May 13, 2009 SAB Meeting Minutes

City of Lawrence
Sustainability Advisory Board (SAB)
May 13, 2009 (5:30 PM) Meeting Minutes

 

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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 April 8, 2009 minutes (Lehrman/Hill-Nelson).
Vote: Motion was passed unanimously.

Welcome Mayor Rob Chestnut

Update on Peak Oil Task Force (POTF). Mayor Rob Chestnut is the chair for the POTF. He reported that in their first few meetings they have been brainstorming on what their scope will be. The group has talked to City officials in both Boulder, CO and Austin, TX where a Peak Oil Plan is in place. The POTF discussions on initiatives include identifying a major disaster recovery plan, figuring out what our consumption is now and how to lower our consumption, and supporting the hire of a Sustainability Coordinator (which was a recommendation from the Climate Protection Task Force).

Environmental Chapter of Horizon 2020. Laura Routh discussed meeting with Amy Brown and talking to her about the Environmental Chapter of Horizon 2020. She asked the Mayor if the City Commission had any ideas on incentives for the plan. Mayor Rob Chestnut informed SAB that one of the best resources is the new Chamber of Commerce president, Tom Kern, and suggested inviting Mr. Kern to a future SAB meeting.

SAB Memo in Support of Hiring a Sustainability Coordinator. Daniel Poull stated that SAB would like to create a memo in support of hiring a Sustainability Coordinator. Both Mayor Rob Chestnut and Commissioner Mike Dever agreed that getting SAB's support on this issue will help in the decision. SAB was informed that there have been some initial conversations between the City and County in regards to sharing this position. SAB discussed the possible job titles for this position (i.e. Sustainability Coordinator, Resource Conservation Manager, etc.).

City Sponsored Curbside Recycling Service. Sarah Hill-Nelson mentioned the benefits of curbside recycling and wondered what the Mayor and Commissioner thought in regards to a city-sponsored curbside recycling service? Commission Mike Dever stated that as a community he believes that we should have curbside recycling and reiterated that most progressive communities have curbside recycling. He also mentioned that we, as a community, have been highly successful at recycling with the services we currently have: private drop-off recycling centers, privately operated curbside recycling services, municipal drop-off recycling bins, etc. In conclusion, Commissioner Mike Dever stated that we need to constantly reevaluate the technology that is available, the vehicles we could use and the staff we could put in place and then develop a plan. Mayor Rob Chestnut stated that the difficulty about implementing city sponsored curbside recycling is that the cost is pretty significant. He also added that our community is a victim of its own success in the fact that we have a high degree of participation in recycling and that makes the benefit of going to curbside less than other communities. Mayor Rob Chestnut believed that if our community implements city sponsored curbside recycling, then we will also need to look into a Pay as You Throw (PAYT) or other waste restrictive systems.

SAB's Role in Education and Outreach. Simran Sethi stated that SAB has been very interested in taking on a greater role in providing education and outreach. This is something that would be beyond the purview of simply advising the City Commission. SAB would like to have the opportunity to be able to discuss sustainability issues in a public forum, write press releases and more. Mayor Chestnut stated that he would discuss this with Dave Corliss, the City Manager, and then follow up on this topic with SAB.

Discussion on writing a memo to the City Commission in support of hiring a Sustainability Coordinator

Cindy Strecker volunteered to write the memo to the City Commission in support of hiring a Sustainability Coordinator.

Action: Cindy Strecker will create the draft memo and email it to all SAB members a week prior to the next board meeting. SAB can discuss the draft memo at the next meeting.

Discuss draft memo to the City Commission in response to the Lawrence Journal World article

Simran Sethi crafted and emailed a draft memo for SAB's review. The memo is addressed to the City Commission and it is in response to the Lawrence Journal World article, "City Won't Mess with Recycling Success", on May 11th, 2009.

Bob Yoos, City's Solid Waste Manager, clarified that the Lawrence Journal World reporter did not interview him or Charlie Sedlock for this article. The article quotes were taken directly from responses during the presentation of the 5-year Douglas County/Jefferson County Solid Waste Management Plan to the County Commissioners the previous week. Bob Yoos also clarified that the article did not result from a release of the draft recycling report evaluating recycling opportunities. This report will be presented to SAB in the June board meeting.

SAB indicated that a memo to the City Commission in response to the Lawrence Journal World article at this time was not necessary. Daniel Poull encouraged board members (as individuals, not as SAB members) to write a letter to the Lawrence Journal World in response to the article.

Kansas Open Meetings Act

There was discussion regarding the Kansas Open Meetings Act (KOMA) and the specific requirements. SAB members wondered if an online forum accessible to the public or a telephone conference call would be allowed under KOMA. Chuck Soules, City's Public Works Director, stated that an online forum would not fit the requirements of KOMA. SAB discussed inviting a legislator to a future SAB meeting to encourage the updating of the KOMA to include online forums.

Action: Matt Lehrman will email Toni Wheeler, City's Legal Services Director, and ask for clarification on some of SAB's questions regarding KOMA.

Daniel Poull would like SAB members to considered having one lunch meeting in between the board meetings to discuss any timely issues. This lunch meeting would be an open meeting and information regarding the location, date and time would be posted on the City's website in order to comply with KOMA requirements.

Discuss ways SAB recommends the use of Stimulus Funds for energy efficiency measures

SAB asked for an update from staff regarding the stimulus funds. Chuck Soules stated that staff is working on a cost benefit report of the recommended project list for the City Commission. SAB suggested that the City spend some funds on energy audits of its buildings.

In regards to the Transit Fuels Task Force, all their recommendations were approved by the City Commission and the City is proceeding with their recommendations.

SAB Brochures Update

Edits from the previous SAB meeting were submitted to the brochure designer.

Action: Laura Routh will email the latest brochure version to SAB. The board plans to discuss any further edits at the next meeting.

Earth Day Celebration Wrap Up

The City's Earth Day Celebration was a success. Kathy Richardson thanked all SAB members who volunteered at this event.

Laura Routh noted that the SAB table at the Earth Day Celebration received many sustainability suggestions and comments.
Action: Laura will type up the suggestions and then email them to SAB.

A couple suggestions highlighted were:
1. Link to sustainability organizations on the City's website.
2. Post suggestions received from the general public on the City's website.

Waste Reduction & Recycling Report

The April WRR program report was emailed to SAB (see attached). Kathy Richardson also sent event reports for the Earth Day Celebration and the Electronics Recycling Event (see attached).

Guest comments and miscellaneous

Chris Cobb volunteered to attend the Peak Oil Task Force meetings and report back to SAB.

Daniel Poull announced that tomorrow is Westar's LEED certified building open house from 4:30 to 6:30 pm. The address is 746 E 27th Street, Lawrence.

Laura Routh reported that on May 29th City staff will be sending out the draft of the Environmental Chapter of Horizon 2020. She will bring a draft memo in response to the Environmental Chapter for SAB to review at the next meeting.

Meeting adjourned 7:10 p.m.

Next meeting: June 10th, 2009 at 5:30 pm

Attachments:

• Waste Reduction and Recycling Division Report (PDF, 39K)
• 2009 Earth Day Event Report (PDF, 620K)
• 2009 Spring Electronic Recycling Event Report (PDF, 187K)
• 2009 Spring Electronic Recycling Event Participant Survey Results (PDF, 24K)