Sustainability Commission

Sustainability Commission Meeting Minutes May 17, 2023 Attendees: Mark Graf, Ryan Fox, Nathan Inks, Jonathan Matthews, Alexis Richards, Dr. Kelley Skillin, Michael Tabbert, Councilman Henry Yanez Absent Speakers may be referred to by initials. Speech attributed to speakers is paraphrased unless quoted. City Council, Department of Public Works, Parks & Recreation, Green For Life, Youth Advisory Board, Sterling Heights, and Sterling Heights Sustainability Commission may be abbreviated as CC, DPW, P&R, GFL, YAB, SH, and SHSC, respectively. Call to Order – 7:00pm Pledge of Allegiance Roll Call – Mark Graf, Nathan Inks, Jonathan Matthews, Dr. Kelley Skillin, Mike Tabbert Also in Attendance – Alexis Richards, Planner II Ryan Fox, Planner I Henry Yanez, City Council Approval of Agenda Motion: Graf Support: Matthews Ayes: Graf, Inks, Matthews, Skillin, Tabbert Special Guest – 19:02 – Councilman Henry Yanez Mr. Yanez approached the SHSC to discuss lawn mowing and natural land use opportunities. Mr. Yanez explained that the City currently spends between $900,000 and $1,000,000 on mowing public parks, with the cost to mow ½ square mile for a year being $16,000. He also explained that some fertilizer utilized by the City could contribute to algae blooms in Michigan water ways, which is counter to the City’s sustainability goals. Mr. Yanez explained that he connected with a family friend who is an expert on weeds, who then connect Mr. Yanez to an expert at MSU extension about lawn maintenance. Mr. Yanez is interested in hiring someone to conduct an audit of City grass maintenance policies to determine costs to the City and the City’s overall carbon footprint. SHSC discussed how some individuals view their lawn as an extension of themselves, and that optics are important when it comes to overall deceasing the amount of mowing in the City. Natural grasses and wildflowers are discussed as alternatives to the standard grass lawn, as they are better for wildlife and runoff. Mr. Yanez and the SHSC discussed the fact that recycling is included in plans adopted by the State, SEMCOG, and Sterling Heights. However it is unclear how those plans interact and partner with each other. Mr. Yanez states that he will ensure that the City’s next waste hauler has a sustainability plan, and how the company embraces sustainable values. The success of the Go Green! Grant fund is discussed, and how residents clearly want sustainable alternatives and changes in the City. Mr. Yanez indicates that sustainability plans from the City must be aggressive in implementation. This includes expanding access to recycling. Discussion is had regarding a number of topics, including: working with the YAB to assist with events such as Music at the Park and Sterlingfest, the City potentially joining ICLI, and grants from the State of Michigan. Mr. Matthews expressed gratitude to Mr. Yanez regarding his assertiveness when it comes to sustainability issues. Mr. Yanez explains that in his wildest dreams, he would like to do a cost of carbon study. Conversation is had regarding DTE and how they select different types of power generation in their electrical bidding process, and how a cost of carbon could contribute to that formula in order to encourage greener power be used. Mr. Graf mentioned that a policy change may be in order, in order to allow longer lawns. He also mentions that the definition of an “appealing” front lawn will have to be reviewed, as it would be important to any future where mowing is less frequent. Mr. Inks brings up the definition of a noxious weed in the ordinance, and that the definition will likely need to change. Conversation on the topic ensues for some time. Mr. Yanez indicated that this conversation is limited solely to City properties for now, and the conversation switches back to City property. Several potential natural sites are discussed. Considerations Ordinance to Expand the Sustainability Commission The Office of Planning presented a draft amendment to the SHSC that expanded the members of the Commission to nine total members. The schedule for City Council reports would also be amended, to be more in line with other Boards and Commissions in the City. Of the nine members, seven needed to be Sterling Heights residents. Some wording changes are made. Motion to recommend approval of the amendment to expand the Sustainability Commission and modify the dates required for annual reporting to the City Council. Motion: Matthews Support: Graf Ayes: Graf, Inks, Matthews, Skillin, Tabbert Approval of Minutes from April 19th, 2023 Motion: Graf Support: Matthews Ayes: Graf, Inks, Matthews, Skillin, Tabbert Correspondence – There were no correspondence provided to the Office of Planning regarding the SHSC Committee Reports R^3 Committee Mr. Matthews presented that there was no new issues facing the Committee. He asked the Office of Planning for an update on the waste haulers contract. Ms. Richards indicated that the bid will go live on May 18th, 2023. DPW had indicated that all applicants to the bid will likely be interviewed. Mr. Matthews asks Ms. Richards if a secondary meeting of the R^3 Committee, outside of the regular SHSC meeting, would be necessary. Ms. Richards indicated that she would look into it. Green Energy Committee No new updates were given. Stormwater and Wetlands Committee Mr. Inks presented that progress is being made in communications with EGLE regarding the possibility of a wetlands ordinance. A conference with EGLE will likely be set up in the next month with the SHSC. Mr. Fox explained how the new stormwater requirements which the Office of Engineering will soon present to CC will have a great impact on easing the burden on the City’s stormwater infrastructure, as well as combatting pollutants. The Office of Planning is working to update the City’s landscaping requirements, to ensure that the two ordinance requirements will not contradict each other. Mr. Inks stated that the SHSC will wait to discuss a stormwater utility until after the pavement ordinance is resolved by CC. Old Business Rodent Extermination Mr. Fox explained how poison is utilized to kill rodents in the City. Poison is the most effective method for eliminating rodents on a large scale, according to contractors that work with the City. The poison does contain a short half-life- and this minimizes the risk to larger predators that eat the rodents. Switching away from the poison to mechanical traps could lead to a significant decrease the in the effectiveness of rodent removal, as well as a cost increase. Discussion ensued on the merits of poison verses other methods of rodent extermination. June 19th Rec on the Run Collaboration Mr. Richards has informed P&R that the SHSC was ready to assist with the event. The event will be June 19th at 3:00pm, and end two hours later. The Detroit Zoological Society will be providing approximately two hundred trees to the City, half of which will be handed out at this event. Craft activities will also be provided. Formal Opinion on the Budget Update Mr. Graf presented his presentation regarding a formal opinion on the budget. The SHSC discussed several elements of the presentation, including some notable inclusions and omissions. Mr. Inks discussed including electricity usage goals. Dr. Skillin expressed support for more transparency about City expenditures on fossil fuels. A climate action plan is once again discussed. Mr. Yanez asked if sustainability will be dovetailed into the Master Land Use Plan. Ms. Richards and Mr. Fox ensure him that sustainability will play a key role in the Master Planning process going forward. Treekeeper Update The Office of Planning provided an update to the SHSC regarding the tree survey. All neighborhood parks and right- of-way trees have been surveyed, with roughly $10,000 remaining. The City is considering a five year subscription to TreeKeeper. MI Green Communities Update The Office of Planning provided an update on the Catalyst Leadership cohort and the Accelerator Cohort, two cohorts that City staff can join in order to forward sustainability initiatives going forward. As the City scored the rank of silver in the MI Green Communities Challenge, the City has access to both cohorts. The Catalyst Leadership Cohort can grant the City access to graduate students, who could conduct studies that could assist the City in sustainability efforts going forward. October 24th, 2023 is the EGLE Sustainability Conference. The City may have two free attendees. New Business Annual Report The Office of Planning presented the draft for the Annual Report for the 2022-2023 fiscal year. Discussion was had on the dates of the report, and the contents of the report. Motion to forward the 2022-2023 Sustainability Commission Annual Report to City Council. Motion: Tabbert Support: Matthews Ayes: Graf, Inks, Matthews, Tabbert, Skillin Citizen Participation – There was no participation from citizens. Motion to adjourn at (9:13pm). Motion: Matthews Support: Inks Ayes: Graf, Inks, Matthews, Skillin, Tabbert