City of Lawrence
Sustainability Advisory Board (SAB)
October 8, 2008 (5:30 PM) Meeting Minutes
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MEMBERS PRESENT: |
Chris Cobb, Paul Dietz, Dickie Heckler, Sarah Hill-Nelson, Matt Lehrman, Daniel Poull, Laura Routh, Simran Sethi, Brian Sifton
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MEMBERS ABSENT: |
Cindy Strecker |
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STAFF PRESENT: |
Tammy Bennett, Kathy Richardson, Chuck Soules
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GUESTS PRESENT: |
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PUBLIC PRESENT: |
Lauren Hendrick, Kayla Reagan, Ian Spomer, Amanda Thompson
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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 August 13, 2008 minutes (Heckler/Routh).
Vote: Motion was passed unanimously.
Sales Tax Proposals for streets and infrastructure – including storm water and fire trucks – and the transit system
Chuck Soules, the city’s Public Works Director, met with the Board to discuss the upcoming sales tax proposals which if approved will be effective April 1, 2009 and sunset in 10 years. The three questions are:
Question # 1: 0.3 percent for streets and infrastructure (streets, sidewalks, trails, equipment and storm sewers)
Question # 2: 0.2 percent for public transportation operations and capital investment
Question # 3: 0.05 percent for public transit system enhancements
More information can be found at www.lawrenceks.org/sales_tax_proposal.
SAB asked what will happen if the sales tax proposals don’t pass. City staff reported that the City Commissioners made a conscious decision not to budget for The Transit System in 2009 so if the sales tax does not pass the limited money would only fund two para-transit buses next year.
Recap of Planning/Visioning Meeting on September 10th
SAB reviewed their Goals Setting meeting notes from September 10th (see attached) and discussed the four areas/topics which they would like to focus on: Education/Outreach, Transportation, Planning/Codes and Waste Reduction & Recycling.
There was discussion on defining SAB’s goal of education and outreach. Kathy Richardson commented that Lisa Patterson, the City’s Communication Manager, may be available to attend a SAB meeting in order to help define their outreach and education goals. SAB agreed that inviting Lisa Patterson to the next board meeting would be helpful.
Motion and second to have at least one agenda item at each SAB meeting be a guest presentation and/or discussion with another advisory boards, city staff person, city commission member and other stakeholders (Hill-Nelson/Routh).
Vote: Motion was passed unanimously.
SAB also discuss how to incorporate the four goals within each meeting’s agenda. It was agreed that at the beginning of every agenda SAB should discuss the “pressing issues”.
Motion and second to approve all four primary goal topics discussed at the Goals Setting meeting with some flexibility (Heckler/Hill-Nelson).
Vote: Motion was passed unanimously.
Action: Staff will develop a one page summary of SAB’s four goals and the three priority topics within each goal. This summary will be posted on the City’s website.
Motion and second to attach the Goals Setting meeting notes, stakeholder’s comments and board member’s survey to these October meeting minutes (Dietz/Routh).
Vote: Motion was passed unanimously.
Action: Staff will include the one page summary of SAB’s goals in a City Manager’s Report and attach the meeting notes, stakeholder’s comments and board member’s survey.
Summary of October 8th Meeting with the Planning Commission regarding Environmental Chapter for Horizon 2020
Brian Sifton announced that he attended the Planning Commission meeting this morning along with Daniel Poull. He pointed out that the goals of the Planning Commission’s Environmental Chapter are similar to SAB’s goals. The Horizon 2020 Environmental Chapter outline and meeting information is posted on the following City website http://www.lawrenceks.org/pds/H2020-Env. The goals listed are: Environmental Education, Water Resources and Management, Lands and Habitat Management, Energy Conservation and Waste Reduction, and Sustainable Development.
Tammy Bennett informed SAB that there is subcommittee for the Horizon 2020 Environmental Chapter which meets regularly. Brian Sifton had volunteered in the morning to attend these subcommittees meetings.
Action: Laura Routh will draft an email for the Planning Commission to thank them for inviting SAB to their meeting and to reaffirm SAB’s interest in working with the Commission to provide feedback for the Horizon 2020 Environmental Chapter.
Update on Climate Protection Task Force
Simran Sethi reported that the Climate Protection Task Force (CPTF) workgroups are drafting their recommendations. She also announced that the Policy, Outreach and Education workgroup is splitting into two groups. CPTF plans to wrap up recommendations in February and present these to the City Commission in March. Laura Routh asked if stakeholders would be able to provide comments/feedback to the CPTF recommendations prior to the City Commission presentation. Simran Sethi will ask Cynthia Boecker.
Update on Peak Oil Task Force
Paul Dietz reported that the Peak Oil Task Force has not met yet. He also reported that Commissioner Rob Chestnut will be the chair of this new Task Force.
Action: Paul Dietz will contact Commissioner Rob Chestnut and ask him for an update on the Peak Oil Task Force.
Less emails longer meetings?
SAB discussed various email issues and possible solutions:
- bring ideas for discussion to the board meetings instead of the emailing the idea,
- craft emails that are quick to the point,
- include an email header, for example “Action”, “Information”, “Thought” or “Brainstorm”,
- check email accounts every 48 hours and respond to emails in a timely fashion.
Motion and second to commit to delineating emails with one of three headers “Action”, “Information” or “Brainstorm” (Routh/Lehrman).
Vote: Motion was passed unanimously.
Lawrence Energy Conservation Fair
Daniel Poull reported that there are two types of tours this year:
- the Lawrence Sustainable Business Tour on Saturday, October 11th starting at 9:00 am featuring Zarco Earth Friendly Fuels, Bowersock Mills and Power Company, The Castle Tea Room, and The Community Mercantile,
- and the Sustainable Homes Tour on Sunday, October 19th at 10:30 am and 2:00 pm.
Kathy Richardson asked SAB to help get the word out about the upcoming tours. All the event details will be on the News Release which will be sent out tomorrow morning.
Another upcoming event is Nancy Jackson’s presentation at the Lawrence Arts Center on Wednesday, October 15th at 7:00 pm. Ms. Jackson is the executive director of The Climate and Energy Project, a project of The Land Institute. Mayor Mike Dever will welcome attendees and share an update on the efforts of the City’s Climate Protection Task Force.
Brian Sifton, Dickie Heckler and Laura Routh volunteered to distribute Energy Fair posters prior to Sunday, October 19th.
SAB VOLUNTEERS for the ENERGY FAIR, Sunday, October 19th:
MC: Laura Routh (8 am to 3 pm) and Chris Cobb (afternoon)
Morning set up: Chris Cobb, Dickie Heckler, Paul Dietz and kids
Afternoon break down: Sarah Hill-Nelson and Matt Lehrman
Dickie Heckler informed staff that The Community Mercantile may be interested in becoming a sponsor of the Energy Fair next year. He also announced that Vinland Valley has a nice, working green roof and would like to be considered for next year’s Sustainable Homes Tour.
Waste Reduction & Recycling Report
Kathy Richardson brought a copy of the WRR Report (attached) which she will email out to the board. She announced that WRR is planning to transition the Office Waste Paper Program for businesses into a Mixed Paper Program in the upcoming months.
In addition, Kathy shared the reports for two recent WRR events: the Electronic Recycling Event and Compost Giveaway. Both were a success! (Detailed reports attached.)
Guest comments and miscellaneous
Reminder: Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) Secretary Roderick Bremby and KDHE Executive Team public meeting is on October 9th from 6:00 to 7:00 pm at the KDHE Northeast District Office, 800 W. 24th Street, Lawrence. Laura Routh informed SAB that she can not attend the KDHE public meeting but she would encourage SAB to ask the State representatives regarding Solid Waste Planning in Kansas. Daniel Poull would also like to ask the State about the bottle bill and e-waste.
Meeting adjourned 7:40 p.m.
Next meeting: November 12, 2008 at 5:30 pm
Attachments: