Sustainability Commission

Sustainability Commission Meeting Minutes April 19th, 2023 Speakers may be referred to by initials. Speech attributed to speakers is paraphrased unless quoted. City Council, Department of Public Works, Green For Life, Sterling Heights, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, and Sterling Heights Sustainability Commission may be abbreviated as CC, DPW, GFL, SH, EGLE, and SHSC, respectively. Call to Order – 6:03pm Pledge of Allegiance Roll Call – Mark Graf, Nathan Inks, Jonathan Matthews, Mike Tabbert. Dr. Kelley Skillin was absent. Also in Attendance – Alexis Richards, Planner II Ryan Fox, Planner I Approval of Agenda Motion: Tabbert Support: Graf Ayes: Graf, Inks, Matthews, Tabbert Considerations A - Formal Opinion on Budget Mr. Graf proposed issuing an official statement from the Sustainability Commission on the proposed City Budget being presented to City Council. Discussion was had on the merits of issuing this statement, what the goals of the SHSC would be for issuing this statement, how specifically would the statement discuss details of the budget, and other topics. Mr. Fox indicated that such statements would not be unprecedented, but expressed concern that the timeline to issue a statement on this year’s budget would not be feasible. Conversation was had on analyzing this year’s budget for the sake of issuing a statement on next year’s budget. The SHSC discussed how the Sustainability Plan has action items that specifically address the budget, and how the Office of Planning can work with the City Manager’s Office to address the implementation of these Sustainability Plan Action Items into the budgeting process. The Office of Planning will also look to compare metrics with neighboring communities, and utilizing that in the process as well. Motion to approve the Minutes for the March 15th Sustainability Commission Meeting. Motion: Matthews Support: Inks Ayes: Graf, Inks, Matthews Abstain: Tabbert Correspondence – There were no correspondence provided to the Office of Planning regarding the SHSC. Committee Reports R^3 Committee Mr. Matthews presents that the SHSC discussed the idea of volunteering at Sterlingfest, and they came to the conclusion that a more sustainable way of staffing City events for waste reduction & recycling inclusion is necessary. Mr. Matthews asked for a timeline regarding the Request for Proposal (RFP) process for a waste hauler in the City, and Ms. Richards provided the following timeline: On April 27th, the draft of the RFP will be provided to CC for review. On May 11th, the DPW will receive feedback from CC on the RFP. On May 18th, DPW will publish the RFP. On May 30th, all RFP bids will be due. From June 5th through the 9th, DPW will conduct interviews for bid applicants. The new contract would ultimately be award in July of this 2023. Ms. Richards indicated that after the bids are returned on May 30th, SHSC would have the most ability to influence the RFP process. The Office of Planning did not believe that anyone from the SHSC would be allowed to assist with conducting the interviews. The Office of Planning assured the SHSC that DPW is aware that there are questions regarding red-tagging, the fate of existing trash bins in the City, universal curbside recycling, and educational graphics on cans that should be included as part of the RFP. Mr. Inks indicated that the R^3 Committee should take the lead on any RFP review, and Mr. Matthews agreed. Green Energy Committee Mr. Tabbert references that much of the Green Energy Committee’s report will be discussed later in the agenda during the Think Sterling Green line item. Mr. Inks and Ms. Richards attended a webinar hosted by the Michigan Association of Planning, which provided information regarding solsmart.org. Solsmart.org focuses on increasing accessibility for small scale solar power developments. Mr. Inks believes that a community assessment may be free, and that such an assessment could be useful to Sterling Heights. Stormwater and Wetlands Committee Mr. Inks highlighted information in his report. Mr. Inks also updates the SHSC on communications between himself and a representative from EGLE regarding Michigan cities implementing a wetlands ordinance. Sterling Heights have 76 acres of wetland that they have the exclusive right to regulate, but City regulations cannot be more burdensome than state requirements. The City must also maintain an identical definition of wetland as the State. Old Business Transportation Planning for People and the Planet Discussion is had regarding the Transportation Planning for People and the Planet: Lessons from the Midwest report released by The RE-AMP Network and its partner organizations. Mr. Graf notes that the report recommends establishing specific, measurable metrics for sustainability related projects. Pavement Ordinance Follow Up The Office of Planning updates the SHSC that CC rejected the Pavement Ordinance that the SHSC had recommended approval for. The ordinance was not heard by CC, as there was no formal motion to introduce the ordinance amendment. Mr. Fox explained that a new version of the ordinance will be presented to CC when possible, that would likely see a number of the Sustainability aspects of the ordinance removed. The new version will likely not be presented to the SHSC as a result of the removal of these aspects of the ordinance. Mr. Graf voiced concern that the original version did not account for pie shaped lots. Mr. Fox clarified that the ordinance change will be brought back to the Planning Commission before it reaches CC for further consideration. Mr. Inks recommended conducting a survey to determine how many driveways in the City would be impacted by the potential ordinance change. Mr. Fox answered that the vast majority of driveways would not be affected, as the ordinance was designed to keep the majority of driveways out of non-conforming status. Mr. Fox explained that conducting a survey such as described by Mr. Inks would be logistically extremely difficult. Mr. Inks expressed that it would be wise to hold off on a potential Stormwater Utility until this ordinance is resolved. Master Plan Update Mr. Inks updated the SHSC that the Planning Commission moved forward with conducting an update of the Master Land Use Plan for the City. Ms. Richards explained that CC is currently considering a budget allocation to allow for the hiring of a consulting firm to assist with the rewrite. Discussion was had on the inclusion of a Climate Action Plan with the Master Land Use Plan, and Ms. Richards assured the SHSC that would be considered. TreeKeeper The Office of Planning updated the SHSC that a meeting was had with the GIS Coordinator, Ms. Sarah Mitchell, to examine if iTree could easily be integrated with GIS. Along with a representative from DPW, the team sat down with a representative from Davey Tree. Ms. Mitchell expressed great interest in utilizing TreeKeeper, and the team was workshopping a cost sharing plan to purchase the service. Expansion of the Commission Ms. Richards explained that an ordinance change to expand the Sustainability Commission is currently being drafted, and that the Commission should see a draft in the coming months. The City is currently deciding if seven or nine members would be appropriate. New Business Arbor Day Mr. Tabbert attended an Arbor Day Ceremony held by the City on April 17th. The SHSC expressed frustration that the last minute notice for the event, but is happy the event went well. Mr. Tabbert discussed similar events held in Auburn Hills Michigan. Ms. Richards expressed that future collaboration with the Detroit Zoological Society will likely involve the distribution of trees. Mr. Inks expressed hope that a future Committee of the SHSC would include a Tree Committee that would focus on such collaborations and tree related initiatives. Think Sterling Green The Office of Planning discussed the new umbrella marketing campaign created by the Community Relations Department, called Think Sterling Green. This campaign will focus on various Sustainability initiatives across several departments, recently added grants available to Sterling Heights residents. Discussion ensued on different initiatives related to the campaign, as well as the campaigns website. It was discussed that the Community Relations Department will coordinate the campaign, and will work with the SHSC and Office of Planning to ensure all City programs and initiatives are covered. Recreation on the Run Ms. Richards presented an initiative that the Parks and Recreation Department is working on, where they want the Sustainability Commission to collaborate on. The joint event would take place in Moravian Park on Monday, June 19th. Mr. Inks reminded the SHSC that day is Juneteenth, which will also be taken into consideration by the Community Relations Department Clinton River Cleanup Mr. Graf updated the SHSC that the Youth Advisory board and the Beautification Commission teamed up to clean up the Clinton River on April 22nd. Mr. Fox ensured the SHSC that the Office of Planning will work with Community Relations to ensure the SHSC was included in future collaborations. Mr. Inks suggested establishing a Google Drive for annual events. Sterling Stamping Plant Bee Hives Mr. Graf updated the SHSC that the Chrysler Stamping Plant now has Bee Hives on site. The Office of Planning explained that the City was currently considering an ordinance to allow bee keeping in the City. Communication from a Resident Mr. Graf was approached by a resident regarding the use of poison to exterminate rats. Discussion was had how this could be damaging to wildlife in the area. Mr. Fox will speak to the Office of Neighborhood Services to determine how rodents are exterminated in the City. Committee Report Timelines The SHSC discussed the submission timeline for Committee reports, to be submitted to the Office of Planning no later than 5:00pm the Wednesday before the scheduled meeting. Citizen Participation Juan Rebolledo of Fraser addressed the Commission. Mr. Rebolledo is shadowing the Office of Planning, and enjoyed observing the meeting. Ms. Richards mentions that Mr. Rebolledo and another intern will be joining the Office of Planning from the end of May until the end of August, to assist with a wide range of projects. Both interns have a unique interest in Sustainability. Motion to Adjourn (8:48pm): Motion: Matthews Support: Inks Ayes: Graf, Inks, Matthews, Tabbert Alexis Richards Planner II