Green Team

Morgantown Green Team Minutes of April 3, 2014 meeting Attending: Aaron Sutch, Jeff Simcoe, Steve Woodruff, Jeff Mikorski, Strat Douglas, Travis Nauman, Jim Kotcon. I. Green Team Mission and Structure. Jeff Mikorski discussed needs of Council and the City manager. The Green team should provide more direct input to the City, with an emphasis on how the City can move forward on environmental issues. The Team should develop a Plan for how to engage citizens and City Council, help guide implementation of the Comprehensive Plan, and identify ways to improve sustainability of City operations. The “Commission” concept was discussed. As an informal committee, the Green Team can be more flexible and interact with other c omission and departments more easily. The City has provided support in the form of the liaison (Trevor Lloyd) and interns. As a Commission, membership would have to be approved by Council, the agenda and meetings would need to be posted in advance, and other rules may affect operations. Trevor’s role as liaison would potentially be more restricted. Chris Haddox submitted a memo stating that Commission status would give the Team a stronger seat at the table of Council. It would require Council to consider matters proposed by the Commission. The team agreed to continue discussions at a future meeting with a larger attendance. II. Snake Hill Wildlife Management Area. Strat Douglas presented a resolution to be submitted to Council stating that outdoor recreation is important for health, quality of life, and economic development in the area. The Snake hill Wildlife management Area is unique among WMAs because its acquisition was partially paid for with public funds, thus recreation should be part of the management goals. Current timbering has damaged much of the trail system. The resolution asks the WV Department of Natural resources to cooperate in reclaiming trails to promote permitted recreation, to avoid the use of excessively large (3‐inch) gravel, and to work with local groups. The Green Team agreed that we support the resolution. III. Free Flow Power The proposed hydropower facility at the Morgantown lock and dam was discussed, as an application has been submitted to FERC and FERC is accepting comments for additional issues to be studied. A major concern is that the facility would overlap the Rail‐Trail, and potentially affects its Rail Bank status. Ella Belling indicated she plans to contact the state Rail Bank Authority to raise these concerns and ask that this issue be studied by FERC. IV. Greenhouse Gas Inventory Jeff Simcoe reported that they will be presenting a final report at the May 15 Green Night at the Library. Additional funding is being sought for Phase II of the project. V. Injection Well on Deckers Creek A resolution from the Friends of Deckers Creek was discussed. Aaron will circulate it to the rest of the Green team to get input. VI. Green Night at the library Jim Kotcon reported that 24 people attended the recycling program in March. Pam Cubberly has prepared a “Green Morning” at the next Morgantown Farmers Market, April 19. The may program will be a report of the Morgantown Greenhouse Gas Inventory by Downstream Strategies. VII. Volunteer opportunities for WVU students with the Green Team or the City were discussed. Aaron will contact Susan to follow up to use more student participation. The meeting adjourned at 6:50 pm. Submitted by Jim Kotcon