Loading...
2012-02-09 CITY OF ENCINITAS Environmental Commission Minutes Meeting Date: Thursday, February 9, 2012 5:30 p.m. 1. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Meeting called to order at 5:30 p.m. by Chair Joe Prola. Present: Greg Barth, John Eldon, Brian Grover, Alice Jacobson, Joe Prola, Carris Rhodes, Harriet Seldin . Absent: None Also Present: Samantha Morrow, Bryce Wilson — Public Works Jacy Bolden - Contract Staff 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Joe led the Pledge of Allegiance. 3. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS/PUBLIC COMMENT None 4. APPROVAL OF January 12, 2012 MEETING MINUTES John moved approval of January minutes. Alice seconded. Motion carried. 5. NEW BUSINESS A. Encinitas Environment Day & Green Spring Jacy discussed various approaches in the past such as events during Earth Month (April) or Green Spring (April to June). In 2011, the Environmental Commission primarily promoted others' events. Carris said that D.E.M.A. will be hosting environmental films on the first Thursday of the month from April through June at the courtyard at Pacific Station. They will show a food oriented film, an electric car/alternative transportation film, and one other to be determined. Jacy announced the Public Works Department will host an Arbor Day event in 2012 to meet requirements of the Tree City USA designation. Two trees will be planted in Cottonwood Creek Park in April or May. The Public Works Department requested a volunteer from the both Environmental and Parks and Recreation Commissions. Greg volunteered to represent the Environmental Commission. Jacy asked Commissioners to suggest workshops or activities for Green Spring. Greg suggested the topics of a Riparian Parkway Task Force and pre-heating solar water systems. Jacy said it is necessary to book the Community Room at the Library early for Green Spring events. Alice and John recommended promoting events rather than adding new events. EC_Minutes_01122012 Page 1 of 5 Printed on Recyded Paper,Naturally. Harriet suggested having a booth at the Encinitas Environment Day rather than hosting an event for Green Spring. Alice recommended promoting education in a special area. Harriet said we were a co-sponsor for the well-attended Captain Moore event and recommended co-sponsoring other events. Greg asked Jacy to email the Commission information from the Coastkeeper and suggested communicating via email before the next Commission meeting. Alice suggested the Community Garden Sub-Committee collaborate to promote the community garden issue. Carris suggested tying in a symposium on urban homesteading. She said D.E.M.A's screening of the film about the Dervaes family's homestead in Pasadena was very popular. Greg noted the success of Archie Farms hydroponics (Archie's Acres). Jacy said there was a good hydroponic presentation from San Diego Botanic Garden two years ago; there was a fee associated and very low attendance. Jacy gathered the Commission could host a combination symposium on several topics such as homesteading, beekeeping, and xeriscaping/native plants. Alice said that she would like to host an event in conjunction with another sponsor and recommended hosting the event at a site rather than the Library's Community Room. Alice suggested using the Botanical Garden or the museum (San Dieguito Heritage Museum). Alice agreed to contact Sue Steele regarding weekend and week night (6:30 to 8:00 pm) availability. Greg inquired about a local couple who planted all native plants at their home near the Pannikin; Jacy suggested Greg email her a request and Jacy will inquire with Felice Tacktill regarding the project. Jacy said there are still designated funds available for the Low Carbon Challenge. Solana Center and the Green Team from the Encinitas Union School District are interested in participating in the Challenge. Jacy suggested starting with the school districts and then involving the greater community. John Gjata, Parks & Recreation Commission Chair, gave an overview on Encinitas Environment Day which involves community organizations, businesses, and City agencies. The Parks and Recreation Commission started the event six years ago as a local version of Earth Day. There are activities for children, organic foods, and the event produces minimal waste. Local organizations typically sponsor the event and John asked the Commissioners to help find sponsors for Encinitas Environment Day. John said he hopes the event is a conduit for unbiased environmental information. This year the event will be Sunday, June 10, from 10 am to 4 pm at Cottonwood Creek Park. There is a small fee for booth space_ and City agencies get free booths. Jacy reminded Harriet that she had volunteered to be the Environmental Commission liaison for Encinitas Environment Day. Jacy said the commission would need to decide the booth topic and schedule representatives. EC_Minutes_01122012 Page 2 of 5 Printed on Recycled Paper,Naturally. Alice asked John for booth topic recommendations. John suggested: 1) Things that the Commission and the City have been doing over the last year or two, such as the Environmental Action Plan, solar panels, etc. 2) Things in the works, such as a construction project where environmental policies have been applied and improved the situation. 3) An informal survey on what information people would most like to learn about such as conserving water, converting to solar, etc. Jacy suggested soliciting feedback on the environmental portion of the new City web site and www.EncinitasEnvironment.org. Greg suggested bringing a portable monitor to show the website. John recommended bringing a laptop, power strip and UPS. John said there is electricity for booths and at times they have used solar power. Harriet suggested giving out a small handout with links to relevant environmental programs. Greg asked if there had been booths with vendors for leaf blowers, garden tools, or permeable pavement. " John said they have had garden and landscaping booths but not garden equipment booths. John said a few. booths have includeded permeable pavement. Carris said "Green Your Garden" could be a good vendor for Greg to contact. Responding to Greg's inquiry, John said there were 50-60 booths in 2011 and that he anticipates 60-65 maximum for 2012. Greg asked John for a list of past booth participants. Greg suggested offering a treasure map geared toward children to encourage attendees to visit vendors and to learn how to make homes greener. John has a core six to seven person steering committee and a total group of 12. The Encinitas Environment Day website is www.eeday.org and John can be contacted at info(oeeday.org. John said he would like to cross promote event information. 6. OLD BUSINESS A. Environmental PolicyMork Plan Ad Hoc Committee Reports i. Environmental Events Joe clarified that Harriet and Greg would be on the Encinitas Environment Day Subcommittee. Alice said she would join. ii. General Plan Update — John Eldon John noted the schedule has been postponed. The new Element Review Advisory Committee, ERAC, is meeting Monday night and it will be mostly a kick off/ Brown Act meeting. John said it is a public meeting. Jacy said the agenda, bi-laws, and committee participants are listed on encinitas2035.org. EC_Minute5_01122012 Page 3 of 5 Printed on Recycled Paper,Naturally. iii. Environmental Action Plan (EAP) Update 1. Reports from subcommittees a. Greg addressed phasing out leaf blowers. Greg and Joe are on the subcommittee. Greg said they would interview the Solana Beach City Manager since Solana Beach banned 2-stroke leaf blowers in January 2011. Greg contacted the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (www.opei.org) and said their new website will help communities address the phase out of leaf blowers. Greg suggested adding a brochure on leaf blower alternatives to City Hall. The Commission agreed it would be a good idea. Alice suggested having it at the Encinitas Environment Day booth. Greg said Citizens for a Quieter Sacramento, hftp://www.nonoise.org/guietnet/cqs/home.htm, does a good job presenting data collected from 14 cities that have banned leaf blowers. Greg said action items include visiting Solana Beach and consolidating the data to present to the Commission and Council. Carris noted that Gus Vina is from Sacramento and may be aware of Citizens for a Quieter Sacramento. Carris said the City's contractors use leaf blowers and Jacy clarified that they use four-stroke leaf blowers. John suggested closely looking at the fine structure. Alice asked if the studies show water usage increases when leaf blowers are banned. Jacy said many cities have banned water use in this manner and said she would find out if Encinitas bans water use in this way. Greg . suggested partnering with the Clean Water Program and Jacy agreed that would help to promote awareness. b. Alice suggested the Community Garden Subcommittee meet with the Sandy Shapiro and Encinitas Community Garden representatives about permits, pesticide control, water usage, etc. Greg said there are no community gardens in the area from Torrey Pines Park to South Carlsbad and said there is a huge need for the Encinitas area. Greg said they will carpool to visit three community gardens on March 6: Golden Hill Community Garden in Balboa Park, Poway Valley EC_Minutes_01122012 Page 4 of 5 Printed on Recycled Paper,Naturally. Community Garden, and 54d' Ave. and Chollas Parkway in San Diego. Greg said they would work with staff to find all existing regulations on pest management, water, safety, and City liability that could be applied to a community garden. Jacy suggested contacting Erik Steenblock in the Clean Water Program. Alice said she will contact Doug Long and Sandy Shapiro. Jacy said Sandy Atkinson has been involved with a community garden venture at Seaside Church and Alice said she will contact her. Carris suggested googling "Pea Patch" regarding community gardens on smaller plots of land. iv. Single Use Bag Reduction Initiative Update Jacy presented Larry Watt with the background on the Council's decision, an overview on recent ordinances, and current litigation in the State. Jacy and Larry will meet with the Environmental Planning Staff. The City Manager had given the direction to approach Council and say they had voted for an ordinance and give the options of a tiered approach and ask Council if they'd like to proceed with a negative declaration or a categorical exemption. Jacy anticipates progress in 30-45 days. B. Update by Staff on items of interest to EC/Prior Meeting Action Items None 7. ANNOUNCEMENTS BY COMMISSION MEMBERS/STAFF Carris said she will be travelling and would not re-apply for the Commission. She said it's been a pleasure to be on the Commission for three years and she's enjoyed working with everyone. She said she may re-apply in the future. Joe thanked Cards. 8. DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS FOR FUTURE MEETINGS Jacy asked if adding the phase out of leaf blowers as an agenda item is necessary to get community involvement. This will be involved in Committee Reports. Greg suggested adding Encinitas Environmental Day. 9. ADJOURNMENT Joe declared the meeting adjourned at 7:07 pm. EC_Minutes_01122012 Page 5 of 5 Printed on Recycled Paper,Naturally.