF and City join efforts to gain media coverage in Ashland Daily Tidings and Medford Mail Tribune
· Cost: none
City Website:
· Find out if it will be possible to post news item on City website
· Explore possibility of posting temporary Renewable Pioneers link on City website during marketing campaign
· Cost: none
· Dick: Will ask Ann about doing a banner ad or special logo during the campaign
RVTV PSA:
· BEF/Paige will create Power Point slide to run as PSA on RVTV
· Cost: none
Solar Tour:
· Explore opportunities for outreach in conjunction with October 8 tour of Green and Solar Homes in Ashland
· Dick: Perhaps at beginning of tour there will be an opportunity to talk up RP
New solar project:
· Explore opportunities for new solar projects
· Wilderness Charter School is over half paid
· Explore possibility of Commission and/or BEF funding of interpretive signage at NMP Nature Center solar – NMP project projected to be installed by October. Would be a great outreach mechanism, but need to act soon. (City-BEF cost share?)
· Dick: Will talk to Angus re: Nature Center project/interpretation and possibility of buying Tags/attributes off the Nature Center’s system. Dick also looking at other solar project possibilities within City
Varsity theatre ad:
· Unique Screen Media is company the manages advertising at Ashland’s Coming Attractions Theatres (Varsity Theater and Ashland Street Theater)
· 15 sec = $1,399 (.41ea); 30 sec = $2,518 (.73 ea); 60 sec = $4,532 ($1.32 ea)
· 3 months, 3,432 movies, 58,000 viewers, static slide w/audio
· Dick: Likes the idea; is fairly inexpensive and targeted audience (Ashlanders)
· Radio inventory that electric dept already has, broadcast during AHS games & SOU games
· We could rotate “existing buy” with current ads; could we have ½ of the Elec Dept’s existing spots? Check with Dick.
· Games are live on local radio - KCMX Newstalk AM 880 throughout the Rogue Valley. Internet audio is provided free of charge to Raider fans by the SOU Athletic Department.
· Pete Belcastro is contact
Community Outreach:
· Paige will continue direct marketing to businesses during marketing campaign
· Paige will pursue public speaking opportunities to civic groups during marketing campaign
· Paige will attend Chamber greeters meetings during marketing campaign
Tabling:
· BEF is considering paying a student to table at events, grocery stores, etc.
· Tabling staff could likely use Commission equipment (table, tent)
· Conservation Commissioners may table at Growers Market in October, community events such as Salmon Festival and Solar Tour in Oct, etc.
· Dick: Thinks having Commissioners do the tabling is a better idea
