Sustainable BC Committee

City of Battle Creek Sustainable BC Committee 150 N. Kendall St Multi-Purpose Room Battle Creek, MI Wednesday, February 5, 2014 4:00 p.m. Members Present: Susan Anderson, Randall Champlin, Tiffany Eichorst, Comm. Andy Helmboldt, Chris Simmons and Ken Kohs Members Absent: Kathy Antaya, Devon Gibson, Michael Myszka, Christine Kosmowski and Becky Spicer Others: Vicki Houser, City Clerk Call to Order: Sue Anderson called the meeting to order at 4:08 PM. Ms. Anderson noted that a quorum was present. Public Comment: There were no public comments. Approval of Minutes: Ms. Anderson asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes. Seeing no additions or corrections, a motion was made by Chris Simmons, supported by Ken Kohs, to approve the minutes of the December 4, 2013 meeting. All yes, none opposed. Motion approved. Additions or Deletions to the Agenda: Old Business: 1. MML Green Communities Challenge – Ms. Eichorst discussed some updates she made to the Battle Creek application, stating we could use some community projects, such as local schools that use geothermal heating, as the designation is based upon City wide activities. 2. Recycling Updates – solid waste contract and Big Belly bins – Mr. Kohs discussed the issues that arose during the prior evening’s Commission meeting regarding the possible need to put the contract out for bid. Mr. Kohs stated the City was hoping to do a 10 year extension of the current contract, to include biweekly recycling with larger recycling totes. Mr. Kohs stated the Commission received a lot of public comment, along with requests from Republic Services to open the waste refuse contract up to bid. Mr. Kohs stated the City Manager did not feel there was enough Commissioner support to pass the extension without putting the contract to bid. Comm. Helmboldt noted the committee’s recommendations focused on service changes and benefits provided, noting they did not discuss contract issues. Mr. Kohs recommended the committee consider what they may like put into the bid, such as levels of service. 1  Mr. Simmons stated he did not feel he could support recommending anything until the Commission made their decision, stating he felt the City needed to bid out the contract properly. Ms. Anderson expressed her concern it may be unfair to ask Waste Management to wait too long. Mr. Champlin stated Commissioners Sherzer and Domenico attended their NPC and received comment from the NPC members that the contract needed to be bid out. Mr. Kohs stated the ultimate goal was to provide the best service. Mr. Kohs also informed the committee that there was a concern that due to the biweekly service, Waste Management may eliminate staff positions, stating he has received clarification from Waste Management that they will actually be adding 3 more people. Mr. Kohs informed the committee that due to the contract issues, he would not be asking Waste Management to donate the Big Belly Bins (the solar powered compacting units), noting the City would be purchasing the units instead. Mr. Kohs stated his department had funding for promoting recycling initiatives, which he would use for these units as was planned prior to Waste Management’s offer to donate the units. Mr. Champlain expressed concerns with the costs of the solar units. Ms. Anderson expressed her opinion this was more of a political issue, not environmental. 3. Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) project - Mr. Kohs stated the City was still evaluating a market for the char by-product from the WWTP processing of dried solids into simulated fuel and electricity, noting also a bid package was ready for a building to house the operations. 4. Committee and Sustainability Promotions Comm. Helmboldt stated the new Communications Specialist was working on a social media plan, recommending the committee wait to find out about the Green Communities Challenge before designing a water billing stuffer. Mr. Simmons recommended the committee note the many goals they have accomplished, such as the solar compacting units or notification from the Green Community Challenge. Ms. Anderson recommended the message relate to recycling and sustainability. Ms. Eichorst stated she would work with Jessica Vanderkolk, the Communications Specialist, when submitting media releases relative to the committee and their goals and accomplishments. Mr. Champlin requested clarification, asking if the messages were to promote the committee or to promote sustainability. Mr. Simmons recommended the message highlight the committee’s goals, which help to achieve the City’s sustainability goals. Mr. Simmons, Ms. Anderson and Ms. Eichorst volunteered to start working on ways to provide information to the City regarding the committee’s goals and accomplishments. 2  5. 15 x 15 Update - Mr. Kohs stated the majority of the current progress to meet the 15 x 15 goals would come from the Waste Water Treatment Plant project. New Business 1. Sustainability Planning for the City – Mr. Kohs noted the City does have some plans in place, starting with City Hall and Full Blast. Mr. Kohs stated the City has looked at most of their buildings for energy efficiency improvements. Mr. Kohs also noted there is not a current Recycling Plan that is implemented throughout the City buildings, noting it is left to individual employees to recycle. Mr. Kohs stated the committee could make a recommendation to the Commission. Mr. Kohs also noted the Commission has the Climate Protection and the Mayors Agreement, noting the City’s energy efficiency plans came about when some managers met with a vendor and researched energy efficient options. Mr. Kohs recommended the committee give clear direction to the City Manager on their recycling goals, to establish initiatives that are maximized in all City operations, determining also how participation was to be reported. Ms. Eichorst stated the committee could follow the Green Communities Challenge, which provides a checklist to record goals, progress and accomplishments. Comm. Helmboldt noted that with the recent administrative changes, there are several issues at this time that would take priority over the environmental issues. Mr. Simmons suggested the committee put together a draft recommendation, encouraging residents to recycle, noting this should be a priority for staff also, recommending the committee formulate a policy on recycling, encouraging the City Manager implement the policy. Mr. Champlain recommended the City consider including sustainability requirements in city- wide contracts and services. Mr. Kohs stated the committee’s role was to recommend ways to perform our business to be more environmentally friendly, stating the Manager will determine how to facilitate the recommendations. Ms. Anderson recommended the committee research other cities’ recycling policies. Mr. Simmons recommended the committee use the Green Community Challenge as a baseline for the City. 2. Battery Disposal and CFL Recycling - Ms. Eichorst stated the City could provide the battery mailing boxes at each fire station, recommending a bill stuffer to get the information to residents, letting everyone know there are too many components to recycling the batteries efficiently. Commission Comment Ms. Anderson reminded everyone of the Pearce Cedar Creek Sustainability Conference on March 15, 2014. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 5:41PM. 3