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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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