Environmental Sustainability Council

Environmental Services Council Thursday, May 15, 2014 7:30 - 9:30 pm Dogwood Room Minutes 1. Call to Order • Members present: Bill Schellstede, Peter Oppenheimer, Tim Stevens, Peter Adriance, Suzanne Updike • Members absent: Ray Arnaudo, Sara Bayldon • City staff liaison present: Allison Lohrenz 2. Public Comments - None 3. New Business • Fracking in George Washington National Forest – The GW National Forest is a very large area at the headwaters of the Potomac and thus connected to our water supply. It’s controlled by the US Forest Service, which until now prohibited fracking in the GW Forest. They are considering lifting the prohibition. Several jurisdictions are asking that they not do this. The Fairfax county equivalent of ESC discussed this extensively last evening. o Moved and seconded that ESC recommend to Council that it send a letter to the Forest Service stating that they join other jurisdictions in opposing fracking in the GW National Forest. Tim Stevens to draft the letter. Approved unanimously. 4. Old Business • Walking Tour update – Tim & Bill took part in a walking tour of the East Falls Church Metro Station area about a month ago. Ideas are in the aspirational stage so far with many interesting elements, including eliminating the parking lot and creating a west entrance from Washington Street. Do we wish to organize a walking tour in Falls Church around the theme of smart growth? It would need to be defined clearly and perhaps be held in the Fall (rather than the heat of summer). ESC members are encouraged to bring ideas for potential walking tours to the next meeting. 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).  • LEAP Alliance – Do we want the City to enter into an agreement with them to publicize their services? Peter will share with Allison the LEAP MOU from Reston. 5. Informational Items • Kensington Assisted Living Update – The City Council and Planning Commission have approved the project. They agreed to put in conduit for both electric car charging and rooftop solar. • Opt-out provision on smart meters – Some residents have reported that smart meter radio frequencies negatively affect their health. Dominion has agreed to allow residents to opt out, for a fee. • Transportation Plan update – Paul Stoddard thanked ESC for its recommendations. He’s presenting the recommendations to Council on Monday. ESC will support his efforts. • Open Space Chapter Participation – Peter O. is serving on the ad hoc committee to rewrite this chapter of the Comprehensive Plan. • 501-c-3 for Solar on Falls Church schools –The schools are able to set up a 501-c-3 to take donations for solar. To encourage this in Falls Church, Tim is setting up for our school board a tour of a school in Arlington that is installing solar. • Bike to Work Day – This is scheduled for May 16 6. Mosquito spraying – it would be helpful to have more clear information on the website about safe practices. This will be further discussed at a future meeting. 7. Student members of boards and commissions – This is a new trend, which ESC would support. 8. VPIS environmental goals -- ESC supports working with VPIS in reviewing its environmental goals. Tim Stevens has indicated this to Jeff Peterson and is waiting to hear back from him. 9. Set Next Meeting • Thursday, June 19 (Dogwood Room, City Hall) 10. Approval of Minutes (April 2014) 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).