City of Lawrence                                         

Sustainability Advisory Board (SAB)

August 8, 2007 (5:30 PM) Meeting Minutes

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:

John Craft, Chris Cobb, George Eoannou, Sarah Hill-Nelson , Laura Routh, Cindy Strecker, Marie Stockett

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Dickie Heckler, Daniel Poull

STAFF PRESENT:

Kathy Richardson

 

CITY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT:

 

PUBLIC PRESENT:

Brian Vancil

 

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

Cindy Strecker announced that SAB member, Brent Swain, resigned due to his busy work schedule and family obligations. Kathy Richardson added that she has informed the City Manager’s Office about the vacant position on the Board.

 

Kathy Richardson also announced that Tammy Bennett has reserved a room at the Community Health Building for Dennis Murphey’s presentation on August 29th, 2007. The time of the presentation has not yet been confirmed by Daniel Poull.

 

Approval of meeting Minutes

 

Motion and second to approve the July 11th, 2007 minutes (Cobb/Craft). 

Vote: Motion was passed unanimously (Hill-Nelson and Eoannou abstained).

 

Discussion on City Sponsored “Green Education Program”

 

SAB members discussed having the City sponsor a city-wide unified umbrella campaign or educational program highlighting “green” practices, programs, etc. This would involve advertising and a series of goals. The purpose would be to get people thinking about the City’s sustainable practices and to motivate people to continue action. Cindy Strecker stressed including SAB recent changes to the advertisements. Laura Routh mentioned a program created by Bridging the Gap in Kansas City which has a unified theme and unified graphics (e.g. stickers regarding water conservation, recycling and energy conservation). Sarah Hill-Nelson added that Westar (Conservation Division) could sponsor the stickers and/or advertising for the City. This campaign could kick off during Earth Day next year.

 

£ Action: Laura Routh will e-mail links to Bridging the Gap program.

 

Sarah Hill-Nelson suggested forming a sub committee and scheduling a meeting with Lisa Patterson, City’s Communication Manager, to discuss this “Green Education Program”. Marie Stockett, Sarah Hill-Nelson, Laura Routh and George Eoannou volunteered for the sub committee.

 

£ Action: Kathy Richardson will schedule a SAB meeting with Lisa Patterson in September to discuss a city sponsored Green Education Program. Kathy will e-mail the meeting date to all SAB members.

 

£ Action: Sarah Hill-Nelson will develop a one page proposal stating that SAB encourages the City of Lawrence to launch a unified campaign that would encourage citizens to live a more sustainable life.

 

George Eoannou asked, “Does the City or SAB know how many businesses in Lawrence are already participating in a green program of their own?” This would also be an important part of the “Green Education Program”. This is also a good topic for the Chamber of Commerce.

 

Discussion on Recycling Containers in Downtown Lawrence

 

There was discussion on Parks & Rec’s willingness to implement recycling in downtown. Then SAB questioned whether their goal should be to encourage the City to required special events to recycling. The person who reserves a city park for an event would be responsible for contracting with a recycling private hauler. Parks & Rec could provide recycling containers. 

 

Kathy Richardson suggested inviting a Parks & Rec representative like Mark Hecker to a SAB meeting to discuss recycling in downtown Lawrence or at city parks.This topic was tabled with the suggestions that SAB meet with Park & Rec in November or December this year.

 

There was discussion on the city’s current recycling program and what items the city collects for recycling. George Eoannou commented that the City is letting some revenue go by not recycling plastic bottles. Laura Routh reminded SAB that the City has money set aside in their budget for a citizen recycling survey in 2008. Depending on survey responses the City may be influenced to change their recycling program to curbside pickup of all recyclables.

 

It was also noted that the City’s waste characterization study is outdated. Laura Routh stated that there is good data about increasing percentage of poly in the waste stream, the waste industry across the planet is dealing with this issue and the numbers are out there. Laura is frustrated that the City does not update their data on their waste characterization study.

    

Discussion on Home Energy Conservation Fair (HECF)

 

Kathy Richardson informed SAB that the first HECF meeting was last night, August 7th, 2007. The City has a WRR Intern on board, Carol Jacobson, who will focus on HECF. Our HECF Team is composed of WRR staff and volunteers from SAB, the University of Kansas and interested citizens. HECF meetings are every other week.

 

£ Action: Per SAB’s request Kathy Richardson will e-mail the HECF Team contact list, Meeting Agendas and Minutes to all SAB members.

 

Sarah Hill-Nelson mentioned that she was at a Sierra Club meeting last night and they wondered if the City would be okay with having Westar and Sierra Club partner to donate 1,000 CFLs for the HECF. The idea is to buy one get one free at a local retailer. For example Westar could give the CFLs to Cottin’s and whenever someone purchased a CFL at Cottin’s they would get one of these free CFLs. 

 

£ Action: Sarah Hill-Nelson will call Michelle Crank to ask her what she thinks about this proposal. If the City is okay with it then Sarah will call Cottin’s Hardware, Westar and the Sierra Club and proceed with the proposal.

 

Pesticide-Free Park Task Force

 

Marie Stockett met with the Mayor, City Manager, assistant City-Manager and Parks & Rec Management a couple weeks ago. They proposed creating a Pesticide-Free Park Task Force. Marie asked if someone from SAB would like to serve on this Task Force. It was suggested that Dickie Heckler might be a good fit. Past SAB guests Amy Albright or Kevin Kennedy from Children Mercy Hospital would also be good for this Task Force.

 

Waste Reduction and Recycling (WRR) Report – Staff

 

A printed copy of the monthly updates was provided to SAB. Kathy Richardson highlighted the increased participation in the HHW program for the month of July and increased collection of corrugated cardboard and newsprint.

 

£ Action: Kathy Richardson will send the electronic copy of the WRR report to SAB.

 

Miscellaneous and Guest Comments

 

John Craft asked that SAB reconsider not being involved with the land re-zoning issue near the Lawrence Municipal Airport. John has received a couple requests from citizens to have SAB’s involvement in the discussion of the proposed development. Cindy Strecker suggested having the Land Use sub committee meet outside of the Board Meeting.

 

£ Action: The Land Use subcommittee (Laura Routh, Daniel Poull and John Craft) will call each other and set up a meeting.

 

Agenda items:

 

 

Meeting adjourned 7:15 p.m.

 

Attachments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Waste Reduction & Recycling Division - Update for July 2007

 

Waste Reduction and Recycling Division Update

July was a very busy month for WRR! New staff is getting trained, planning for the Home Energy Conservation Fair has begun and our recycling and hazardous waste programs are receiving more participation than in past years!

Staff vacancies update:

·      WRR Intern (focus on Home Energy Conservation Fair): Applications were due on the 6th of July. Position filled: Carol Jacobson started July 18th.

·      WRR Specialist (focus on composting program & outreach/education): Position re-opened. Applications due by July 25th. Interviews will be held August 9th and 10th.

·      WRR Administrative Support (part time temp): Application due on August 16th.

 

Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Program Report

 

 

 

 

Fibers Report

Old Corrugated Containers (OCC)

Cardboard                                 Tons                 Revenue

Current YTD                              612.26              $69,282.65

Prior YTD                                  528.10              $40,483.10

Avg. Price/ton thru July 2007: $113.16                 Avg. Price/ton thru July 2006:   $ 76.66

Old Newspapers (ONP)

Newspaper                                Tons                 Revenue

Current YTD                              540.25              $51,141.28       

Prior YTD                                  502.53              $38,383.10

Avg. Price/ton thru July 2007: $94.66       Avg. Price/ton thru July 2006:   $76.38

 

Office  Waste Paper (SOP)

Sorted Office Paper                    Tons                 Revenue

Current YTD                              17.31                $          2,788.96

Prior YTD                                  10.08                $          609.84

Avg. Price/ton thru July 2007: $161.12     Avg. Price/ton thru July 2006:   $ 60.50

Old Magazines (OMG)

Magazines                                Tons                 Revenue

Current YTD                              .63                    $40.63 

Prior YTD                                  0                      $0

Avg. Price/ton thru July 2007: $65           Avg. Price/ton thru July 2006:   $ n/a

 

Mixed Waste Paper (MIX)

Mixed Paper                              Tons                 Revenue

Current YTD                              3.67                  $ 275.25

Prior YTD                                  N/A                   $          N/A

Avg. Price/ton thru July 2007: $75           Avg. Price/ton thru July 2006:   $

 

 

TOTAL       ytd               tons                    Revenue

                                    1,175.62                      $123,633.76               

Prior YTD                    1040.71                       $79,475.99