City of Lawrence
Sustainability Advisory Board (SAB)
October 10, 2012 minutes
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MEMBERS PRESENT: |
Boog Highberger, Sarah Hill-Nelson, Chad Luce, Dale Nimz, Ian Spomer, Scott White
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MEMBERS ABSENT: |
Matt Lehrman, Kathleen Nuckolls, Megan Poindexter, Andrea Repinsky
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STAFF PRESENT: |
Tammy Bennett, Eileen Horn, Crystal Miles (guest speaker), Kathy Richardson
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PUBLIC PRESENT: |
Jenny O’Brien |
Call Meeting to Order (Chad Luce, Chair person) 5:36 pm
Take roll call to determine quorum of members.
Approval of Meeting Minutes
Motion and second to approve the September 12, 2012 minutes (Highberger/Hill-Nelson).
Vote: Motion was passed unanimously.
Guest Speakers
Crystal Miles, the City’s Horticulture and Forestry Manager, presented information about landscaping practices, pesticide-free park initiative, the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program, and non potable water usage for some watering projects.
It is the mission of the Lawrence Parks and Recreation Department’s IPM policy to sustain the beauty and recreation capabilities of its parks in an environmentally friendly, safe, and responsible manner. The department takes into account the impact to the environment and the health of the public and city staff. Information about the IPM program is available at www.lawrenceks.org/lprd/parks/ipm.
SAB asked what they can do to assist the Lawrence Parks and Recreation Department. Crystal Miles mentioned there are volunteer jobs available and posted on their website.
Sarah Hill-Nelson asked what sustainability means to the department. Crystal Miles mentioned a few goals in regards to sustainability including planting trees that use less water and need little pruning as well as selecting trees and plants that are less prone to insect problems.
Staff Reports
Eileen Horn addressed all items on the Sustainability Coordinator report and mentioned “Farmland” items will be on the City Commission agenda soon. Sarah Hill-Nelson asked if the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce was supportive of Farmland for land development. Chad Luce is on the Chamber board and said the Chamber is very supportive of Farmland development now because the South Lawrence Trafficway (SLT) project is moving forward. Eileen Horn mentioned staff is currently working on the transportation plan (T2040) for the Farmland property and can share the plan with SAB since staff is taking comment on this document.
Kathy Richardson discussed program updates included in the Waste Reduction and Recycling Division report. In addition, the Request for Proposals (RFP) for a city-wide, single-stream residential curbside collection service was released for distribution in September as authorized by the City Commission. Proposals are due October 26th. The City’s Solid Waste/WRR Division is also working on a proposal in response to the RFP. A Selection Committee will review the proposals and schedule interviews in November.
Tammy Bennett gave an update on the trash cart implementation program. Carts will be delivered to single-family households starting October 15th through November 9th. Citizens may request a larger or smaller cart size and may also rent additional carts. The City is also planning to collect old trash containers for recycling on two Fridays, November 9th and November 16th. Information on the trash cart implementation program as well as old trash container reuse and recycling opportunities is posted online at www.lawrenceks.org/carts.
The City will soon begin selling 95-gallon yard waste carts to be used for Monday yard waste collection days. These carts are designed with vents to prevent strong odors from stored yard waste materials such as grass and leaves. The carts will be sold for $60 each. Information is available online at www.lawrenceks.org/wrr/yardwastecarts.
Model Stream Buffer Ordinance
Eileen Horn shared Kansas City’s Stream Setback Ordinance Fact Sheet. Kansas City is considering a stream setback as part of it Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Regulation Update to keep homes, businesses, and other built infrastructure away from stream banks.
Eileen Horn mentioned she met with Matt Bond, the City’s Stormwater Engineer, who is currently working on a project to model the watershed (assessment) and thus figure out the stream buffer for different types of zones. He will touch base with SAB in January.
What will the SAB’s role be? The board could help support a stream buffer ordinance. There was discussion about engaging in public education and communicating with property owners who may not be happy with the ordinance, but is SAB’s role to educate? Dale Nimz mentioned the idea of hosting a workshop for the public and inviting a community that has a successful stream buffer ordinance.
SAB Upcoming Vacancies
Chad Luce, Sarah Hill-Nelson, and Megan Poindexter will be off the board after December 2012. Dale Nimz and Ian Spomer would like to be re-appointed another term starting January 2013. Andrea Repinsky is undecided about re-appointment to another term.
The SAB discussed possible candidates for the board to fill the upcoming vacancies. They agreed diversity in backgrounds is good. At next month’s meeting, SAB members will bring specific names of Lawrence citizens interested in serving on the board and there will be a discussion on who to recommend.
Tammy Bennett mentioned that in the past the City of Lawrence has sent out a news release stating multiple vacancies on an advisory board.
Motion and second to send out a news release for SAB vacancies (Hill-Nelson/White).
Vote: Motion was passed unanimously.
Miscellaneous Announcements and/or Public Comments
Chad Luce mentioned he will respond to the citizen’s email sent to SAB asking about electric vehicle charging stations. The current stations are on private property so it is up to those property owners to make decisions.
Meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
Next meeting: November 14th, 2012 at 5:30 p.m.
Attachments:
Sustainability Coordinator Report
Kansas City’s Stream Setback Ordinance Fact Sheet
Waste Reduction and Recycling Division Report