Environmental Sustainability Council

Minutes City of Falls Church Environmental Services Council Thursday, January 21, 2016 (7:30 - 9:30 p.m.) Dogwood Room, G Corridor, City Hall Call to Order ESC Council Members Present: Ray Arnaudo (Chair), Peter Adriance (Vice Chair), Peter Oppenheimer, Andy Crawford, Sarah Bayldon, Chris McCloud Others Present: Tim Stevens (Chair Emeritus), Kate Walker (Environmental Programs Coordinator & City Staff Liaison), Dan Sze (City Council Representative), Loren Bruce (City Staff) Public Comments – Tim Stevens noted that the City Schools have requested solar energy assessment studies for the MEH and T.J. Middle Schools. The assessment is slated to take place in February. VPIS has volunteered to help defray the cost of these studies. Stevens also reported that legislation (SB114, Sen. Petersen) has been introduced in the Virginia General Assembly which would place a five cent tax on a range of disposable plastic bags. Prospect for passage is understood to be modest at best. Approval of Minutes Minutes of the December meeting were reviewed and approved. Discussions  Formation of Energy Working Group – Arnaudo recommended that interested ESC members convene in advance of the next monthly meeting to commence discussions of this Working Group, the focus of which would be to develop an energy plan for the city, specifically an up-to-date greenhouse gas inventory. Walker reminded the ESC of the applicable by-laws provision for the formation of a sub-committee (Section 1.4).  Review of draft ESC annual report – Walker has prepared a draft of the ESC 2015 Annual Report for City Council and asked for ESC review and comment. Deadline for submission to Council is March. Comments due to Arnaudo by 24 January.  Proposed ESC name change – Sze proposed that the ESC be renamed the Environmental Sustainability Council. After an exchange of views, Arnaudo recommended that we consider the proposed name change with a view to taking a vote at the February meeting.  Comprehensive Plan Sustainability Chapter. Bruce provided an update on the draft Sustainability Chapter of the City’s Comprehensive Plan. City Council guidance is forthcoming, and ESC member input (to lbruce@fallschurchva.gov, (703) 248-5346) is welcomed and solicited. Informational Items  Committee Items: o Mason Row – Sze reported that the developer has offered LEED Silver Certification for the residential portion, to provide a shuttle to the metro stations, a minimum of five electric car charging stations with conduit installed for five more, 398 bike parking stations, and reorganization of roof fixtures to allow for eventual installation of solar panels. o MWCOG’s Climate Energy Efficiency Policy Committee (CEEPC)/Metropolitan Washington Air Quality Committee (MWAQC) will meet next week to discuss GHG emissions, climate change impacts, and idea to meet objectives of Paris Accords. o Downtown Plaza – The City’s Economic Development Authority (EDA) has made a $500,000 grant to improve this city-owned plaza and transform it into a park. The City has asked for additional funding (~$50,000) for project management. The ESC supports this transformation and Arnaudo will draft a note to City Council, noting in particular the benefits of a mid-block pedestrian crossing.  Staff Items: o Solarize campaign will launch again in March. Walker is waiting to hear back from the MEHMS student project. Bruce indicated he will inform ESC when a letter of support may be warranted with respect to the high school redevelopment RFP. City Council passed a resolution authorizing citizen committees to meet by electronic means upon request and pursuant to formal agreement and Arnaudo asked Walker to prepare the necessary paperwork. The City ranked #1 in Virginia in 2016 on recycling. City composting program has been going successfully for 5 months, and have composted 11 tons of stuff at a cost of ~$4,000. Congress has enacted a ban on use of microbeads in a variety of products, to be phased in over several years. Next Meeting  Thursday, February18, 2016 (City Hall, Dogwood Room) Minutes prepared by Peter Oppenheimer