Sustainable BC Committee

City of Battle Creek Environmental Policy Study Committee 10 N. Division St. Conference Room 302B Battle Creek, MI Wednesday, August 1, 2012 4:00 p.m. Members Present: Kathy Antaya, Susan Anderson, Tiffany Eichorst, Chris Simmons, Comm. Jeff Domenico, Michael Myszka and Ken Kohs Members Absent: Randall Champlin, Christine Kosmowski Others: Vicki Houser Call to Order: Kathy Antaya called the meeting to order at 4:05 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 Sue Anderson, supported by Chris Simmons, to approve the minutes of the June 6, 2012 meeting. All yes. Motion carried. Additions or Deletions to the Agenda: Ms. Anderson asked that each committee member recommend one person to recruit to the Environmental Policy Study Committee. Old Business: 1. Recommendation to the City Commission on the 15 x 15 Resolution Ms. Antaya discussed the need to request the City Commission to provide an update on the current progress of the 15 x 15 Resolution. Ms. Antaya reminded the committee of the resolution passed at the last meeting. Ms. Anderson provided a written request as follows: The Environmental Policy Study Committee recommends that the Battle Creek City Commission request a report from City Staff on the progress toward fulfilling the 2007 Renewable Energy Policy, also known as the 15 x 15 Resolution. Mr. Simmons stated he was pleased the Committee was seeking an update from the Commission on the current policy progress. Mr. Simmons recommended the Commission also provide a status report on the other policies the Committee recommended. Ms. Antaya stated the committee would prefer to start with the 15 x 15 Resolution as this item had the most measurable standards, whereas the other commitments were general guidelines. 1  Mr. Kohs stated that he felt the proposed statement was effective, and did not need more wording. Mr. Kohs also felt the worksheet presented at the prior meeting may seem complicated. Mr. Kohs recommended the committee insert an expected date for the Commission to provide the report to the Committee, suggesting the end of the calendar year, December 31, 2012. Mr. Kohs noted achieving the 15 x 15 policy is desirable, and asking for a report is a good way to determine what the status is. Mr. Kohs recommended the committee review the report once received by the Commission and determine what needs to be done so that the City can achieve the goals by 2015. A motion was made by Ms. Anderson, supported by Mr. Simmons, to add a date of 12/31/2012 to the request for a report to the City Commission. All yes, none opposed. Motion approved. 2. New Committee Members Ms. Anderson asked each committee member to identify someone who might be interested in serving as a member of the Environmental Policy Study Committee. Mr. Kohs inquired as to the lack of attendance by current members. Ms. Eichorst stated there was disinterest as there seemed to be no established goals. Ms. Eichorst cautioned the committee that too many members may become difficult to work with. Mr. Simmons recommended recruiting additional Commissioners to serve on the committee. Ms. Antaya recommended the committee consist of a total of 12 members. New Business: 1. Green Purchasing: Ms. Anderson noted the committee had discussed green purchasing at the prior meeting. Ms. Anderson also noted the City’s purchasing department does bid for the best pricing, not necessarily green products. Ms. Anderson provided the committee members information on different organizations /companies / municipalities that practice green purchasing. Ms. Antaya recommended the committee provide the City Purchasing Department an environmentally preferable product list to review for consideration. Mr. Simmons stated he would be interested in knowing other organizations’ experience and successes with their green purchasing programs. Ms. Anderson asked other committee members to contact businesses and municipalities for their green purchasing policies. 2. Wind Turbines: The Committee discussed regulations, noting there were no city policies regarding wind turbines. Ms. Antaya noted there may be State and Federal restrictions. 3. Wood Boilers: 2  The Committee noted Wood Boilers were banned a few years ago. Ms. Anderson noted the regulations regarded the wood burning exhaust. Ms. Antaya stated she would like the City and the Commission to be proactive regarding regulations for alternative energy sources. Ms. Antaya stated she would like to promote sustainability, but would need to City to consider what potential issues may arise, which would result in usage and installation regulations. Ms. Anderson stated she talked with Chris Hilton of the Planning Department regarding any potential issues in the future. 4. Meeting schedule: Ms. Antaya asked the committee to consider meeting monthly, instead of bi-monthly, so that the committee could continue the momentum of their efforts and goals. Ms. Antaya stated monthly meetings would keep the initiatives progressing and the committee energized. Ms. Antaya stated the meetings would be kept to one hour each meeting. Mr. Simmons stated the committee initially intended to have sub-committees that would meet on alternating months. Ms. Antaya recommended the committee members get together informally in alternating months, to discuss what information had been collected, not deliberating policy, no action items, but to keep in contact with other members to stay motivated. Ms. Antaya recommended a worksession September 5, 2012. Committee Comments Ms. Eichorst announced some community events sponsored by Calhoun County. 1. October 8, 2012: Free Electronics Recycling at the Calhoun County Road Commission’s garage located at 13300 15 Mile Road, Marshall, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. 2. October 10 through October 12, 2012: Tire and Appliance Collection at the Calhoun County Road Commission’s garage located at 13300 15 Mile Road, Marshall, from 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM. Prices for tires range from $1.00 to $10.00. Appliances are free. 3. September 22, 2012: Styrofoam Collection at the First United Methodist Church located at 111 East Michigan Avenue. Only CLEAN #6 Styrofoam will be accepted. Next meeting: The next Environmental Policy Study Committee will be Wednesday, October 3, 2012. Adjournment Ms. Anaya adjourned the meeting at 5:28 PM. VLH 3