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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017.04.26 Conservation Commission Minutes Minutes for the Conservation Commission April 26,2017 Page 1 of 5 MINUTES FOR THE ASHLAND CONSERVATION COMMISSION Wednesday,April 26, 2017 Siskiyou Room, 51 Winburn Way 1. Call to Order Chair Marni Koopman called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Commissioners Roxane Beigel-Coryell, Risa Buck, Jamie Rosenthal, James McGinnis, and David Sommer, were present. Staff member Adam Hanks was present. Commissioner Cara Cruickshank was late. Council liaison Rich Rosenthal, and commissioners Mark Weir and Bryan Sohl were absent. 2. Consent Agenda Beigel-Coryell/Buck m/s to approve the minutes of March 22, 2017, as presented. Discussion: None. Voice Vote. All Ayes. 3. Announcements The next commission meeting will be May 24, 2017. The SOU celebrations of Earth Week and Arbor Day were very successful. Next month SOU will start working on an update to their climate action plan. 4. Public Forum Kristy Mergenthaler— stated that she is from the Southern Oregon Land Conservancy. She gave an overview of conservation easements and how they are used by the public. She gave background on how they are hoping to bring together a partnership for easements on the Imperatrice Property. There is a high conservation value of the property and encouraged the group to learn more about the Imperatrice Property and the efforts of SO Land Conservancy. Commissioner Cara Cruickshank arrived 6:08 p.m. Pepper Trail— stated that she is from the Audubon Society and that they are working with SO Land Conservancy to survey the Imperatrice Property, specifically the native birds. She described some of the birds found on the property and the concerns they have with loss of habitat. Huelz Gutchen— stated that one quarter of all species have been lost due to climate change. He suspects this is largely due to human overpopulation. He informed the group that at the Earth Day festivals there was a Tesla that he got to sit in and he was very impressed with the design. He stated that he is encouraged by some of the solutions to climate change and wonders if new technology will be the key to solving it. 5. Reports/Presentations/Updates Recology Quarterly Report—Rosenthal stated that the Earth Day event was good. Recology received many questions regarding why the Plastic Roundup is no longer available. She stated that now more than ever reducing and reusing is important (and is Recology's focus)because changes in China's regulations means recycling of those materials isn't an option. May 6th is the Minutes for the Conservation Commission April 26,2017 Page 2 of 5 Household Hazardous Waste event at the Rogue Disposal transfer station in White City. Also on May 6th is the annual Firewise Clean Up day at the Valley View Road transfer station. Recology has started a"lend me a plate"project, the goal of which is for large events to have low or no waste. If you're holding a large event, you can borrow plates, cups, etc. from Recology. More information on these programs is available on their website. City Conservation Programs and Operations—Hanks stated Conservation staff also attended the Earth Day event and thought it went well. Staff is currently working on an update to the net metering policy, in hopes it will pave the way for more community solar installations. They also need to update the Land Use Code in order to use the new smart build program. Hanks gave the group an overview of the upcoming budget process and when the proposed CEAP position is likely to be discussed. Group asked Hanks questions about how CEAP activities might be handled if the staff position is not approved. He gave an overview of some of the prioritizations of activities which would likely occur in order for current staff to take on the work. Water Subcommittee—Buck handed out a flyer for their upcoming laundry to landscape event. They are hoping to have a good turnout. She stated that she is impressed with the number of water and rainwater catchment related classes in the Park's guide. Cruickshank stated that the group is hoping to reach out to the building and pluming community for their classes in the fall. 6. Old Business Sneak Preview Column—group discussed Cruickshank's article regarding water and offered small grammar edits. Buck/Sommer m/s to approve the article with changes as suggested. Discussion: Hanks asked who should be named in the byline? Cara or the whole water subcommittee? Group agreed that as Cara did the actual writing it should be her byline. Voice Vote: All Ayes. Motion Passes. Group discussion potential article topics and agreed to the following: • July— a CEAP recap, written by Sohl and McGinnis • August— Storm water/drains (keeping leaves out of streets), written by Cara Conservation Commission Powers and Duties - Group reviewed what their role,projects, activities and focus was prior to the Climate and Energy Action Plan ad hoc Committee, which took up so much of multiple commissioners' time. They also discussed what duties and areas of focus they assume the proposed CEAP commission will handle and what might be missing. See notes from brainstorming session, attached. Group discussed concerns that most of what the current commission does is education and outreach and that this would likely not occur with the new commission. Group discussed the ways the commission can bring the most support to the City of Ashland. Minutes for the Conservation Commission April 26,2017 Page 3 of 5 Group agreed that a hybrid of a traditional commission style (one which received specific direction for it's work from Council) and the current commission style (one which bases its focus on the interests of those appointed to the commission) would be the most preferable of the commission options. Group agreed that they would like Koopman to draft a memo for Council regarding this discussion. McGinnis/Buck m/s to adopt/choose the Option A recommendation (hybrid model). Discussion: Cruickshank expressed concerns that the two absent members of the commission did not have a chance to participate in the discussion. Voice Vote. All Ayes. Motion Passes. 7. Wrap Up Group requested that the following be on the next agenda: • Final recommendation to Council on the commission options • Presentation and discussion from the Southern Oregon Land Conservancy Meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Diana Shiplet Executive Assistant Minutes for the Conservation Commission April 26,2017 Page 4 of 5 Conservation Commission (Currently) Mission: Educate and Advocate for the wise use of resources by City Government and the people of Ashland Policies, implementation strategies, and funding related to: • Recycling, waste reduction • Electric conservation • Water conservation • Resource conservation • New power resources • Renewable resources • Education about efficiency issues Activities and Events the Commission has undertaken: Storm drain marking Car wash kits Graywater conference Plastic bag ordinance Sustainability Awards Earth Bowl Anti-idling campaign Sneak Preview column Compost classes, other classes Bottle/can collection baskets downtown Cigarette butt pilot program CEAP planning—started as a subcommittee Sustainability planning—ICLEI Catchment education Leaf blower discussions/research Master water plan involvement Recycle-center ad hoc Green Business Awards 4th of July Leaf bag program Garden Club Earth Day Expectations of this Commission: • Arrive on-time • Attendance rules (3 and then off—established by the City Council) • Guideline for Membership - 6 citizens plus 3 reps from Ashland School District, Recology, SOU • Meetings should be noticed, have minutes taken, and be accessible to the public • Participation on Subcommittees (everyone should be working on something) Minutes for the Conservation Commission April 26,2017 Page 5 of 5 CEAP Commission Potential Duties • Monitor/ advise CEAP implementation • Monitor/recommend modifications to targets • Monitor progress of the Greenhouse Gas Inventory • Make sure public input is considered on impacts to: — Social — Environmental — Economic • Recommend changes to ordinances, policies,practices for greenhouse gas reduction (businesses and citizens) • Make sure decisions are socially equitable • Protect Ashland's quality of life • Communication with other commissions and city staff • Guideline for membership: 9 members; at least two 35 and under, with one of those 25 and under; representing diverse interests, a Council liaison, a city staff liaison Two Potential Commission Options Option A Option B Conservation Commission has LEAP actions Separate Commissions incorporated into it (could become the CEAP commission) Business as Usual Traditional Comm. Many current activities (focus areas) will go away: Continue outreach Recommendations Where would the activities go? and education based on what needs identified by the City and/or CEAP Commission does Research, respond to What about subcommittees? activities based on needs (might not be expertize and interest of members) interests of members Free to come up with Other commissions Activities outreach, education not a actions of our own do AN activity rather part of the CEAP committee than multiple activities Probably more More influence Conservation Commission has a huge role in requests bringing information to other commission— staff would do that More resources, energy, cost to have two commission Could work with strong subcommittees