Environmental Sustainability Board

ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY BOARD Wednesday, November 5, 2025 Conference Room 201 Regular Session 6:30 PM SECOND FLOOR OF CITY HALL 7008 SOUTH RICE AVENUE BELLAIRE, TX 77401 Agenda Chair Giles Dunn Vice Chair Secretary Board Member Patricia Ritter Phil Robertson Eyitayo (Tayo) Aina Board Member Board Member Board Member Elena Diiorio Stephanie Goldfield Pernia Latif Board Member Board Member Michelle Mastin Vacancy City of Bellaire Texas Page 1 of 33 Agenda Environmental Sustainability Board November 5, 2025 REGULAR SESSION - 6:30 P.M. A. Call to Order and Announcement of a Quorum - Giles Dunn, Chair. B. Approval of Minutes: Consideration of and possible approval of the minutes of the Regular Sessions of the Environmental Sustainability Board of the City of Bellaire, Texas (ESB), held on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, and on Wednesday, October 1, 2025 - Submitted by Eyitayo (Tayo) Aina (September) and Phil Robertson (October). 2025_9_3 ESB Meeting Minutes 2025_10_01 ESB Meeting Minutes C. Introduction of Visitors - Giles Dunn, Chair. D. Citizen Comments. Note: Citizen Comments are limited to up to three (3) minutes per person. E. Council Liaison Comments - Jackie Georgiou, Council Member. F. Public Works Update - Mark Velasquez, Director of Public Works, or his Designee. G. Board Business: Discussion and possible action on the following topic(s): 2025_11_05 ESB Supporting Materials58 1. Administrative/General Items of Business. a. ESB Calendar 2. Review and Comment from the ESB Subcommittees. a. The Natural World i. Subcommittee Presents Updates on their Top Three Initiatives ii. Board Feedback b. Trash, Recycling, and Resource Conservation i. Subcommittee Presents Updates on Their Top Three Initiatives ii. Board Feedback c. Energy Infrastructure and Sustainability i. Subcommittee Presents Updates on Their Top Three Initiatives City of Bellaire Texas Page 2 of 33 Agenda Environmental Sustainability Board November 5, 2025 ii. PKR to Present Walkability PPT iii. Board Feedback Bellaire-Walkability-Vision _ H. New Business: Any ESB Member who wishes to bring New Business to the attention of the ESB shall do so now. Note: Consideration of New Business shall be for the limited purpose of determining whether the matter is appropriate for inclusion on a future Agenda of the ESB or for referral to staff for investigation. I. Adjournment. Next Meeting: Regular Session, Wednesday, December 3, 2025. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), requests for accommodations, interpretive services, or other special arrangements can be provided to assist with your participation in this public meeting. Please contact the City of Bellaire's ADA Coordinator, Alison Ford, at (713) 662-8257 or by email at aford@bellairetx.gov at least 48 hours prior to the meeting so that reasonable accommodations can be made. City Hall is wheelchair accessible and accessible parking spaces are available in the City Hall parking lot. City of Bellaire Texas Page 3 of 33  Environmental Sustainability Board (ESB) Board Meeting Wednesday, September 3, 2025 Meeting Minutes - DRAFT A. Call to Order and Announcement of a Quorum The regular Environmental Sustainability Board (ESB) was held via an in-person meeting with all participants at the City Hall (conference room 201). Giles Dunn, ESB Chair, called the meeting to order at 6:46 PM on Wednesday September 3, 2025. There was a quorum of members present. Voting ESB Members Present: Giles Dunn, Tayo Aina, Michelle Mastin, Stephanie Goldfield, Pernia Latif Absent: Patricia Ritter, Elena Diiorio, Phil Robertson, Clifford Ktauss Non-Voting ESB Members Present: Jackie Georgiou, City Services representative Shaniqua Absent: Votes Taken During Meeting 1. Minutes of August 2025 Meeting – approved B. Approval of Minutes • Minutes for August 2025 approved without comment C. Introduction of Visitors D. Visitor Comments • No comments E. Council Liaison Update • Jackie: o Updates were provided by Council Liaison Jackie on Randalls, ongoing Bellaire Flood mitigation workshop, economic developer, and the budget. o Jackie also commented on the increase in contract approval threshold from previous amount of $50K to new threshold of $100K. Environmental Sustainability Board (ESB) – September 3, 2025 Minutes Page 1 of 3 Page 4 of 33  F. City Services Update • City Services Representative Shaniqua: o Working on planning for the October Recycling Event. o Shared the monthly Waste Management document showing fees paid for recycling collection. G. Board Business Discussion and possible action on the following topic(s): 1. Administrative / General Items of Business. o Mention of the new Texas act on meeting agenda communications • Giles: Covered overview slides and in future will be providing slides at the time the agenda is published. There will be lots of focus on communication and public outreach, transparency. Ideas to expand recycling event window for additional hours and keeping costs down simultaneously with vendor negotiations. • Mentioned Sharon confirmed ESB receiving shirts. Question and discussion by all on color of ESB shirts. • Food composting event update discussed. Mention of event registration concerns and context of composting instructions. • Discussion on working with Bella using short videos to educate and communicate with residents. Idea discussed on using residents as participants in videos as opposed to Bella alone. • Revie of ESB Calendar and initiatives • Recycling Event: o Detailed discussion on cost potential cost savings expanding event window from planned 2hr window to accommodate more resident participation. o Based on review of prior events, several opportunities to improve the vendor acquisition process to comply with City standards identified. o Discussed volunteer support for the event from Board members. • Giles (Learning Academy): o Confirmed that Patricia will take point on ESB learning academy. o Discussed the possibility of making ESB learning academy events hybrid with video and remote connectivity support. 2. Review and Comment from the ESB Subcommittees. • See attached slides a. The Natural World (Pernia provided subcommittee update) i. Subcommittee presents updates on their top three initiatives; and ii. Board Feedback Environmental Sustainability Board (ESB) – September 3, 2025 Minutes Page 2 of 3 Page 5 of 33 Cost of net zero project update presented. Flower planting initiative (e.g. 10 X10) garden of select weather resistant and ornamental Texas native plants and publicize using existing Houston and Bellaire print media outlets. Maintenance concerns were discussed. • Pernia provided context of working idea on water conservation practices, gadgets etc. b. Trash, Recycling, and Resource Conservation (Micki presented update) See updates in general business items section. i. Subcommittee presents updates on their top three initiatives; and ii. Board Feedback c. Energy Infrastructure and Sustainability (Tayo presented update) i. Subcommittee presents updates on their top three initiatives; and ii. Board Feedback Tayo: EIS progressing engagement plan with on workability initiative and utilizing Artificial intelligence to build evergreen register of EIS ideas. H. New Business o Question discussed if ESB was planning to have a booth at the pumpkin Patch Day event and if the event was still happening or not. I. Adjournment 1. Next meeting to be held on Wednesday October 2, 2025 2. Giles made a motion to adjourn 3. Meeting adjourned at 7:29pm Environmental Sustainability Board (ESB) – September 3, 2025 Minutes Page 3 of 3 Page 6 of 33  ESB – October 1st Board Meeting Cycle Name Board Role Initials Present Absent Attendance Giles Dunn Chair GD X 3/3 Patricia King-Ritter Vice-Chair PKR X 2/3 Phil Robertson Secretary PR X 2/3 Elena Dilorio Member ED X 2/3 Pernia Latif Member PL X 2/3 Micki Mastin Member MM X 3/3 Stephanie Goldfield Member SG X 2/3 Tayo Aina Member EA X 2/3 A.N.Other Member • Council Liaison – Absent • Public Works - Sheneka Gulley (PW-SG) • Visitor – Steve Hanrahan (V-SH) - Audit Board Public Member. Board Business Notes: • Meeting called to Order @ 18:35 • Prior meeting minutes approved without comment. Public comments: • V-SH o Original member of recycling committee that became ESB Public works update (PW-SG): • September trash stats o Recycling up 12% o Trash down 2% o Limbs down 3% • Everything set for recycling event o All vendors clear to go o Public works bringing 20 people Council Liaison update (): • No update Board Business (GD) Page 7 of 33  • Discussion regarding whether we need to share more information regarding the recycling event. • Discussion regarding subcommittee meeting cadence. Recommend targeting subcommittee meetings during week 2/3 of the month to ensure updates are ready to comply with new 7 day public notice requirements for ESB meeting. • Need to finalize logo and tagline for ESB branding to enable more aggressive marketing communications push. EIS feedback. • Walkability (PKR) o Walkability slide deck to be updated Recycling Feedback (PL) • Discussion regarding support for pumpkin patch engagement. Need ideas to bring in the kids. Natural World feedback (MM) • Videos on hold • CoB signed up with Water Sense o Partners with Citys o Performs water audit, provides ideas and feedback o Recommendations for setting sprinkler systems to be effective and reduce water waste. New business • None GD adjourned. Page 8 of 33  Environmental Sustainability Board Meeting Materials City of Bellaire November 5, 2025 Page 9 of 33  City of Bellaire Resources Bellaire Collects OneBellaire Mobile App Stay informed and engaged in Bellaire Bellaire Collects allows you to find from anywhere! information quickly and conveniently for our recycling and trash collection Download the OneBellaire mobile app for programs. anytime, anywhere access to community news, information, and resources. By entering your address, Bellaire Collects Use it to: will let you know when your next collection • Find events & meeting information date is on the calendar. • Access the latest news & information from the City of Bellaire Using the Waste Wizard, you can also learn • Look up trash & recycling information how to dispose of certain items properly. • Pay bills online and much more! Download it now on any Android or Apple Download it now on any Android or Apple smartphone or tablet from Google Play or smartphone or tablet from Google Play or the Apple App Store. Search for Bellaire the Apple App Store. Search for Collects. OneBellaire Page 10 of 33  City of Bellaire Resources (Cont’d) Water Monitoring Resources Register and access from this link: https://belltx.aquahawk.us § The Bellaire resident utility portal powered by AquaHawk is a free service for City of Bellaire customers that allows the customer to monitor their own water usage, set and receive alerts, and gives them the tools to control monthly water bills. § Customers interested in using the portal must register to create a new account. Page 11 of 33  Recent ESB AchievementsJan 2023 Jan 2023 Dec 2024 Oct 2024 Mar/Apr ‘25 April 2025 Solar Panel Bellaire AquaHawk ESB Learning Food Diversion Water Sense Installation Collects App Program Water Water City Bellaire City Hall Trash calendar monitoring conservation City Bellaire Sept 2024 Nov/Dec ‘24 Oct 2024 May 2025 Oct 2024 Apr 2025 Air Bee n Bee Pumpkin Bellaire ESB Learning NDC Pumpkin Earth Day Composting Recycling Day Patch Girl Scouts / Waste Mulberry Park City Bellaire City Bellaire Management City Bellaire Evelyn’s Park April 2025 Oct 2025 Oct 2025 Dark Skies Bellaire NDC Pumpkin Proclamation Recycling Day Patch Page 12 of 33 City of Bellaire City Bellaire City Bellaire  NDC Pumpkin Patch! Page 13 of 33  Recycling Day! Page 14 of 33  ESB Branding Overview Original concepts: During the 10/1/25 Board meeting, ESB leadership presented some concepts for new ESB branding to allow an increased marketing communications effort. Concepts were taken from meeting and uploaded into GenAI tools to create brand options. The primary goal is to create a new brand identity that encapsulates the goals of ESB that can be used to communicate with the community and create awareness. The brand concept will be leveraged on all print media associated with ESB activities, as well as utilized for apparel and other items to drive public awareness. Core brand objectives: Professional civic tone, community warmth, and environmental clarity, ideal for the Bellaire Environmental Sustainability Board (ESB) Page 15 of 33  ESB Branding Taglines 🥇 Rooted in Sustainability ✅ Timeless, simple, and symbolic. It conveys stability, long-term commitment, and ties perfectly to the “tree” logo concept. 🥈 Guiding Bellaire’s Green Future ✅ Forward-looking and civic-minded. Positions the ESB as a leader and trusted steward of the city’s environmental journey. 🥉 Community Roots, Sustainable Future ✅ Warm and inclusive. Emphasizes shared responsibility and the link between local connection and sustainability. 🌿 Leading the Way to a Greener Bellaire ✅ Action-oriented and clear. Sounds official yet optimistic—ideal for communication with residents and city partners. 🌞 Rooted in Community, Growing a Greener Future ✅ Balances both identity and mission. Combines the rooted metaphor with a sense of growth, collaboration, and progress. Page 16 of 33  ESB Logo Options Logo Options: Initial GenAI output: V2 GenAI Output: V3 GenAI Output: •Good starting point •Ensures reference to Bellaire •Simplified concepts •Need to ensure connection to Bellaire in all options •Provides more options for •Disconnected tagline from logo •Need to ensure clarity of connection to ESB incorporating taglines •Need to ensure logo can be easily replicated on all •Potentially too complex output media •Simple is better for recognition (can a kid draw it?) Page 17 of 33  Preliminary ESB Calendar 2025/2026 Q1 2026 CIty Hall No Presentation to City EIS PKR Presentation/Education Council Page 18 of 33  ESB Top Initiatives by Subcommittee Page 19 of 33  Bellaire Walkability Vision Asystem of planned routes for walking and cycling to transform our community Presented by the Environmental Sustainability Board Page 20 of 33 Page 21 of 33 Page 22 of 33  Ability to walk or roll in neighborhood Page 23 of 33  Why Walkability Matters Quality of Life Local Economy Accessibility Encourages walking, family outings, and Increases foot traffic to small businesses. More inclusive for seniors, children, and healthier lifestyles through daily activity. Property values tend to be higher and more people with disabilities. Reduces car Reduces noise and air pollution from short stable. Attracts new residents and visitors. dependency with safer crossings and better car trips. lighting. Page 24 of 33  Community & Environmental Benefits Community Identity Walkable areas foster chance encounters, local events, and strong sense of place. Makes streets feel more connected, not just for commuting. Environmental Resilience Fewer vehicle miles traveled equals lower greenhouse gas emissions. Opportunities to combine walkability projects with stormwater improvements. Page 25 of 33  Think of the Possibilities…… Acomprehensive system connecting all four quadrants of Bellaire with key destinations 1 2 Bellaire Loop 1 City Centre Loop 4.08 miles connecting all four quadrants. Primary loop resolving 3.35 miles of low-traffic routes. Short Phase 1 option at 1.74 major thoroughfare navigation challenges. miles available. 3 4 Nature Loop Commerce Fork 1.63 miles with Brays Bayou connection. Low-conflict route Connects Bellaire commercial center to main network for linking to existing bayou trails. business district access. Page 26 of 33  Possibilities…… Start with routes requiring minimal infrastructure investment Nature Loop Implementation • No major street conflicts to resolve • Direct connection to Brays Bayou trails • 1.63 miles of immediate walkability City Centre Short Loop • All conflicts have existing traffic signals • Simple timing changes for weekend days • 1.74 miles connecting key destinations Page 27 of 33  Other Possibilities…….. City Centre Loop Full Bellaire Loop 1 South & West Leverage existing signals at Evergreen &Chimney Rock. Add Pedestrian-only signal at N 2nd pedestrian-only signal at Holly &Bissonnet. Paseo Park traffic &Chimney Rock. island to deconflict vehicles and pedestrians. I-610 Transit Shuttle Short shuttle system carrying walkers and cyclists across I-610. Piloted vehicle with call system, potential for automation. Page 28 of 33  Think Innovative Solutions: Paseo Park Reimagining the Bellaire Blvd corridor around Paseo Park to deconflict traffic and enable walkability Traffic Island Design Pedestrian Priority 2nd St becomes northbound only, 3rd St becomes Add pedestrian-only traffic signals at 2nd St/Bellaire Blvd southbound only, creating a protected traffic island intersections. Reduces vehicle-pedestrian conflicts and around Paseo Park. improves safety. Page 29 of 33  Need to think about…. 01 02 Street Planning Design Treatments Assess existing conditions and define routes connecting schools, parks, and Shared lane markings, painted lanes, high-visibility crosswalks, and pavement neighborhoods. signage. 03 04 Traffic Calming Community Engagement Lower speed limits, flashing beacons, yield signs, and improved lighting along Public input sessions with students, parents, businesses, and seniors to build routes. support. Page 30 of 33  Shared Roadway Strategy Driver Access Drivers may enter walkability zones for regular driving. Lines and markings naturally deter high speeds. Clear Rules Clearly communicated rules for walkability zones. Signposts at junctions and surface demarcation for visually impaired. Education Community education programs to ensure all users understand new markings and shared space etiquette. Page 31 of 33  Next Steps: Investment in Study Recommended Actions 1. Authorize comprehensive walkability study 2. Conduct detailed traffic analysis at 16 identified conflict points 3. Engage community through public input sessions 4. Develop phased implementation budget 5. Pilot Phase 1 routes within 12 months Investment in walkability creates lasting value: healthier residents, stronger economy, and a more connected Bellaire. Page 32 of 33  Backup Information Page 33 of 33