Sustainable BC Committee

City of Battle Creek Environmental Policy Study Committee Room 112, First Floor 10 N. Division St. Battle Creek, MI Friday, April 24, 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, Commissioner John Godfrey, and Ken Kohs Absent: Taichi Ochi and Commissioner Sherry Sofia Others: Dee Laser, Mayor Mark Behnke, Audrey Wierenga, Ian Wright Call to Order: Comm. Simmons called the meeting to order at 4:05 P.M. Additions or Deletions to the Agenda: None. Announcement: Ken Kohs commented that a new recycling program is in the development stages to promote recycling in the community. Approval of Minutes: Chris Kosmowski noted spelling change to biomass furnace and LEED certified lights in the March 27, 2009, meeting minutes. A motion was made by Randall Champlin, supported by Commissioner Godfrey, to approve the November 14, 2008, and March 27, 2009, minutes as corrected. All yes. Motion carried. Old Business: a. Sustainability Covenant Mayor Behnke asked the committee if they had any changes in the wording of the Sustainability Covenant that was introduced at the last meeting. Chairperson Simmons stated the committee could recommend to the City Commission the draft covenant, or could adopt a recommendation with changed language. Comm. Godfrey did not like the social justice piece. Sue Anderson felt social justice is an important concept; however, she felt the best wording would be “ensuring a good quality of life.” Comm. Hersha felt it was not constructive to take out the social justice statement as he felt the role of the Environmental Committee was to stay focused on environmental issues, but to acknowledge the discussion around the covenant. Comm. Simmons felt the committee should comment on the environmental portion. Randall Champlin suggested changing the social justice language be changed to “provide a high quality of life.” Mike Myszka agreed in principle. Kathy Antaya recommended suggesting to the Commission that the committee supports the idea of the Sustainability Covenant; however, there are concerns with some of the language. Comm. Hersha supported the concept, but would like to see the final draft. 1  A motion was made by Comm. Hersha, supported by Mike Myszka, to support the Sustainability Covenant and its broad principles. VOTE: 10 – 1 (Champlin). Motion carried. A motion was made by Randy Champlin, supported by Mike Myszka, to recommend to Mayor Behnke to provide the language, “to provide a high quality of life for its people” instead of “embracing social justice.” VOTE: Yes – 5(Godfrey, Myszka, Lindow, Champlin, Simmons) No – 5 (Hersha, Kosmowski, Anderson, Eichorst, Champlin, Antaya) Abstain -1(Kohs). Motion defeated. A discussion of social justice followed. Committee agreed to view final draft Sustainability Covenant language before making any further recommendations. b. Update on stimulus projects – Ken Kohs Ken Kohs provided an update on the receiving of funds from the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program. The application process involves preparing a general budget and the City must show that we can manage it properly. The deadline for the application is May 26, 2009. After the award has been granted, the City will have 120 days to develop a strategy, 18 months to allocate funds, and 36 months to spend the money. Committee Reports: a. Report of Climate Change Coalition – Sue Anderson Sue Anderson stated that the program had disbursed one quarter of the 20,000 light bulbs to the community. Public Comment: Audrey Wierenga, Field Representative of Pollution Prevention & Compliance Assistance Section of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, offered her assistance in providing resource information and distributed conference information on “Green Town” in Grand Rapids and Chicago. Mayor Behnke anticipated recycling paper products used at the Cereal Festival in June. He also noted that Comm. Yankama has been working with neighbors regarding the high water levels at Goguac Lake and surrounding waters. He stated this might be an opportune topic for the committee. Assistant Attorney Ian Wright introduced himself to the committee and looked forward to providing any legal counsel that the committee might need. Member Comments: Mike Myszka suggested that the committee might develop some metrics for natural gas usage and electrical usage in the City. He felt it important to learn the City’s consumption and to track progress by implementing a tracking system. Sue Anderson noted the Tree City USA signs have been installed by the Tree Committee. Next meeting: To be announced. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 5:11 P.M. DAL/dm 2