Meeting Highlights

1. Rachel Krause, KU Professor, shared results of Smart & Sustainable Cities Research study.

2. The Board discussed reviewing policies of peer cities that require LEED certification of public buildings in order to inform a potential policy for Lawrence to consider.

Sustainability Advisory Board (SAB) Minutes

May 11, 2016

MEMBERS PRESENT: Dale Nimz, Michael Steinle, Scott White, Rachel Krause, Nathan Freehling, Steve Evans, Adam Ritchie, Jackie Carroll, Sharon Ashworth

MEMBERS ABSENT: Karen Lewis

STAFF PRESENT: Eileen Horn, Kathy Richardson, City Manager Tom Markus

PUBLIC PRESENT: Brett Holm

I. CALL MEETING TO ORDER: Determine quorum of members. The meeting was called to order at 5:33 pm.

II. APPROVE APRIL MEETING MINUTES. Motion and second to approve the April minutes. (Ritchie/Steinle). Minutes approved unanimously.

III. Introduction of new SAB members, Nathan Freehling and Steve Evans.

IV. Review of SAB 2015-2016 SAB goals, progress towards priorities.

a. Increase awareness of SAB among City Commissioners.

i. Achieved: Minutes now have highlights of meeting for quick look at what was discussed.

ii. Not achieved: There had been discussion to invite commissioners to meetings. This has not happened yet.

b. Water Conservation,

i. Looking at next steps, new rates are proposed by city; subcommittee wanting to look into cities watering practices (moisture sensors).

ii. Nathan will join Scott and Sharon on this subcommittee.

c. Energy Conservation,

i. Rachel will join Jackie and Adam on this subcommittee.

ii. Energy conservation subcommittee is interested in LEED certified public buildings.

d. Reduce GHG emissions in land-use planning.

i. Steve will join Dale on this subcommittee.

ii. Committee will continue ongoing conversations with the Planning Commission.

e. Plastic Bag fee.

i. Dale referenced New Yorker “Bag Bill” article in May 2 issue about NYC’s attempt to ban plastic bags.

ii. Nathan asked what we’re considering bringing up experience with bag bans growing up in California. Short answer, at this stage, everything is still on the table, but likely to involve a fee to use plastic bags, rather than outright ban.

iii. Is there a sister-city of similar size that has such a policy? Eileen notes Evanston, Illinois did this, but with a lot of outreach to do so.

iv. It is unlikely that any efforts toward this can be done without significant controversy.

v. Steinle thinks education up-front will be very important.

V. Report of Interest: Smart & Sustainable Cities Research Project (Rachel Krause to lead discussion).

Rachel Krause led discussion on her study, Smart & Sustainable Cities/Towns Survey

f. First phase of NSF-funded grant.

g. Study how functional, collective action dilemmas

h. Over 50% of cities have dedicated some staff to working on sustainability issues, but less than a quarter of cities have a dedicated budget.

i. This study is part of a larger effort, the Integrated City Sustainability Database (ICSD), which combines and harmonizes results from 7 independent studies in 2010-2011, which reached 90% of U.S. cities over 50,000.

VI. Staff Report: City/County Sustainability Coordinator, Eileen Horn
See below.

Action Items. What are the key takeaways to share with the Commission? What are key topics for next month’s agenda?
Future Agenda Items
Each subcommittee will discuss their next steps. Look into efforts of sister-cities on LEED standards for municipal construction and retrofits.
Member Updates
Dale is going to Kansas Leadership Center, sponsored by Climate and Energy Project.

(Staff update) Kathy R. noted that food waste collection is on the priority list for the Solid Waste Division – right behind Commercial Single Stream recycling. She thinks later 2017 is when efforts on picking up compost from restaurants and stores will begin. She noted that cities new hazardous waste facility on Kresge St/Ave/Rd? is up and running.

Public Comment
Adjourned at 7:25 PM

Next regular SAB meeting:

June 8, 2016 at 5:30 p.m.

Venue: Public Works Conference Room, City Hall

Sustainability Coordinator Report to the SAB:

May 11, 2016

ü City/County Food Policy Council Projects:

· Urban Agriculture: The Urban Ag Text Amendment was approved by the City Commission at their meeting on May 3^rd. All but the on-site animal processing was approved.

· SNAP Matching Program: Market Match will become Double Up Food Bucks to partner with markets and grocery stores in KS and MO that will be conducting SNAP matching programs. We are seeking a full-time Program Coordinator. Eileen can email the job ad if interested.

ü Bike-Ped Task Force:

o The City Commission discussed the report at the May 3^rd Commission Meeting. Thanks to Sharon for testifying in support!

o The report has been referred to staff for additional study and creation of an implementation plan.

ü Energy Efficiency:

o City staff are in contract negotiations with 360 Energy Engineers, the selected Energy Service Company. We are tentatively on the May 24^th agenda to ask for Commission support.

ü STAR:

o We are working to integrate STAR actions/outcomes as recommendation in Horizon 2020 to help achieve the goals of the Issue Action Report.

o We have entered 50% of the available points and have 260 points – a 3 star. We are aiming for 4 J Our goal is to be submitting to STAR for verification in September.

ü Miscellaneous:

· The County is embarking on a landscape master plan for the Douglas County Fairgrounds, and we are looking at how to incorporate food production, an educational arboretum, etc.

· The Bike Share Feasibility study in conjunction with KU has launched. Go to http://lawrenceks.org/mpo/bikeshare to share your opinions about station locations!

· The County’s wind energy zoning regulations will come before the Commission on June 1^st.

· Parks and Recreation has selected GreenPlay, a national firm (with some local subcontracts) to conduct a Parks and Recreation Master Plan for all parks and facilities. I’m serving on the steering committee, and will keep SAB informed.