Sustainable BC Committee

City of Battle Creek Environmental Policy Study Committee 10 N. Division St. Conference Room 302B Battle Creek, MI Wednesday, October 3, 2012 4:00 p.m. Members Present: Kathy Antaya, Susan Anderson, Tiffany Eichorst, Randall Champlin, Comm. Andy Helmboldt, Ken Kohs and Christine Kosmowski Members Absent: Chris Simmons and Michael Myszka Others: Vicki Houser Call to Order: Kathy Antaya called the meeting to order at 4:07 PM. Ms. Antaya noted that a quorum was present. Ms. Antaya welcomed Comm. Helmboldt to the committee, and thanked prior Commissioner Domenico for his service to the committee. Public Comment: No public comment. Approval of Minutes: Kathy Antaya asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes. Ms. Eichorst requested a change to the date for the Calhoun County Road Commission electronics collection to September from October. A motion was made by Andy Helmboldt, supported by Susan Anderson, to approve the minutes of the August 1, 2012 meeting, with the requested change. All yes. Motion carried. Additions or Deletions to the Agenda: Chris Kosmowski noted Michelle Reen was not a member of the committee, but the representative from the Clerk’s office. Kathy Antaya asked that a request be made to the City Commission to provide a lawn care seminar be added to the agenda. Ms. Antaya also noted the report from Comm. Domenico to the City Commission would need to be removed from the agenda as Comm. Domenico resigned from the committee. Ms. Kosmowski requested additions to the agenda to include discussion of the City’s ground water ordinance and local school initiatives. Mr. Champlin requested a discussion of the recommendations to the City Commission. 1 Old Business: New member recommendations: Ms. Kosmowski inquired as to the status of each member’s term expirations, noting the City Commission reappointments members. Ms. Kosmowski further stated the committee could consist of up to 19 members who reside in the City of Battle Creek, or others who represent both small and large businesses, local conservation efforts and recreational interests. Ms. Antaya stated interested parties would need to complete an application and be appointed by the Commission, noting she would like another commissioner and a student added to the committee. Comm. Helmboldt recommended the committee consider some of the students currently serving at Sprout Urban Farms. Comm. Helmboldt researched the City website, noting most committee members terms were to expire on April 1, 2013, except City staff appointees. Ms. Anderson recommended the committee members invite people to attend the meetings so that they can understand what the committee does, and to see if they might be interested in being a member. Green Purchasing Programs: Ms. Anderson discussed the Michigan Municipal League’s green purchasing program, US Communities Government Purchasing Alliance, inquiring as to whether the City of Battle Creek was an active part of this group. Ms. Anderson stated she was not able to find out how the program works, but confirmed they worked with companies with strong environmental policies. Comm. Helmboldt stated he would inquire of the Mayor if she knows of the program. Ken Kohs stated the City did not have a policy on environmental purchasing, noting they work through the State Purchase program, which is based on competitive pricing, and facilitated with the Purchasing Department. Ms. Eichorst stated several examples of green purchasing policy could be found on Google. Ms. Eichorst also stated she spoke with Dan Bartley, a representative at the Federal Center, who would be willing to talk with the committee, noting the Federal Government has mandates for zero waste. Comm. Helmboldt suggested the committee bring Christine Huff, from the Purchasing Department, into the discussion. Mr. Kohs recommended the committee determine what environmental purchasing policies exist, then get information from other similar municipalities, to compare their practices. 2 New Business: A. EPA Sustainable Building Block grant: Ms. Kosmowski stated she believed the EPA grant was a grant the City applied for a few years ago, but was not awarded the grant, noting it may have been a joint grant with the Cities of Kalamazoo and Portage. Ms. Kosmowski reminded the committee of the Sustainability Covenant, an agreement with the Cities of Kalamazoo, Portage and Battle Creek and Western MI University, concerning three environmental policies. Ms. Antaya stated some committee members met on September 5, 2012 to discuss recommendations for an environmental purchasing policy for the City, the creation of a list of environmentally preferable products and the possible inclusion of environmental language in City contracts. B. Lawn Care Educational Session: Ms. Antaya stated she would like to offer a workshop to residents on sustainable lawn care practices, noting recent state-wide phosphorous restrictions. Ms. Antaya stated she would need funding assistance to promote the workshop. Ms. Kosmowski recommended Ms. Antaya do the Lawn Care workshop at the same time as the Super Soil Test Saturdays, scheduled for the 4th Saturday of April. Ms. Eichorst recommended Ms. Antaya talk with the Leila Arboretum for the lawn care workshop. Commission Discussion/Announcements: Ms. Eichorst stated the Calhoun County Road Commission may purchase compost bins and rain barrels to give away. Ms. Eichorst also informed the committee of Recylerama on April 20, 2013. Ms. Kosmowski informed the committee of the School Water Quality program, noting students in the 2nd, 3rd and 7th grades toured the water plant and the waste water treatment plants in August, with additional tours scheduled at the end of October. Randall Champlin requested the committee adopt a policy to fully research recommendations to the City Commission. Mr. Champlin stated the recommendations should have a seven year payback, so that the recommendations not only have good environmental value, but also be fiscally responsible, providing long term costs savings. Ms. Eichorst noted that environmental benefits should also have value, not just cost concerns. 3 Ms. Anderson expressed her concern that recommendations may not be pursued due to costs concerns. Comm. Helmboldt recommended the committee present a comparison of the benefits and cost considerations to the Commission. Mr. Kohs recommended the committee remember additional concerns, such as regulatory requirements, quality life and future committee and city goals. Ms. Antaya requested Mr. Champlin design a sample of the policy he would like the committee to adopt. Ms. Antaya reminded the committee members of the next workshop planned for November 7, 2012 at 4:00 PM. Next meeting: The next Environmental Policy Study Committee is scheduled for Wednesday, December 5, 2012 at 4:00 PM. Adjournment Ms. Antaya adjourned the meeting at 5:24 PM. VLH 4