Loading...
Full Agenda Packet Sustainable Janesville Committee Council Chambers, Municipal Building 18 N. Jackson St., Janesville, Wisconsin Tuesday May 5, 2009 6:00pm I. ROLL CALL II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES “C” III. PUBLIC COMMENT IV. OLD BUSINESS 1. None V. NEW BUSINESS 1. Presentation by Steve Hiniker, Director of 1000 Friends who will be introducing a Green Tier project that would establish a sustainability format for participating cities in Wisconsin VI. CITY STAFF UPDATE VII. MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA VIII. ADJOURNMENT Janesville’s Sustainability Committee Presents: WHAT: Steve Hiniker, Director of 1000 Friends will be introducing a Green Tier project that would establish a sustainability format for participating cities in Wisconsin. 1000 Friends has been working with the Wisconsin DNR, the League of Municipalities, the Alliance of Cities, UW, and many other stakeholders to create a program focused on land use (walk-able communities) and associated transportation issues facing communities today. WHEN: May 5, 2009, 6:00 PM th WHERE: Janesville Municipal Building, 18 North Jackson St, Janesville – 4 Floor http://www.1kfriends.org/ 1000 Friends of Wisconsin Mission Statement 1000 Friends of Wisconsin was created to protect and enhance Wisconsin’s urban and rural landscapes by providing citizens with the inspiration, information and tools they need to effectively participate in the decisions that have the greatest impact on community health: where we live, work, learn, play and how we get from one place to another. We accomplish our work through three major efforts: (1) Promoting Implementation of Smart Growth (2) Policy Development and Advocacy (3) Research and Information Sharing Our work focuses on helping communities make the connection between our everyday land use and transportation decisions and our state's economic, environmental and cultural health. For more information, contact Julie Backenkeller, Janesville Sustainability Committee Vice Chair at 758-3253 Sustainable Janesville Committee Council Chambers, Municipal Building 18 N. Jackson St., Janesville, Wisconsin Tuesday, April 21, 2009 6:30pm I. ROLL CALL Members Present: Backenkeller, Cunningham, Mills, Swanson, Peterson, Udell, Hyzer Members Absent: McDonald Staff Present: Hulick II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES “C” III. PUBLIC COMMENT Presentation by the Leadership Development Academy group regarding recycling in the Parks IV. OLD BUSINESS 1. Continued discussion on City of Janesville “Sustainable Plan” initiative: Committee Member Backenkeller indicated to the Committee that she sent Pasadena’s Green Action Plan to several City Department Heads and asked for their comments. Committee Member Cunningham recommended that the Committee should make an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan rather then a stand alone plan. Cunningham noted that the Committee should look to Agenda 21 for further guidance. Committee Member Peterson indicated that he liked the Natural Step information presented by Committee Member Udell, but suggested that any plan drafted by the Committee should try to include other areas of the community, such as businesses and citizens and beyond into the future. Peterson suggested that the Committee could be split into sub committees who could then take on each of the four issues. Peterson cited an article by Thomas Friedman which effectively states that the committee should look to change leadership’s focus. Committee Member Udell suggested that the Committee should take a fresh start, with a new document, looking for a broad based plan with goals and objectives. Udell stated that the Committee needs to focus on goals and objectives and define where the Committee wants to go from here in order to move forward. Committee Member Mills agreed and further stated that the Committee should work to organize an environmental summit. Cunningham suggested that the Summit needs to come after the committee has established their goals and objectives. Committee Member Hyzer indicated that she would like to see citizens sustainable practices highlighted and brought to the attention of the Community. Backenkeller indicated that she writes a bi-weekly column in the Gazette and would love new ideas and contributors. Udell suggested that the Committee should look to City staff and Department Heads to increase their sustainable initiatives. This could be then used as a yearly audit of sustainable initiatives which brings cost savings to forefront. Udell then asked Committee to look at previous handout and come to next meeting with new ideas. Committee Member Swanson asked if this item could be brought to next meeting so we could take action on it. Swanson would also like a report to verify what the City has done up to this point. Hulick indicated that Assistant City Manager Winzenz provided a presentation in September 2008 that summarized sustainable initiatives undertaken. Swanson indicated that report would work. Backenkeller indicated that at our next meeting May 5, Hiniker from 1,000 friends will be making a presentation regarding his experience with Sustainable initiatives. Mills asked if Dave Lou could put together a list of sustainable initiatives he has been instrumental in implementing. Cunningham indicated that each department should have inventories of what they are already doing (i.e. stormwater calculations for city). Cunningham noted that there should be an information tracking system so the City knows where it is at and where it needs to be. Udell asked if there are trends that could be viewed over time to see what usage rates are of electricity, water, fuel, and then see how those variables could be reduced. Swanson suggested that the Committee ask that the departments bring their baseline information forward and then show the Committee how they will improve that baseline. Backenkeller indicated that she has developed an assessment that a business could use, that she will pass along to the Committee. Mills referred to his “measurable indicators” presentation from a previous meeting and suggested that “usage” could be added to that list. Next Meeting : Udell will enhance Natural Step indicators outline for the Committee to vote on. 2. Update from Committee Member Mills on Community Garden Vegetable Contest: Mills discussed idea with Dave Jennings (Rotary Garden). Hulick indicated that Mills should contact Teri Huber of the Janesville Farmers Market. V. NEW BUSINESS None VI. CITY STAFF UPDATE Hulick reminded the Committee of the upcoming tour of the Germantown Recycling Facility on April 28 and of the upcoming Earth Day Event at Blackhawk Technical College on April 30. VII. MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA Udell suggested that new buildings being constructed in the City should have LEED requirements. Udell also asked if a portion of the stormwater utility fees could be used for innovative stormwater techniques. Backenkeller would like a bobcat at the compost site. VIII. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:05pm HANDOUT PROVIDED BY SJC MEMBER KATIE UDELL Eco-municipality / The Natural Step/Green Action Plan Opportunities: I.Discuss opportunities & “Guiding Vision” with City Council/City Manager/Committee A.Define specific goals that City should pursue using the 4 system conditions – EXAMPLES: 1.(Look to Sustainable Janesville Green Action Plan that Julie put together as a start?) 2.Reduce City’s dependence upon fossil fuels / Reduce contribution of greenhouse gas emissions a.Fleet Vehicle Policies / Phasing Plan for replacement vehicles to use more efficient technology b.Idling policy / sharing of resources c.(Provide timeline and specific goal) 3.Reduce City’s Overall Paper Use a.(Provide timeline and specific goal) 4.Reduce City’s Overall Energy Use and Utilize Alternative Energy Resources a.Energy Audits – need to compile a baseline of existing conditions and set goals for energy reduction b.Prepare energy reduction policies for each department and analyze opportunities to reduce energy use building and facility- wide (i.e. work days M-Th rather than M-F, light sensors, etc.) c.Plan for alternative power sources to be implemented in new facilities (i.e. solar/wind shall be incorporated into every new facility/building and shall supply a minimum of 5% of energy use for facility; look into adding solar onto roof of city hall) 5.Promote the Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Mantra a.Purchasing Policy for materials with recycled content (i.e. paper, etc.) b.Opportunities for reusing furniture/supplies rather than purchasing new – provide information to departments on sharing opportunities c.Look into lowering overall cost by sharing purchasing cost/equipment with adjacent municipalities d.Waste reduction goals (paper plates/cups, etc.) B.Once Guiding Vision is defined, inform department heads/create signage, etc. to educate employees of vision C.Example of Green Cities California Resolution: 1.Purchase 100% post-consumer recycled paper for municipal operations. 2.Prohibit the purchase of bottled water for municipal operations and government sponsored events. 3.Adopt a carbon offset plan for municipal employee air travel. 4.Adopt municipal fleet fuel efficiency standards. 5.Promote the purchase of (state) foods for municipal events and operations. II.Department Heads: A.Hold a department meeting to discuss the 4 system conditions and guiding vision – and as a group discuss and prepare a summary report including these items: 1.What is our department’s dependence upon fossil fuels, metals, materials/chemicals, harmful substances? 2.What can our department do to reduce our dependence on these substances? 3.What is our department’s impact on the environment that can harm life-sustaining ecosystems? 4.What can our department do to reduce our impact on these activities and substances? 5.Address each of the guiding vision goals and demonstrate opportunities to meet and enhance those goals. 6.Add additional department goals. B.Collect employee questionnaires and summarize in report – include issues and opportunities – include a timeline and potential cost implications III.Employee Questionnaire: Generate ideas from a “bottom-up” approach A.What could you modify in your daily job routine to become more environmentally friendly that WOULD NOT take any extra time or supplies? B.What could you modify in your daily job routine to become more environmentally friendly that WOULD take extra time and/or supplies? Please describe. C.Do you have any specific ideas on how your department could improve its fuel efficiency, energy use, water use and other non-renewable materials? D.Do you have any ideas on what you think the city should do to become more environmentally friendly? IV.Pose Survey to City Residents: A.Park Place News & Online: 1.What do you think the city could do to become more environmentally friendly? 2.What are your biggest concerns regarding the city working towards becoming environmentally friendly? 3.What would you like the city to focus on with regard to becoming more environmentally friendly? 4.Additional comments/suggestions: B.Educate residents and employees on what the city is already doing to be more sustainable & save residents money – put on website / present as part of Park Place News