Sustainable BC Committee

City of Battle Creek Environmental Policy Study Committee 10 N. Division St. Conference Room 302A Battle Creek, MI Wednesday, October 5, 2011 4:00 p.m. Members Present: Vice Mayor Simmons, Christine Kosmowski, Comm. Morris, Kathy Antaya, Tiffany Eichorst, Susan Anderson, Michael Myszka, and Comm. Walters Members Absent: Others: City Clerk Dee Laser Call to Order: Vice Mayor Simmons called the meeting to order at 4:08 p.m. Public Comment: None. Approval of Minutes: Vice Mayor Simmons asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes. A motion was made by Mr. Myszka, supported by Sue Anderson, to approve the minutes of August 3, 2011, meeting. All yes. Motion carried. Additions or Deletions to the Agenda: Sue Anderson asked what BEA is: Baseline Environmental Assessment. New Business: 1. Hexalateral Report Christine Kosmowski reported that there were seven that attended the Hexalateral Conference. There were supposed to be six cities including Battle Creek. China, Brazil and the Philippines were unable to attend. Ms. Kosmowski further indicated there was a large delegation from Japan, 14 delegates; and two delegates from the Czech Republic that arrived on the 24th of September and left on October 3, 2011. She stated the delegates were given a walking tour which included: City Hall Project, State Street Project, and historical monuments. Also included was the 30th Anniversary Celebration with Takasaki, Japan. Ms. Kosmowski state there were several food-related presentations including: Covance, International Food Protection and Training Institute, and the Kellogg Company. She also indicated the group toured the Kalamazoo River in air boats and there was a presentation from the EPA. Lastly, Ms. Kosmowski indicated the delegates toured Lakeview High School to learn about their Green School, visited KCC to learn about alternative energy, and attended Green Drinks. 2. Household Hazardous Waste Disposal Day Ms. Kosmowski reported on the collection held September 17 from 10:00 to 12:00 p.m. stating there was great participation. She further stated the electronics collection held on September 10, 2011, ended with approximately a semi-load and a-half of electronics. Lastly, she stated radio advertising was a great way to reach people. 1  3. River Clean Up Ms. Kosmowski reported on the river clean up event stating the event had the right number of volunteers. Ms. Kosmowski was presented with a 10th Anniversary award presented by State Representative Kate Segal during the event. Old Business: Grant and Styrofoam deleted from agenda. Dart recycles Styrofoam, must be clean. 1. Oil Spill Update Ms. Kosmowski advised work is still being done in the Mill Pond area. 2. New Members Ms. Kosmowski wanted new member Stacy Hibiske’s name. Christine discusses trying to get a Jen Sellers, from Kingman Museum, to join committee due to her educational background. 3. Questions Regarding Old Minutes Susan Anderson had questions on some minutes: Ken Kohl said he was going for some grants. Chris Simmons asked if it would be helpful if this committee made some kind of recommendation to go along with his applications, and the answer was yes. Susan Anderson stated there was nothing in the minutes regarding who was going to do that. It was stated that the guidelines had not gone out yet referring to grants for EPA and Brownfield Grant. There would be a blanket letter of support, a coalition grant between the County and the City. A Stephanie is doing the grant application. Bill Morris read a letter from Stacy Hibiske stating she was sorry she would be unable to attend the Environmental Policy Meeting on October 3 due to a trip to Germany. She was hoping her traveling would slow down soon. Susan Anderson points out there were no links for video. 4. Terms of Committee Dee Laser offered to send out the Reappointment Resolution to the group. Return To New Business 1. Subcommittee Assignments Kathy Antaya wants to assist staff incorporating three resolutions the city has adopted: 1.) Climate Protection, 2.) Southwest Michigan Regional Sustainability Covenant, 3.) Renewable Energy Policy. 2 Kathy Antaya would like to utilize those documents and help move forward to in those three resolutions. A. Energy Use Committee – Michael Myszka B. Codes and Policies Subcommittee – Kathy Antaya C. Community Sustainability Subcommittee – Susan Anderson 2. Futile Effort Christine Kosmowski stated it was hard to get people to meetings. Michael Myszka suggested having topics for the Action Committee and not subcommittees. They can be open to anybody. This can be discussed and get an idea what the hot topics are and hot buttons out of three topics. These will be used as focus topics to start. Pick an item or two and move forward from there. The intention is not to create work for the staff itself. Dave Walters liked the idea of having a normal meeting and then a secondary meeting with topic. Kathy Antaya will resend the 15 x 15 resolution on the Renewable Energy Policy as well as the Sustainability Covenant, Climate Protection information, and US Mayor’s Climate Protection agreement. Michael Myszka stated being on the outskirts of this that he understood the mayor had agreed to some reductions. He didn’t know what the baseline is. The weeks that were used were 15% by 2015, and he didn’t know what the original number was. He wanted to talk to Kathy Antaya and Ken Kohs regarding the numbers. Commissioner Myszka didn’t know how the City Manager monitors energy consumption if that was a function of Purchasing. Bill Morris sums up that the bench mark that they’re talking about would be the date that was established back then; from that point, they would know how much energy was being used. The benchmark includes city operations: buildings, city owned, all the vehicles, all the buildings, schools. Dee Laser confirms the benchmark is March 6, 2007. Michael Myszka would like to know what the baseline for expenses. What they were at that time, and what they are today. Also, getting the data verses reporting the data which including things in the City such as Waste Water Treatment Plant, pumps, etc. What numbers do we want to use, with what comparisons? Dee Laser recommends defining parameters and what energy certain projects have saved. Commissioner Myszka suggested an environmental orientation package for commissions. Member Comments/Announcements: None noted or discussed. Next meeting: 3 Next meeting date set for November 2, 2011 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Adjournment: A motion for adjournment was made by Mike Myszka, supported by Susan Anderson to adjourn the meeting at 5:07 p.m. 4