City of Lawrence

Sustainability Advisory Board (SAB)

November 9, 2011 minutes

MEMBERS PRESENT:	Sarah Hill-Nelson, Matt Lehrman, Dale Nimz, Megan Poindexter, Daniel Poull, Andrea Repinsky, Ian Spomer. Youth in Government: Nick Benson.
MEMBERS ABSENT:	Beth Johnson, Chad Luce, Simran Sethi
STAFF PRESENT:	Tammy Bennett, Eileen Horn, Kathy Richardson
PUBLIC PRESENT:	Gregory Thomas

Call Meeting to Order (Matt Lehrman, Chair person)

Take roll call to determine quorum of members.

Approval of Meeting Minutes

Motion and second to approve the October 12, 2011 minutes (Nimz/Poull).

Vote: Motion was passed unanimously.

Presentation and tour of KU’s Center for Design Research by Gregory Thomas

Gregory Thomas, director of KU’s Center for Design Research, gave a brief presentation and tour of the center. It serves a dual purpose as a meeting and presentation venue as well as a working laboratory. The design for the building implements sustainable strategies to maximize the potential of existing resources, minimize environmental degradation, create an environment that is safe, comfortable and efficient and provide an iconic representation of sustainability for the University of Kansas.

Recap of SAB presentation on the progress of the Climate Protection Plan to the City Commission

SAB agreed that their presentation went well. The board plans to continue providing an update on the progress of the Climate Protection Plan each year to the City Commission.

Discuss if SAB would like to make a statement on the final Lawrence Peak Oil Plan report at the 12-13-11 City Commission meeting

SAB discussed and agreed to make a statement on the final report of the Peak Oil Task Force at the December 13^th City Commission meeting. Daniel Poull volunteered to speak on behalf of the board.

Motion and second to approve the following statement (Poull/Hill-Nelson).

Vote: Motion was passed unanimously.

The Sustainability Advisory Board would like to commend the Peak Oil Task Force on the extensive work of putting together the recommendations for this report. The Sustainability Advisory Board would like to highlight the similarities between this report and other recommendations made by the Sustainability Advisory Board such as the Complete Streets policy, energy efficiency measures, and a dedicated city staff person to coordinate these efforts. As costs to consume natural resources continue to increase, these recommendations will help save money and further the pursuit of a more sustainable Lawrence and a better quality of life.

Submit names to the City Commission as suggestions for filling the two upcoming vacant seats on the SAB

There was discussion on a number of candidates who SAB may wish to recommend to the City Commission for the two vacant positions on the board. A few board members volunteered to contact these candidates prior to the next meeting to ask if they are interested in serving on the board. At the next meeting, SAB will decide which names to submit to the Mayor and City Commission as suggestions for filling the two vacant seats.

Nomination of 2012 SAB officers

The following board members were nominated: Megan Poindexter and Chad Luce for chair and Dale Nimz for vice-chair. There were no nominations made for secretary. Discussion of nominations will continue at the next SAB meeting.

Coordinate holiday potluck dinner for December’s meeting

SAB decided that each person will bring take-out or home-cooked food and their reusable plates, cups, etc. to the next meeting.

12th and Haskell Recycle Center

Andrea Repinsky informed SAB that one of the items on the City Commission December 13^th agenda will be zoning compliance related to the 12^th and Haskell Recycle Center. She mentioned the Brook Creek Neighborhood noted over the last few months that the metal piles at this recycle center have decreased, but the noise level has not improved. There are also concerns about the land use. Andrea asked if the board would be interested in participating in this discussion by writing a memo to the City Commission or making a statement at the December 13^th meeting. SAB discussed and agreed to wait until after the meeting to see what develops and then make a comment if necessary.

Staff Report: Waste Reduction and Recycling Division

Kathy Richardson informed SAB that the City Commission approved the staff recommendation to negotiate a contract with Ripple Glass for implementation of a city-wide drop-off glass recycling program. All other items were included in the Waste Reduction and Recycling Division report.

Staff Report: Sustainability Coordinator

Eileen Horn addressed all items on the Sustainability Coordinator report. SAB agreed to receive a presentation from the Local Food Policy Council at their December meeting.