Environmental Sustainability Council

ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY COUNCIL (ESC) Thursday, December 17, 2020, Virtual Meeting via Microsoft Teams, 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. MINUTES 1. Attendees: ESC Members: Andy Young (Chair), Mike Trauberman, Jon Ward, Andy Sakallaris, Sarah Bayldon, Jennifer Tabola, Stacey Evers. Student rep: Charlie Adams. City Staff: Kate Walker (ESC Staff Liaison). City Council Liaison: Debbie Hiscott. Public: Amy Crumpton (Habitat Restoration Task Group), John T; Stephanie Hamilton; Joseph Schiarizzi; Participant identified as “DS Guest” This meeting was held via electronic communications using ‘Microsoft Teams.’ This meeting was held pursuant to and in compliance with the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, Section 2.2- 3708.2 and state and local legislation adopted to allow for continued government operation during the COVID-19 declared emergency. 2. Urban Agriculture (UA) / Fellows Property: Kate Walker summarized written public comments received from residents Bruce Byers and Pat Solley regarding the use of the Fellows Property as a park. They advocated for minimal development of the property (a few permeable trails and an educational kiosk, plus some reforestation) and cited the firefly population and a few candidate specimen trees that would add to the one already there. John T said he would like to avoid anything that would lead to noise, crowds or traffic. Amy explained that criteria for specimen tree designation include size, age, rarity and historical significance and noted that all the candidates were near the highest part of the site. Stacey noted that January 6 is the next Recreation and Parks Advisory Board public meeting on this topic, and she discussed a draft proposal (embedded with the online agenda, www.fallschurchva.gov/DocumentCenter/13632/Background-on-Fellows-Property) she has been developing with Council Member Litkenhous to present to the Advisory Board. It noted that the property has been named a potential urban agriculture site by the City Council’s Initiatives for March 2020-June 2022. The draft proposal also noted that most respondents to the Rec & Parks Department’s survey about how the property should be used were not looking for hard-surface amenities. In addition to trails and educational opportunities, it suggests a communal garden as a new amenity in the City. Stacey likened the vision to the communal garden near the Vienna Community Center. Charlie said the high school’s Environmental Club was interested in the potential for hands-on and leadership experiences. John T expressed concern about the appearance of community gardens; Kate clarified that ‘urban agriculture’ refers to growing edibles at any scale in an urban setting. ESC members supported the proposal’s mix of urban agriculture, preservation of existing trees and plants, and educational aspects, supporting the goals of multiple constituencies. 3. Plans for 2021: Kate presented the City Council 27-month workplan. Andy Y. said he is targeting a February 2021 joint meeting with the Citizen Advisory Committee on Transportation to discuss ways to support biking (delayed from March 2020 due to pandemic). He would like to see more public education on electric vehicles (Jon confirmed this would be an ETS topic) and more partnership and outreach with the schools. He noted that stormwater will remain a hot topic. He asked for ESC members’ interests.  o Stacey & Amy discussed monitoring the planting decisions being made with the W&OD trail modifications, especially plantings around intersections where public influence may still be possible. o Stacey said Lonnie Marquetti (Solid Waste Program Mgr.) could use ESC help in educating the public on upcoming solid waste issues. o Amy noted that in City ordinances, terms like “green infrastructure” and “green space” are not defined. The Urban Forestry Commission is addressing this issue, and the ESC may also want to provide input to the City. She also noted it may be useful to distinguish between public and private green space in new developments. Kate noted that the City’s stormwater ordinance is due for updates; the ordinance may be updated as the stormwater utility rate is revised, so revised definitions and regulations would be timely. 4. Subcommittee Reports: o Energy Transition Subcommittee (ETS): The December meeting hosted speakers from Dominion Energy on programs for renewable energy, electric school buses and vehicle chargers. o Education Task Group (ETG): Operation EarthWatch activities are continuing online. o Habitat Restoration Task Group (HRTG): The planned December meeting was cancelled. Sandy Tarpinian reached out to the high school Environmental Club about seeking National Wildlife Foundation certification for the new high school (pollinator & wildlife gardens, etc.) as well as the other schools. 5. Staff Reports (Kate W.): Kate said City Council had expressed interest in electric police cars, and that she keeps Capt. Steve Rau informed of developments. Models must be modifiable to meet police requirements (wiring, weapons storage, etc.). For other City fleets, a few trucks will be coming on the market in the next couple years, but we have a low turnover rate due to low mileage in a small jurisdiction. Kate keeps the City purchasing agent apprised of the status of the market. Kate will soon go public with a City webpage on electric vehicles. 6. New Business: Stacey Evers accepted the role of ESC vice-chair. 7. November 2020 ESC Meeting Minutes: Motion to approve by Stacey, seconded by Andy S. Approved, 6 ayes, 0 nays. 8. Next Meeting  Thursday, January 21, 2021 7:30 – 9:30 p.m., likely virtual via Microsoft Teams. Abbreviations / Terminology:  ETS: Energy Transition Subcommittee