Sustainable BC Committee

City of Battle Creek Sustainable BC Committee 150 N. Kendall St Multi-Purpose Room Battle Creek, MI Wednesday, June 4, 2014 4:00 p.m. Members Present: Kathy Antaya, Susan Anderson, Comm. Andy Helmboldt, Christine Kosmowski Tiffany Eichorst, and Michael Myszka Members Absent: Randall Champlin, Chris Simmons, Ken Kohs, Devon Gibson, and Becky Spicer Others: Vicki Houser, City Clerk Call to Order: Kathy Antaya called the meeting to order at 4:04 PM. Ms. Antaya 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 Michael Myszka, supported by Sue Anderson, to approve the minutes of the April 2, 2014 meeting. All yes, none opposed. Motion approved. Additions or Deletions to the Agenda: Adaptation planning for Climate Changes Old Business: 1. City Mission/Vision & Incorporating “Sustainability” Comm. Helmboldt stated he would raise the issue of diversity at the next full Commission gathering of the City Mission and Vision Planning Committee. Comm. Helmboldt stated the committee had agreed to stay with 6 of the prior goals for the City, stating one of those goals was Environmental Stewardship. Comm. Helmboldt stated he did talk about the Muskegon and Grand Rapids documents, noting a consensus they were better and more thorough, noting other things had to be in place before a major change could be made. Ms. Kosmowski asked if the goals are for the Commission or the City. Ms. Kosmowski stated this may be a good time to start changes as there are so many other changes going on at the City. Comm. Helmboldt stated the goals would be for the City as a whole, including all departments. Comm. Helmboldt stated there is not time to focus on this issue at this time, stating it will be worked on once a new City Manager is hired. Comm. Helmboldt stated the Commission would not set the individual specific goals, stating staff would be responsible for this. Comm. Helmboldt stated the City Manager Evaluation included an item for Environmental 1  Stewardship, suggesting the Committee make recommendations to the Commission on what the goals or projects may be. Ms. Antaya recommended the committee review the priorities and goals, helping the process by emphasizing ways to accomplish the goals, noting sustainablity includes economic, social, and environmental priorities. 2. MML Green Communities Challenge – Public Award Presentation Ms. Antaya stated they would like to present the award to the Mayor, stating she is waiting to hear back from someone from the MML or the DEQ to present the award. 3. Green Purchasing Guidebook and Policy for City Departments Ms. Antaya said the guidebook should be a useful tool to assist with purchasing. Committee members volunteered to contact the different municipalities, companies and educational institutions for their policies. Ms. Antaya recommended everyone ask for their plans when making contact. 4. Recycling Bin Installation Ms. Eichorst stated Mr. Kohs had contacted the vendor to purchase the recycling bins, noting it has not been completed yet. Ms. Eichorst discussed the City waste refuse service, stating the current service only includes cardboard and paper recycling, stating the truck that allows comingled items will only allow pick ups every two weeks. Ms. Eichorst also informed the Committee that utility bill stuffers would include information on battery and CFL recycling. New Business: 1. Workgroup Report Ms. Anderson noted the Workgroup discussed the bill stuffer, recycling in City offices, and the Mission/Vision goals. The committee also discussed a future goal of eliminating plastic grocery bags. 2. Food Policy Council/Coalition Mr. Gibson stated the Council/Coalition would like to present ideas to the Sustainable BC Committee, asking the Committee to be a conduit to present information to the City Commission. Mr. Gibson stated the food policy would include information on education, food access, land conservation, obesity, and the promotion of food businesses. Comm. Helmboldt cautioned members that the information presented to the Commission would need to fit the Committee’s goals, stating the Committee’s purpose does not discuss peoples’ health. 3. 15 x 15 Status & Tie-in to “30 x 2030” Proposal 2  Ms. Anderson discussed news reports of President Obama’s EPA rules to reduce coal pollution by 30% to end climate change. Ms. Anderson also inquired as to Mr. Myszka progress on the reports for the City’s goal to meet the 15 x 15 plan. Mr. Myszka noted the 30 x 30 plan for the State of Michigan will be different than other states, noting the state had 30 days to submit comments. Mr. Myszka stated the City’s original plan was to use 15% renewable energy resources in City facilities, noting the previous report focused on 2012 data. Mr. Myszka presented information on the City’s usage of renewable energy, stating that 1% of the total energy used by the City is from renewable resources, while 7.5% of heating comes from renewable resources. Mr. Myszka also noted conservation is not a consideration of the 15 x 15 policy, such as LED lighting. Mr. Myszka requested the 2013 information from the City. Ms. Anderson recommended the Committee’s next recommendation to the City Commission include the reduction of emissions. Comm. Helmboldt assured the Committee that sustainability would be a goal for the next City Manager, stating it would be good to provide a report to the City Commission informing them of the progress to the 15% renewable energy resources goal, noting it appeared the only contributing resource was for the wood burner at City Hall. 4. City Regulations – Solar Panels & Wind Turbines Ms. Antaya informed the Committee of a house in Springfield that had both solar panels and wind turbines, asking if anyone was aware of code or building requirements for solar panels and wind turbines. 5. Green Conference Report Ms. Kosmowski stated she attended one day of the Green Conference, stating she got a good sense of support from the other attendees. 6. Adaptation planning for Climate Changes Ms. Anderson noted the cities of Grand Rapids and Flint, and the General Motors Company talked about adaptation policies to address climate changes. Commission Comment Ms. Kosmowski read a draft letter regarding the committee’s recommendation of criteria for the City Manager Search profile, stressing the importance of sustainability in the goals. The Committee worked on a final draft of the letter, requesting Ms. Antaya send the letter to the City Manager Search Committee and the City Goals Committee Chairpersons. 3 A motion was made by Comm. Helmboldt, supported by Mr. Myszka, to approve the letter to be sent to the City Manager Search Committee and the City Goals Committee. Next Meeting: August 6, 2014 at 4:00 pm. at the Department of Public Works Multi-purpose Room. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 5:44 PM. 4