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Home My WebLink About06 Minutes - Citizens Sustainability Committee 04/19/2021CITY OF PALM DESERT CITIZENS' SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE MINUTES MONDAY, April 19, 2021 — 3:00 P.M. ZOOM VIRTUAL MEETING I. CALL TO ORDER Chair Dean Gatons called the meeting to order at 3:02 p.m. II. ROLL CALL CITY COUNCIL ACTION Present: APPROVED DENIED RECEIVED 4' 'h WO OTHER MEETING DAT� • 2-' • �%!'L Nia ( � NOES: ABSENT: 1�10i1C' ABSTAIN: NoY)e VERIFIED BY: Nit IS(S Original on File with City Clerk's Office Chair Dean Gatons Member Berlinda Blackburn Member Dennis Guinaw Member Vincent Heuring Member David O'Donnell Member Mel Mason Member Evan Trubee Also Present: AYEsfrianir--` orar1-1- h,NPSi rk, irrtin►lla;4-6III Jan C. Harnik, Mayor Pro Tem Eric Ceja, Deputy Director of Community Development Heather Horning, Senior Management Analyst Chris Gerry, Management Analyst Monica O'Reilly, Management Specialist II Mariana Rios, Management Specialist I III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. MINUTES of the Citizens' Sustainability Committee meeting of January 25, 2021. Rec: Approve as presented. Upon a motion by Member Blackburn, seconded by Member Mason, and a 7- 0 vote of the Citizen's Sustainability Committee, the minutes were approved as presented (AYES: Blackburn. Guinaw, Heuring, Mason, O'Donnell, Trubee, and Gatons; NC)ES: None; ABSENT: Henderson). MINUTES CITIZENS' SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE APRIL 19, 2021 V. NEW BUSINESS A. PRESENTATION on Organic Legislation by Senior Management Analyst, Heather Horning. Rec: Presentation by Heather Horning at the meeting. Action: VI. CONTINUED BUSINESS None VII. OLD BUSINESS None VIII. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. Staff 1. Review of the General Plan (Chapter 10) Mr. Ceja provided a brief overview of Chapter 10. Chair Gatons asked if the Alessandro Alley project was connected to the San Pablo construction. Mr. Ceja clarified that the Alessandro project pre -dated the San Pablo improvements. The Alessandro project has improved parking, accomplishing the goals of the General Plan. Chair Gatons asked if there were any updates on the Portola exit from Interstate 10. Mr. Ceja stated he did not have an update on this project, the project had been stalled for a couple of years, and believes the project is still on hold. Mayor Pro Tenn Harnik advised the City is still dealing with Union Pacific regarding right-of-way issues. Chair Gatons referred to pg. 91, Chapter 6 of the General Plan with regards to the Palm Desert Community Church, which is now the Center for Spiritual Living, and recognized by the Desert Cultural Resources Preservation Committee, which maintains the Palm Desert register. He asked if the Desert Cities Baptist Church, at the trail head to the Cahuilla Hills Park (which through history has been recognized as a Palm Desert Community Center) should be on the list of Palm Desert registered listings. 2 G:\PubWorks\Waste Management and Recycling Services\Sustainability\Meetings\07-19-2021\Minutes\04-19-21 Minutes.docx MINUTES CITIZENS' SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE APRIL 19, 2021 Mr. Ceja responded that he would look into this matter, he stated that it was his understanding that in order to be on the Historic Listing it has to be property owner initiated. He does not believe the committee itself goes out and identifies historic properties, but would look into this and report at the next meeting. Chair Gatons mentioned how the Desert Cities Baptist Church provides parking for hikers using the trail, and as the City is looking into parking this matter should be something to consider. Mr. Ceja agreed and would provide and update at the next committee meeting. 2. Update on San Pablo. Mr. Ceja provided an update on Phase II of the San Pablo improvements, it is anticipated that by July 1, 2021 construction would be completed, and available for use by July 4, 2021. 3. SunLine Student Art Contest Ms. Horning provided a brief overview of the 6th Annual SunLine Student Art Contest. SunLine has approached the City about sponsoring a student art contest to wrap a hydrogen fuel cell powered bus, to promote air quality. Staff has recommended we sponsor the contest, funding is available through the City's Air Quality Management Funds. 4. Monarch Pledge Ms. Horning stated that the City had been approached by the Living Desert Zoo & Gardens, requesting that participation in the National Wildlife Federations Mayors' Monarch Pledge, committing to take projects that would promote public awareness, increasing the number of monarch butterflies, within Palm Desert and the Coachella Valley as a whole. The item will be on the April 22, 2021 City Council agenda, if approved, staff has proposed to work in collaboration with the Living Desert to carry out three projects which would include: working with the Art in Public Places Commission to install a monarch butterfly mural within the City, presenting a proclamation at a future City Council meeting proclaiming the City's monarch day pledge, and planting and maintaining a monarch butterfly and pollinator friendly demonstration garden at Civic Center Park. 5. Earth Day Ms. Horning provided the committee with a reminder, Earth Day is April 22, 2021. The City had an article published on the Bright Side reminding residents to celebrate Earth Day and recycle, the article announced upcoming recycling events. Burrtec will be promoting recycling programs, and giving away free compost at the Farmers Market. Ms. Horning added that Burrtec created a public service announcement, advertising composting, and the sign was placed at Lupine Plaza per the Committee's recommendation. 3 G:\PubWorks\Waste Management and Recycling Services\Sustainability\Meetings\07-19-2021\Minutes\04-19-21 Minutes.docx MINUTES CITIZENS' SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE APRIL 19, 2021 6. Upcoming Recycling Events Ms. Horning presented an overview of upcoming recycling events. The oil recycling event was hosted on March 6, 2021, at the Auto Zone on Monterey Avenue. The City hosted its Annual Neighborhood Cleanup Event, and the annual free shredding event will take place Friday and Saturday, May 7 and 8, 2021. Due to the construction of San Pablo Phase II, the event will be held at the Palm Desert Chamber of Commerce. 7. Staff Reorganization Ms. Horning has been assigned to be the new Staff Liaison to the Sustainability Committee, taking over for Management Analyst, Amy Lawrence. The new recording secretary for the committee will be Management Specialist, Mariana Rios. Mr. Gerry presented on the ongoing comprehensive review of the City's advisory boards. He stated that City Council approved 22 recommendations for implementations or concepts that needed to be further defined. One of the items that was underdeveloped, was the exploration of a name that better fit the Citizen's Sustainability Committee. The word Sustainability does not capture the goal of this committee. Mr. Gerry stated that while sustainability is important we don't want to keep things as they are but make them better. A new name was recommended for Council recommendation, and approved by Council in November 2020, the new name is Resource Preservation & Enhancement Committee. Resource preservation captures the idea of sustainability to maintain our existing resources, and Enhancement incorporates our desire to improve the environment. Moving forward we will be using the name Resource Preservation & Enhancement Committee. The bylaws will be updated in the future, to capture the new name. B. Committee Members Chair Gatons, thanked Ryan Stendell, Amy Lawrence, and Monica O'Reilly for their time and dedication to the Citizen's Sustainability committee. Mayor Pro Tem Harnik stated that in late May early June of 2021 there will be interviews for new committee members. Mayor Pro Tem Harnik announced and welcomed the new City Manager, Todd Hileman, whom joined the City on March 1, 2021. Mayor Pro Tem Harnik also recognized the committee for the great work on the plastic bag ban, and recommended keeping up with current California Legislation. Member Guinaw asked Mr. Gerry if membership of non -City of Palm Desert residents would stay the same. Mr. Gerry confirmed that will remain the same, once we get through the interviews, the next focus will be on bylaws, and the goals of each committee. 4 G:\PubWorks\Waste Management and Recycling Services\Sustainability\Meetings\07-19-2021\Minutes\04-19-21 Minutes.docx MINUTES CITIZENS' SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE APRIL 19, 2021 Member Heuring asked to discuss the importance of banning leaf blowers, he has prepared a PowerPoint presentation which was sent to Ms. Horning to include in the next agenda, and presented at the meeting on July 19, 2021. IX. ADJOURNMENT With Committee concurrence, Chair Gatons adjourned the meeting at 4:07 p.m. MGUVLa vicv2Co - Mariana Rios, Recording Secretary 5 G:\PubWorks\Waste Management and Recycling Services\Sustainability\Meetings\07-19-2021\Minutes\04-19-21 Minutes.docx