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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015.02.25 Conservation Commission Minutes Minutes for the Conservation Commission February 25,2015 Page 1 of 3 MINUTES FOR THE ASHLAND CONSERVATION COMMISSION Wednesday, February 25, 2015 Siskiyou Room, 51 Winburn Way 1. Call to Order Marni Koopman called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. in the Siskiyou Room. Commissioners Bryan Sohl, Thomas Beam, Mark Weir, Roxanne Biegel-Coryell, Jim McGinnis, Risa Buck, Jim Hartman and Councilor Rich Rosenthal were present. Staff member Adam Hanks was present. Commissioners Shel Silverberg was absent. 2. Consent Agenda Buck/Wier m/s to approve the minutes of January 28, 2015. Voice vote: All ayes. Motion passes. 3. Announcements The next commission meeting will be held on March 18th, as the usual meeting date is during spring break. The climate and energy subcommittee will meet on March 4 and 18 in the Siskiyou Room. Earth Bowl will take place on April 20, from 6:00— 8:00 p.m. Biegel Coryell informed the group that SOU will be holding Earth Day and Earth Week events and if anyone wants to participate they should let her know and she will connect them to the SOU event planners. Beam informed the group that he will be resigning from the commission as of April 30th. 4. Public Forum Huelz—Informed the group he had spoke at the previous Tuesday night's City Council meeting on this same topic. Would like to create a structural wattage learning center. It would use zero- net energy tools and money in order to create a commercial business where there would be samples of energy, heating and water efficient products and hands-on training. The City could use the space above the commercial business as a hotel. He suggested the commission go to YouTube and search, "structural wattage." He spoke about the progression of technologies from wood to coal to gas to current technology solutions. Believes everyone needs to learn about the technologies faster. Acknowledges that aesthetics are important, even in energy efficient products. Paige Prewett—Is here to talk about Rogue Valley Earth Day. She has been the coordinator for the last 14 years. The commission has had a history of supporting the event. This year they are hoping for more than 70 exhibit booths. This is also the first zero-waste event. The event is funded entirely on sponsorships and small exhibit fees. The City of Ashland Conservation Division is already stepping up with funding, which she appreciated. Previously, it was $1000 and last year was $500. Hoping to have it again and she is trying to come up with creative ways to highlight the Commission's sponsorship. The group asked when the event was. Ms. Prewett Minutes for the Conservation Commission February 25,2015 Page 2 of 3 stated it will be held on April 25th. The group asked if there was a theme this year and she stated it will be, "Actions Matter." Beam/McGinnis m/s to place this topic on the March agenda. Voice Vote: All ayes. 5. Reports/Presentations/Updates Council—Councilor Rosenthal is looking forward to the upcoming Study Session presentation from the commission. Informed the group he might not be able to attend the March commission meeting, but he will send another councilor in his place. Group asked him questions about a few of the upcoming Council meeting topics. City Conservation & Operations—Hanks informed the group that the Waste Water Treatment Plant operator, Dave Gies, has done some peer work with other plant operators and by working with them and implementing their suggestions has gained significant savings by in one of their processes. Additionally, currently there is a new Project Manager position in the upcoming budget which, if approved by the budget committee, should help move the Facilities Energy Audit forward. SOU—Biomass co-generation energy project presentation—Drew Gilliland made a presentation regarding the proposed project. They are currently in the presentation, question and answer phase of the process. He gave a brief history of how a co-generation plant came to be an option. The Group asked a few questions and thanked Drew for taking those questions and concerns back to SOU. Conservation Awards sub-committee—Earth Bowl event planning is going well. They already have one team in-place. The sub-committee requested that the group submit questions for the event by March 10. Questions need to be multiple choice format. Each needs to have topic question and a bonus question. Additionally, questions must be sourced so that students can learn about topics prior to the event. Weir/Harman m/s to approve a budget for Earth Bowl not to exceed $300 for the trophy, $50 for each team coach (eight coaches), $25 for each kid on the winning team (four members per team), and $200 for snacks and beverages at the event. Discussion: Group discussed whether the amount for coaches was too high, but determined that it would be the best motivator for all the work outside of the classroom. Group brought up concerns regarding the trophy and whether it should be perpetual as this is the first year and the group doesn't know yet if the event will be done again. The group agreed that the student money should only be for Ashland businesses via a chamber of commerce gift certificate. Voice Vote: 7 ayes, 1 nay. Motion passes. Fourth of July—Weir, Biegel-Coryell, and McGinnis agreed to help Buck plan what to do, and will meet on March 11 at 4:00 p.m. 6. Old Business Sneak Preview Column—Group discussed the Energy Efficiency article submitted by Hanks and Beam and offered a few edits. Minutes for the Conservation Commission February 25,2015 Page 3 of 3 Weir/Beam m/s to approve the article, with edits as suggested by the group. Discussion: None. Voice Vote: all ayes. Motion Passes. Upcoming column topics: • April—Water Conservation, written by Weir • May— Overview of Climate Action Plan, written by Koopman and McGinnis • June— Compost Classes, written by Buck • July— School Efficiency Improvements, written by Hartman Climate/Energy Sub-committee— Sub-committee met with Councilor Marsh. She offered some good suggestions regarding adding budget clarity. The sub-committee created a plan of action for the Council. They will practice their presentation to Council in the March 4th sub-committee meeting. Compost Classes—The new instructor is coming to the next commission meeting to meet the group. Commission Budget Review—Beam suggested that because the cigarette can program has been so successful, he would like to suggest that additional funds be added to the commission's budget. Beam/Beigel-Coryell m/s to recommend that the City purchase another round of cigarette butt collection cans and find appropriate locations for them to be installed. Discussion: none. Voice Vote: All ayes. Motion Passes. 7. New Business April Commission Meeting Date—Group discussed wanting to both have a strong showing at the Earth Bowl of commissioners and still be able to have a meeting to get business done. Decided to move the regular commission meeting from April 22 to April 29. 8. Wrap Up Group requested that a discussion of the possible energy challenges with indoor pot grows be scheduled for an upcoming meeting. Meeting adjourned at 7:5 8 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Diana Shiplet Executive Secretary