HomeMy WebLinkAboutSustComMinutes_2020_05_13Sustainability Council Minutes May 13, 2020 4:00 by Zoom
Present: Jennifer McLaughlin, Chair, Stephanie Aure, Robin Butterbaugh, Mike Lockrem, Anna
Barr, Betty L Beer, Bob McGrath, Jane Hegland, Jacob Meshke.
Absent: Paul Peterson & Shelly Brandenburger
Agenda approved: McGrath motioned/Aure second. Unanimous approval
Last month’s minutes unanimously approved: McGrath motioned/Butterbaugh second.
Open forum for members of public: none
Jacob reported on the City Initiative of an electric vehicle charging station. Clytes Electric won
the bid, the cement pad is in and site prep photos are available. It will take 2-3 weeks to install
and should be in by early June. The rates are $1.00 for each of the first three hours, and $2.00
per hour after that, with $5.00 for a full charge. There is no nozzle for Tesla, but the Tesla itself
has an adaptor.
Jacob reported that the Landfill citizen campus will be open 24/7 from May-November. 2,000
carts out of 4-5,000 have been distributed. Citizens can drop off yard waste. There will be
home use compost to take and a recycle bin as well. There will be a place for garbage and bag
disposal.
Jacob reported that they are still pursuing grants for Community Composting.
It was reported that there were 24 responses to the Business Survey from 184 downtown
businesses. She had a printout of the general comments.
Recycling: We will hold off recycling efforts, but will create digital signage to limit single use
plastics for businesses to use. We will focus on reducing waste instead of recycling. We will
talk to businesses first as to efficacy. We will work with Ashley Biggar at the Chamber for
outreach to businesses. Anna will get on the Chamber agenda and will develop the digital
images.
Sustainability Awards: The City will cancel for 2020 and we won’t go ahead on our own.
Motion from Norma, seconded by Robin. Unanimous agreement.
Common Read: The Library is still interested and has purchased “Falter” by Bill McKibben for
book clubs. Nels suggests 2-3 sessions to discuss and he will distribute scenarios for discussion
by groups who can socially distance as he believes it would not be good on Zoom. There was a
motion by Mike, second by Robin to move forward at least on reading and virtual discussion
since the timing is good now. Unanimous agreement. Jacob mentioned that our committee
still has funds for books or perhaps for expenses for a design for reusable water bottles with a
view toward reducing plastic waste.
Subcommittees:
Marketing and Communication: They will meet Friday and discuss Common Read and
Social Media ideas.
Waste—no update
Energy—Nick Brown information
Local Foods—additional community gardens is stalled for now. Jacob will follow up
Update from Liaisons:
City Bike: Mike reported that the Bicycle Advisory Committee is working on
easements for circular path around the city on the NW campus and around the
airport. Mike will also look into whether the master plan has anything about
signage to walk bikes downtown. Mills Construction is making shared use paths
in new neighborhoods to connect to the circular path
Mike made a motion to adjourn, Bob seconded. Unanimous agreement.
Respectfully submitted,
Betty L Beer, Secretary