Sustainability Committee

Sustainability Committee Minutes Thursday, May 9, 2024 8:00 A.M. VIA ZOOM PURSUANT TO CHAPTERS 113 AND 115 OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES (AS AMENDED IN ORDINANCE 22-28), AND RESOLUTION 22-29, ENACTED ON MARCH 22, 2022 Members Present: Kim Bixenstine, Council Member, Committee Chair Nancy Moore, Council Member Tres Roeder, Council Member Shanna Keown, Citizen Member Julia Larouche, Citizen Member Norman Robbins, Citizen Member Heather Weingart, Shaker Heights City School Board (ex-officio) Others Present: David E. Weiss, Mayor Jeff Isaacs, Advisor to Shaker Heights City School Board Lana Radl, Resident Michael Peters, Sustainability Coordinator The meeting was called to order by Committee Chair Kim Bixenstine at 8:01 A.M. * * * * Approval of the April 11, 2024 Meeting Minutes The draft meeting minutes were presented for approval with the motion moved by Nancy Moore and seconded by Norman Robbins. The acceptance of the minutes was unanimously passed. * * * * Subcommittee Updates Stormwater & Greenspace (Julia Larouche) • The Grow Not Mow event on April 13th planted roughly 350 native trees and plants at site 1 (Courtland & South Park Boulevards). Approximately 50 volunteers, registered through partner the Doan Brook Watershed Partnership, participated across a wide age range and as Kim Bixenstine noted, was not limited to residents. A columnist from Cleveland.com made a visit (and an article was published on May 22nd). Special thanks to Nancy Moore, John Barber, Nick Fletcher, and Rich (and his truck). • Onaway School held its annual Earth Day Service Day on April 19th. Thanks to Public Works for providing mulch and volunteers Nick Fletcher and Tim Kalan and numerous parents. An oak tree was planted, the children participated in a bird feeder craft project, and winter seeds were distributed for home growing.  • An Arbor Day celebration and planting was held in collaboration with the High School and Woodbury School and included roughly 50 students who helped to plant a River Birch and Burr Oak in Southerly Park (across from Woodbury School) in the flood plain of the Doan Brook. The conditions were great and thanks again to the Schools. Kim Bixenstine also mentioned that Reid Coffman and Ted Auch provided an explanation about the trees selected and Reid Coffman offered to present to the next Sustainability Committee meeting. • Kim Bixenstine also shared her experience representing the Committee at the swap meet held at The Nature Center at Shaker Lakes on April 20th. While the weather forced the event to move inside, it was attended by 112 participants. She thanked Nick Fletcher for his extraordinary help at the Shaker Heights Sustainability Table. Nick brought native plant seedlings to give to attendees, which were a big hit, and shared his vast expertise. The event was a collaboration between The Nature Center and the Shaker Heights Public Library and another event is being considered for the fall. These two organizations will also be hosting a book discussion on May 22nd on the book The Free People’s Village by Sim Kern. • Michael Peters provided a recap of the May 4th Electric Lawn Mower Rebate Program held at the Service Center. There were 24 mowers and blowers collected and recycled by Public Works (special thanks to the staff who were extremely helpful). At this time 19 completed rebates have been submitted to Finance for processing. The majority of the exchanges were mowers, with 4 blowers being turned in. The average price of the replacement equipment was $485, making the rebate worth roughly one quarter of the purchase price. Purchases were most commonly from Lowe’s, Burgers Ace Hardware, and Costco. One resident did exchange both a mower and blower with all others only exchanging one piece of equipment. • A composting update was provided and noted that composting continues in City buildings, at the elementary schools and through the Lomond Community Composting pilot. This pilot has collected over 20,000 pounds of food waste over the initial 12-month period. For the Schools, the goal is to have the district assume the financial responsibility as the Schools Foundation has been providing assistance to date. The Foundation has been in discussions with the District and is expected to get a quote for services from Rust Belt Riders for the next school year. o The Mayor asked about the recently announced citywide composting program in Beachwood. This is one drop off site at the community center on Fairmount Boulevard and works similarly to the Lomond pilot. • A recap from the subcommittee meeting from member Christine Medvedev on the Schools Facility Advisory Committee was shared with a concern over the Schools’ goals and targets. A subsequent discussion included Heather Weingart, Nancy Moore, Jeff Isaacs, Kim Bixenstine, and Julia Larouche and it was noted that there was a scheduled meeting between the Schools Administration and a group of residents the following week. It was also suggested that a future Sustainability Committee meeting include a presentation by the architect and Heather Weingart will follow up on a potential timeline for scheduling. Energy Subcommittee (Norman Robbins) • Kim Bixenstine introduced Lana Radl, whom she met at The Nature Center swap meet and is a resident and the founder of Shaker Nature House. She has a Master’s in Sustainability and completed the Master Recycler program and formerly worked with the Case Western Reserve University office of sustainability. She will be participating in the Energy Subcommittee. Sustainability Committee May 9, 2024 Page 2 of 4  • Norman Robbins shared an update on energy efficiency actions, including a meeting on May 13th organized and hosted by the Unitarian Universalist Congregation to encourage energy audits among the membership of faith communities (and promoted by the communities). • University Heights held a Sustainable Home Fair in late April and a talk was presented by Wesley Walker of the Home Repair and Resource Center (HRRC). This talk included two lists: 1) insulating contractors trained by the state (5 locally), and 2) green verifiers (22 people). These will be shared more broadly so residents can access them. Nancy Moore noted that the City is a member of the HRRC as they administer some grant programs and allow residents to access the tool lending library. Shaker Youth LEEDs / High School Advisory Group (Shanna Keown) • The EcoChallenge concluded at the end of April and there were three winners. • The group is only losing one member who is a graduating senior so should be well positioned for the next academic year. • Activities have wrapped up for this academic year as it is finals time and the group is excited to do more in person next year. * * * * Chair’s Remarks/Old Business/New Business • An update from last month’s Air Quality Monitoring proposal was discussed. The contract with the selected vendor is in process (vendor registration, contract review, etc.). Locations will need to be selected, with a suggestion of:  Lee Road and Chagrin Boulevard  Warrensville Center Road and Chagrin Boulevard  A park (to contrast with the high vehicle count areas) The Warrensville and Chagrin intersection was noted to likely be the highest vehicle counts in the City and therefore a good location. A question was asked by Norman Robbins about the possibility of moving the sensors (this can be done) and how the results might impact other programs like smart traffic lights. Shanna Keown also thought Lee Road was a good candidate and asked what the City would do with the info that validates that emissions are high at these intersections? That is an open question; could it lead to the planting of more trees was one option noted by Kim Bixenstine. The conversation continued with encouragement to see how different neighborhoods contrast and the health disparities that might be present. Lana Radl asked about the outcome that is desired. Examples could be school drop- off areas (high idling), mixed-use paths, data supporting more grants. Shanna Keown also noted it could be part of the School Bus Depot re-location conversation. Sustainability Committee May 9, 2024 Page 3 of 4  • A resident concern over chemical pesticide/herbicide on treelawns was mentioned that will be discussed in subcommittee and it was noted that the Law Department should be consulted. * * * * There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:02 A.M. The next meeting is scheduled for June 13, 2024 at 8:00am. __________________________________________ Michael Peters Sustainability Coordinator Sustainability Committee May 9, 2024 Page 4 of 4