Meeting Highlights for Commission:

 

1.  SAB submitted two letters of support for grants written by the City of Lawrence Solid Waste division to support funding from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment for recycling and composting.

2.  SAB members will be sending the Commissioners a letter for the January 16 meeting to support the pilot single-stream commercial recycling proposal for 2018.

 

AGENDA

December 13, 2017- 5:30 pm

Public Works Conference Room, Ground Floor, City Hall (6 E. 6th St.)

 

Members Present: Adam Ritchie, Jackie Carroll, Sharon Ashworth, Michael Steinle, Ma Ko Quah Jones, Travis Robinett, Dale Nimz, Maria Cuevas, Rachel Krause

 

Members Not Present: Karen Lewis

 

Staff Present: Kathy Richardson, Helen Schnoes

 

Members of Public Present:

 

 

  1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER: Determine quorum of members. Pressing Items? 

 

  1. APPROVE OCTOBER MEETING MINUTES. Steinle, Nimz—all approved

 

  1. SAB administrative items:
    1. New member: Maria Cuevas
    2. Selection of 2018 SAB Officers: Ashworth moves officers stay in same positions, Steinle seconds. Motion passes

                                                               i.      Chair—Adam Ritchie

                                                             ii.      Vice Chair—Jackie Carroll

                                                           iii.      Recording Secretary—Travis Robinett

  1. Comprehensive Plan Update
    1. Sharon Ashworth provided updates from the December Steering Committee meeting she attended. This was its first meeting to discuss the new draft. They addressed the Growth and Development chapter, including the three tiers of city growth in the proposed plan. Plan presents new element of community benefits to be included in future developments. Plan will still take many months to review, update.
    2. SAB discussed importance of making Tier 1—infill development—the desirable place to develop. Affordable housing still a big concern.
    3. SAB discussed focusing on one or two main items to prioritize in additional comments, based on SAB priorities.
    4. SAB could invite Jeff Crick, Scott McCullough, or someone else from the Planning Department or the Steering Committee to our meeting to further discuss the comprehensive plan. Jeff came when drafting the plan to present about the city growth modeling.
    5. Helen will research what Public Comment plan is and report back in January, then decide plan of action.

 

  1. Reports from committees:
    1. Land Use Committee

                                                               i.      Did not meet this month. Dale volunteered to go to next Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee meeting.

                                                             ii.      Kansas Biological Survey got a Douglas County Cultural & Natural Heritage grant to identify and make recommendations for areas to protect that are significant to local heritage, including historic sites and natural resources like wetlands, streams, and open space. Grant goes through 2019. The findings will help answer what kind of programs can support sustainable implementation. Dale expects that within 3-6 months the project team may potentially have some results to discuss with SAB.

    1. Water Conservation Committee – No updates

 

    1. Energy Conservation Committee – No updates

 

    1. Adam suggested that all subcommittees meet before the January SAB meeting and re-assess actions and goals. Review SAB Comp Plan memo and create SMART goals.

  1. Food Policy Council Report (provided by Michael Steinle).
    1. Michael updated on Goal 5 subcommittee of the Douglas Co. Food System Plan. In December Kathy Richardson visited with the group about the City of Lawrence pilot coming for single-string commercial recycling likely in 2018 for single stream recycling for commercial facilities like restaurants and big box stores. In 2018 the group will start to research policy on Food Waste and Composting. Infrastructure is in place.

 

  1. Review list of key on-going processes/policy development to track
    1. Helen presented a draft document prepared by staff that aggregated relevant on-going local efforts that relate to SAB. Group discussed reviewing in coming month to find where these processes and policies overlap with subcommittee and other SAB goals.
    2. Climate change isn’t represented on the document very well. New subcommittee? Or relates to each subcommittee?
    3. For several items, staff will lead doing the work, they can come to SAB and get feedback on these issues. List will be used to keep SAB informed so its members know what staff is working on for the City.
    4. For January meeting: Subcommittees should make edits and add where priorities matchup to this list. Group will determine best way to make timeline part of Staff Report each month, SAB members will suggest changes each month at SAB meetings.

 

  1. Staff Report:  Updates from Kathy, Tammy, and Helen.
    1. Kathy shared that the City is applying for KDHE waste grants.

                                                               i.      First a small grant for <$7,500 or less, applying for re-usable totes with info about recycling. These will be for apartment tenants. Apartments don’t recycle as much, and more contamination like plastic bags. Two apartments that were pilot project increased amount recycled and reduced contamination. Nimz moves to support program, Carroll seconds. SAB approves letter of support for grant.

                                                             ii.      Second grant for $50,000 to use towards a horizontal grinder for compost facility. Currently have a tub grinder. Able to manage larger pieces of debris. Robinett motions to approve, Ashworth seconds. SAB approves letter of support for grant.

 

    1. Kathy also shared about the City’s Pilot program for commercial single-stream recycling. 95-gallon, locking lid cart. Look for approval from commission at January 16 meeting.

                                                               i.      Rachel will draft a letter of support for SAB to review and approve to share with City Commission.

 

    1. Helen shared an update on the Sustainability Director hiring process. New director will start at the end of January.

 

    1. Helen was contacted by a representative of HAMM about conducting tours of the HAMM recycling and methane capture facilities. Helen will gather date options and present in January.

 

    1. Helen shared other updates: that Common Ground, the City’s community garden program, has received recognition as a “Sustainable Success Story” from MARC. The Food System Plan was awarded a Pioneer Award from the state American Planning Association chapter for creativity and innovation. She gave a presentation to Leadership Lawrence alumni about STAR and it was very well received.

  1. Action Items.  What are the key takeaways to share with the Commission?  What are key topics for next month’s agenda?
    1. Letters of support for grants and working on one for recycling

 

  1. Future Agenda Items
    1. Letter of support for Single Stream recycling pilot to City Commission

 

  1. Member Updates
    1. Ma’Quo”koah may miss early 2018 meetings due to pregnancy

               

  1. Public Comment

 

  1. Adjourn
    1. Ashworth, Steinle—all approved (7:30pm)

 

Next regular SAB meeting: 

January 10, 2017 at 5:30 p.m. 

Venue:  Public Works Conference Room, City Hall