Environmental Sustainability Council

Minutes Falls Church Environmental Services Council Thursday, November 15, 2012 7:30 - 9:30 pm Magnolia Room, G Corridor ESC Council members: Bill Schellstede, Peter Adriance, Raymond Arnaudo, Sarah Bayldon, Peter Oppenheimer, Tim Stevens, Suzanne Updike, Present: Bill Schellstede (Chairman pre October 21, 2012), Peter Adriance, Sarah Bayldon, Peter Oppenheimer, Tim Stevens (Newly elected Chairman), Suzanne Updike, Allison Lohrenz – City Staff Liaison Minutes of October meeting approved. New Business Members vote on a new ESC Chair Chairman Bill Schellstede expressed his desire to step down as chairperson following the October 2012 ESC meeting. Mr. Schellstede will remain active member of the ESC. After informing the City Clerk’s office of the resignation, the ESC members elected Tim Stevens as the new ESC chairperson. Mr. Stevens term will run from November 2012‐November 2014 or until his current term expires on February 28, 2015. Old Business ESC bylaws rewrite update Tim presented Ray Arnaudo’s edits on the ESC bylaws. Peter Oppenheimer suggests a few additional corrections and additions. A few issues need clarification by the City Attorney. Legislation Program The ESC submitted a letter to the City Council regarding suggested legislation for the 2013 session. The City Council approved both recommendations. The packet contains wording in support of Purchase Power Agreements and plastic bag legislation. Council will vote on December 10. Our regional advocacy groups (Fairfax, Arlington, and Fairfax City) in surrounding jurisdictions support the same goals. Stormwater Utility Update Stormwater Utility update – Figuring out item costs and benchmarking stormwater projects. Questions discussed: Should all stormwater expenses go into the utility fund or only some of them. Seed money – how will the city fund start‐up expenses How to allocate costs ‐ % impervious surfaces vs. add to property tax To address all city flooding issues now ‐ $40 million/ 20 proj approved/7 proj not approved Informational Items Recycling Report – We are #2 in Virginia this year but our recycling rate is up and overall solid waste tonnage decreased. We discussed the Green Energy Program and promoting it to become the first Green Power Community in Virginia. Meeting adjourned at 9:20 PM.