Sustainability Commission

Sustainability Commission Meeting Minutes February 21, 2024 Attendees: Sheryl Burns, Nethanya Fonseka, Mark Graf, Nathan Inks, Naketa Jones, Riley Maher, Jonathan Matthews, Matthew Smith, Alexis Richards, Ryan Fox. Absent: Victoria Carlino, Michael Tabbert (all excused per RF). 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, and Sterling Heights Sustainability Commission may be abbreviated as CC, DPW, GFL, SH, and SHSC, respectively. Call to Order – 6:02pm Pledge of Allegiance Roll Call – Sheryl Burns, Nethanya Fonseka, Mark Graf, Nathan Inks, Naketa Jones (entered 6:34pm), Riley Maher, Jonathan Matthews, Matthew Smith Absent: Victoria Carlino and Michael Tabbert Also in Attendance – Alexis Richards, Planner II Ryan Fox, Planner I Ava Miller, Planning Intern Nethanya Fonseka Approval of Agenda Motion: Smith Support: Inks Ayes: Burns, Graf, Inks, Maher, Matthews, Smith Considerations Approval of Minutes from 12/20/23 Motion: Graf Support: Inks Ayes: Burns, Graf, Inks, Maher, Matthews, Smith Abstained: Matthews Approval of Minutes from 1/17/24 Motion: Matthews Support: Inks Ayes: Burns, Graf, Inks, Maher, Matthews, Smith Abstained: Burns CORRESPONDENCE – None shared with the Office of Planning COMMITTEE REPORTS R^3 Committee Mr. Matthews presented information from the report and shouted out Nethanya for contacting schools in Utica. Green Energy Committee Mr. Inks presented information from the report and stated that the ordinance is still being reviewed by legal. Stormwater and Wetlands Committee Mr. Smith presented information from the report. Ms. Burns added that there will be a Vernal Pool Restoration and Training seminar by Tom B. Native Plantings Committee Ms. Burns presented information from the report and debates renaming the committee. Ms. Burns will be attending “The risks of standard mosquito control practices to ecosystems and human health: A case study for an ecologically designed approach.” and Mr. Graf signed up for the presentation. Trees Committee Mr. Inks presented information from the report. CC and Beautification Commission are doing an event on April 16th outside the library prior to the CC meeting, and a larger event is planned for April 27th. Ms. Fonseka made an educational trifold for the event. A discussion then ensued if the saplings for the event should be acquired from the Detroit Zoological Society (DZS) or the “photosynthesis-enhanced” trees from Living Carbon. It is decided that Ms. Richards will contact DZS and it is suggested that there could possibly be a pilot planting of the Living Carbon trees in a controlled environment for possible future use. Not sure if the speaker for the event is just demonstrating how to plant the trees or if they are going to also lecture. MI Healthy Climate Mr. Graf presented information from the report. The Huron-Clinton Metropark Authority (HCMA) released 5 key goals: 1. Education and Engagement 2. Preservation and Conservation 3. Water Quality 4. Transportation 5. Waste Management OLD BUSINESS Sustainability Self-Assessment Review: Section 2 Mr. Fox displayed the spreadsheet reviewed by Dr. Parcell and the SHSC went through it point- by-point. Bee Keeping Ordinance Update Ms. Richards received feedback from 3 people for the draft ordinance, 2 of which were helpful. The Bees in the D reply highlighted some difficulties in the ordinance, including the number of hives – minimum number should be increased to at least two. The MSU response was more detailed, including a request to clarify the definition of animal so people aren’t penalized for removal of wasp nests, e.g. The next steps are to meet and discuss the comments with the city attorney. Then it will be taken to CC. Treekeeper Ms. Richards stated that it was approved at CC, but SH was backquoted to the original price, bringing the purchase under the $10,000 mark. As soon as the link is received, AR will share with SHSC. Mosquito Control To be discussed after the summit. NEW BUSINESS Strategic Planning Follow-up Urban Reforestation Initiatives Ms. Richards relays that a couple million in grant funding was applied for and a .2 temporary millage increase was proposed for the next 5 years, still requiring CC approval, but would be enough to fill in missing street trees in front of family parcels. She also states that Consumer’s Energy has a $500,000 grant and that SH’s gap is $5.7 million. Mr. Graf asked if the Davey tree program will be able to simulate what a 40% tree canopy would look like on the map, which Ms. Richards replies that it wouldn’t. Community Garden Ms. Richards went over what will be included in the garden at Nelson Park. This included the garden. A butterfly house, a picnic area, micro-forest, and a pollinator garden. Ms. Burns stated that a Beautification member mentioned that the butterfly house would be too expensive and would be better to have pollinator gardens in multiple areas for the same price. EV Pilot Program Ms. Richards stated that SH is purchasing 3-5 EV’s and that usage habits will be studied along with cost and emissions reductions. The public-private partnership is still TBD. Southeast Quadrant Park Amenity Ms. Richards stated that Baumgartner Park has Red Run Park adjacent and that there will be a bridge linking the two, but it’s not activated yet. There is also potential shrinking of the dog training portion for the park extension. Miscellaneous Strategic Planning Comments Ms. Richards stated that there is the MI Healthy Climate Conference May 16th-17th and SH has 2 free registrations. It is in Lansing and one SHSC person can go, with money to send two additional people to the conference, but lodging/food cannot be compensated. There is $260 left in the education budget. Mr. Fox also showed members an overview of how to create an account and how to comment on the master plan website. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION: None Motion to adjourn at 9:10pm: Motion: Mathews Support: Inks Ayes: Burns, Graf, Inks, Jones, Maher, Matthews, Smith