Environmental Sustainability Council

Environmental Services Council Agenda Thursday, Sept 19, 2013 7:30 - 9:30 pm Dogwood Room, G Corridor 1. Call to Order 2. Public Comments 3. Approval of Minutes (July 2013) 4. New Business • Dan Conant- Solar Program Director, Community Power Network o Presentation and discussion of ways to expand interest in solar installations • Suzanne Updike o Impact of commercial pesticide on local pollinators • CACT memo requesting EDA funds for wayfinding signs and sharrows 5. Old Business • South Washington Small Area Plan Comments (due Sept 30) • Stormwater Ordinance Comments (Work Session Oct 21, 2nd reading Oct 28) 6. Discussion items 7. Informational Items • Stormwater Credit Task Group Update • EPA Green Power Community Challenge update • ESC state legislation program update 8. Set Next Meeting • Dogwood Room, 7:30 p.m. October 17, 2013 9. Adjournment The City of Falls Church is committed to the letter and spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act. To request a reasonable accommodation for any type of disability call (703) 248-5456, (TTY 711).  Falls Church Environmental Services Council Thursday September 19, 2013 - 7:30 - 9:07 pm Dogwood Room, G Corridor Minutes - Prepared by Sarah Bayldon 1. Call to Order Members present: Tim Stevens (Chair), Ray Arnaudo, Sarah Bayldon, Bill Schellstede and Suzanne Updike. City Staff present: Allison Lohrenz 2. July minutes approved. 3. Guest speaker: Dan Conant, Solar Program Director, Community Power Network (CPN), presented information about how to expand the use of solar power in communities. He listed 3 suggestions: ‘individual groupings’ allowing small groups of citizens to benefit from bulk purchasing discounts; municipal uses such as schools and city buildings; and incorporation into construction for affordable housing programs. CPN is available to provide information and assistance in increasing use of solar power. 4. Susan Updike spoke about the impact of commercial pesticide application on private property and its effects on local pollinators and neighbors. The pesticides kill more than mosquitos (monarchs, bees, wasps, fish in ponds), are toxic to cats and get into the water. The question is whether at the least the city can require notification of neighbors before applications are made. 5. We discussed the biking statement and agreed with the language, for which Sarah had made two suggestions, one of which was okayed, the other knocked off. 6. Small area plan –Suzanne suggested we move the last sentence up for more emphasis. 7. Stormwater ordinance – The Chesapeake Bay Interdisciplinary Review Board (CBIRD) will morph into the Stormwater Management Review Team. The planning commission is no longer involved, just Public Works and the City Council. It allows for more public input but the notification of meetings should expand. Some members expressed concern about backlash to the plan, once the fees are announced. 8. Tim Stevens noted that Phil Duncan, Dave Snyder and Cindy Mester have responded positively to the items we asked to send to the state legislature.  Fairfax EQAC and the Arlington E2C2 both support Community Net Metering but Dominion Power is expected to oppose it. 9. Tim read a note from Annette Mills, formerly on the City Staff in Environmental job and liaison to ESC. She provided a short history of the ESC as well as having written a letter to the FC News Press in support of efforts to become the first Green Power Community in Virginia. 10. Allison gave updates on the recent city stormwater project hires. There is a new GIS person and Stormwater Engineer. 7. Next meeting: October 17 (Minutes: Adriance) 8. Adjournment - at 9:07