City of Lawrence

Sustainability Advisory Board (SAB)

July 11, 2012 minutes

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:

Boog Highberger, Sarah Hill-Nelson, Matt Lehrman, Chad Luce, Andrea Repinsky, Ian Spomer, Scott White

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Dale Nimz, Kathleen Nuckolls, Megan Poindexter

 

STAFF PRESENT:

Tammy Bennett, Kathy Richardson

 

PUBLIC PRESENT:

Victoria Bogner

 

Call Meeting to Order (Chad Luce, Chair person) 5:41 pm

Take roll call to determine quorum of members.

 

Any pressing items?

 

Officer Dustin Chase attended the SAB meeting to discuss conflict resolution at public meetings and tips on how to keep meetings on topic and with minimal disruptions.

 

SAB agreed to limit public comment to 5 minutes at their meetings.

 

Approval of Meeting Minutes

 

Motion and second to approve the June 13, 2012 minutes (Lehrman/Spomer).

Vote: Motion was passed unanimously.

 

Staff Report: Waste Reduction and Recycling Division

 

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

 

Tammy Bennett shared an update on the residential trash cart implementation program. The bid document was sent out. Staff plans to submit a bid selection recommendation to the City Commission in early August and then distribute carts to residents by October / November timeframe. The Commission has not yet made a decision on the solid waste rates for 2013.

 

Staff Report: Sustainability Coordinator

 

The Sustainability Coordinator report was emailed to SAB. Eileen Horn was out of town at a work conference.

 

 

Discussion on Major Policy Issues for Curbside Recycling Program

 

The matrix outlining major policy issues was developed by staff for the City Commission to consider and evaluate. Decisions on the major policy issues will help define the scope of work section in the Request for Proposals (RFP) for curbside recycling collection services. At the last meeting, staff requested SAB’s feedback on each major policy issue. Chad Luce walked board members through each major policy issue and summarized SAB’s feedback. The board edited the text as they went through the document. Attached is the major policy issues matrix with SAB comments.

 

At the June SAB meeting, Ian Spomer volunteered to review the RFP for curbside recycling collection services. He mentioned the RFP was a great document. The only item he suggested to add was an incentive for the private hauler based on participation numbers and / or volume of recyclables collected.  

 

Final 2012-2013 SAB Goals

 

SAB reviewed the final draft of the 2012-2013 SAB goals. Andrea Repinsky asked that her name be added to the subcommittee that will analyze the sustainability recommendations put forth in Horizon 2020. Andrea also requested to replace the term “open space” with “natural areas” within the goals document. SAB agreed.

 

Motion and second to approve the 2012-2013 SAB goals as amended at the meeting tonight (Lehrman/Spomer).

Vote: Motion was passed unanimously.

 

Guest Speakers for Future SAB Meetings

 

Chad Luce mentioned Megan Poindexter (not present) contacted Jeff Severin, KU’s Center of Sustainability Director, but was not sure on his availability. Chad will follow-up with Jeff to check his availability for the August SAB meeting.

 

Kathy Richardson confirmed that Crystal Miles, city’s Horticulture and Forestry Manager, was available for the October SAB meeting. Sarah Hill-Nelson volunteered to brainstorm a good “outside” speaker to pair up with the city speaker for the landscaping topic.

 

There was discussion on who to invite for the stormwater management topic. Anyone from MARC? Andrea Repinsky mentioned Topeka’s stormwater engineer is an option.   

 

Kathy Richardson will contact Dave Wagner and Jeanette Klamm with the city’s Utilities Department and Matt Bond with the city’s Stormwater Division to check their availability for future SAB meetings.

 

SAB Chair Term

 

Chad Luce mentioned he is not planning to serve a second term on the SAB board due to workload and other commitments. He will finish his current term in December. Chad asked board members to start considering who may want to be nominated for the SAB chair position for 2013.

 

Miscellaneous Announcements and/or Public Comments

 

Victoria Bogner, president of the Kansas Green Wish board of directors, informed SAB of Green Wish, a grass-roots non-profit organization founded by Raphael Sbarge and Ed Begley, Jr. It started in Los Angeles and aids local green organizations. Green Wish opened its first chapter outside of Los Angeles in Lawrence. They launched a free event at the Oread Hotel in June. Board members were selected and the five local non-profits that will receive funding were also selected.

 

Meeting adjourned at 7:15 p.m.

 

Next meeting: August 8th, 2012 at 5:30 p.m.

 

Attachments:

Waste Reduction and Recycling Division Report

Sustainability Coordinator Report

Matrix outlining major policy issues for curbside recycling collection services

2012-2013 SAB Goals, final draft