Sustainable BC Committee

City of Battle Creek Environmental Policy Study Committee Room 302A, Third Floor 10 N. Division St. Battle Creek, MI Friday, March 27, 2009 4:00 p.m. Members Present: Laura Adams, Kathy Antaya, Susan Anderson, Randall Champlin, Tiffany Eichorst, Christine Kosmowski, Mary Lindow, Michael Myszka, Commissioner Ryan Hersha, Commissioner Christopher Simmons Absent: Commissioner John Godfrey, Taichi Ochi, Commissioner Sherry Sofia, and Ken Kohs Others: Dee Laser, Mayor Mark Behnke, Mayor Bobby Hopewell, Bruce Merchant, and Jim Ritsema. Call to Order: Comm. Simmons called the meeting to order at 4:00 P.M. Additions or Deletions to the Agenda: a. Delete: Waste Management “Green Rewards” pilot program. b. Add: Update from Chris Kosmowski on Battle Creek Area Environmental Study. c. Add: Report by Assistant City Manager, Jim Ritsema; update on stimulus energy money. Approval of Minutes: Corrections will be made to the November 14, 2008 meeting and resubmitted for approval at the April 24th meeting. New Business: a. Sustainability Covenant – Kalamazoo Mayor Bobby Hopewell Mayor Behnke spoke about his meeting with Mayor Hopewell and their hope that the two communities could work together. He stated that the Mayors could learn from each other and better understand how they could help the youth in the community and those who recently have been released from prison. Both communities have passed a felony re- entry ordinance that helps individuals succeed as they come out of prison. Mayor Behnke and Mayor Hopewell were pleased to announce that there are other communities that are proposing this same legislation in their areas. They would now like to set down with other municipalities to talk more about how to protect our natural resources and how to work together to better understand some of the efficiencies we have achieved. Mayor Behnke spoke about the City’s successes in lowering the cost of doing business and 1  saving our natural resources: the implementation of a bio mass furnace, the implementation of lead certified lights in traffic signals and lights installed in the Downtown and Lakeview areas. Mayor Behnke said that Mayor Hopewell wanted to bring everyone together to better understand some of the successes that Western Michigan University has seen in saving steam energy. They have achieved a million dollars in savings on an annual basis by better utilizing the steam that they generate. Mayor Behnke introduced Kalamazoo Mayor Bobby Hopewell and Bruce Merchant, Public Service Director from Kalamazoo. Mayor Hopewell spoke about his work history in Battle Creek and then presented a draft Kalamazoo/Battle Creek Metropolitan Area Sustainability Covenant. The document is to help communities come together to develop measurable services. Commissioner Simmons asked if they were looking for a recommendation. Mayor Hopewell said that they are looking for comments on the document. Commissioner Simmons suggested the committee forward comments to Ken Kohs and a copy to the Environmental Committee. b. Report by Assistant City Manager, Jim Ritsema; update on stimulus energy money Battle Creek will receive funds from the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program. Battle Creek will receive $548,000 for residential and commercial building energy audits, financial incentive programs, and mechanisms for energy efficiency improvements, such as energy saving performance, contracting, and revolving loan funds, grants to non-profit organizations and governmental agencies for the purpose of performing energy efficiency retro fits, energy efficiency in conservation programs for buildings and facilities, material conservation programs including resource deduction, recycling and recycle content procurement program that lead to increase in energy efficiency, energy efficient traffic signal and street lighting, renewable energy technology on government buildings and others. Internally a group will be organized to start looking at a plan for ways to use the money according to the guidelines. Commissioner Simmons asked if the City will be using the money for projects that they already have or could the committee make recommendations. Mr. Ritsema said that the committee could put forth some recommendations keeping in mind that part of the stimulus money is for job creation. c. Update from Chris Kosmowski on Battle Creek Area Environmental Study Chris Kosmowski gave an overview of the Environmental Survey taken in February 2009 of the greater Battle Creek area. Fifty-one questions were asked about recycling, solid 2  waste, climate change, energy issues, and water quality. Results showed 18-24 year old group was least aware, 45-54 female was the most active recycler, and work needs to be done in educating the public on the phosphorous ordinance. One question asked was if people would be willing to pay $2.00 monthly to protect water quality. The majority said that they would; however, they did not ask if they were registered voters. There was also support for limiting the amount of garbage. The committee discussed recyclables, volumes, and statistics on household use. d. Organizational environmental audit – Kathy Antaya Kathy Antaya spoke about the Rebuild Michigan program and RETAP. Honeywell has already audited City Hall and the police building. All City buildings are potential for audits through the Rebuild Michigan program. Mike Myszka suggested the City put together a program working through RETAP to go to small businesses and offer energy audits to them as part of the 15/15 program so that we can do as a City what we are offering the residents. Commissioner Simmons asked City staff if there are any energy audits being looked at. Honeywell Company work is now completed. Ms. Antaya thought that the City should continue moving forward and get all buildings audited. Commissioner Hersha asked about an audit for our transportation services. Commissioner Simmons asked about audits of office procedures. Ms. Antaya said that RETAP’s focus is on energy efficiencies for buildings. Ms. Antaya then spoke about a program through Michigan State University called the Michigan Turf Grass Environmental Stewardship Program. They provide regulatory compliance advice and natural resource protection advice to green industry businesses. Since Battle Creek has lots of green space, she thought the City might benefit from this kind of program. e. Funding alternative energy projects – Mike Myszka Mike Myszka led a discussion on the cost and financing of alternative energy. Alternative energy is expensive, and pay back is slow. In some areas, mostly the western part of the country, they are looking at rolling the cost of an alternative energy program into the property tax. Mr. Myszka has forwarded the electronic link on legislation to the committee that is used. Old Business: a. Climate Protection Act Policy and 15/15 Renewable Energy Policy Goal Commissioner Hersha forwarded information electronically to the committee regarding the Climate Protection Act Policy. 3 Committee Reports: a. Climate Change Coalition – Sue Anderson The Climate Change Coalition is two years old and part of the Battle Creek Foundation. They received a large grant from the Michigan Public Service Commission to give out 20,000 CFL light bulbs in the Battle Creek area. Beginning Earth Week, the third week in April; they plan to organize churches, schools and businesses to give out light bulbs to employees and to community organizations. They hope to have volunteers going door to door. Along with the light bulbs, there will be a brochure advising people about climate change. Public Comment: None Member Comments: Tiffany Eichorst reported on electronic collection held March 7th, which was very successful; there will be another collection in the fall. Best Buy takes televisions and computers in exchange for a Best Buy gift card. There is also legislation that everyone who sells either 25 or 50 units of computers or televisions will be required to have a buy back or take back program. Mike Myszka said that on behalf of Denso and the Environmental Protection Agency, he wanted to encourage all to review the EPA “Do Your Part” website. “Do Your Part” is EPA’s program for promoting individual carbon foot printing and commitments. Randy Champlin announced that Woodland Park is having a trash pick-up at 9:00 a.m. on March 28, 2009. Next meeting: April 24, 2009 – fourth Friday, at 4:00 p.m. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 5:52 p.m. DAL/dm 4