Environmental Control Advisory Board Meeting

CITY OF NORMAN, OK ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL ADVISORY BOARD MEETING Development Center, Conference Room, 225 N. Webster Avenue, Norman, OK 73069 Wednesday, October 16, 2024 at 5:30 PM MINUTES The Environmental Control Advisory Committee of the City of Norman, Cleveland County, State of Oklahoma, met in Regular Session in Conference Room B at the Development Center, on the 16th day of October, 2024, at 5:30 p.m., and notice of the agenda of the meeting were posted at the Norman Municipal Building at 201 West Gray, Development Center at 225 N. Webster and on the City website at least 24 hours prior to the beginning of the meeting. ROLL CALL 1. PRESENT Board member Dane Heins Board member Deborah Cretsinger Board member Inger Giuffrida Board member Bob Nairn Board member Nathalie Rocher Board member Sara Bondy Board member Debbie Smith Board Member Eileen Grzybowski ABSENT Board member Lainey Phillips INTRODUCE NEW MEMBERS, GUESTS & STAFF Rachel Camp, Water Treatment Plant Manager Jerry Gates, Environmental Services Assistant Manager Michele Loudenback, Environmental & Sustainability Manager Specialist ANNOUNCEMENTS Norman won the drinking water taste test at AWWA. Blue Neighborhood got an award for the Ron Flanigan gold project. Stormwater innovator was awarded to Michele Chao. ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL ADVISORY BOARD MEETING - Wednesday, October 16, 2024 Page |1 They are finalists for Keep Oklahoma Beautiful team project and for government programs. MINUTES 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR THE SEPTEMBER 18, 2024 MEETING Motion made by Board member Smith, Seconded by Board member Cretsinger. Voting Yea: Board member Heins, Board member Giuffrida, Board member Nairn, Board member Rocher, Board member Bondy, Board Member Grzybowski DISCUSSION ITEMS 3. DISCUSSION OF THE INDIVIDUAL DEPARTMENT HEAD MEETINGS FOR MCPA After discussion Smith will wait to meet with Sanitation until a director has been appointed. Rocher and Giuffrida met with planning and public works with very positive feedback. They were proud of the public charging stations that went up. Planning had questions regarding enforcement and how they are to enforce the suggestions for them. There were a couple things that came up that were not feasible for the City to do such as the bus stops. Rocher stated that they are very much on board but not sure that the recommendations in the MCPA document will be implemented. 4. DISCUSSION OF THE FRESHWATER CHALLENGE Have not heard back from anyone, Loudenback even tried contacting the White House. Everyone will continue to reach out and try to get more information for next months meeting. Rocher suggested contacting the business' that have joined to ask them questions and find out some information. ACTION ITEMS 5. DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF COMPOSTING & RECYCLING EDUCATION & AUDITS Item will be tabled. 6. DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL TO WORK WITH STUDENTS ON MAKING EDUCATIONAL SHORT-FORM VIDEOS Grzybowski presented the group with this item. She has a connection with Norman North, AP Environmental Science and was wondering if ECAB could help with supporting them. They came up with a cooperative media project. The goal of this project is for the students to be able to communicate effectively by word as well as by using media in regards to how environmental concerns in Norman are met while sticking to the facts and leaving out Politics. The kids would take behind the scene ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL ADVISORY BOARD MEETING - Wednesday, October 16, 2024 Page |2  tours so they could take film of what is happening. The specific topics that they came up with is Recycling; what can and cannot currently be recycled, seasonal recycling, how has the recycling program changed for 2024. They also have the topic of water issues; where does it come from before it reaches the faucet, where does it go after you flush, how is the water treated before and after, best time of day to conserve our water, how do we conserve our water. Last topic being energy; what are the future plans for energy here in Norman, how do we conserve our energy. Ultimately would like to be able to post their videos on the City of Norman website. They are asking for the approval of ECAB to move forward with the plan. Cretsinger threw out that they might get involved in some yard by yard or pollinator projects as well. Motion to approve working with the students made by Board member Smith, Seconded by Board member Giuffrida. Voting Yea: Board member Heins, Board member Cretsinger, Board member Nairn, Board member Rocher, Board member Bondy, Board Member Grzybowski MISCELLANEOUS COMMENTS October 20th is the Ruby Grant cleanup October 26th is Little Event at Colonial Commons Lake Thunderbird cleanup is October 27th Wildcare's 40th Anniversary is November 3rd from 3-5 PM Monarchs in the Park, people liked the recycling game. Someone mentioned that Goodwill recycles styrofoam. Had Citizens Academy at the Household Hazardous Waste Facility QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC None ADJOURNMENT 7. TIME: 6:09 PM ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL ADVISORY BOARD MEETING - Wednesday, October 16, 2024 Page |3