Agendas and Minutes

Conservation and Climate Outreach Committee (View All)

Regular Monthly Meeting

Minutes
Wednesday, October 22, 2003

These Minutes are preliminary pending approval by Conservation Commission at the December 10, 2003 Conservation Commission Meeting.

MINUTES FOR Conservation Commission
October 22, 2003 – 7:00 p.m.
Community Development Building
51 Winburn Way
Ashland

CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson, Alex Amarotico, called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Development Building.

ROLL CALL
Attendees: Charles Bennett, Carol Carlson, Russ Chapman, Ross Finney, Jim Hartman, Joanne Krippaehne, Bruce Moats, and Paige Prewett. Lisa Black was also present.

City Council Liaison: Alex Amarotico
Staff Liaison: Dick Wanderscheid

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

The chairperson, Alex Amarotico asked for an approval of the September 24, minutes.

Chapman stated corrections to the minutes for the amount of green tags purchased from Ashland Sanitary was 5 not 2 as stated and the number of business that were green waste is 4. Krippaehne corrected the statement about viewing the Adopt a Street map and corrected the name Pacific Corp. Moats corrected the future location of the Commission meetings will be located at the Community Development Center, not the Community Center. Hartman corrected the savings with the high school from 1,000 to 2,000 on page 2.

Krippaehne moved to approve the minutes of September 24 as amended and Chapman seconded the motion.
Voice vote: all Ayes. The motion passed with a unanimous vote.

The minutes of the Conservation Commission Meeting of September 24, 2003 were approved.

PUBLIC FORUM

No speakers present.

ASHLAND SANITARY & RECYCLING UPDATE:

Lisa Black reported she spoke with Manhattan Beach about their recycling programs. They have 20 cites around the beach area that have two recycling cans along with a garbage can. They explained to her 18 out of the 20 cans were contaminated. They also mentioned they would re-evaluate that system within 6 months.

Hartman inquired about the recycle signs and Chapman reported a sign would be placed on the corner of Water and North Main Street pointing the way to the recycling center. Also, there is a sign posted at Van Ness and Water. Hartman suggested the Commission could obtain more signs if needed.

Black reported leaf recycling will take place on November 4 and the 18, and Ashland Sanitary had a total of 12 customers at Chipper Day on October 4th.

Ashland Sanitary is starting a co-mingling recycling program in town with 65-galloon carts. The pilot program will begin with the Friday's route, hoping to deliver the carts around December 1st and start picking up January 1st. This will include everything from mixed waste paper, cardboard, plastic bottles, tin, aluminum and phone books. Glass and motor oil will still be kept separate in the blue bins. The plan includes an every other week pick up, alternating with debris pick-up. Citizens will be able to utilize 4 different containers, trash, recycling, debris and the blue bins.

Chapman discussed distribution in a larger city, Eugene/Springfield, where they are beginning the same kind of program starting with 43,000 carts.

Black reported a self-explanatory brochure would be used to communicate with customers. Also, Ashland Sanitary is looking for responses back from customers regarding their usage of this program, thereby utilizing each cart. The company plans to have all customers involved in the program by the end of 2004.

Carol Carlson asked about useable material dropped off at the transfer station and wondered if these materials could be recycled back into the community. Chapman explained most of the plywood materials are utilized by the Boy Scout organization and there is not an opportunity at this time for the public to sort through materials at the transfer station.

Black reported Jackson Country Solid Waste Recovery rate increased to 44.1% in 2002, a 4% increase over the prior year and already meeting the 2005 goal of 40%. Ross Finney remarked about the pounds in the landfill continues to increase even though we are recycling more.

There was discussion about packaging material used for food items, fast food containers, and single serve containers.

SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

    1. Marketing
    No marketing report

    2. Green Business

Chapman reported he met with Paula Brown

Amarotico reported about his discussion with Chapman concerning a new idea, adopt a recycling can and how that could be another element in green businesses. Discussion followed about contamination rates, public awareness and responsibilities required by the businesses to make this program work.

    3. Education/Events

Prewett thanked all the volunteers for helping with the solar tour and remarked on the event's success drawing over 100 people. She gave a brief run down of the event activities and discussed some ways to improve for next year. Options of limiting the tour, incorporating lunch, holding half- day tours, and expansions were discussed by Committee members.

Prewett reported on the Growers Market and the Committee decided to participate one more time before it ends. Discussion followed different things that could be displayed and recognition was given to the staff who consistently attends.

Prewett brought up for discussion obtaining a new canvas and asked Commission members to look out for a new one.

Amarotico asked about the next educational event and Prewett explained different ideas that were discussed. Homemade cleaning products, tour of the transfer station and compost facility, bio- disel, and grey waste were mentioned as possible events.

Prewett remarked about hoping to hold Earth Day on August 24th, two days after the National Earth Day. She asked the Commission to think about ideas for expansion. A sustainable living contest or projects for the school and conservation projects were mentioned tying in with the event. Gathering entertainment participation from different sources needed to begin earlier this year.

Prewett asked for ideas about a Winter tour event and Hartman suggested a Solstice party, making presents for the holidays. Any event listed in the next Nature Center calendar will include the beginning of Winter to the beginning of Spring and needs to be submitted with the next few weeks.

Krippaehne suggested an event for making cleaning products would be a good indoor Winter event. Prewett will present the idea to the Nature Center and let the Commission know a possible date. Carlson suggested cleaning companies be invited.

OLD BUSINESS

There were no items presented.

New Business

There were no items presented.

Budget

There were no changes to the budget.

Items not on the Agenda

Prewett announced 103 green tags sold and reported the letter went out about the Solar Pioneers.

Carlson remarked about an article in Natural Home magazine about green choices and offered to bring it to the Commission.

Ross explained about his participation as a program delivery contractor of one of the Energy Trusts of Oregon Program focusing on large manufacturing businesses. There are many incentives for business to implement energy efficiency projects saving thousands of kilowatts a year.

Amarotico asked the Commission if they could purchase green tags and also if the City of Ashland could purchase tags? Prewett will redirect the question to Mr. Wanderscheid, but stated the Commission could purchase green tags.

Joanne Krippaehne made a motion for the Commission to purchase 5 green tags on behalf of the Conservation Commission, seconded by Ross Finey.

Voice vote: all Ayes. The motion passed with a unanimous vote.

The Commission decided Mr. Wanderscheid could make the purchase on line.

Hartman reported that different people have been hired to facilitate conservation programs at the schools except Lincoln. The people will receive $750.00 to work 2 hours per week encouraging staff and student to conserve, helping administer projects. The Middle school will receive $1500.00 working 4 hours per week.

ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 8:10 pm.

Respectfully submitted,
Mary McClary, Assistant
to Electric Department

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