Sustainable BC Committee

City of Battle Creek Sustainable BC Committee 150 N. Kendall St. Room 214 Battle Creek, MI Wednesday, September 6, 2017 4:00 p.m. Members Present: Tiffany Welsh, Susan Anderson, Michael Myszka, Kurt Tribbett, Sarah Kelly, Lindsey Johnson, Erin Augustine, Jacob Schacht, Asst. to the City Manager (arrived at 4:12 p.m.); Comm. Flores (arrived at 4:19 p.m.), Comm. Helmboldt (arrived at 4:32 p.m.) Members Absent: Kathy Antaya, Olivia Jayakar, Comm. Faris; Eric Feldt, Planning. Others: Michelle Coats, Clerk’s Office Guests: There were none. Call to Order: Susan Anderson called the meeting to order at 4:11 p.m., noting a quorum was present. Approval of Minutes: A motion made by Kurt Tribbett, supported by Lindsey Johnson to approve the minutes from August 2, 2017 with corrections as noted. All yes, none opposed. Minutes approved. Corrections – Michael Myszka appears on both the list of members present and the list of those absent. He was not present at the meeting; remove from list of members present. Additions or Deletions to the Agenda: None Member Updates/Reports: City Energy Efficiency Activities: Kurt Tribbett brought an update form. They are working on straightening the open water valves that should be closed and recalibrating the model before reducing water pressure. Environmental Program Update: Tiffany Welsh shared updates:  We held an electronics and styrofoam recycling collection in August at DPW. They experienced high turnout from residents and the entire day was very busy. Collections totaled two full 52’ semitrailer loads of electronics, a box truck, and a van; 855 lbs. styrofoam, which is an entire semi load. Next one will be April 7, 2018 as part of Recyclerama.  DEQ performed our integrated assessment energy audits today at DPW and two fire stations. We will receive a report indicating what we can do better, tips, and recommendations. They also provide help with funding. If we find this helpful, we could do other City facilities.  The stormwater utility is moving forward. The group meets again in October.  Crazy for Kazoo river cleanup is on October 7.  We did not receive our wellhead grant this year. This grant funded the children’s water festival, clean water calendar, public advertising, and other water education. Kurt and Tiffany are looking into other funding source opportunities; however, we may not be able to do as much this year. City Commission Update: Comm. Flores indicated there are no updates to share related to Commission, but indicated it is City Manager evaluation time. Commission is evaluating the manager based upon last year’s goals. Old Business: Sustainability planning – prioritization of actions identified at August retreat: Comm. Flores stated today’s goal is to create some priorities and a plan for next year. 1 Ms. Anderson shared a prioritization methodology based upon level of urgency and greatest impact utilizing a grid layout. Her analysis appears to indicate energy-related items seem to rise to the top. One of the most critical impact items to do is to secure the staffing and team to perform the work and address financing resources. Green Community Challenge suggested both an internal team and an external community team. In completing something similar to this, Ms. Augustine used a similar grid of urgency/impact then pulled project items out into a quarter plan. Mr. Myszka clarified the difference between programs and projects. For example, energy efficiency is a program and an energy audit is a project. The distinction need to be in place before creating the plan. Comm. Flores’ understanding was we would identify some actionable items to achieve over the next year based upon the Green Community Challenge. Items could be a mix of both projects and programs. Preliminary discussion of items on the list that are do-able in the next six months. Discussion of how to identify categories for the programs and whether the focus will be just the City itself or include the external greater community. Mr. Schacht indicated his understanding is the focus would be on the City itself. Ms. Welsh observed our original draft has general categories, and the individual GCC items would fit into those categories. Comm. Helmboldt stated that maybe Sustainable BC itself is the overarching program umbrella. Other cities are taking a broader, community-wide integrative approach with an organizational goal of sustainability. Any attempt at integration with that type of a model would come from a decision of a City Commission who wants to make that a priority issue. Comm. Helmboldt left at 5:16 p.m. Discussion and determination of categories to utilize. Discussion and determination of potential projects and placement within appropriate category. Outcome of discussion as follows:  Waste o Backyard composting (self) o Restaurant/residential composting o Parks recycling o Festival & community event waste/recycling  Energy o Energy Data o Renewable energy goal o Energy efficiency for low income housing  Systems o Staffing o Sustainability Plan o Recognition program o Revolving Fund o Purchasing Policy o Green building policy o PACE financing o Climate Action Plan  Land Use o Tree Canopy o Incentivize mixed use development o Brownfield redevelopment o Urban gardens/agriculture  All Water o Rain gardens/impervious surfaces o Water conservation o Stormwater utility 2   Transportation o Fuel efficiency standard/alternative fuel vehicles o Crosswalk/bike lane enforcement o Culture change around non-motorized transportation o Road dieting o Input-transit master plan o Electric vehicle charging stations Lindsay Johnson left at 5:47 p.m. Each member selected two categories and five action items to develop a prioritization list. SUMMARY OF VOTES # of category Category # of action Action Item votes item votes 7 Energy 5 Energy data 5 Renewable energy goal 0 Energy efficiency for low income housing 5 Systems 3 Purchasing policy 3 Building policy 2 Staffing 1 Sustainability plan 0 Recognition program 0 Revolving fund 0 PACE financing 0 Climate action plan 3 Transportation 4 Road dieting 2 Fuel efficiency standard/alternative fuel vehicles 1 Culture change around non-motorized transportation 1 Input-transit master plan 0 Crosswalk/bike lane enforcement 0 Electric vehicle charging stations 1 Land Use 3 Incentivize mixed use development 2 Tree canopy 0 Brownfield redevelopment 0 Urban gardens/agriculture 0 Waste 3 Parks recycling 3 Festivals/events 1 Backyard (self) composting 0 Restaurant/residential composting 0 All Water 1 Rain gardens/impervious surfaces 1 Stormwater utility 0 Water conservation Items with a score of three (3) or higher will become a priority. The committee will take these items another step at the next meeting. New Business: Endorsement Considerations: There is not enough time to discuss the endorsement considerations (Paris Climate Agreement; Line 5 Shutdown) consideration proposed by Sue Anderson. Items will be added to the next meeting. 3 Member Comment/Announcements: Tiffany Welsh shared that the LED street lighting estimate for out at the fort was over $5 million, an estimated annual savings approx. $419,000, with an 11-12 year payoff. There is not funding do to a citywide street lighting LED project at this time. Public Comment: None. . Next Meeting: The next meeting of the Sustainable BC Committee will be on October 4, 2017 4:00 p.m. at DPW. Adjournment: Comm. Flores adjourned the meeting at 6:06 p.m. 4