City of Lawrence                                         

Sustainability Advisory Board (SAB)

April 9, 2008 (5:30 PM) Meeting Minutes

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:

Chris Cobb, Dickie Heckler, Sarah Hill-Nelson , Matt Lehrman, Daniel Poull, Laura Routh, Simran Sethi, Brian Sifton, Cindy Strecker

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Paul Dietz

STAFF PRESENT:

Tammy Bennett, Kathy Richardson

 

CITY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT:

 

PUBLIC PRESENT:

Ian Spomer

 

 

Call Meeting to Order (Daniel Poull, Chairperson)

Take Roll Call to Determine Quorum of Members

 

Approval of meeting Minutes

 

Motion and second to approve the March 12, 2008 minutes (Lehrman/Hill-Nelson). Vote: Motion was passed unanimously.

 

Update on Climate Protection Task Force

 

Daniel Poull attended the first Climate Protection Task Force meeting in March as a guest and Simran Sethi also attended as the SAB rep on the Task Force. The second meeting was cancelled. For a schedule of upcoming meetings and notes from previous meetings Tammy Bennett suggests checking out the website http://www.lawrenceks.org/climate_protection.

 

Discuss Upcoming Agenda

 

There was discussion on whether SAB should establish a calendar of guest speakers for future agendas. There was consensus on continuing to invite a City Commissioner to the meetings. SAB has discussed inviting: City Commissioner Rob Chestnut, City’s Parks and Recreation Department (Ernie Shaw and Mike Hecker), Johnson County Environmental staff, City’s Solid Waste Division (Craig Pruett), Lawrence Chamber of Commerce (new Director and Beth Johnson), City’s Economic Development Coordinator (when hired) and City’s Planning Department (Scott McCullough and Sheila Stogsdill).

 

Action: Laura Routh will draft an invitation memo to future SAB meetings and send to Daniel Poull to edit. Information regarding date, time and place of SAB meetings will be included and the invitee will be able to choose which month works best for their schedule.

 

Sarah Hill-Nelson reported to SAB regarding the Chamber’s “Grow Green Checklist”. This is a project that the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce is currently working on. Their next meeting is this coming Thursday. The checklist will be a list of 80 to 100 “green” tips for businesses. 

 

Update on Aspen Conference – Paul Dietz (not present)

 

Update on KDHE WORKS Conference – Laura Routh

 

Laura Routh attended the KDHE WORKS Conference in March. She had the chance to tour the Deffenbaugh Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) in Kansas City. Laura reported that Deffenbaugh is now accepting single stream. They accept 13,000 tons of recyclables per month (21% is from residential curbside collection and the rest is commercial). This MRF is not regulated.

 

Laura Routh also mentioned that she attended last night’s “Going Green is Their Mission!” presentation by Assistant City Manager Laura Grey and City Planner & Sustainability Chair Danielle Murray of Mission, KS. Laura passed around a MARC Green Remodeling Guide that was handed out during the presentation.

 

Update KU School of Design Presentation

 

Twenty-four graduate and undergraduate Industrial Design and Design Management students from the University of Kansas studied the Lawrence waste and recycling system. The presentation was a design plan for phased implementation of a more efficient, comprehensive waste management system for the City of Lawrence. Daniel Poull, Laura Routh and Dickie Heckler from SAB attended and thought there were some really good ideas in the presentation with the advanced trash and recycling collection systems. Kathy Richardson also attended. Kathy mentioned that she felt that this student presentation was a lot about speeding up waste collection systems and making recycling more convenient but there wasn’t anything about waste reduction. The students did a great job on the PowerPoint presentation.

 

Action: Laura Routh will write a thank you e-mail to the professor, Michael Eckersley.

 

Earth Day Planning

 

The Earth Day Parade and Celebration in Lawrence will be held on Saturday, April 19th. The City’s Waste Reduction and Recycling (WRR) Division is in the final stages of planning and advertising the Earth Day events. Advertising includes: an article in the city’s newsletter The Flame, article in the Merc Newsletter, print ad in the Lawrencian, article and print ads in the Lawrence Journal World, posters distributed throughout town, movie theatre screen ad, and radio commercials on the Lazer.

 

Kathy Richardson handed out a SAB volunteer sign-in sheet for volunteer opportunities including carrying the Earth Day banner in the Parade and set up/clean up at South Park for the Celebration.

 

Electronic Recycling Event

 

The first Lawrence Electronic Recycling Event will be held on Saturday, April 26th at the KU Lied Center Parking lot from 9 am to 1 pm. The City’s Waste Reduction and Recycling (WRR) Division is in the final stages of planning and advertising this event. Advertising includes: Utility Bill Insert, article and print ad in the Lawrencian, article and print ads in the Lawrence Journal World, and radio commercials on the Lazer.

 

Action: Kathy Richardson will create a one page poster for the Electronic Recycling Event and e-mail to SAB. She asks that SAB please forward the event poster and information to friends and e-mail contacts.

 

Google Group E-mail for SAB

 

Google Group has been created by Simran Sethi. SAB members are asked to sign up for the Google Group E-mail.

 

Discussion on Increasing Board Membership to 12

 

There was discussion on whether or not to increase the SAB membership to 12.

 

Motion and second to table this discussion to a later date (Routh/Hill-Nelson). Vote: Motion was passed unanimously.

 

Waste Reduction and Recycling (WRR) Report

 

Kathy Richardson e-mailed the WRR report to SAB (attached). Things to note:

-          Newspaper tonnage so far this year is lower than last year. WRR staff speculates that citizens are placing their newspaper in the Mixed Paper recycling bin instead of placing it in the Newspaper recycling bin.

-          Overall fiber tonnages are increasing compared to last year.

-          HHW program in March shows significant increase in drop off appointments compared to the previous month. This is due to the warmer weather.

-          Compost program has started collecting grass, leaves and woody debris from residents.

-          Compost Giveaway was a HUGE success! There were 1,700 vehicles that came to get free compost during the 3 day event.

-          Earth Day so far has 51 registered booths this year! Last year we only had 35.

 

Kathy also informed SAB about the Imagination and Place Environmental Award on Tuesday, April 22nd (Earth Day) which will be held at the Lawrence Arts Center lobby at 5:00 pm.

 

Miscellaneous and Guest Comments

 

Ian Spomer (guest) updated SAB regarding the formation of a Sustainability Advisory Board in Topeka. The formation of the SAB in Topeka will go through the City Council but it might take some time.

 

Simran Sethi announced that there is a fundraiser for Greensburg in Kansas City on Thursday, April 17th. Simran sent SAB an e-mail regarding this fundraiser.

 

Simran also mentioned that a New York Research Consultancy has done work on the Holcomb Plants. There’s a report which was being forwarded on by e-mail. Laura also mentioned that there is another interesting document about Holcomb on the KDHE Bureau of Waste Management website. The document is about the cool ash landfill at this facility.

 

Laura Routh commented that the Solid Waste Planning work that has been done for the City of Lawrence and Douglas County is inadequate and does not give a good sense of the long term issues that are going to be coming down the pike in regards to disposal. Laura requested that SAB seek the right to participate in the Solid Waste Planning process. She would like a SAB member to go to the next meeting and be able to sit at the table and express an opinion. Laura also mentioned the Johnson County Solid Waste Plan developed in the past year as a resource for folks to look at. This Solid Waste Plan was completed with a longer and broader view. http://jced.jocogov.org/solid_waste/swmc/sw_newplan.htm. Laura also asked that the abbreviated document of the Douglas County Solid Waste Plan be converted to PDF and linked to the City’s website because right now it is not accessible to the public.

 

Action: Tammy Bennett will scan and place the Solid Waste Plan on the City’s website.

 

Motion and second to have SAB seek to participate in the Solid Waste Planning Process. (Routh/Heckler).

 

Meeting adjourned 7:10 p.m.

 

Next meeting: May 14, 2008

 

Attachments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attachment: Waste Reduction and Recycling Division Report

 

 

Fibers Report

Old Corrugated Containers (OCC)

Cardboard                                 Tons                 Revenue

Current YTD                               271.29             $34,889.87

Prior YTD                                   260.06              $1137.99

Avg. Price/ton thru Mar. 2008: $128.61                Avg. Price/ton thru Mar. 2007:   $109.88

Old Newspapers (ONP)

Newspaper                                Tons                 Revenue

Current YTD                               175.26             $21,453.90     

Prior YTD                                   233.77              $22,371.85

Avg. Price/ton thru Mar. 2008: $122.41                Avg. Price/ton thru Mar. 2007:   $95.70

 

Office  Waste Paper (SOP)

Sorted Office Paper                    Tons                 Revenue

Current YTD                               16.80               $3,631.30

Prior YTD                                   N/A                   $         N/A

Avg. Price/ton thru Mar 2008: $216.15                 Avg. Price/ton thru Mar. 2007:   N/A

Old Magazines (OMG)

                                                Tons                 Revenue

Current YTD                               No shipments     $         

Prior YTD                                   0.63                  $40.63

Avg. Price/ton thru Mar 2008:   N/A                     Avg. Price/ton thru Mar. 2007:   $65

 

Mixed Waste Paper (MIX)

                                                Tons                 Revenue

Current YTD                               33.08               $3,044.90

Prior YTD                                   N/A                   $          N/A

Avg. Price/ton thru Mar.2008: $92.06                   Avg. Price/ton thru Mar. 2007:   N/A

 

TOTAL       ytd                    tons                        Revenue

                                                496.43             $63,019.97     

Prior YTD                                   494.43              $50,983.73

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Program Report

 

Compost Program

Yard Waste Collection started up again on March 3rd.  There has been a good set-out for the first 5 weeks, although it remains mostly leaves from the previous fall.  There has also been a slight spike in the number of set-outs in plastic bags.  This is consistent with previous years and will subside quickly as the program warms up.

The City’s Spring Compost Giveaway occurred on March 20th – 22nd. The compost given away was a mix of 2007’s May, June, July, and August composted yard trimmings.  A total of 1700 vehicles entered the facility of the three-day period.  The Compost Giveaway started with approximately 4,293 cubic yards of compost that was screened, tested, and ready for distribution.  At 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, the facility had to limit the giveaway to self-loading vehicles only due to the small quantity of compost remaining.  At the end of the day on Saturday, there was approximately 28 cubic yards of compost left.  This translates to 2,772 tons of compost distributed to the community over the three-day period.                                                                                              

Yard Trimmings collection: Year to date

 

2007

TOTAL

Jan 2008

February 2008

March 2008

Total Tons collected curbside

14,455.85

NA

NA

1,035.71

Commercial

YW received

449.21

0.8

0.7

 

119.1

 

Other YW received (Christmas Trees)

29.38

 

20.46

(1716 trees)

NA

NA

Total tons this month

14,934.44

21.26

0.7

1,154.81

Average Preferred Container Compliance

99%

NA

NA

97.6%

Earth Day – Saturday,  April 19th

 

The Waste Reduction and Recycling Division is hosting the 8th Annual Earth Day Celebration on Saturday, April 19th in South Park from 11:30 am to 4:00 pm. Prior to the Celebration at 11:00 am KU Environs is hosting a parade down Massachusetts Street (from 7th Street to South Park). Admission is free. Activities include: live music, informational booths, children’s activities, food vendors, South Park tree ID tour, a Water Festival for Douglas County and much more. Attendees are invited to learn from exhibits about waste reduction, recycling, composting, alternative fuels and vehicles, energy conservation, land preservation, wildlife and habitat preservation, and more. Registered exhibitors are:

1.       Lawrence Transit System

2.       Peace Corps

3.       Zephyr Energy/Bonneville Environmental Foundation

4.       City of Lawrence Waste Reduction and Recycling Division

5.       Cromwell Environmental (solar and wind installation firm)

6.       Falun Dafa (exercise and meditation)

7.       Healing Moon (earth-friendly soaps and body-care products)

8.       Westar Energy-Energy Efficiency Department

9.       Animal Outreach of Kansas

10.   Livable Lawrence (sustainability education)

11.   Cans for the Community

12.   Vegan Outreach

13.   City of Lawrence Parks & Recreation – Horticulture/Forestry Divisions

14.   Black Jack Battlefield and Nature Park

15.   Mid America Electric Auto Association

16.   Aveena Natural Cleaning Services

17.   Burblebox

18.   Grassland Heritage Foundation

19.   City of Lawrence Central Maintenance Garage

20.   Kansas Land Trust

21.   Habitat for Humanity ReStore

22.   Home Recycling Service

23.   Ella Klara-Powerful Clothing by Design

24.   Mia Rosado Jewelry Designs

25.   Blue Sky Wind, Solar & Home

26.   Wakarusa Group – Kansas Sierra Club

27.   Lawrence Mountain Bike Club

28.   Northern Flyer Alliance (intercity passenger rail)

29.   Little Green Festival in the Big Cottonwood Forest (sustainable event in August)

30.   Good Energy Solutions, Inc. (solar systems)

31.   Fresh Ideas (living foods coach)

32.   Jeff’s Curbside Recycling

33.   KDHE Bureau of Waste Management

34.   Lawrence Sustainability Network

35.   Community Living Opportunities

36.   Kaw Valley Fife & Drum Corps

37.   Lada Salon & Spa

38.   Jayhawk Audubon Society

39.   Soka Gakkai (UN Earth Charter)

40.   Van Go Mobile Arts Inc. (recycled art)

41.   Save the Wakarusa Wetlands, Inc.

42.   Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department (environmental health)

43.   Prairie Park Nature Center

44.   Lawrence Coalition for Peace & Justice

45.   Turn It Down/West Jr. High Boys & Girls Club (environmental education group)

46.   Oxfam Action Corp

47.   Friends of the Kaw

48.   First Weavers (hand made wool and cotton products)

49.   KU Environmental Organizations (Center for Sustainability, Environmental Stewardship, Environs)

50.   Kansas Solar Electric Cooperative (K-SEC)

51.   Asset Life Cycle (electronics recycler)

 

Imagination & Place Environmental Award – Tuesday,  April 22nd

 

The Imagination and Place Environmental Award will take place on Earth Day, April 22nd at 5:00 pm at the Lawrence Arts Center lobby (940 New Hampshire Street). This local environmental award is sponsored by the Art Center and the Waste Reduction and Recycling Division, and is for a person or group making a positive impact on the local, regional and/or global environment.  It is awarded on a yearly cycle to a: business, educator, artist, or volunteer.  The 2008 award will go to an outstanding volunteer or volunteer group from the Lawrence area.  The creator of this year's award is Lisa Grossman.

 

Lawrence Electronic Recycling Event – Saturday,  April 26th

 

The Waste Reduction and Recycling Division is hosting the first Lawrence Electronic Recycling Event on Saturday, April 26th from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. This event is co-sponsored by Hamm Waste Services. Residents and small businesses are invited to recycle old, unwanted electronic equipment such as computer monitors, televisions, desktops, printers, copiers, scanners, telephones, fax machines, VHS/DVD drives and hand held devices. There is a recycling fee for computer monitors ($5) and televisions ($10) and no charge for other electronics. Also residents have an optional service of paying $5 for on-site hard drive destruction. Electronic recycling will be provided by Asset Lifecycle, LLC.  Asset LifeCycle adheres to No Landfill and No Electronic Exporting Policies; therefore, the materials collected are sorted into various raw commodities and prepared for final disposition at a domestic refinery.