City of Lawrence
Sustainability Advisory Board (SAB)
July 11, 2007 (5:30 PM) Meeting Minutes
|
MEMBERS PRESENT: |
John Craft, Dickie Heckle, Daniel Poull, Laura Routh, Cindy Strecker, Marie Stockett, Brent Swain
|
|
MEMBERS ABSENT: |
Chris Cobb, Sarah Hill-Nelson |
|
STAFF PRESENT: |
Tammy Bennett, Kathy Richardson, Dave Wagner
|
|
CITY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: |
Boog Highberger |
|
PUBLIC PRESENT: |
Matt Lehrman
|
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Daniel Poull stated that Dennis Murphy, Chief Environmental Officer for Kansas City, MO has agreed as requested to give a presentation to SAB, City staff and others interested on Wednesday, August 29th, 2007 at 6:30 pm. There is still no location reserved for this presentation.
£ Action: Tammy Bennett will contact the Community Health Building to see if they have a room (auditorium) available for Dennis Murphy’s presentation.
£ Action: Daniel Poull will e-mail SAB a reminder closer to the date.
Approval of meeting Minutes
Motion and second to approve the June 13th, 2007 minutes (Heckler/Routh).
Vote: Motion was passed unanimously.
Presentation by Dave Wagner regarding the construction of the Wakarusa Water Reclamation Facility
Dave Wagner, Utilities Director, informed SAB that the city’s Utilities Department is currently seeking public input for the new Reclamation Facility. The City of Lawrence is now in contract negotiation with design teams for: 1. Facility (treatment facility) and 2. Corridor (gravity line and pump station that will deliver wastewater to the treatment facility).
Why or why not LEED Certification?
- Cannot be 100% LEED certified for the water and wastewater treatment plants because these are a complex of buildings. LEED certifies building by building.
- A building needs to achieve Energy Star rating before it is LEED certified but a wastewater treatment plant cannot obtain an Energy Star rating.
- Despite obstacles LEED Certification is still on the table as city negotiates with contractor
Dave Wagner highlighted that the Utilities Department strives to reduce its environmental impact not just in its buildings (construction) but in operations as a whole.
There was discussion on cogeneration. Dave Wagner explained that the new facility will not generate methane because it will be using a different process. On the other hand cogeneration is something to consider for the existing facilities.
Marie Stockett asked if the Utilities Department considered creating a wetlands for the new reclamation facility as form of wastewater treatment. Dave Wagner explained that a wetlands or biological habitat has been considered but would be on a smaller scale. Wetlands do not provide the same kind of treatment and are not as reliable as mechanical treatment.
Daniel Poull mentioned that the importance of LEED Certification is that it is a third party auditor which adds accountability. Dave Wagner informed SAB that the Utilities Department already has a third party auditor that makes sure that everything they say they do they are doing. Dave Wagner added that the entire Utilities Department is under the ISO Program (environmental management standards and the requirements for environmental management systems). The purpose of this standard is to help organizations to protect the environment, to prevent pollution, and to improve their environmental performance.
There was a discussion on public awareness. How do citizens know about these new policies and improvements? How does the Utilities Department get the word out? Dave Wagner mentioned that when the city has received certifications and awards the public was informed through news articles in the local newspaper.
Discuss Proposed Development of land near the Lawrence Municipal Airport
Daniel Poull announced that there was a meeting about this proposed site tonight at 8:00 pm at Grant School.
This proposed development is on private land which is currently zoned agricultural. This land will be rezoned. It is located in an urban growth area. SAB believes in conservation of farmland. SAB asked if there was any possibility of the City Commission not annexing due to an environmental argument. Boog Highberger said that would not be possible. Craft mentioned he would like the City Commission to consider the “environmental” factor but recognizes that SAB is too late at least for this particular proposal. All SAB members agreed that at this time they should not take a step forward in objecting annexation. In the future SAB could make an impact if the City Commission will consider the environmental factor.
Motion and second to create an ad hoc committee to focus on land use issues (Swain/Routh). This committee will research and explore policy issues and report back to SAB.
Vote: Motion was passed unanimously.
John Craft, Laura Routh and Daniel Poull volunteered to be on the Land Use ad hoc committee.
Discussion on City sponsored “Green Education” Campaign
Daniel Poull proposed to table this discussion until the next meeting. All agreed.
Discussion on Recycling Containers in Downtown Lawrence
Daniel Poull proposed to table this discussion until the next meeting. All agreed.
Discussion on Peak Oil Task Force
Discussion on how SAB could be involved. Laura Routh suggested inviting the Peak Oil Task Force to a future meeting.
£ Action: Dickie Heckler will contact the Lawrence Sustainability Network and see if they are interested in joining efforts.
Discussion on Home Energy Conservation Fair (HECF)
Kathy Richardson informed SAB that the City opened a part time WRR Intern position whose focus will be to help coordinate the HECF. Three great candidates have applied who will be interviewed on Friday, July 13th. Once the WRR Intern is hired WRR staff will set a date and time for the first HECF committee meeting.
£ Action: Kathy Richardson will e-mail the date and time of the first HECF planning committee meeting to those SAB members who volunteered to be on the HECF committee.
The Lawrence Home Energy Conservation Fair and Sustainable Homes Tour will take place on Saturday, October 13th, 2007at Free State High School.
Waste Reduction and Recycling (WRR) Report – Staff
Printed copy of the monthly updates provided to SAB.
£ Action: Kathy Richardson will send the electronic copy of the WRR report to SAB.
Kathy Richardson informed SAB that WRR was going to be placing a Mixed Paper Recycling bin in the Checkers parking lot in the following week.
Miscellaneous and Guest Comments
None.
Agenda items:
- Next meeting: August 8, 2007
- “Green Education” Campaign
- Downtown Recycling Bins
- Home Energy Conservation Fair
Meeting adjourned 7:30 p.m.
Attachments:
- Waste Reduction and Recycling Division report
Waste Reduction & Recycling Division - Update for June 2007
Waste Reduction and Recycling Division Update
WRR Specialist (focus on hazardous waste program): Position has been filled! Tammy Parris began on June 18th.
WRR Specialist (focus on composting program & outreach/education): Position re-opened. Applications due by July 25th.
WRR Intern (focus on Home Energy Conservation Fair): Applications were due on the 6th of July. Three applicants will be interviewed on Friday, July 13th.
WRR volunteer: Neil Steiner is the new volunteer gardener for SWAN’s xeriscape garden and rain garden. He started on June 28th.
Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Program Report
Yard Trimmings Collection & Compost Program Report
|
|
January |
February |
March |
April |
May |
June |
|
Total Tons collected curbside |
21.45 |
NA |
1114.98 |
1413.36 |
2545.08 |
617.60 |
|
Commercial YW received |
2.00 |
1.80 |
29.00 |
132.10 |
50.61 |
data forthcoming |
|
Other YW received |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
|
Total tons this month |
23.45 |
1.80 |
1143.98 |
1545.46 |
2595.69 |
617.60 |
|
Average Preferred Container Compliance |
100% |
NA |
98% |
99% |
99% |
99% |
Fibers Report
Old Corrugated Containers (OCC)
Cardboard Tons Revenue
Current YTD 511.51 $56,808.52
Prior YTD 463.26 $33,350.70
Avg. Price/ton thru jun 2007: $111.06 Avg. Price/ton thru jun06: $ 71.99
Old Newspapers (ONP)
Newspaper Tons Revenue
Current YTD 477.03 $44,503.18
Prior YTD 441.45 $33,802.05
Avg. Price/ton thru Jun 2007: $93.29 Avg. Price/ton thru Jun 2006: $ 76.57
Office Waste Paper (SOP)
Sorted Office Paper Tons Revenue
Current YTD none $ n/a
Prior YTD 10.08 $ 609.84
Avg. Price/ton thru May 2007: $n/a Avg. Price/ton thru May 2006: $ 60.50
(we are holding for full load- shipping this week)
Old Magazines (OMG)
Magazines Tons Revenue
Current YTD .63 $40.63
Avg. Price/ton thru Mar. 2007: $65 Avg. Price/ton thru Mar 2006: $
Mixed Waste Paper (MIX)
Tons Revenue
Current YTD 1.5 $ 105.00
Prior YTD N/A $ N/A
Avg. Price/ton thru Jun 2007: $n/a Avg. Price/ton thru Jun 2006: $ N/A
(we are holding for full load)
TOTAL ytd tons Revenue
990.66 $101,457.32
Prior YTD 914.79 $67,762.59
*We are preparing a 2nd mixed waste paper site at Checkers – will go out soon