Green Team

Morgantown Municipal Green Team Monday, July 9, 2018 Meeting 5:30–7:00pm Minutes Attending: Holly Purpura, Jim Kotcon, Karen Kalafat, Kate Magruder, Twyla Medding, Elizabeth Sethen (sp?), HF Nathen (sp?), Mark Brazaitis, Toni Christini, and Bill Kawecki Haymaker Forest Jim Kotcon reported on the Resolution of Support for the purchase submitted by the Green Team at the June 5 City Council meeting, but the motion to purchase was tabled at the June 19 Council meeting when an appraisal came in at $2.5 million, instead of the previously proposed purchase price of $5.2 million. That appraisal was based on “commercially developable land” but did not include many ecological values associated with preservation. No news on continuing negotiations was available. Mark Brazaitis announced a “Community Needs and Assessment Forum”for 9:00am–noon on July 14 at the Met Theatre. There is still ongoing discussion of a Land Use and Preservation Agency for the City, and that ordinance may yet be considered. Recycling: Pam and Jing worked with Robyn Hess regarding a recycling brochure, but ran into another roadblock as Republic apparently no longer ships recyclables to the Green Star facility at Neville Island near Pittsburgh. Republic now says they accept # 1, 2, 3, & 4 plastics, but only narrow-neck containers are accepted. This contradicts earlier Green Team info that # 5 and 6 plastics are accepted. Karen identified a lack of language in the contract with Republic requiring meaningful reporting of recycling rates. Her contacts with Republic provide total tonnages only, but no breakdown by medium, or trends on recycling rates, although such information is readily available at other WV cities, and for other cities served by Republic. We agreed to prepare a memo to Paul Brake asking that he request of Republic information on key issues to be clarified so we can post correct recycling info on the City Green Team web page. These include: What plastics are accepted? Who is the new processor? What other items are accepted? What is prohibited? What minimum and maximum dimensions are accepted? What can City residents do to recycle larger cardboard? Jim Kotcon and Pam Cubberly met with Robyn Hess to discuss City applications for several recycling- related grants, and agreed to move forward for submission in the first half of 2019. Richard Mine: Holly reported that FODC is cautiously optimistic that a land purchase for a water treatment facility may occur. Funds were awarded to treat acid mine drainage. Joey discussed a report on that project. Climate Team Plans are being developed to meet the City’s greenhouse gas reduction goals. Rick Landenberger provided info from the Morgantown Tree Board to estimate potential carbon captured by tree growth. Additional investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy were discussed. A funding proposal is up for discussion later this month. The meeting was adjourned at 7:00pm. The August monthly meeting will take place on August 6, 2018 at the usual location and time.