Environmental Sustainability Council
Regular MeetingFalls Church, VA · December 17, 2015
Minutes
Falls Church Environmental Services Council
Thursday December 17, 2015 - 7:30 - 9:30 pm
Dogwood Room, G Corridor
DRAFT
Minutes - Prepared by Sarah Bayldon
1. Call to Order
Members: Ray Arnaudo (Chair), Peter Adriance, Andy Crawford, Sarah Bayldon, Chris
McCloud, Cory Firestone Weiss
City Staff: Kate Walker, Staff Liaison
City Council Representative: Dan Sze
VPIS members: Tim Stevens and Jeff Peterson, Solar Power for City Schools
Community members: Nisha Thirumurthy, Phil Skotte
2. Public Comments
No public comments were heard.
3. Approval of Minutes (November, 2015)
Minutes of the November meeting were reviewed and approved.
4. Presentations and Discussions
Solar on Schools: Tim Stevens. VPIS has written to the City and Schools encouraging
consideration of solar energy options including purchase through either debt or PPA
arrangements. Comment from Dan Sze – less resistance than before. Maybe need to send
message about energy efficient construction in general as new schools proposed.
Tim recommends that ESC writes a letter of support for solar on schools (to Seve Padilla) and
City facilities (to Mike Collins).
Community Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Inventory: Kate Walker.
Inventories are data collections that enable people to set goals & priorities, make decisions and
measure progress. Judgement is required in interpreting results because some data are more
precise than others, and the boundaries used are not always clear.
We currently have GHG inventory data from Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments
(MWCOG) and City of Falls Church (CFC). The data do not agree on where emissions are
highest, so data sources must be carefully examined. MWCOG are revisiting transportation data
in particular.
CFC needs to develop an Energy Plan, perhaps using the Arlington plan as a model. Some
communities are aiming at net zero; Arlington has an ambitious goal of 3.0 metric tons
CO2e/capita/year for 2050. We may set up an Energy subcommittee – those who would like to
participate (Peter, Nisha, Andy and Chris expressed interest) should let Ray know.
5. Informational Items
Committee
W&OD master plan –Andy is working on the letter and will circulate for review. Kate
will check on FOIA restrictions on group communications.
Proposed public plaza by Unity Club - EDA have invited Ray (as ESC Chair) to attend
their meeting.
Paris Conference on Climate Change - Peter reported on his experience representing the
Bahai’s at the Paris conference. There was a very positive atmosphere, and the goal is to
achieve a carbon-free economy by 2050. Building in conventional ways no longer makes
sense. The 1.5 degree limit on temperature rise is a matter of life and death.
Progress will be made using a bottom-up approach. Costs are going down fast, and
creative financing can support change.
Faith communities are very involved in this deep moral and ethical issue. 188 countries,
2000 corporations, 114 companies with large $ committed to goals, even oil companies
putting price on carbon costs. In the US, the joint resolution on climate included 12
republicans who say that climate change is real, human caused, and must be stopped.
Staff
Staff supports signing on for another Solarize campaign now that we have additional staff
resources and the possibility of outside-office-hours energy checkups. Some COG money
may be available to help publicize. Dan says he can mention it at next council meeting.
Compost outreach will continue through 26 Dec, then collection bins will be unstaffed
until mid-March.
The ESC Annual report to the City Council is due. Ray will deliver at 9 Feb or 25 Jan
Council meeting. Time allowed is approximately 5 minutes.
MEHMS boys projects were given water testing information by City staff and Bill
Schelstede.
Members of the public attending (Phil Scotty, Nisha Thirumurthy) were invited to
consider joining the Council.
Council member
Campus redevelopment process re: energy considerations. Net zero would be great!
WGL asked about combined heat/power approach to that project, because we have the
only greenfield site of this size available, which would be good for experimentation. Dan
checked with the City attorney, and encouraged WGL to proceed with a feasibility study
(at their own expense) which could be reviewed by the ESC.
Mason Row final City Council vote on Jan 11. Comments must be received by end of
year unless someone wants to go to Council meeting in person. Dan Sze will meet with
developers December 18th. ESC asked him to request sustainable building standards
beyond LEED Silver; more bicycle racks; staff and resident access to shuttle
transportation to Metro and other items in our earlier comments.
Dan proposed changing the name of the Council to Environmental Sustainability Council.
6. Next meeting
21 January, 2016. Notes: Crawford.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
Agenda
Posted Dec. 11, 2015
Environmental Services Council
Thursday, Dec 17, 7:30 - 9:30 pm Dogwood Room, City Hall
Draft Agenda
1. Call to Order
2. Public Comments
3. Approval of Minutes (November, 2015)
• Tonight’s note taker: Bayldon
4. Presentations & discussions (30 mins each)
• Solar Power for City Schools – Tim Stevens
• Community Greenhouse Gas Inventory: identifying and prioritizing projects. Do we want
to form an Energy Task Force? – Kate Walker
5. Informational Items (30 mins)
• Committee Items
• Staff Items – Solarize campaign; Compost program update; meeting schedule for 2016;
Annual Report
6. Next Meeting
• Thursday, January 21st, 2016 (Location Dogwood Room, City Hall)
• Notes: Crawford
Staff Liaison:
Kate Walker
Environmental Programs Coordinator
Office of the City Manager
City of Falls Church
Gage House
401 Great Falls Street
Falls Church, VA 22046
Email: kwalker@fallschurchva.gov
Phone: (703)248-5297
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).
Environmental Services Council
Thursday, Nov 19, 7:30 - 9:30 pm Dogwood Room, City Hall
DRAFT MINUTES
1. Call to Order
• Present (ESC): Ray Arnaudo (chair); Peter Adriance; Cory Weiss; Andy Crawford; Chris
McLeod; Sarah Bayldon. Absent: Peter Oppenheimer
• Present (Historic Commission): Ron Anzalone (chair); Edwin Henderson; Tiffanie
Chau-Dong (youth rep)
• Present (City Staff): Kate Walker (Environmental Programs Coord./ new staff liaison);
Chris McGough (Solid Waste Coordinator/ former staff liaison); Paul Stoddard (City
Planner); Debra Gee (staff liaison to Historical Commission); Loren Bruce (planner)
• Public: Colter Adams & Evan Jones (MEHMS students/ Environmental Club members);
Jennifer Tabola
2. Public Comments
• Colter Adams & Evan Jones presented their ideas for a school project to test water
quality along Tripps Run. They asked if we knew of ways to find certain testing
equipment. They planned to start within two weeks pending equipment availability. The
ESC noted that Jason Widstrom has done some testing for the City. Kate Walker said
she may also have information about suitable test kits. Bill Schellstede (former ESC
chair) may also be a resource for past water monitoring efforts.
3. Approval of Minutes (October, 2015) - Approved
• Tonight’s note taker: Adriance
4. New Business
• W&OD Master Plan – status and next steps. Paul Stoddard (City Planner) will present to
ESC and Historical Commission, who will join our meeting for this segment only. They
will commence their meeting at 7:45-8 in a separate room.
o Paul gave an informative presentation with slides comparing the W&OD trail in
other cities to the W& OD in Falls Church. Existing amenities include communi-
ty gardens, public spaces, historic interpretative sites, advertising and branding
the local community (e.g. signs to restaurants). The City doesn’t coordinate
these features in the same way. By comparison the Falls Church section is
bland. Commons areas are not complete. All were citizen led initiatives with lit-
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).
tle or no city support. There is a lack of identity. There are also six at-grade
crossings dividing the trail posing safety issues. The draft plan proposes a vi-
sion for the park as a “great street” and greenway within the City. Some of the
features being considered:
1. The at-grade crossing at Rte 29 is an issue that could be addressed with
a diversion behind the firehouse and trail extension across Rte. 29 to
Benjamin Banneker Park with a bike overpass over 29, like the one
across 7. The bridge could be a welcome gate to the city.
2. Could separate biking and walking traffic.
3. Could provide lighting for safety operation 5am-9pm
4. Could improve crossings, making the park the key feature, not the road
crossing it, by use of different materials, raised crossing
5. Low growing shade trees could be planted to shade sunny areas. Public
spaces could be made more accommodating and attractive.
o The work, if approved could be done piece by piece. March is the work session
by City Council. Policy and a master plan would be needed to support the work.
o Green infrastructure could be planned, and language from ESC on this would be
helpful. Other areas ESC supports would be good to know about. Andy & Cory
volunteered to draft comments and send to Ray for discussion at our next
meeting.
• Curbside composting in Falls Church – opportunities and barriers. Presentation by
Compost Crew, the City’s partner and contractor who helped Takoma Park deliver the
first successful program in the DC region.
o Ryan Walter ryan@thecompostcrew.com presented his program. They are
currently serving nearly 2000 homes. The goal is to reduce landfill demand,
carbon foot print, demand on oil, etc.
o Demand for the program has been high just from the farmer’s market test
program.
o The bulk of city collection is the labor of collecting. This program would simply
shift the collection labor costs.
o Chris considers this a fantastic win. Pay as you throw eliminated the growth in
trash levels.
o What can the ESC do? – a lot of experimentation and learning will take place
over the next few months. Chris will come to us with a long term game plan in
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).
the early Spring, before the City budget goes to Council. The schools could be
a good resource, especially with student support.
o See www.compostcrew.com/fallschurch
• Principles/Vision for Sustainable Development in Falls Church & the Living Community
Challenge (Cory Firestone Weiss)
o Given the rate of development under way or contemplated in Falls Church, we
need principles for sustainable development. The Living Community Challenge
may be a nice framework we can explore. Washington DC is a pilot community
we could learn from. It could be done scaled small to large. There are 7 per-
formance standards with 21 initiatives.
o Another sustainable development standard we might consider is the Sustainable
Sites Initiative of the USGBC. Kate and Cory will look at both this and the DC
program.
o Loren Bruce is drafting a chapter on Sustainability for the Comp Plan that would
frame it up. He presented a draft outline that has not yet been seen by staff.
Would the ESC be interested in helping to develop the plan? He is just getting
started.
1. Andrew and Cory indicated an interest.
5. Old Business
• New Environmental Coordinator Position, New Staff Liaison and New Opportunities
(Kate Walker)
o The position is funded as a term position, but we need one long term. This will
demonstrate that the position is worth having. It is only funded through this fis-
cal year. High priority: to pick up the stuff dropped when we lost the water utili-
ty: community energy plan (80%); GHG inventory – where we are now; the
EPA green power plan; integration of the various environmental programs
(20%). In the future, the City might need to consider appointing a sustainability
director who could work closely with other directors. Right now we need some-
one to integrate our various initiatives, eliminate some siloing, and perhaps tie
together city and school goals. Need a central environmental web page.
Comments are invited on the job description sent out with meeting documents.
• City’s Legislative Agenda
o The 16th was the deadline for boards and commissions submitting
recommendations. Tim Stevens submitted a couple of proposals (solar, clean
energy)
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).
• FCCPS and Solar – letter from VPIS supporting advancements – if anyone has
comments on the VPIS letter, send them to Ray.
6. Informational Items
• Committee Items – Kate met with Tim and Dan – coming out of the GHG inventory, we
may wish to set up a task force on clean energy. Kate will bring more info next time.
• Staff Items
7. Next Meeting
• Thursday, December 17th, 2015 (Location Dogwood Room, City Hall)
• Notes: Bayldon
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).
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