June 10, 2009 SAB Meeting Minutes
| MEMBERS PRESENT: |
Dickie Heckler, |
| MEMBERS ABSENT: |
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| STAFF PRESENT: |
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| GUESTS PRESENT: |
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| PUBLIC PRESENT: |
Michael Almon, Hillary Noonan |
Take Roll Call to Determine Quorum of Members
APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES
Introductions and welcome new SAB member, Beth Johnson from the Chamber of Commerce.
Motion and second to approve the May 13, 2009 minutes (Heckler/Lehrman).
Vote: Motion was passed unanimously.
Staff Report on Recycling
The "Evaluation of Waste Diversion Strategies for Lawrence", a staff document, was emailed out to SAB for review (see attached).
Motion and second to table this issue until the July meeting (Heckler/Routh). SAB members agreed to postpone this discussion due to the short turn around time for the board to prepare questions and comments for staff.
Vote: Motion was passed unanimously.
Action: Add a recycling discussion item on next month's SAB agenda.
Environmental Chapter of Horizon 2020 Suggestions
Laura Routh informed SAB that the draft of the Environmental Chapter of Horizon 2020 has not yet been released for comment. Laura also mentioned that she completed a paper for her graduate course which covers indicators for sustainability as well as incentives for sustainable land use. Once the draft of the Environmental Chapter is released for comment, Laura plans to write a memo of recommendations for SAB to review.
Action: Laura Routh will email SAB and Charlie Sedlock her paper on indicators for sustainability and incentives for sustainable land use.
Kansas Open Meetings Act (KOMA) Follow Up
Matt Lehrman reported that he talked to Toni Wheeler, the City's Legal Services Director, about the possibility of the board being able to post messages on an open online forum (i.e. google group). Toni indicated that this does not comply with KOMA.
SAB members discussed the possibility of individually lobbying a legislator to modify KOMA.
Action: Sarah Hill-Nelson, as an individual, will contact Paul Davis about putting forth legislation to make changes to KOMA in order to allow public online discussions.
There was also discussion regarding how the board can avoid being in violation of KOMA. SAB members agreed not to "Reply All" on emails, instead each board member may send his/her comments to the SAB Chairperson.
Letter of Thanks to the City Commission for Supporting the Hire of a Sustainability Director
Action: Cindy Strecker will write a thank you note to the City Commission for supporting the hire of a Sustainability Director.
Change Board Meeting Location? Bi-Weekly Luncheon in Between Meetings?
SAB discussed the possibility of changing the board meetings to a more central location than the City's SWAN Building at 320 NE Industrial Lane. The challenge with finding a new meeting place is that the advisory board meeting time and location should be regular and established. Many places like the Lawrence Public Library do not allow groups to reserve monthly meeting space for a full calendar year. Other building options might be: the City Hall commission room, the Health Department conference room, or County Courthouse commission room if the Sustainability Director is hired and becomes the staff liaison for SAB. Board members will continue to consider alternative locations.
SAB also discussed the possibility of having a bi-weekly luncheon in between meetings to address time sensitive issues/topics. There was agreement among board members that this extra meeting may not be necessary every month but instead may be called on periodically by the SAB Chairperson or decided at a previous Board Meeting. The meeting must be publicly announced via the City's calendar at least 48 hours prior to the meeting start time to comply with KOMA.
Motion and second to be prepared as board members to meet on an emergency basis so that there is a quorum present. The meeting will comply with all KOMA requirements (Heckler/Routh).
Vote: Motion was passed unanimously.
Wetland Tour
Simran Sethi brought up the idea of having SAB sponsor a Baker Wetland tour. This community event would not only increase public awareness of the wetlands but would also achieve SAB's goal of increasing awareness of the advisory board. Some suggestions on who may be asked to lead the tour are: Joseph Collins, Kelly Kincher or Dan Wildcat. There was discussion on who would be invited, if there would be food, and other details that SAB may need to check on like mowing a path to reduce chiggers. Beth Johnson mentioned that Hank Booth is currently working with Baker University on a tour of the wetlands.
Action: Beth Johnson will discuss with the Chamber of Commerce the possibility of co-hosting a Baker Wetland tour with SAB. Beth will email Daniel Poull the information she finds out.
Bike Lane on 9th Street - Michael Almon
Michael Almon informed SAB about a proposal to create bike lanes on 9th Street from Tennessee Street west to Mississippi Street - a total of four blocks. This issue has resurfaced again due to the City's planned maintenance on this portion of the street. In early July, the City's Bicycle Advisory Board and the Traffic Safety Commission will be reviewing the proposal of adding a bike lane if one side of street parking is eliminated. On July 7th, the City Commission will review the recommendations on the proposed bike lanes. Michael Almon asked SAB for the board's support on this 9th Street bike lane proposal.
Motion and second to have Matt Lehrman write a letter on behalf of SAB addressed jointly to the Traffic Safety Commission and the City Commission in support of the proposal of removing parking on the south side of 9th Street between Tennessee and Mississippi Streets in order to facilitate the implementation of a bike lane (Hill-Nelson/Heckler).
Vote: Motion was passed unanimously.
Action: Matt Lehrman will email the draft letter to SAB and edits may be sent directly to him.
Conversation in a Box - Hillary Noonan
Hillary Noonan presented information regarding the Conversation in a Box project started by the Mid America Regional Council (MARC) and implemented as a way to receive input on sustainability. A Conversation in a Box is a small discussion group led by a facilitator. The attendees are asked to review and rank the 13 strategies to a sustainable future as developed by MARC. The conversation is tabulated and the paperwork is sent in to MARC.
Hillary Noonan asked for SAB's support in hosting 2 or 3 Conversation in the Box sessions in Lawrence. Hillary has volunteered to be the facilitator and will provide a one page announcement which SAB can distribute to their contact list.
Motion and second to support the Conversation in a Box project and pursue collaboration with Hillary Noonan (Routh/Heckler).
Vote: Motion was passed unanimously.
Action: Kathy Richardson will post the Conversation in the Box invitation on the City's website.
Waste Reduction & Recycling Report
The WRR report was emailed to SAB yesterday (see attached). Kathy Richardson highlighted the following: 1. Tonnage recycled so far this year through the City program is equal to the tonnage collected at this time last year but the revenue decreased $87,000, and 2. The City will collect woody debris on Mondays only if it is in carts, cans or compostable paper yard waste bags (no bundles accepted on Mondays, any bundles will be picked on trash day).
The participant survey summary from the Earth Day Celebration was emailed to SAB (see attached). The survey responses were all positive.
Kathy Richardson also informed SAB that the City Manager agreed to purchase a refurbished baler for the use of the Wal-Mart Community Recycling Center. This will be an action item to be approved on the City Commission consent agenda next week. In addition, staff has received information that Wal-Mart is planning to reduce the hours at their recycling center and possibly close the center on Tuesdays.
The Lawrence Energy Conservation Fair is scheduled for Saturday, September 12, 2009 from 10 am to 4 pm at the Lawrence Community Building located at 115 W 11th Street. Kathy Richardson informed SAB that planning for this event has already begun. Staff will be hosting a lunch planning meeting at noon next Wednesday, June 17th at the City's SWAN Building. SAB members are invited to attend this planning meeting to discuss suggestions for this year's event.
Staff also wanted SAB to be aware that the Lawrence Journal World is publishing a Green Section that will run tomorrow, June 11th. Kathy Richardson announced that there will be a few articles on recycling, composting and solid waste. City staff was interviewed for these articles.
Guest comments and miscellaneous
Brian Sifton announced that he wrote a letter as an individual in response to the Lawrence Journal World's article "City Won't Mess with Recycling Success" but his letter did not run.
Sarah Hill-Nelson asked if other board members saw the report on water quality testing in last month's City newsletter in the utility bill. There was a question on how to interpret the report results. SAB asked Tammy Bennett for a clarification on the report.
Action: Add the clarification of the water quality testing results to the July SAB meeting agenda.
Hillary Noonan announced that KCC send out information on stimulus money that will be given as no interest loans (up to $10,000) for energy efficiency projects.
Action: Laura Routh will look into this on the KCC website and bring the information to the next board meeting.
Earlier in the week, Laura Routh sent out an email (as an individual, not as SAB) to the City Commission stating she supported an audit of the Solid Waste Division business services. Laura informed SAB that Commissioner Mike Dever will be in touch with her and she will bring any additional information to the July meeting. She referenced in her email the Douglas/Jefferson Counties 5-Year Solid Waste Management Plan which she brought a copy to the meeting.
ACTION: Staff will scan the 5-Year Solid Waste Management Plan and email it to SAB.
Simran Sethi announced an Urban Farm Tour to take place on June 28th in Kansas City.
Meeting adjourned 7:30 p.m.
Next meeting: July 8th, 2009 at 5:30 pm
Attachments:
