Sustainability Commission

STERLING HEIGHTS SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 20, 2021 LOCATION: City Council Chambers, 40555 Utica Road, Sterling Heights MI SUBJECT: Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Sustainability Commission held October 20th, 2021. Meeting was called to order by Chairperson Inks at 6:01 p.m. Pledge of Allegiance is recited. Roll Call: Graf, Farooqi, Inks, Matthews Also in Attendance: Chris McLeod, City Planner Allison Bittner, Planning Coordinator Approval of Agenda (As Amended) Item D was added to the agenda under Old Business, therefore the approval of the agenda is as amended with that item included. Motion: Matthews Second: Graf Ayes: Matthews, Graf, Farooqi, Inks Considerations A. IMPLEMENTATION PRORITIES MATRIX OVERVIEW AND DISCUSSION The Sustainability Commission goes through the overall cost and benefit numeration of each value, and discuss the final score in terms of the priority level. Mr. Inks noted that the benefit value is more subjective, and the commission should focus more on cost. There is discussion amongst the members regarding the action item, and the benefit/cost analysis. The members discuss their rankings, and their rationale for their thinking/ranking. After extensive discussion regarding the valuation, averages, and subjectivity, the Sustainability Commission reviews their valuation of items, revises certain rankings, and determines to look at the top items based upon such revisions.The Sustainability Commission reviews the top twenty-four (24) action items, and determines that they will return to these items again next month for further review. Next month’s meeting will review such rankings, and determine the top 15 from the 24 overall action items listed. Mr. Graf notes that the Commission should show which section each of the action item is from. It is determined that this task can be done later, and prior to the next month’s meeting. Approval of Minutes Slight revision is made to take out that Mr. Matthews was nominated as temporary secretary. September 15, 2021 Motion: Matthews Second: Graf Ayes: Matthews, Graf, Farooqi, Inks Correspondence None Old Business A. Tree Inventory Update/Green Macomb- Kick-Off Date Mr. McLeod notes that the kick-off date will be on Tuesday, October 26th at 9:30 a.m (with a rain date of Wednesday, October 27th). The meeting will be from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and will be located at Fourteen Mile Road, in Section 36 of the City. The meeting will provide an overview of what will occur, and then the individual conducting tree inventory will begin their work. The Office of Planning will send the address to the Sustainability Commission. B. Tree Removal Ordinance Updates Mr. McLeod notes that he will combine this update in relation to item #B under new business, which discusses the Canton Township case in regards to the tree ordinance and tree preservation. Mr. McLeod notes that the City Attorneys were on track to provide an update to the City’s tree ordinance, and have it ready for the November meeting, and then to go onto City Council. This was the ordinance in regards to preservation of landmark tree preservation on current sites throughout the City. Mr. McLeod notes that there will probably need to be additional changes to the ordinance based upon this court case. Mr. Graf asks if the court case brings concern into this ordinance in particular, or all ordinances? Mr. McLeod states that it brings concern into all City Ordinances regarding tree removal and preservation. The City Attorney’s office wants to review the ordinance to see what ability the City does or does not have to make the ordinance more strict, and how to strengthen the ordinance as a whole. Mr. Inks discusses the case from Canton Township in regards to Tree Ordinances and preservation. The results of the case came out October 13th. Mr. Inks notes that it will probably take awhile to figure out what happens from this case. However, the Court found that the Canton Ordinance was unconstitutional in relation to that particular developer, but not overall. This will continue to be discussed as more information is disclosed. C ARPA Fund Projects Mr. McLeod talks about the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and the proposed funds that the City will receive as a result. The City does have the money from these funds that they could accomplish that typically could not be accomplished due to budget constraints. The City hosted forums to see if the proposed projects were on target or not with the public, and if there are additional ideas from the members of the public. The funds are designated for 2024, but City Council is trying to gain more input from the public prior. The forums will be available online, and also input is being solicited to each City Board and Commission. Mr. McLeod provides an overview of the various projects that were thought of, and provides more information regarding each one. Mr. McLeod notes that the online version of the forum should be available soon and the Office of Planning can send that out soon. Board members can rank their favorite of the already created funding items, or submit any additional ideas they may wish to see. Mr. Inks asks if there would be any more in person forums held, Mr. McLeod responds no, there was only the two that were held. D. Drain Stencil with Arts Commission Project Mr. Graf provides updates for this project. Mr. Graf has been communicating with Melanie Davis regarding this project and the Arts Commission. To recap, the Arts Commission has proposed to host a high school student competition to design the stencils. Mr. Graf has noted that the Arts Commission plans to introduce the concept to teachers sometime in October, and the deadline for turning in the submissions will be prior to the holiday break in December. Then the Arts Commission will review and select the winner at their meeting in January. Mr. Graf asked that the Sustainability Commission also be participants in the judging of the stencils. By January, the Arts Commission expects to choose a winner with Sustainability Commission input. From there, selections would need to be made in regards to sourcing, supplies, and finding target neighborhoods, which would take some time. Mr. McLeod says the Office of Planning can touch base with Public Works and Engineering to see what areas would be potentially the most problematic with stormwater. Mr. Graf notes that he was asked by the Arts Commission regarding the size of the stencils to convey such size to the students. Mr. McLeod notes that the size can be that of the catch-basin, or the curb itself, and notes that the curb may have more durability. Curbs sizes are approximately a six 96) inch curb, that are about four (4) inches deep. This would allow the students to make the stencils about six inches, to however long they wish the text to be. Mr. Inks asks if the Arts Commission approved the Sustainability Commission to be part of the judging. Mr. Graf responds they have, but the Arts Commission will go through the submissions first, and send along the final picks to the Sustainability Commission. Mr. Inks says the next action would have to be taken sometime in January, but this can be placed under old business for December. Mr. Grad requests this item is just kept on the agenda for now, as he wants to provide updates when necessary. New Business A. Grant for City’s Electronic Vehicle Charging Station Master Plan Mr. Inks wants to bring this up to see if this is something that would be going before the Sustainability Commission. Mr. McLeod states that at the October 5th City Council Meeting, the City Manager mentioned that the City received a grant to develop an Electronic Vehicle Charging Station Master Plan. The City submitted to SEMCOG for the grant, and received a grant for $35,000. The City will provide $6,000 of that cost, with SEMCOG covering for the rest. This will develop a Master Plan to show where electronic charging stations should be placed within the City, based on connect ability, signage, how close in proximity, viability, etc. The City is looking into consultants at this time to assist in this plan. Eventually, this plan would be coming before the Sustainability Commission in some capacity. Mr. Graf notes that he does drive an electric vehicle, and he can provide input if needed. B. Recent Federal Litigation Regarding Municipal Tree Ordinance This item was discussed under New Business. Other: Mr. Graf discusses the Regional Stormwater Summit sponsored by the Oakland County Water Commission & Great Lakes Authority will be held on October 29th via zoom. He notes that they did not put together an agenda, but did release an announcement. The website is mi- stormwatersummit.com. Mr. Inks asks if we can place this in the minutes and if someone can forward the link. Mr. Matthews asks what time this is, and Mr. Graf responds that he believes it begins at 10:00 a.m. and should last about a half a day. Adjournment of Meeting Motion: Matthews Second: Inks Ayes: Matthews, Inks, Graf, Farooqi Meeting adjourned at 8:58pm Respectfully submitted, Chris McLeod, City Planner Office of Planning