Conservation and Sustainability Commission

127 Center Street S Town of Vienna Vienna, VA. 22180 p: 703-319-8630 Meeting Minutes Conservation and Sustainability Commission Thursday, March 24, 2022 7:30 PM Vienna Community Center 1. Welcome and Roll Call In Attendance: Christina Caplan Desiree DiMauro Craig Burns William Comerford Patricia Esswein Mala Persaud Cindy Weinberg Nicole Caplan Sonali Chandra Absent: Bob Robinson 2. Communication from Citizens and/or Commissioners 3. Approval of the Minutes 4. New Business Vienna Voice articles o April: Green Expo, Student Creativity Contest Sustainability Challenge, Recycling Right. o May: Native Plant Sale (Ms. Weinberg); reducing plastic bags and packaging consumption, dangers of recycling plastic, micro-plastics (Ms. Caplan). o June: Announce Sustainability Challenge Awardees in May (Ms. DiMauro); Liberty Amendments tie in with an environmental racism angle, cutting waste has a ripple effect on diverse communities (Ms. Persaud). o July: Members to forward ideas for this month. Town Budget update o Commission Chairs to attend Town Council Conference Session on Monday, April 18, 2022, at 7:30 pm. o Commission members to forward emails to Town Mayor and Town Council (cc: Town Clerk) regarding the challenges and their experiences with annual community event planning and not having an express set and standing budget with which to work. 5. Old Business Green Expo o The target of 25 exhibitors will be met. Exhibitor details were finalized. Town of Vienna Page 1 Printed on 2/1/2023 Conservation and Sustainability Meeting Minutes March 24, 2022 Commission o Raffle tickets and the kid passports, as well as the rain barrel and composter raffles, are to be coordinated. o Green Expo to be promoted through local media outlets and Next Door and other social media apps. These efforts are to be coordinated with the PIO, including event mentions in the two Mayor weekly round-ups on Facebook leading up to the event. Student Creativity contest o Members to keep promoting the contest on social media, within community groups, and post flyers around Town. Business Sustainability Challenge o The challenge has been posted online on its publicity web page, and its promotion is set to begin. o A recommendation was made for businesses to offer a “return product or packaging for recycling or destruction” for point(s) in future challenges. CSC participation in Comprehensive Plan o There are no updates. Native Plant Sale o Navy Federal Credit Union (NFCU) has employees interested in volunteering. The Department of Parks & Recreation (DPR) will add the event to its volunteers-wanted list. Student volunteers were also a great resource for volunteers at the last Fall Plant Sale. o Rain barrel and composter raffles to be coordinated. o Sale details and event promotion were discussed. Invasive plant removal and native/pollinator garden initiatives o DPR has a number of events scheduled.  Weekly, on Mondays, invasive removal events at Southside (10 am – 12 pm).  Weekly, on Thursdays, at Glyndon Park (advance sign-up only).  Weekend, on April 2, invasive removal at Wildwood Park (9 -11 am).  Weekend, on April 16 and 30, at Glyndon Park.  Arbor Day, on April 29, planting a dogwood at the Community Center. o Girl Scout Silver butterfly-pollinator garden project proposed for the Tapawingo Rd SW & Frederick St SW water tower plot is pending approval. Solarize/SolSmart startup for Spring 2022. o Solarize Vienna, energy efficiency, and climate change initiatives  The program starts on April 1, along with outreach to the community to publicize the program.  Commission members advised of April 5 webinar at 12 Noon. Recycling, litter, and composting initiatives o Commission to consider composting profile stories by members for Vienna Voice and Facebook. o New trash can locations are to be proposed. Pro bono tree project and tree-related initiatives o Canopy coverage analysis presentation to Council scheduled for Fall. o The Nutley tree project is scheduled for the first week of April. o DPR looking to implement a request-a-tree program for Town property owners. o Town beautification and landscape improvements along Maple and Church Streets. Town of Vienna Page 2 Printed on 2/1/2023 Conservation and Sustainability Meeting Minutes March 24, 2022 Commission Website and social media updates o (April) Green Tips of the week are posted to Town’s Facebook and Instagram accounts. o Solarize to be promoted to the community. Upcoming April 5 webinar to include the promotional materials needed to amplify the program to the community at large. o Dark Skies Week April 22-30: Promote Sky Meadows and Great Falls locations as designated dark skies parks on social media. Commission to submit a Code Create dark skies lighting suggestion to the Town Department of Planning and Zoning (DPZ). o CSC to nominate Town volunteer, Ms. Esswein for recognition. The deadline is April 1. Update on VPAC and Windover Heights Board of Review meetings. o The VPAC master plan, logo, and brochure are currently in development, along with other art initiatives.  Public Art and Vienna businesses are working with the Town Economic Development office. o Windover Heights Board of Review did not meet. Community outreach opportunities are hosting tents at Walk on the Hill, Viva Vienna, and Oktoberfest. 6. Meeting Adjournment THE TOWN OF VIENNA IS COMMITTED TO FULL COMPLIANCE WITH THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT STANDARDS. TRANSLATION SERVICES, ASSISTANCE OR ACCOMMODATION REQUESTS FROM PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES ARE TO BE REQUESTED NOT LESS THAN 3 WORKING DAYS BEFORE THE DAY OF THE EVENT. PLEASE CALL (703) 255-6304, OR 711 VIRGINIA RELAY SERVICE FOR THE HEARING IMPAIRED. Town of Vienna Page 3 Printed on 2/1/2023