Sustainable BC Committee

City of Battle Creek Sustainable BC Committee 150 N. Kendall St Room 204 Battle Creek, MI Wednesday, October 7 , 2015 4:00 p.m. Corrected Members Present : Kathy Antaya, Susan Anderson, Comm. Andy Helmboldt, Tiffany Welsh, Michael Myszka, Kurt Tribbett, Christine Kosmowski Members Absent : Randall Champlin Others : Vicki Houser, City Clerk Call to Order : Kathy Antaya called the meeting to order at 4:03 PM, noting a quorum was present. Public Comment : None Approval of Minutes : A motion was made by Andy Helmboldt, supported by Sue Anderson, to approve the August 5, 2015 meeting minutes. All yes, none opposed. Motion approved. Additions or Deletions to the Agenda : Correct “Approval of Minutes” to August 5, 2015. Member Updates/ Report s: A. City Energy Efficiency Activities Mr. Tribbett informed the committee that the City was still studying energy savings at the Waste Water Treatment Plant, including changing the blowers, resulting in a 20% overall decrease in energy usage. Mr. Tribbett stated his department would be concentrating on the solid waste handling process, including discussions on digesters and gasifying the waste product. Mr. Tribbett discussed opportunities to apply for SAW grants, which help with long term planning for the city’s infrastructure. Ms. Kosmowski asked if there were any grant opportunities for energy efficiency programs for the city. Ms. Welsh stated staff in each department research the energy efficiency of their proposed programs or improvements. B. City Commission Updates Comm. Helmboldt stated there was not much to report on environmental subjects, stating there would be more information once the City shifts to Priority Based Budgeting. Comm. Helmboldt stated he attended a clean energy session at the Michigan Municipal League Annual Conference. Comm. Helmboldt informed the Committee that the City of Grand Rapids has a goal to use 100% renewable energy resources by 2030 for city facilities, noting they are currently at 46%. Comm. Helmboldt also noted Ms. Fleury was considering a Facilities Manager to review and implement sustainable energy for all city buildings. Ms. Antaya requested the committee consider what they could do to support Ms. Fleury’s efforts of sustainability. C. Environmental Programs Update Ms. Welsh discussed the Big Belly solar recycler, stating it has recently been moved to an area anticipated to have more usage, expressing concerns it was still not highly visible, but that she intends to address this in 2016. Ms. Welsh also informed the Committee that a request for proposal was recently noticed for waste and recycling services for the city, stating she was hoping to incorporate waste refuse services for city facilities, along with resident education programing. 1  Ms. Welsh stated the “Krazy for the Kazoo” event was very successful, with over 150 volunteers. Ms. Welsh also stated the 2016 Clean Water Partners calendar would be available near Thanksgiving. Old Business A. BC Vision Ms. Kosmowski stated she and Ms. Anderson had attended the Culture of Vitality sessions, stating Ms. Anderson was very vocal on the sustainability issue, noting it did not survive the vote. Ms. Kosmowski stated the discussion evolved to reinvigorating the built environment. Ms. Kosmowski said there was a group interested in removing the concrete channel, noting other groups have not gone through the process, but were vague on what they wanted to do. Ms. Kosmowski informed everyone there would be another meeting on the “Culture of Vitality” on Monday at the Kool Center, noting the Steering Committee will make the ultimate decisions based on input received, with a reveal of the final decision later in October. Ms. Anderson expressed her concern the BC Vision process was not clear, stating there was not much opportunity to explain their concerns, stating the committee created a general statement that included several of the other statements. Ms. Antaya stated Committee members needed to remind everyone of the long term benefits of sustainability programs, noting the focus should not always be on the return on investment, stating quality of life should be a consideration. New Business: A. Monarchs Committee members discussed possible milkweed projects, stating there was an article in the local paper. Committee members agreed it would be good to get residents involved, but to caution everyone to leave some milkweed pods intact, while spreading others pods where there is no mowing. Committee members also discussed a local butterfly club that could provide more education to interested residents and students, also suggesting a milkweed garden project for the local Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops. Committee members discussed ways to increase the Monarch population in the city by encouraging residents and groups to increase milkweed gardens throughout the city. B. Review/Reset Committee Goals : Ms. Antaya suggested the Sustainable BC Committee consider goals they want to undertake, coming up with specific ideas to take on. Committee Comment /Announcements Ms. Anderson discussed issues with increasing deer populations, recommending the Committee research other communities’ efforts to control wildlife problems. Next Meeting : The next meeting of the Sustainable BC Committee is scheduled for December 2, 2015 at 4:00 p.m. at the Department of Public Works in Room 204. The work group gathering will be November 4, 2015 at 4:00 p.m. at the Cricket Club. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 5:19 PM. 2