Sustainable BC Committee

City of Battle Creek Environmental Policy Study Committee 10 N. Division St. Conference Room 302A Battle Creek, MI Wednesday, June 1, 2011 4:00 p.m. Members Present: Ken Kohs, Michael Myszka, Randall Champlin, Comm. Morris, Susan Anderson, Tiffany Eichorst, Kathy Antaya, and Christine Kosmowski Members Absent: Vice Mayor Simmons, Comm. Walters Others: Sarah McGinnis, Stacy Hibiske Call to Order: Kathy Antaya called the meeting to order at 4:04 PM and presented an agenda to the committee. Comm. Morris introduced Stacy Hibiske and stated that she was interested in serving on the Environmental Committee. Kathy Antaya advised that there is a formal application process through the City Manager’s office. Public Comment: None. Approval of Minutes: Ms. Antaya asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes. Hearing none, a motion was made by Mike Myszka, supported by Comm. Morris, to approve the minutes of the April 6, 2011, meeting. All yes. Motion carried. Additions or Deletions to the Agenda: Membership/Stacy Hibiske was added to new business. New Business: 1. Membership/Stacy Hibiske Comm. Morris noted that Stacy Hibiske has an extensive background with environmental issues. Ms. Hibiske reported to the committee that she graduated from Oregon State University with a degree in Environmental Sciences. She is currently working with the Kellogg Company’s Environmental Stewardship team and updating environmental policies and procedures. Ms. Hibiske remarked that she would love to get involved in the community and city. She noted that Kellogg’s just started a Styrofoam recycling program. Comm. Morris informed Ms. Hibiske that she can obtain an application from the city’s website. A motion was made by Comm. Morris, supported by Mike Myszka, to recommend Stacy Hibiske as a member of the Environmental Policy Committee. All yes. Motion carried. 2. Policy Review 1 Ms. Antaya asked Chris Simmons if there were any policies that needed to be reviewed and there were none. 3. Subcommittee assignments and priorities Ms. Antaya noted at the last meeting, the committee approved the formation of three standing subcommittees: 1) Energy Use, 2) Code and Policies, and 3) Community Sustainability. Sue Anderson, Mike Myszka, and Kathy Antaya agreed to chair one of the committees. Ms. Antaya reviewed that the idea of the subcommittees came about based on the following policies and resolutions already adopted by the Battle Creek City Commission: The 2006 Climate Protection Policy, the 2007 Renewable Energy Policy, and the 2009 Mayor’s Sustainability Covenant. The Energy Use Subcommittee will focus on the city’s activities regarding energy use. By 2012, the City of Battle Creek will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 7%. By 2015, the city would be 15% green energy sourcing. Ms. Antaya was uncertain if there was baseline data that could be used. It was also suggested that the energy committee could look more closely at the Honeywell project: the green roof and the bio mass furnace. Comm. Morris offered to work on the Energy Use Subcommittee and perhaps Stacy Hibiske once she is appointed. Kathy Antaya stated that after the Commission adopts policies, it is sometimes difficult for staff to implement them, or the policies might require more in depth work. It was not intended that the members of the Environmental Committee fill all of the subcommittee positions, but to add membership from the community. Christine Kosmowski stated it is also important to see if the resolutions are binding or nonbinding resolutions. Ken Kohs stated the policies are quite significant and it would be a formidable task to move forward. He asked if it was the intention for the subcommittee to get some information on what the statuses of these things are from the City Commission or the City Manager’s Office. Comm. Morris added that there are so many things going on in the city right now. The Commission needs to give the City Manager direction on these policies. However, the City Manager prioritizes the city’s needs. Kathy Antaya felt that the Environmental Policy Committee could help coordinate efforts. Sue Anderson asked what the difference is between a binding and nonbinding resolution. Chris Kosmowski stated one would be a suggestion, and one would be a mandate. Ken Kohs suggested the subcommittees have dialogue with commissioners to gain ideas. Randall Champlin asked if the committee could receive copies of the three environmental policies. Kathy Antaya offered to send electronic copies of the policies to the committee. 2 The Codes and Policies Subcommittee is intended to review current city codes and policies regarding urban gardening, urban livestock, building standards, wind mills, and insulation. Also, the subcommittee might want to look into green purchasing in the city or if employees are encouraged to make double sided copies. One avenue would be to provide a one hour orientation to new commissioners on Battle Creek environmental policies. Ken Kohs added that an orientation is conducted after the City Commission election and it would be a good time to include environmental policies. Kathy Antaya said another topic would be to pursue how the city works within sustainable guidelines, for instance, are policies and procedures within the city looking at sustainability? Kathy Antaya offered to work on the Code and Policies Subcommittee. The third Subcommittee is the Community Sustainability Subcommittee which will focus on the entire community as opposed to the city’s operations. It would provide a process for outreach and reporting, and a way to communicate with stakeholders about the great things already occurring in Battle Creek. One possibility would be to create a community annual report or green guide to help residents do a better job of being more sustainable. Chris Kosmowski noted that the Sustainability Covenant was signed with Kalamazoo and she did not see a reference to the partnership with Kalamazoo. Kathy Antaya asked the members to email questions and concerns regarding the creation of the subcommittees to her. Also, anyone interested in serving on a subcommittee, to let Ms. Antaya know by June 10, 2011. Mike Myszka added that he would like to get an idea of who is interested in serving on what subcommittee so that first meetings could be held in July. Old Business: 1. Environmental Survey of staff Kathy Antaya asked Ken Kohs about the environmental survey sent to city staff. Ken Kohs stated he did not receive many responses and they weren’t very constructive. He offered to conduct a more detailed survey of items the committee is interested in. Kathy Antaya suggested a survey monkey created by the subcommittee. Ken Kohs noted that he has asked Waste Management for a report on the Green Rewards program. He stated that the City has handed out approximately 5,000 battery and compact fluorescent light recycling kits and only 10% have been turned in. Mr. Kohs is asking Waste Management to evaluate the recycling program and provide the city with more options. He also asked Waste Management to consider expanding materials to take to the drop off center, like construction debris, shingles, concrete, wood, motor oil, transmission fluid, plastic bags, and antifreeze. Mr. Kohs added that plastic bags are not the enemy we thought they were. It takes 35 times more energy to produce paper bags and 150 times more energy to produce a cloth bag. 2. Downtown Recycling Effort 3 Chris Kosmowski stated the downtown recycling effort is on hold right now. At the last Green Drinks meeting, there was a presentation on organic waste composting and there was some interest from the Federal Center to look into it. Ken Kohs noted that the City accepts leaves at the Brice Pit on River Road. With the May 29, 2011, storm, the City will be accepting residential tree branches at Brice Pit as well. 3. Oil Spill Update Chris Kosmowski reported that the oil spill reassessment of the Kalamazoo River is almost completed with remote sensing, modeling, and different techniques. Eight teams walked quarter mile sections of the river and recorded points and data. The teams have also looked for submerged oil that was identified in the fall. Ms. Kosmowski reported there is submerged oil in the City from the Riverside Country Club to the dam to the concrete channel. She noted that a lot of the toxic compounds in the oil have volatilized and did not believe the inhalation risk is very high. Ms. Kosmowski added that the oil spill was treated as a national priority oil spill, but it did not have the designation. Ms. Kosmowski offered the committee to view the oil spill video at the next meeting. Member Comments/Announcements: Ken Kohs commented that it would be worthwhile for the committee to consider inviting businesses to talk about their sustainability efforts, why they are doing it, and what the city can do to help them protect the environment. Sarah McGinnis commented that Kellogg’s conducted an environmental study a few years ago. Next meeting: The next meeting is scheduled for August 3, 2011, at 4:00 PM. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 5:15 p.m. /sm 4