Environmental Sustainability Council

Minutes Falls Church Environmental Services Council Thursday, December 13, 2012 7:00 - 9:30 pm Dogwood Room ESC Council members: Bill Schellstede, Peter Adriance, Raymond Arnaudo, Sarah Bayldon, Peter Oppenheimer, Tim Stevens, Suzanne Updike, Present: Tim Stevens (Chairman), Peter Adriance, Sarah Bayldon, Peter Oppenheimer, Suzanne Updike, Allison Lohrenz – City Staff Liaison Visitors: Seth Heminway, Bob Donaldson, ? New Business W&OD Trail Presentation (Paul Baldino, CACT) – Excellent photographic tour of the 45 mile long path. Paul will present to City Council on Jan. 7, and asked for ESC support on the issues raised and recommendations offered. Some of the issues of interest: bicycle safety at street crossings, improved way finding, improved signage, should Falls Church apply to become a League of American Bicyclists “Bicycle Friendly Community” (as has Arlington and Alexandria). Stormwater Utility Financing (Bill Hicks, Jason Widstrom, and consultant David Bulova) – Speakers shared the presentation given to members of City Council and other Committees. They are recommending establishment of a separate organizational structure (storm water utility) having the ability to assess fees to residents, businesses and perhaps other establishments in the City for the purpose of maintaining storm water infrastructure and to address both flooding needs and water quality mandates. City Council will decide, according to Bill, in April (2013) whether to proceed with the staff’s recommendations. The ESC will discuss at its January meeting comments regarding the plan to be shared with City Council. Key issues are incentives to encourage residents to improve on site storm water infiltration, and public education. Also of interest are the plan’s ability to address TMDL and MS-4 requirements. Old Business ESC bylaws rewrite update – Ray led the discussion on next steps towards completion of the rewrite. Consensus was reached on the following: leave the name Environmental Services Council as is, include City Attorney John Foster’s suggested language regarding quorum, not pursue reduction in member size from nine to seven, include reference to development of an annual report to City Council in March, not require attendance of ESC members on subcommittees. Peter Oppenheimer’s suggested edits will be incorporated, and Ray will consolidate all changes and present a revised version of the document for consideration at the January ESC meeting. Legislation Program – Tim explained that on December 10, City Council adopted the two ESC recommendations for legislation (support Power Purchase Agreements, and support local jurisdiction’s ability to regulate consumer bags) under the category of “Support Positions.” At the December 10 meeting, Council Member Johannah Barry identified our two issues for Senator Saslaw and Delegate Scott, who were in attendance. The 45 day session of the 2013 General Assembly begins on January 9. Adjournment – 9:20. Next meeting is Thursday, January 17, 2013.