Sustainable BC Committee

City of Battle Creek Sustainable BC Committee 150 N. Kendall St Room 204 Battle Creek, MI Wednesday, August 5, 2015 4:00 p.m. Members Present : Kathy Antaya, Susan Anderson, Comm. Andy Helmboldt, Tiffany Welsh, Michael Myszka, Randall Champlin, Christine Kosmowski, Devon Gibson Members Absent : Kurt Tribbett Others : Vicki Houser, City Clerk; Alicia Sackett, Deputy City Clerk Call to Order : Kathy Antaya called the meeting to order at 4:04 PM, noting a quorum was present. Public Comment : Rolph Heubel, 250 Champion, expressed his concerns regarding the harmful effects of concrete on the environment, noting it is a product that does not last long. Mr. Heubel stated he has done some research on alternative pavement products for local sidewalks, stating the Federal Center recently installed permeable pavement, with a rough rubbery top layer, with other layers below that help to filter water. Comm. Helmboldt stated a similar type of permeable pavement was recently installed at Willard Beach. Ms. Welsh noted only some of the parking lot is permeable, stating it takes a lot of continued maintenance as the material fills with dirt and needs to be power washed often. Mr. Heubel stated the company he found was Rubberway, stating they indicate the product is less costly than concrete, with many options available, stating more information was available at sustainablesurfacing.com. Ms. Antaya stated Grand Valley State University uses permeable pavement throughout their campus, stating she was unsure of the material used for sidewalks. Mr. Gibson stated a similar product is also used for running tracks and playgrounds. Ms. Kosmowski noted Willard Beach has porous asphalt, not rubberized pavement. Ms. Antaya emphasized the Committee did not have the authority to mandate how the City completes projects, noting however that the Committee’s role is to research and recommend environmental and sustainable projects to the City and the Commission. Approval of Minutes : A motion was made by Andy Helmboldt, supported by Mike Myszka, to approve the June 3, 2015 meeting minutes. All yes, none opposed. Motion approved. Additions or Deletions to the Agenda : Mr. Myszka requested a topic of Milkweed and Butterflies be added to New Business. Member Updates/ Report s: A. City Energy Efficiency Activities Ms. Welsh stated the blowers at WWTP would be replaced, producing a 20% energy saving. B. City Commission Updates Comm. Helmboldt stated there have not been many updates recently, stating goals and results regarding sustainability were still being worked on. C. Environmental Programs Update 1  Ms. Welsh stated there have been meetings regarding the best location for the Big Belly Solar Recycler, stating there were plans to move it to the Farmers Market Festival Square, stating they were still determining the best location as they wanted to ensure it was visible and used often. Ms. Welsh also informed the committee of the upcoming Recycle Rama event, a collaboration with Calhoun County, taking place at Bailey Park, August 29, 2015 from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. Ms. Kosmowski stated the Kanoe the Kazoo would take place the following weekend, stating spaces had already filled with participants. Old Business A. Draft : Sustainable BC Committee Report to the City Commission Ms. Antaya requested committee members review the draft report to the Commission, thanking everyone for their contributions. Ms. Antaya discussed some of the content of the report, requesting committee members consider other wording. Committee members agreed the report should include a comment that the City was awarded the Green Communities Challenge award, noting that although they were proud of the accomplishment, much work was still needed to be an environmental leader in the state, stating the Green Communities Challenge could be seen as a stepping stone to future accomplishments. The Committee agreed to note the importance of strong environmental leadership from the Commission to develop a sustainable plan, asking for direction to make Battle Creek a more environmentally recognized city, which would help to draw more young residents to the City. The Committee also decided to summarize both the opportunities and challenges for the City, expressing caution that past initiatives did not contain any guidance to determine if the results were measurable, thus unable to determine success. Committee members expressed a need to keep the report positive and succinct, noting they were building on success, citing the positive things in the City. Committee members discussed Grand Rapids’ website, stating it showed the city’s goals, results, an action plan and a dashboard, including a sustainability plan and a climate change resiliency plan. Comm. Helmboldt reminded the Committee that City staff was working on goals and results, with a dashboard to be developed also. Ms. Antaya asked the Committee if they wanted to keep the comments regarding the 15 x 15 initiative, stating it is uncertain whether the goals were met as they are unsure how to measure the data. Committee members agreed it was not prudent to dwell on past initiatives, stating it would take substantial time for staff to gather data and determine the results, stating the initiative did not include a system to measure the results. Committee members discussed the need for a City Facilities Management department, tasked with a comprehensive plan to collect and analyze data for all of the City’s facilities, stating the savings generated by new initiatives could help to fund the position. Committee members also recognized the need to continue to conduct City business, working to do the most possible with available resources, while still having one person devoted to research and implementation of an environmental program. Mr. Champlin and Mr. Myszka agreed to work on a final draft of the report to the City Commission. B. Letter of Recommendation to BC Vision (final draft) Committee members discussed the draft letter to BC Vision, recommending the letter include an offer from the Committee to assist their task force. Ms. Kosmowski recommended the letter include language relative to BC Vision’s goals, noting how environmental and sustainable initiatives provide economic, environmental and social impact by noting the importance of natural resources on a community, thus creating a culture of vitality. Mr. Champlin recommended the letter also include good community planning and governance. 2  Ms. Anderson stated she would be attending the meeting the following evening and was hoping to be able to read the letter, also suggesting links to helpful resources. New Business: A. Food Policy Coalition Update : Mr. Gibson discussed the Urban Agricultural Policy Proposal Synopsis, providing a handout to Committee members, stating their volunteer is working with the Planning Department on changes. Mr. Myszka expressed concern with the word “hen,” asking if it was limited to chickens, stating it may also include turkeys, ostrich, and other fowl. Committee members discussed the challenges and opportunities of urban farming, expressing concerns raised by neighbors. B. Review/Reset Committee Goals : Ms. Antaya stated this item would be postponed to the next meeting, requesting Committee members review the goals. C. Milkweed and Butterflies Mr. Myszka requested the City consider a habitat to support monarch butterflies, suggesting an area along the river off Jackson Street, stating it would need to be a “no mow zone”. Comm. Helmboldt asked how large the area needed to be, stating the City should consider having a butterfly garden in every unused lot or area throughout the City. Ms. Welsh suggested volunteers plant milkweed along the river while participating in the river cleanup event, and creating signage to mark the area. Comm. Helmboldt noted the important educational component of wildlife programs for future generations. Committee Comment /Announcements Ms. Kosmowski stated a damage report was developed through the Oil Spill Natural Resources Damage Assessment, stating funds were released for a feasibility study of removing the “Concrete Channel”, to return the area to a more natural state, while still providing flood control. Ms. Kosmowski noted the Army Corps of Engineers had looked at removing the concrete channel in the past, but had determined the project would be too costly, noting also the channel was not constructed as designed. Next Meeting : The next meeting of the Sustainable BC Committee is scheduled for October 7, 2015 at 4:00 pm. at the Department of Public Works in Room 204. The work group gathering will be September 2, 2015 at the Cricket Club. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 5:53 PM. 3