Environmental Sustainability Council

Environmental Services Council Thursday, September 18, 2014 7:30 - 9:30 pm Oak Room Minutes (Notetaker: Arnaudo) 1. Call to Order Members Present: Peter Adriance, Ray Arnaudo, Sarah Bayldon, Andrew Crawford, Bill Schellstede, Tim Stevens (Chair), Suzanne Updike. City Liaison: Allison Lohrenz 2. Public Comments: None 3. New Business The ESC welcomed new member Andy Crawford to his first meeting. Paul Stoddard, Senior Planner for the City briefed the ESC on the City’s progress on the Open Space Chapter of the Comprehensive Plan, which oversees the design and improvements of the green space areas of the City. The City tries to update its Plan every five years, but has not done so since 2005. Stoddard ran through the scoping sessions so far, and described the needs, options and thoughts to date. His team will be collecting input through the fall, and begin drafting early in 2015, and urged the ESC to review and comment on the draft plan. Representatives from the Spectrum Development Group, who are designing the proposed Mason Row site, briefed the ESC on their plans to date. The project, which will develop the land on the east side of the intersection of West, Broad and Grove Streets, and the Spectrum group is in the initial stages, and is soliciting comments from all. The developers were responsive to most suggestions from ESC members, including the need for bike friendly facilities, adequate green space planning, water storage/filtration provisions and greater energy efficiency construction. The Chair suggested they look into alternatives to the LEED standards, which might provide more options to their alternate energy plans. They were less responsive to ideas for solar energy use and wider sidewalks, although they pledged their commitment to pedestrian-friendly planning. 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). 4. Old Business State Legislation for City of Falls Church Legislative Platform: The Committee reviewed a draft letter to the Council recommending the inclusion of four environmentally-focused legislative proposals in the Council’s legislative program for the 2015 Virginia General Assembly: 1) Community Net Metering, 2) Pesticide notification 3) Regulations on plastics in skin care products, and 4) Permission of localities to assess a fee on consumer disposable bags. 5. Informational Items The City of Falls Church will be presented a 2014 Climate and Energy Leadership Award at the COG Board of Directors meeting on October 8, 2014 for the City’s effort to achieve Green Power Community status through collaborative private-public partnerships. The meeting is from noon to 2pm and the awards will be presented at the beginning of the meeting. The Mayor and other City Council members are planning to attend to receive the award. The Council praised the Chair for his efforts on earning this award for the City. The ESC City Liaison Allison Lohrenz applied for and was accepted take the year-long regional executive development program credentialing participants as Certified Public Managers upon their successfully completing the program. It aims to develop leadership, enhance management skills, increase exposure to innovation in local government and develop an understanding of regional issues and approaches. The training and management course is offered by the Council of Governments and George Washington University staff. She begins the training program next month. There will be a meeting of the Energy Efficiency Forum at the Arlington Central Library at 7 pm, October 1. Representatives from Arlington, Alexandria and Fairfax counties will speak. 6. Next Meeting: Thursday, October 16 (Dogwood Room); Notetaker: Sarah Bayldon 7. Adjournment: 9:30 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).