Green Team

March 06, 2014 Morgantown Green Team Meeting Minutes Attendees: Steve Woodruff, Trevor Lloyd, Gwen Jones, Jim Kotcon, Lisa lagana, Stratford Douglass, Pam Cubberly, Aaron Sutch  Meeting called to order at 5:30 PM by Aaron Sutch. February meeting minutes were approved and there were no outstanding items of business.  Attendees gave brief personal introduction  City Franchise Agreement with First Energy is up for renewal. At the bequest of Mayor Selin, there has been discussion regarding the option to leverage Energy Efficiency/renewable energy programs including PACE financing, energy audits and light bulb exchange programs as part of the City’s renegotiation of franchise agreement The Franchise Agreement waives any right or way requirements, permitting or building fees for First Energy to maintain any grid applicable utility infrastructure within the city.  Aaron Sutch will email Mayor Selin to discuss possible options  Leadership transition and official Green Team meeting membership protocol was discussed in light of the recent leadership transition in which Aaron Sutch took over full Chair responsibilities form Chris Haddox.  It was decided to get feedback from City leadership as to the most advantageous role the GT could play. Discussion centered around the GT serving as an official conduit for citizen environmental voices and a provider of subject area expertise for Council and the City Manager  GT will define official leadership and officer roles to provide more clarity  There has been mention of the GT becoming an official City commission yet according to a follow up by Trevor Lloyd there are some weighty administrative steps that would need to happen to make this a reality (members chosen by Council, videotaping of each meeting, change of role for City liaison etc.)  Green Night and Communication Updates. The following Green Nights are planned:  March 27: Recycling Green Night  April 19 : Green Morning at the Farmers Market: Sustainable Home Resource Fair  May 15: Results of the Morgantown GHG Inventory  Recent clear cutting at Snake Hill Wildlife Management Area has prompted concerns for the recreational quality of the area by resident Stratford Douglass   According to Mr. Douglass, the recent timber harvesting has affected recreational activities and trail accessibility at the area. He is mobilizing support to protect trail access as preserve recreational opportunities  Plans to follow up with a suggested resolution to the City stating the importance of recreational activities for the City of Morgantown. Will also provide a brief summary and suggested action plan for interested citizens  For more information you may contact: Stratdouglas@gmail.com  There are plans by WVU to re-route the traffic pattern around the Core Aboretum to address pedestrian safety concerns. This plan would involve clearing a small percentage of the Arboretum to accommodate the traffic improvements. It was decided that the GT would serve to provide information regarding the plan as well as inform council about the plan since it does affect green space in the city.  There has been a detailed post about the plan on Green Morgantown FB page as well as this article in the Daily Athenaeum.  Jim Kotcon has agreed to make any additional information on the subject available  Citizens wishing to have their voice heard on the subject may direct correspondence to: "To Whom It May Concern" and mailed to Dr. Richard Thomas, Chair WVU Department of Biology PO Box 6057 Morgantown, WV 26506-6057 While mailed letters with signatures may have the most impact, some persons prefer to send letters via email. Richard's email address is: Richard.Thomas@mail.wvu.edu"  There is a Mon School Career Fair April 9Th in which Environmental Non Profits are encouraged to participate contact is Judy Pratt: jrpratt@access.k12.wv.us  There has been discussion about opening a second Farmers Market in Westover  Lisa Lagana has been in contact with the Westover Rotary Club who proposed the idea  Mon County Correctional Facility directed a letter to the Green Team for March 26 Career Day inviting interested organizations to present regarding green careers for inmates when they are released.  Trevor will follow up with more information.