ASHLANDCONSERVATION COMMISSION
MINUTES
6 p.m. – March 31, 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, Shelley Lotz, Jim McGinnis and David Runkel were present.
City Council Liaison: Carol Voison
Staff Representative: Larry Giardina
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Chairperson Finney asked for approval of the minutes for February 24, 2010.
Commissioner McGinnis stated he would like the wording changed under Old Business, No.1, last paragraph:
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.
The Commission ultimately decided they would need to have more discussions, due to the need to consider changes before they would be able to send this recommendation to the Council.
Commissioner McGinnis motioned to approved minutes as corrected and Commissioner Buck seconded the motion.
Voice Vote: All Ayes. The motion passed with a unanimous vote.
PUBLIC FORUM
Sheri Cellini, who has applied for the vacant seat on the Commission, introduced herself. She is a certified sustainable advisor and is interested in working with the Conservation Commission.
The Commission members briefly introduced them selves to Ms. Cellini.
Quarterly Liaison Reports (SOU, Ashland School District, Conservation Department & Recology)
SOU-- Larry Blake
Chairperson McGinnis moved the SOU quarterly liaison report up due to the limited time of the representative, Larry Blake. Mr. Blake presented a Power Point presentation regarding SOU’s Climate Action Plan and how they would meet the future Federal standard guidelines. (attached at end of minutes)
Commissioner Corns commented on the great job that Larry does with limited resources.
Chairperson Finney reminded the Commission about the rotation of liaisons- Conservation, Recology, School District, and SOU.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Next Meeting- April 28, 2010.
Commissioner Buck announced Recology will have a latex collection day of April 30, and May 1 and this would
be the last time Recology would offer this service/event.
The household hazardous collection day is May 7, and May 8.
Earth Day Event coming up April 24.
Discount Day, May 15, is for residential customers only, $4.00 per load, instead of $8.00 per load.
Ashland Car Share is celebrating their first anniversary.
Compost classes are scheduled June 19, July 17, August 21, and September 18 will be the when the classes are offered. Time:10-12 noon
Location: Recycle Center
Title of Class: Urban Composting Class
The Commission discussed the schedule for Earth Day:
Commissioner Corns will be there from 10am to noon
Commissioner Runkel will be there from 12 -1:30pm
Commissioner Hartman from 1:30- 3
and Chairperson Finney from 3 until take down.
OLD BUSINESS
A. Sub-Committees
1. Sustainability Strategic
Commissioner McGinnis passed out a proposal for a recommendation from the
Conservation Commission to the City Council and Mayor. He was hoping that the
Commission would get the recommendation to the Council so when they do goal
setting for 2011, this would be included for their review.
Councilor Voison supported the idea of diverse groups creating a community voice
for the Council.
There was a lot of discussion about how to present this proposal, who would be
involved and what exactly would be recommended.
Larry Giardina explained the proposal would be a recommendation from the
Conservation Commission to develop an adhoc committee that would explore and
make recommendations to The City Council regarding a review of ICLEI, Natural
Step, permaculture, and sustainability/resiliency.
Commissioner McGinnis and Lotz would present to the Council this recommendation
in hopes that the Council would support and ask for participants from citizens and
other Commission members.
Commissioner Hartman made a motion to support Commissioner McGinnis’s proposal.
The Commissioners discussed bringing this back next month with a clearer proposal.
Commissioner Hartman tabled his motion.
2. Green Building
No report.
3. Local Energy Production
No report.
4. Water Quality and Storm Runoff
Commissioner Buck/Runkel reported the pilot for Storm Drain Stencil will be done on
April 17. After the pilot, there will be promotions for this project that intends to mark
over 3,000 storm drains.
At the Earth Day event, there will be a table with a City map of all the storm drains.
5. Climate Change Initiatives
Combined with Sustainability Strategic subcommittee.
B. Compost Classes
Set Aside.
NEW BUSINESS
Elect Chair; Vice-Chair
Chairperson Finney explained and read the City Ordinance 3003 regarding the election
of Chair/Vice-Chair.
There was discussion among the members regarding the recent changes. The members
also discussed the requirements for the sub-committee meetings. Councilor Voison explained the reasoning behind the ordinance was an assumption that the Vice-Chair person would become the Chair, because they would have spent a year “in training” and very familiar with proceedures.
The election of the Chair and Vice-Chair would be first on the agenda for next month under Old Business.
Future of Compost Classes
Set aside.
COMMISSION ITEMS NOT ON AGENDA
Commissioner McGinnis suggested another retreat to discuss Commission goals, to be put on next month’s agenda.
ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Runkel made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Commissioner Hartman.
Voice Vote: All Ayes. The motion passed with a unanimous vote.
7:55 pm.
