Environmental Sustainability Council

Falls Church Environmental Sustainability Council Thursday October 20, 2016 7:30 – 9:30 pm Dogwood Room, City Hall Minutes – Prepared by Phil Skotte 1. Call to Order Present: Cory Firestone Weiss (Chair), Loren Bruce (City Staff), Hannah Trauberman (GMHS Student Representative), Tika Wallace (GMHS Student Representative), Peter Adriance (Member), Dan Sze (City Council Member and Liaison to the ESC), John Ward (visiting), Kate Walker (Staff Liaison), Phil Skotte (Member), Sarah Bayldon (Member) 2. Public Comments – none 3. Approval Minutes – Minutes of the September 15th, 2016, meeting were approved. 4. Potential applicant for ESC vacancy – John Ward introduced himself and expressed interest in joining the ESC as a member. John stated that he is especially interested in energy issues and in the issue of invasive species. 5. Ongoing Business – • Cory led a discussion of the draft Vision Statement – The Vision statement was approved with minor edits. Cory agreed to make those edits. The ESC discussed the five goals in the vision statement and agreed to focus further attention/planning on goals two, four and five (increasing solid waste recycling, increasing pervious surface area and improving LEED standards in buildings). Planning for goal one (maintaining tree canopy) can be referred to the Tree Commission, the Arborist and various volunteers who may meet to coordinate efforts. Planning for goal three (reducing greenhouse gas emissions) may be referred to the Energy Transition Subcommittee. • Dan led a discussion of the Legislative Agenda. The ESC agreed to draft a letter in support of the following VML positions and to offer support at the November 28 Public Session: o Price Floor for Regional Gas Taxes o State Corporation Commission Jurisdiction Over Local Utilities o Municipal Net Metering o Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative & Commonwealth Resilience Fund o Synthetic Plastic Microbeads o Local Authority to Regulate Plastic Bags • Cory led a discussion of the Streetscape Task Force findings. The ESC agreed it is interested in trees and planters, especially as related to tree and plant health and to improving storm water management. The ESC is also interested to improve walkability.  2 The ESC agreed to defer decisions about trash receptacles to the City staff who manage them. • Kate reported on her attendance at the Urban Sustainability Directors Network (USDN) meeting in Canada. Kate said the meeting was useful for ideas and lessons shared. The USDN is especially useful for small jurisdictions. 6. Next Meeting – Thursday, November 17, 2016.