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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017.02.22 Conservation Commission Minutes Minutes for the Conservation Commission February 22,2017 Page 1 of 3 MINUTES FOR THE ASHLAND CONSERVATION COMMISSION Wednesday, February 22, 2017 Siskiyou Room, 51 Winburn Way 1. Call to Order Vice-Chair Cara Cruickshank called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. Commissioners Jamie Rosenthal, Risa Buck, Roxane Beigel-Coryell, David Sommer, and James McGinnis were present. Staff member Adam Hanks was present. Commissioner Marni Koopman was late. Council liaison Rich Rosenthal, commissioners Bryan Sohl and Mark Weir were absent. 2. Announcements The next commission meeting will be March 22, 2017. 3. Public Forum Louise Shawkat: stated that Energize Rogue is doing a discount program for ductless heat pumps. At SOCAN's next meeting they are going over the upcoming new recycling regulations. Huelz Gutchen: asked that the group watch his YouTube video regarding structural wattage to learn about heat pumps. Stated that there is a new technology out which uses carbon dioxide as a refrigerant, which is better for the environment but in direct competition with the natural gas industry. He stated that we used to only focus on conservation but the new term is efficiency. Technology leaders like Elon Musk have stated that soon robots will do everyone's jobs, which means no driving, no carbon increase and no extra money for buying things which increase carbons to create. Commissioner Marni Koopman arrived 6:08 p.m. She informed the group that on March 17th there will be a climate bash at the Historic Armory at 6:30 p.m. 4. Reports/Presentations/Updates SOU Quarterly Update—Beigel-Coryell gave some highlights of SOU activities: • Strategic planning process with the new university President. The goal is to finish this in one year and integrate sustainability in the plan. • The remodel of the theater arts building has started construction. The new remodel will include space for the JPR studios. • They are doing retrofits of lights to LEDs, particularly in the residence halls. • There is a recycling competition going on in the residence halls. • Students are working on a"real food" challenge with the dining hall. • Students are working on a divestment campaign. • There will be a social justice conference March 3rd and 4th, typically there is at least one section related to climate issues. • SOU received honorable mention in the 2nd Nature Climate Leadership Awards. City Conservation Programs and Operations—Hanks stated conservation staff member Larry Giardina has finished the city facility solar review. Next is to work on how to fund installation. Minutes for the Conservation Commission February 22,2017 Page 2 of 3 Giardina found lots of good opportunities for solar at city facilities. Hanks and conservation staff member Dan Cunningham did a radio interview on JPR recently regarding conservation. Hanks is now focused on the biennial budget process. Water Subcommittee Update—Buck stated that last month they met with water conservation staff member Julie Smitherman and agreed to do a laundry to landscape tour on June 3rd. This event will be in the Parks and Recreation activity guide. They are also creating a flyer to get the word out. There will also be a June 29th rainwater catchment system design class at North Mountain Park. The subcommittee hopes to do a rainwater catchment tour in the future. 5. Old Business Sneak Preview Column—Group discussion potential article topics and agreed to the following: • April—Bottle bill update, written by J. Rosenthal and Beigel-Coryell • May—Low impact living class announcements, written by Hanks (group to send info to him to collate) • June—Water, written by Cruickshank Climate &Energy Action Plan— On March 7th the plan will go to Council for approval. Council will also be scheduling the two proposed ordinances either for further discussion or first reading. Group discussed the process next steps after plan approval. Conservation Commission Powers and Duties Discussion—Group discussed whether they should have this discussion before the Council has considered the proposed CEAP commission. Some felt it was too early to discuss others felt it was important to lay out the options so the group could move forward quickly with whatever the Council determines. Group agreed to send to Hanks a list of what they would want in the Conservation Commission's powers and duties (i.e. what would be not covered by the proposed CEAP commission?). Hanks will provide this list for discussion at the next meeting. Earth Day—Hanks stated that staff will be doing the same as last year and the City is providing the same funding as last year. 6. New Business Nomination of 2017 Chair/Vice Chair—Group agreed to discuss this at the next meeting as two members are absent. Commissioner terms/vacancies—Commissioner Sohl's term is up on April 30th. Group agreed to encourage applicants to submit their applications to the City Recorder by the mid-March deadline for the annual appointment process. 8. Wrap Up Group requested that the following topics be on the March agenda: • ASD Quarterly Update • Nomination of chair and vice chair • 45 minute discussion of powers and duties Minutes for the Conservation Commission February 22,2017 Page 3 of 3 Meeting adjourned at 7:22 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Diana Shiplet Executive Assistant