City of Lawrence

Sustainability Advisory Board (SAB)

April 11, 2012 minutes

MEMBERS PRESENT:	Boog Highberger, Sarah Hill-Nelson, Chad Luce, Dale Nimz, Kathleen Nuckolls, Andrea Repinsky, Ian Spomer, Scott White
MEMBERS ABSENT:	Matt Lehrman, Megan Poindexter
GUEST PRESENT:	Commissioner Aron Cromwell
STAFF PRESENT:	Tammy Bennett, Eileen Horn, Kathy Richardson
PUBLIC PRESENT:	Caitlin Craig

Call Meeting to Order (Chad Luce, Chair person)

Take roll call to determine quorum of members.

Introduction of new board members: Dennis “Boog” Highberger and Scott White.

Approval of Meeting Minutes

Motion and second to approve the March 14, 2012 minutes (Nimz/Spomer).

Vote: Motion was passed unanimously.

Discuss Solid Waste Task Force Progress Report

Chad Luce thanked Commissioner Aron Cromwell for his work with the Solid Waste Task Force (SWTF).

Commissioner Cromwell gave an update on a couple items from the SWTF final report:

1. The City Commission requested staff to work on an implementation plan for containerization (trash carts) that would address costs, program implementation, and any immediate equipment changes required.

2. The City Commission also directed staff to prepare a report on Request for Proposals (RFP) options that outlines major policy issues for a curbside recycling program. Commissioner Cromwell encouraged SAB to review and provide input on the RFP document and process.

Chad Luce mentioned the SAB strategy has been to support the SWTF recommendations as a whole even though SAB would have liked to see more variable rate pricing information included and stronger recommendations. Commissioner Cromwell commented that the variable rate pricing system will be a phased in approach.

Tammy Bennett clarified that the staff recommendation for the standard residential trash set-out container will be a 65 gallon cart. Residents who prefer a 90 gallon cart may switch their standard cart for a larger one and pay an additional fee. In the first phase of the container implementation, the City will not provide a reduction in pay for smaller carts although those will be available for any resident who prefers a smaller container.

Chad Luce asked Commissioner Cromwell if there were any other issues SAB can be of assistance with. Many items were recently approved by the Lawrence City Commission; e.g. Complete Streets, Horizon 2020 Environmental Chapter, and Common Ground. Commissioner Cromwell mentioned there may be a lot of opposition to the Horizon 2020 Environmental Chapter.

ICLEI/IMT Commercial Energy Policy Toolkit Presentation by the Institute for Market Transformation

Caroline Keicher with the Building Energy Rating Program of the Institute for Market Transformation gave a presentation on the ICLEI-IMT Commercial Energy Policy Toolkit.

After the presentation SAB members asked questions and shared their thoughts. Dale Nimz mentioned that this is all very new to Lawrence and the City is 1 to 5 years away from forming this type of policy. He thinks it would be helpful to have educational workshop or training session.

Eileen Horn informed SAB that she is working on an energy outreach program, “Power Suits Class”, for downtown small businesses. Partners are Downtown Lawrence Inc., Chamber of Commerce, and Westar Energy. The program will kick off in January 2013.

SAB asked what they can do to help with this energy outreach program. Eileen Horn encouraged SAB to review the parts of this new program as these are developed including the messaging to commercial businesses.

SAB GOALS REVIEW

SAB agreed to schedule a goal setting session for next month with Eileen Horn as the facilitator. The board would like to meet at Fire Station #5 in the Jayhawk Room, if available. They also mentioned coordinating a potluck dinner.

Motion and second to schedule the SAB goal setting session in May (Hill-Nelson/White).

Vote: Motion was passed unanimously.

Staff will email SAB members the goal setting documents and past SAB goals.

Staff Report: Waste Reduction and Recycling Division

Kathy Richardson discussed program updates included in the Waste Reduction and Recycling Division report.