Environmental Sustainability Council

ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY COUNCIL (ESC) Thursday, November 15, 2018, Thomas Jefferson Elementary cafeteria, 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. MINUTES 1. Call to Order: Members: Cory Firestone Weiss (Chair), Jon Ward, Chris McCloud, Andy Crawford, Andy Young, Thomas Cash, Joy Page, Evelyn Duross (student rep), Sarah Balydon. City Staff: Chris McGough (Solid Waste Coordinator). City Council Member/Liaison: Dan Sze. Public: Christopher Thompson, Andy Sakallaris, Naomi Goodwin (Operation EarthWatch volunteer); VPIS Board members: Keith Thurston, Megan Hauber, Steve Hauber. 2. Public comments: None. 3. October 2018 ESC Meeting Minutes: Approved unanimously 4. Operation EarthWatch management update: Naomi Goodwin updated the ESC on the status of efforts to find a host organization to take over fiscal management of Operation EarthWatch (OEW). She distributed a handout summarizing the revised selection criteria, the final ratings, and scoring that led to the selection of the Village Preservation and Improvement Society (VPIS). The ESC unanimously approved a motion to (a) endorse the OEW transfer to and partnership with VPIS; and (b) continue to provide input and support to OEW within the ESC’s authority. 5. Comprehensive Plan Update – Solid Waste Goals: Chris McGough discussed the waste and recycling goals of San Francisco, CA and Boulder, CO, noting that on-street public recycling and compost bins there are pretty contaminated with the wrong kind of disposables. He suggested the City aim to remain a “Virginia leader” in waste reduction, as it has been for many years, and he recommended a goal of “Zero Waste” as defined by USGBC standards. ESC members suggested establishing stretch goals beyond what we know can be attained and looking at the experiences of comparably-sized jurisdictions (including universities of about 12000 residents). Since only about 60% of City businesses are in compliance with requirements to have a recycling program, Dan Sze suggested asking the Chamber of Commerce about current and potential incentives and disincentives to waste reduction. The ESC reviewed and revised the Comp Plan spreadsheet that Joy Page developed after the October meeting. Chris McGough recommended that DPW hire a consultant to identify and prioritize strategies, policies, and actions for a Solid Waste plan, and Dan suggested that Chris draft a statement of work for a possible task order under an existing contract through MWCOG. 6. Comprehensive Plan Update – Buildings: With Page’s Comp Plan spreadsheet projected, the ESC edited the document, adding objectives and possible actions and addressing both public and private infrastructure.  ACTION ITEM 1: J. Page: Distribute to attendees the spreadsheet table in some electronic format.   ACTION ITEM 2: Jon W.: Review the spreadsheet handout to see if any of the Building- related strategies listed in prior drafts have been omitted in the spreadsheet. Notify Joy Page of issues.  ACTION ITEM 3: All: Review the spreadsheet and provide to Joy any comments on content, and cc Kate Walker only. Plan to approve Climate, Buildings, and Waste sections via e-mail prior to the next ESC meeting. 7. Miscellaneous:  Peter Oppenheimer has resigned from the ESC. 8. Subcommittee Reports:  Habitat Restoration Group: The HRG needs a new representative from the ESC. Volunteers? 9. Next Meeting  Thursday, December 20, 2018. Thomas Jefferson Elementary library, 7:30 p.m. Abbreviations / Terminology:  DPW: Department of Public Works  MWCOG: Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments  USGBC: U.S. Green Building Council