Sustainable BC Committee

City of Battle Creek Sustainable BC Committee 150 N. Kendall St Room 204 Battle Creek, MI Wednesday, January 04, 2017 4:00 p.m. Members Present : Comm. Flores, Tiffany Welsh, Kurt Tribbett, Susan Anderson, Comm. Helmboldt, Kathy Antaya and Olivia Jayacar Members Absent : Christine Kosmowski, Michael Myszka, Comm. Faris and Sarah Kelly Others : Alicia Sackett, Deputy City Clerk; Jacob Schacht, Asst. to the City Manager; Joe Sobieralski; Chris Dopp; DPW Engineering Director and Don Bradstreet Call to Order : Comm. Flores called the meeting to order at 4:04pm, noting a quorum was present. Public Comment : There were none. Approval of Minutes : A motion was made by Kurt Tribbett and supported by Kathy Antaya to approve the minutes from November 2, 2016 and December 7, 2016. All yes, none opposed. Minutes approved. Additions or Deletions to the Agenda : There were none. Member Updates/Reports: Solar gardens project: Joe Sobieralski from Battle Creek Unlimited spoke about a potential Solar Gardens project. Mr. Sobieralski stated that power is a large component in the industrial world for driving business. Many large companies have a sustainability mission or green mission. The goal of this project is to attract businesses to Battle Creek, particularly the Fort Custer Industrial Park. Consumers Energy is very interested in partnering with this project as part of their mission to be more energy efficient. Many questions remain and we are in the very beginning stages. The Committee discussed the Solar Gardens project. This Committee will reach out to Mr. Sobieralski for more details in the future. Nation Guard Climate Change Plan: Chris Dopp gave a presentation sharing a handout “Adaptation Planning for Climate Resilience”. Mr. Dopp attended a meeting at the Fort Custer Training Center, about 4-5 months ago. They are evaluating the vulnerability and safety in the area from a military stand point, looking at infrastructure and the effects on the base and surrounding communities. Part of this process was to compare Fort Custer to other bases for the missile defense contracts. If selected to be the east coast missile defense base this will have a great impact on the economy. Climate change and the number of endangered species in the area is a concern as well. This is an action plan for the entire area not just Battle Creek. This is a working plan and still has future refinement to be done. Mr. Dopp explained that this is the Military wanting to become self-sufficient and independent. Mr. Dopp believes they will be reaching out when they are ready to move ahead with this project to utilize the City’s expertise. The Committee discussed the potential future of this project. City Energy Efficiency : Kurt Tribbett shared that the secondary process at Waste Water is continuing, now 70% through the plan and by February we hope to be at 90%. Our consultant will be at the next meeting to give a presentation. Mr. Tribbett stated that at the Water Plant we just received a report on the potential energy savings. They have found that we have a pump near failing, this will be replaced in the near future. We are also trying to limit usage during peak hours. It was also recommended to lower our water tower water levels at least 3 feet to help with electrical savings. 1 Mr. Tribbett also noted that solar energy at the Water Plant has been discussed. Environmental Programs Update : Tiffany Welsh shared;  Energy audits are beginning at DPW and the Fire Stations, this is free and non-regulatory.  Registration is now open for the May 12th Children’s Water Festival.  BC Clean Water Partners web site is being decommissioned and a new site will be up soon.  Waste Management will be rolling out a new customer service tool online for citizens.  Bill insert for 2017 events to be out by February.  36,000 calendar were prints with only about 1800 left.  January 14th from10am-12pm Styrofoam collections will take place at DPW. City Commission updates : Comm. Flores stated that the Urban Agriculture Ordinance was introduced and passed at the Commission meeting and will be adopted at the next Commission meeting. Comm. Helmboldt gave an update on the rezoning of an undeveloped parcel near Capital and Riverside which has been denied. This is a big chunk of land and the owner wanted the entire parcel rezoned from residential to commercial. Comm. Helmboldt noted that possible changes may come the future. Old Business : Ms. Welsh has not received any additional comments from this Committee on the Sustainability Plan. Ms. Welsh would like some direction on areas of focus, goals and actions, from this Committee. The Committee discussed potential changes and or improvements to the Plan outline. Comm. Flores will get with Ms. Welsh to determine how to get the Sustainability Plan moving forward. New Business: Comm. Helmboldt moved approve the 2017 meeting schedule and Kathy supported the motion. All yes, none opposed. Motion approved. Member Comment/Announcements : none at this time. Next Meeting : The next meeting of the Sustainable BC Committee is scheduled February 1, 2017 at 4:00 p.m. at the Department of Public Works in Room 204. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 5:32 PM by Comm. Flores. 2