August 12, 2009 SAB Meeting Minutes

Call Meeting to Order (Laura Routh, Secretary)
Take Roll Call to Determine Quorum of Members

ANY PRESSING ITEMS

Laura Routh requested that her comments regarding staff's report on waste diversion strategies for Lawrence be attached to the SAB Minutes. She stated she emailed these comments to Commissioners and the City Auditor. There was no board discussion regarding this document or Laura's comments (see attached).

APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES

Motion and second to approve the July 8, 2009 minutes (Sifton/Sethi).
Vote: Motion was passed unanimously.

Discuss Status of Recycling and Waste Programs in Lawrence

Laura Routh drafted a list of SAB recommendations on recycling and waste programs which the board will submit to the City Commission. The board discussed the list of recommendations and asked Laura to edit the document to reflect their discussions at this meeting. Here are the edits:
1. Discussed switching the order of PAYT and city-wide city-sponsored curbside recycling since waste reduction is the more important.
2. Discussed wordsmithing and adding explanation to some of the listed items.
3. SAB agreed to delete the item on licensing curbside recyclers and recycling centers.
4. Discussed the recommended waste reduction and recycling goal. What is the goal? Higher recycling rate? Focus on waste reduction by lowering pounds per person per day? Or keep "50 by 15"? The board commented that "50 by 15" is a catching phrase but no one understands what it means. SAB agreed that Daniel Poull (absent) needs to be involved in the conversation if SAB plans not to use the "50 by 15" recommendation.
5. SAB agreed to delete the part of analyzing the yard waste collection program for efficiency and cost savings.
Action: Laura Routh will edit the list of recommendations and email the revised one to SAB.

Laura also commented that the City Commission will ask SAB to recommend 3 people for the Public Incentive Review Committee. This topic will be discussed at the SAB September meeting.

SAB Brochure Progress

SAB discussed the latest draft of the SAB brochure. The board agreed that the current brochure needs a lot of work. SAB discussed whether or not they need a brochure. Sarah Hill-Nelson suggested changing the brochure to a single panel flyer or bookmark, instead of a full brochure.
Action: Sarah Hill-Nelson will create a SAB bookmark to replace the brochure by next meeting.

Lawrence Energy Conservation Fair Update

Kathy Richardson sent an update on the Lawrence Energy Conservation Fair and Sustainable Homes Tour with the WRR staff report (see attached). Reminder: the Energy Fair will take place on Saturday, September 12th from 10 am to 4 pm at the Community Building located at 115 W 11th Street. The Tour buses will leave from the Community Building at 10 am and 1 pm.

SAB agreed to have an informational booth at the Energy Fair. Brian Sifton and Simran Sethi volunteered to be at the SAB table. Brian will fill out the event registration form.

The following SAB members signed up to volunteer with Energy Fair tasks:
Distribute Posters prior to the event - Laura Routh
Event Set Up (7:30 am to 9:30 am) - Cindy Strecker, Brian Sifton, Chris Cobb
Event Break Down (4:00 pm to 5:00 pm) -
Tour Guide (9:45 am to 4:00 pm) - Daniel Poull

Peak Oil Task Force Update

Chris Cobb attended the last Peak Oil Task Force (POTF) meeting and gave an update. POTF is currently working on its recommendations. Although Chris Cobb had volunteered to attend the POTF meetings as the SAB representative, he reminded the board that he will no longer be a SAB member as of the first of the year 2010. Chris will complete his SAB second term appointment in December so he thought the board may want to choose a different representative for the POTF meetings. SAB decided to place this as an agenda item for the September meeting.

Waste Reduction & Recycling Report

The WRR report was emailed to SAB (see attached).

Guest comments and miscellaneous

Sarah Hill-Nelson announced that there will be a public meeting tomorrow at 5:30 pm at the North Lawrence Depot to discuss Bowersock's proposal to add a new power house.

Jeanette Walther commented she has concerns with the cost of implementing city-wide curbside recycling. Currently her family recycles using the drop off recycling bins throughout town. She believes the current options for recycling work for most in this community and if a family wants curbside service they can sign up with one of the private curbside recycling companies.

Meeting adjourned 7:30 p.m.

Next meeting: September 9th, 2009 at 5:30 pm.

Attachments:

• Laura Routh's comments - Evaluation of Waste Diversion Strategies for Lawrence Report(PDF, 80K)
• Waste Reduction and Recycling Division Report (PDF, 128K)