Environmental Sustainability Council

Agenda Environmental Services Council Thursday November 21, 2013 7:30 pm Magnolia Room, G Corridor 1 . Call to Order 2. Public Comments 3. Approval of Minutes (Oct 2013) 4. New Business • Andrea Reese, Land Conservation Specialist • 2013 Accomplishments 5. Old Business • Stormwater credit system update • Consumer disposable bag legislation 6. Discussion items • Budget process and discussion 7. Informational Items 8. Set Next Meeting 9. Adjournment  APPROVED Minutes Falls Church Environmental Services Council Thursday, November 21, 2013 7:30 - 9:30 pm Magnolia Room ESC Council members: Peter Adriance, Raymond Arnaudo, Sarah Bayldon, Peter Oppenheimer, Tim Stevens, Suzanne Updike, Bill Schellstede Present: Tim Stevens (Chairman), Peter Adriance, Sarah Bayldon, Peter Oppenheimer, Suzanne Updike, Bill Schellstede, Ray Arnaudo, Allison Lohrenz – City Staff Liaison Visitors: Karen Oliver, City Council Member Elect, Andreas Reese, Land Conservation Specialist, Northern Virginia Conservation Trust; Jason Widstrom - City Staff Tim Stevens and the ECS members welcomed Ms Oliver to the meeting and thanked her for expressing interest in the work that we do. We expressed our hope that we could be useful to her and her colleagues in the coming year. Technical Briefing: Conservation Easements and NVCT Ms Reese provided interesting background and technical details with regard to placing land into conservation trusts to protect that land from development. Such codicils to property deeds prevent subsequent owners from making changes to the land that would threaten its ecological properties; NVCT enforces such provisions. NVCT manages conservations trusts throughout Northern Virginia, including property in Falls Church, for example, the Boy Scout lodge. Ms. Reese stated that she would continue to reach out in the Falls Church community to build partnerships and help look for conservation opportunities in our area. Additional, Ms. Reese is willing to set up a viewing of “Green Fire” if there is interest. Old Business Stormwater Credit Task Force - Tim Stevens updated the ESC on progress in implementing the Stormwater Credit System. The committee charged with defining the incentive scheme for encouraging the adoption of BMPs has completed its work. Credit on the stormwater fee will be granted on the placement of certified BMPs at a rate of 30% for reduction in the quantity of runoff from a lot, 30% for improvement in the quality of that runoff, and 10% for SWIPs (Storm water implementation plans), aimed mostly for residential lots. Stormwater Ordinance- Jason Widstrom briefed the ESC on the progress to date and plans for the near future in the adoption and implementation of the Storm Water Management Plan. Jason informed us that the Council is unlikely to vote on the Stormwater Ordinance until early next year; there is still discussion about removing the 35% limitation on impermeable surface and replacing it solely with the 0.41 lb./acre/year limit on phosphorus pollution. There was some opinion in the ESC that the simple statement of a 35% limitation was easier for all to understand and was therefore desirable, especially before the restatement of that limit in zoning language has not yet be accomplished. At the same time, the strictly environmental implications in the argument remain are not at all clear. In order to apply the more stringent requirements of the Plan on the several large developments slated to begin in the near future, Bill Schellstede moved that the Chair be authorized to communicate to the City Council that the ESC strongly recommends that the date for the inception of the requirements be advanced to January 1, 2014; a majority of the ESC approved the motion. Streambed restoration- Jason also briefed the ESC on progress toward two projects for natural streambed restoration, one on Coe Branch, the other on Pearson Branch, both small tributaries to Tripps Run. The improvements will stabilize the channels and mimic natural streams. The $1.8 million cost includes matching funds from the City's new stormwater fees; the matching funds from a federal grant must be expended by end April, and thus construction must be completed in 90 days. Design of the projects included participation of area residents. The Coe Branch project includes daylighting some of the stream. Some 400 trees will be removed to make way for the construction; replacements will include hundreds of trees and other plantings. Several members expressed support for the goals of the projects. Legislative Recommendations Tim Stevens reported that both the recommendations the ESC made to the City Council - recommending the approval of community net metering and permitting local jurisdictions to regulate the use of plastic bags - were forwarded to Richmond by the City and will be submitted to the legislature. Budget – Allison explained the budget process. The initial budget discussions begin in November, ends for staff in January and after multiple discussion between the City Council and School Board, is adopted in April. It was then realized the overall goal of the budget discussion was when is the appropriate time to ask the City Council for more staff or staff resources. It was decided that the earlier the better, summer would be the ideal time with multiple letters ending in December. Adjournment – 9:15 p.m. Next meeting is Thursday, December 19, 2013.