Environmental Sustainability Council

Minutes Environmental Services Council Thursday, January 15, 2015 7:30-9:00 PM Dogwood Room ESC Council Members: Peter Adriance, Sarah Bayldon, Andy Crawford, Jackson Jost (student rep), Peter Oppenheimer, Tim Stevens (chairman), Suzanne Updike Present: Peter Adriance, Sarah Bayldon, Andy Crawford, Jackson Jost, Peter Oppenheimer, Tim Stevens, Suzanne Updike, Matt Hansen (city staff), Chris McGough (city staff), Michael Collins (city staff) New City Liaison Introduced. Department of Public Works Director Michael Collins introduced Chris McGough as the new city staff liaison to the ESC and the City’s new solid waste manager. Michael said Chris was the best candidate selected from a strong field of applicants. He brings both strong contract management and project management experience, as well as a background in both solid waste management issues and environmental and energy efficiency matters. He will start in his new city government position on 26 January 2015. Welcome, Chris! Old Business:  Sustainability for Mount Daniel Elementary School – The ESC discussed two issues regarding Mount Daniel sustainability planning. Tim Stevens stated that the Council has voiced support for LEED Silver certification for the school. Tim Stevens also raised the idea of sending a letter to new School Board chair Justin Castilla to encourage the Board to consider LEED Silver and to equip the remodeled school with the proper equipment that would facilitate the installation of a future renewable energy system such as a photovoltaic system.  Solarize Northern Virginia – Tim Stevens also updated the committee on efforts to bring Solarize Northern Virginia to Falls Church. The Northern Virginia Regional Commission and the LEAP organization will work together to promote the Solarize program. Tim Stevens added that City Manager Wyatt Shields and Assistant City Manager Cindy Messer think it should be straightforward for the City Council to endorse Solarize in Falls Church and they are aiming to discuss it during the Council’s next session on 26 January. Earth Day would be target date for rolling out Solarize to the community. o The committee then discussed how best to publicize the Solarize program, including possibly adding a banner on to the City government’s website. Mike Collins noted that under the City’s solid waste management contract, the City can have door hangers hung on residents’ door handles for four discrete times during the year; so far, the City has used the hangers about twice. The committee also discussed the idea of writing an opinion editorial in the Falls Church New Press or issuing a press release in collaboration with City press officer Susan Finarelli.  Update on State Legislative Requests – Tim Stevens noted that there were not many significant updates regarding its requests for policy initiatives in the state legislature. ESC’s support for legislation allowing community net metering is the most significant legislative initiatives we hope the legislature will take up.   Leaf Composting on City property – Peter Adriance inquired about the status of the ESC’s idea to promote leaf mulching in City parks and other property. Mike Collins indicated that the Department of Public Works is discussing the issue with the Parks and Recreation Department and the grounds management contractor. The committee noted the importance of trying to promote more mulching on city property and promote the practice among the public. New Business  Virginia Municipal League (VML) Environmental Program – Peter Oppenheimer reported that he contacted Joe Lurch at the VML to discuss its environmental activities. Falls Church is participating member in the VML. Mr. Lurch provided information about the VML legislative program and shared the 2015 Virginia Environmental Quality Statement. Funding for water quality programs is one of the initiatives that VML is focused on as local governments are struggling to meet new costs. Peter mentioned that Joe could speak to the ESC possibly in March or April and that the ESC could seek to build on some of the VML’s efforts. Mike Collins noted that although Falls Church participates in the VML, the City develops its own legislative agenda.  Virginia Municipal Stormwater Association – Matt Hansen reported to the committee about his recent attendance at a state-wide meeting addressing storm water management issues. The City received a $120,000 allocation from the state this year, but the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality is preparing for $0 allocation to localities for next fiscal year. He also updated the group on two draft state assembly bills that bear on stormwater management.  New ESC Chair and Planning for 2015 – The committee agreed to defer a decision on the next committee chair until the next meeting because all committee members were not present. The committee discussed initiatives for 2015 and how best to divide responsibilities among members. Peter Oppenheimer and other committee members praised the excellent leadership that chair Tim Stevens has provided to the committee for several years. Tim Stevens commented that he believes that is the right time for the chairman position to rotate to a new member. Peter Oppenheimer commented that Tim’s shoes will be difficult to fill given that significant amount of time, dedication, and expertise that he has put into the chairmanship. Therefore, Peter Oppenheimer proposed that the committee divide its responsibilities among a range of subject and functional “bins”. Some potential bins could include Council business, Solarize and LEAP initiatives, easements and land management issues, state assembly developments, and liaison to other City commissions such as Planning. Peter Oppenheimer added that depending on the portfolio, there might be one or two members for each bin and that each committee member could have both a subject matter and functional bin assigned to him or her. Moreover, the committee could receive updates on each bin every other month or so and that member(s) could lead the discussion on that issue during the monthly committee meeting. This arrangement would help to make the work of the chairman less daunting. Peter Oppenheimer indicated that he would circulate a more detailed list of potential bins over e-mail to committee members. The committee also agreed to discuss potential bin assignments during the February monthly meeting. Next Meeting – The committee will meet next on Thursday February 19, 2015 at 7:30 p.m. in the Dogwood Room.