Sustainable BC Committee

City of Battle Creek Environmental Policy Study Committee 10 N. Division St. Conference Room 302A Battle Creek, MI Wednesday, April 4, 2012 4:00 p.m. Members Present: Randall Champlin, Michael Myszka, Comm. Jeff Domenico, Kathy Antaya, and Susan Anderson Members Absent: Tiffany Eichorst, Chris Simmons, Christine Kosmowski and Ken Kohs Others: Vicki Houser Call to Order: Kathy Antaya called the meeting to order at 4:03 PM. Kathy Antaya noted that a quorum was present. Public Comment: No public comment. Approval of Minutes: Kathy Antaya asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes. No additions or corrections were noted. A motion was made by Jeff Domenico, supported by Michael Myszka, to approve the minutes of the February 1, 2012 meeting. All yes. Motion carried. Additions or Deletions to the Agenda: There were none New Business: 1. Measuring Energy Use Kathy Antaya noted that no staff was present to discuss the city recommendations. Susan Anderson asked committee members to consider how they would measure their own usage. Ms. Antaya presented the December 12, 2012 issue of MiBiz newspaper. She indicated that Mr. Myszka had been published in the paper. Michael Myszka noted Denso measures utility usage with the information presented on the monthly utility bills. Mr. Myszka would like to ask the staff to review the monthly natural gas utility billings for each of the buildings. Mr. Myszka requested the gas usage history for the last 4 years, 2007-2011. He stated that the city agreed to reduce usage through the years and he would like to analyze the data to see if the goals are being met. Randall Champlin asked for clarification on what information is being requested. Mr. Champlin further stated the committee would need to specify to the Commission their intent for the usage of the information, and if they would like the Commission to allocate more resources to conservation. Mr. Champlin stated the utility history could demonstrate whether the City has met the target goals. Mr. Myszka stated he would be looking at the City buildings for energy efficiency also, as noted in a recent 1 news article. Mr. Myszka stated an analysis of the utility billings may demonstrate to the Commission whether the City has been successful in moving toward the goals. The reports may also assist the City management and Commission to determine if the programs need more work or adjustments. Mr. Myszka stated the City has moved forward in the last several years regarding their energy usage, citing the pellet furnace as an example. Mr. Champlin stated the Commission had set a goal to use 15% renewable energy resources by 2015. Ms. Antaya stated she would like to work with the City Commission to see if they feel they are making progress on the 15 x 15 goals and if they wanted to continue the goals of 15 x 15. Mr. Champlin stated the Commission made a commitment to the environmental policy goals in the past. The committee will talk with staff at the next Environmental Policy Study Committee meeting about measuring energy use. Ms. Anderson recommended a work session once the information is received and Mr. Myszka analyzes the data. 2. City Trees and use of Natives Ms. Anderson was wondering if the newly planted trees in the downtown area were native to our area. Ms. Anderson expressed a concern that the recent plantings are an invasive species to the City of Battle Creek. Ms. Anderson stated she understood the City had a Tree Advisory Council that helps to choose which trees to plant throughout the city, and the trees must meet certain standards, such as maximum height and width of the tree, minimum mess. Ms. Anderson inquired as to the ability of this committee to make a recommendation to the City to use native trees and plants. She further stated that other cities have policies to use native trees and plants first. Ms. Antaya stated there is an economic benefit to using native species and purchasing from local suppliers. Ms. Antaya recommended the committee provide a letter of support/recommendation to the Local Tree Advisory Council, noting this would be non-binding. Mr. Champlin believed the committee should only make a recommendation regarding the native tree species. Comm. Domenico stated the committee should first research how the decisions are made by the Tree Advisory Council, and then proceed as needed. He further stated the Council may have already researched selected plants and made decisions based upon this research. Old Business 1. Subcommittee report: Ms. Anderson discussed the PowerPoint presentation to the City Commission. Ms. Anderson stated she has been making some modifications to the initial presentation. Ms. Antaya stated the presentation would provide a reminder to the City Commission while they made decisions. Ms. Anderson stated the Environmental Policy Study Committee would be a resource to the City Commission, assisting them in their efforts to make the City of Battle Creek a sustainable city. Ms. Anderson and Ms. Antaya stated they would continue to work on the presentation, based upon the committee members recommendations. Ms. Anderson stated she would send the presentation out to the committee members for final review and recommendations prior to presentation to the Commission. 2  Ms. Anderson asked Mr. Myszka if he would be available to present to the Commission. Mr. Myszka stated he was unsure of his availability. The Committee members agreed they would determine the presenter once the presentation was complete and ready for the Commission meeting. 2. Trees along Jackson Street and Bedford Road: Mr. Myszka stated he has noticed several people who have been going onto city land and removing the cut trees. Mr. Myszka inquired as whether it has been approved for people to go onto City property to remove the tree cuttings. Comm. Domenico stated he would contact Chris Dopp to find out about the tree wood removal. 3. New Members: Ms. Antaya questioned the committee regarding any interest as to new members. Ms. Antaya said she had met several interested members. Comm. Domenico recommended that they get involved with their local NPCs as a good way to get started. Member comments or announcements: Comm. Domenico mentioned the City recycling program and felt the committee should acknowledge how far the program has progressed over the last several years. Comm. Domenico also commended the committee members on the work they continue to do to improve the Battle Creek Community. Ms. Antaya announced that on Saturday, April 7, 2012, Sprout Urban Farms is doing a clean-up of the new community farm, located on the corner of Kendall and Parkway. Ms. Antaya stated the organization is making great progress on developing the property. She further stated Bright Star will be a working farm, growing produce for sale, and any extra will be given away. She also noted the organization will only be working ¼ of the land at this time. The farm will implement inter-plantings and crop rotation, and may also create jobs for local residents. The project should provide economic and social benefits, making available multiple vegetables and specialty crops. Next meeting: The next meeting is scheduled for June 6, 2012, at 4:00 PM. Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 5:31PM. VLH 3