Minutes
Conservation Commission
07/25/07
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These Minutes were approlved by Conservation Commission at the September 26, 2007 Conservation Commission Meeting. |
July 25, 2007
7:00 pm
Community Development Building
51 Winburn Way
Ashland
CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson Chapman called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm in the Siskiyou Room at the Community Development Building. The Conservation Commission members introduced themselves to Tracy Harding, the newest member of the Conservation Commission. Stuart Corns also mentioned that Jared Fuhriman, from SOU, would attend the Commission, sort of sharing the participation between them.
ROLL CALL
Attendees: Risa Buck, Russ Chapman, Stuart Corns, Ross Finney, Tracy Harding, Jim
Hartman, and Melissa Schweisguth. Kathryn Houser was not present.
City Council Liaison: Dave Chapman
Staff Liaison: Dick Wanderscheid
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Chairperson Chapman asked for an approval of the May 23, 2007 minutes.
The following corrections were noted:
Ross Finney was not present for the last meeting.
1.235 household cars, should state1,235 household cars under Ashland Sanitary
2.532 residential should state 2,532 Residential Green Debris customers under Ashland Sanitary
Ross Finney questioned the lack of details under North Mountain Park in the Budget registry
Commissioner Finney made a motion to approve the minutes of May 23, 2007 with the stated corrections and Commissioner Buck seconded the motion.
Voice vote: all Ayes. The motion passed with a unanimous vote with stated corrections.
PUBLIC FORUM
ASHLAND SANITARY & RECYCLING UPDATE:
Commissioner Buck reported:
· A total of 70 participants for the 3 compost classes completed, and Denny Morelli would be willing to teach one more class in the fall.
· Worm class at North Mountain Park, 22 participants
· Commercial compost customers-22 at current time.
· Diverted 2,740 pounds of nursery plastics from the Landfill
· Russ Chapman, Risa Buck, and Paige Prewett attended The Association Recyclers Conference in June
· Ashland Sanitary will be participating in The Oregon Green Schools and support The Master Recycler Program within the Rogue Valley.
· ClearStream Containers available for community events
· Toners/cartridges are continuing to be recycled to support the florescent bulb recycling
· Dean Walker (compliance code city personal) invites any reports on wrongful styrofoam usage in Ashland.
· Planning to communicate with Ashland Parks to discuss recycling within the park areas and how best they can support their efforts.
· Attending a SOU Sustainability Council to discuss a pilot recycling dorm program.
· Asked to put on agenda for next meeting, 4th of July recycling efforts.
OLD BUSINESS
A. Formation of sub-committee to support new goals
Dick Wanderscheid read the 8 adopted goals
Green Business-Robbin Pearce/ Melissa Schweisguth/Ross Finney/Risa Buck
Marketing/Education-Jim Hartman/Tracy Harding/Melissa Schweisguth/Stuart Corns
B. Rain Water Collection Update
Already mentioned issue put aside due to resignation of Paula Brown, Public Works Director.
NEW BUSINESS
A. Election of Officers
The Commission elected a new vice chair, Ross Finney.
Commissioner Schweisguth nominated Commissioner Finney for Vice-Chair, seconded by Commissioner Buck.
Voice vote: all Ayes. The motion passed with a unanimous vote.
B. Council Goals Update
Counselor Chapman read the City Council’s Adopted Goals and the members discussed them briefly.
C. Additional Compost/ Worm Classes
Mr. Wanderscheid reported that $840.00 was spent for more compost bins.
Commissioner Finney motioned that the Commission promote and support a fall compost class, seconded by Commissioner Chapman.
Voice vote: all Ayes. The motion passed with a unanimous vote.
Commissioner Buck reported that North Mountain Park agreed to do a fall Worm Class, and wondered if the Commission would subsidize $8.00 coupons apiece for the worm bins.
Commissioner Finney made an offer that The Conservation Department will pay up to a 50% off coupon up to the first 30 people, for a total of $12.00 a bin each, as long as North Mountain Park matches the amount. The Commissioner decided to discuss it at the next meeting.
SUBCOMMITTEE DISCUSSIONS
None
COMMISSION ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
Mr. Wanderscheid reported:
· The Council approved the Green Tag Marketing agreement with Bonneville Environmental Foundation for another 3 years.
· Out of the new Commission budget, $848.00 was used to buy compost bins, and hopefully this amount will be enough for the 4th class
· Working with the Jackson County Recycling Partnership to be able to continue programs
· Solar Pioneer II has an exempt from competitive bidding and the project is going out for bid. The City Source has a place for interested parties to supply feed back about support for this project, with a survey; also they can be put on an interested party list.
· Two companies are relocating to Oregon; one will produce the largest amount of solar silicon in the world.
· Working with The Governor’s Renewable Energy task force with ongoing projects.
Risa Buck reported about information about banning plastic bottles in other cities.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Next meeting date, August 22, 2007 7pm
Community Development Center
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 9:10 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary McClary, Administrative Assistant to
Electric/Telecommunications Department
