Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Citizen's Sustainability Committee 07/29/2019c�Fz CITY OF PALM DESERT CITIZENS' SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE MINUTES MONDAY, JULY 29, 2019 — 3:00 P.M. ADMINISTRATIVE CONFERENCE ROOM 73-510 FRED WARING DRIVE, PALM DESERT, CA 92260 I. CALL TO ORDER Chair Dean Gatons called the meeting to order at 3:03 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Member Berlinda Blackburn Member Dennis Guinaw Member Vincent Heuring Member David O'Donnell Member Melinda Robertson Member Evan Trubee Chair Dean Gatons Also Present: Gina Nestande, Councilmember Jan Harnik, Councilmember Tom Garcia, Director of Public Works David Hermann, Senior Management Analyst Heather Horning, Senior Management Analyst Amy Lawrence, Management Analyst Monica O'Reilly, Management Specialist II III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Absent: Member Tommy Edwards Member James Henderson Vice -Chair Greg Gritters Mr. Kim Floyd, Palm Desert, California, communicated that the Sierra Club is concerned with climate change, and asked that the City take leadership roles and address some of the issues. He understood that the Committee would be working on updating the existing Sustainability Plan. However, he felt that the City should primarily support and encourage Desert Community Energy. Mr. Floyd suggested that the City research and work on eliminating two-cycle engines, figure how to fund energy conservation, address single -use Styrofoam, and research information about the Balanced Energy campaign. He requested that the Committee not make a recommendation to the City Council to sign a resolution until everyone has background information. He thanked the Sustainability Committee for their time and the work that they do. MINUTES CITIZENS' SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE JULY 29, 2019 IV. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES of the Citizens' Sustainability Committee meeting of April 22, 2019. Rec: Approve as presented. Upon a motion by Member Heuring, second by Member Robertson, and a 7-0 vote of the Citizens' Sustainability Committee, the Consent Calendar was approved as presented (AYES: Blackburn, Gatons, Guinaw, Heuring, O'Donnell, Robertson, and Trubee; NOES: None; ABSENT: Edwards, Gritters, and Henderson ). V. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER None VI. NEW BUSINESS A. PRESENTATION on Balanced Energy by Deborah McGarrey with the Southern California Gas Company. Ms. Deborah McGarrey, Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas), showed a video regarding Balanced Energy and encouraged the Committee to do additional research on the subject. She briefly referred to Assembly Bill 32 (a law that aims to cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to 1990 levels by 2020) and Assembly Bill 3001 (a law proposed that all new buildings not have gas lines). She made clear that SoCalGas is not against the different types of traditional renewables; however, there needs to be a balance. SoCalGas has an understanding of the State's goals and believes they could help reach those goals to reduce GHG emissions. She mentioned one way to reduce GHG emissions is to capture methane with digesters and inject into pipelines. Ms. McGarrey expressed that not everyone would be able to afford to retrofit their home, and families should not have to choose between what is good for the environment and what families could afford. She also expressed that SoCalGas is supportive of renewable energy and renewable natural gas (methane). She offered to answer any questions. Member Evan Trubee inquired if there is a hard number that shows how much GHG emissions are generated when natural gas is burned. Ms. McGarrey suggested that Member Trubee take a look at Palm Desert's GHG Plan. She mentioned that she was at another city meeting, and the city recently completed a climate action plan. The plan indicated that 25 percent of the emissions were from buildings. When broken down further, four percent came from natural gas appliances, which is not necessarily going to meet the required goals of reducing GHG emissions. Councilmember Jan Harnik noted that Southern California Edison (SCE) has an option for customers to go 100 or 50 percent green rate. 2 G:\PlanningWonica OReilly\Sustainability Committee\2019Ud nutes\7-29.19 min.docx MINUTES CITIZENS' SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE JULY 29, 2019 B. DISCUSSION on promotion of Palm Desert's street sweeping schedule. Management Analyst Amy Lawrence stated that Member Berlinda Blackburn requested to add this item to the agenda because she had some concerns. Therefore, she invited the City's Director of Public Works and Public Information Officer to answer any questions or address any issues. Member Blackburn voiced her concern with the lack of information on the schedule for street sweeping. She said that her neighbors' park on the street and the street sweeper goes around the cars. She asked if the City could notify residents of the schedule. Councilmember Gina Nestande inquired if installing street signs for street sweeping would be cost -prohibitive. Director of Public Works Tom Garcia responded that the signs are cost -prohibitive and create sign pollution. He believed other options to inform residents of the schedule through the City's newsletter or website would be a suitable alternative. Chair Gatons asked if it is a State mandate that cities must sweep the streets. Mr. Garcia replied that the City is obligated to comply with the mandates of the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) and Air Quality Management District (AQMD) requirements. Chair Gatons shared that landscapers leave clippings in the street and the street sweeper goes around them. He believed not only should the City notify residents of the schedule, but also the landscapers. Member Dennis Guinaw commented that he drove behind a street sweeper, and a lot of trash came off the truck and landed on the street. He asked if street sweeping is effective. Mr. Garcia briefly explained that the street sweeper is a vacuum that brushes and picks up the trash into a holding tank that uses water so much of the debris stays in the truck. Councilmember Harnik stated that street sweepers are not perfect. She mentioned that there is a program between the Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG) and the University of California, Riverside (UCR) in which they are taking the toxic sand that is picked up from the street, sterilizing the sand, and placing it back on the dunes. Member Guinaw asked what the purpose of the water in the street sweeper is. Mr. Garcia replied that the purpose of the water is to keep the dust down. He said that the City is required to have the latest technology for street sweeping. 3 GAPIanningWonica OReflly\Sustainability Committee\2019\Minutes\7-29.19 min.docx MINUTES CITIZENS' SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE JULY 29, 2019 Councilmember Nestande agreed with Member Guinaw. She said that Mr. Garcia explained that the vendor might not be using the technology properly, and may not have enough water in the street sweeper. Member Trubee stated that the City Council discussed the contract at a meeting. He asked if staff has addressed issues with the company. Mr. Garcia responded that staff did reach out to the company. It was noted every street is swept once a week. Member Blackburn asked how the City should inform the residents about street sweeping. Public Information Officer David Hermann responded that it is prohibitive to list all the streets and the schedule for each street in the City's newsletter. The City would need to refer residents to the website or a phone number. He said a resident could type street sweeping in the search box on the City's website to be directed to the scheduled. He mentioned that City staff is also working on improving the Palm Desert In Touch app, which would include the schedule. Member Blackburn suggested integrating a widget into the online system. Councilmember Harnik commented that sometimes the best way is to let your neighbors know. VII. CONTINUED BUSINESS None VIII. OLD BUSINESS None IX. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. Staff 1. Environmental Sustainability Plan Ms. Lawrence informed the Committee that Mr. Stendell was unable to attend the meeting today. Mr. Stendell requested that this item be continued to the meeting in October. Chair Gatons referred to the attendance policy that was emailed with the agenda. He noted that one attachment indicates two unexcused absences, and the other attachment indicates one unexcused absence from a regularly scheduled meeting constitutes an automatic resignation. 4 GAPIanningWonica OROIl ASustainabiNy Committee\2019Winutes\7-29-19 min.docx MINUTES CITIZENS' SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE JULY 29, 2019 Ms. Lawrence communicated that the City Clerk's office updated the Palm Desert Municipal Code (PDMC) as a whole. She explained that the PDMC supersedes any Commission/Committee bylaws. She noted that if a member is going to be absent, the member could contact the mayor to request an absence to be excused. 2. Single -Use Plastics Workshops Ms. Lawrence reported that Councilmember Harnik suggested that staff organize a single -use plastics workshop for the Sustainability Committee to meet in August or September. She preferred to meet in September, so she could also include the Youth Committee. The purpose of the meeting is to educate the attendees about legislation regarding single -use plastics, and what the City can do to bring awareness to the community. Ms. Lawrence would contact the Committee to find out what dates would work out best. 3. Update on Plastic Film Recycling Senior Management Analyst Heather Horning conveyed that the Bag in a Bag Program was discontinued and listed drop-off locations for plastic bags and film. She noted that the plastic is sold to a company named Trex. The Company turns the plastic into decks and other items. Chair Gatons mentioned that Burrtec gave the Committee a folder with recycling information at the previous meeting. A booklet in the folder states that single -use plastics bags could be placed into one bag. He asked if someone would be updating the booklet. He said that the labels inside the recycling cans are perfect. He encouraged Burrtec to mail a flyer to residents, so they have it available in their home. He also pointed out the "Oops" tag, which Burrtec circulated before placing the labels on the recycling cans. Chair Gatons felt it was important to educate the community before a resident is given notice. Mr. Frank Orlett, Burrtec, remarked that they are first going to inform residents about recycling before they start tagging anyone. Ms. Horning stated that the City produced the booklet Chair Gatons is referring to two years ago, and that staff is currently working to update the booklet. Once the City updates the information, the new booklet would be mailed to all residents and businesses. 4. Update on Palm Desert's Recycling Website Ms. Horning showed the Palm Desert Recycling website on the screen and noted how many people have utilized the website. She stated that the information is also available on the Recycle Coach phone app. Ms. Horning noted that an article about recycling was in the last issue of the BrightSide. Councilmember Harnik referred to the website and asked if another expression could replace Waste Management and Recycling Services. She felt that "Waste Management" could be misleading to people. 5 GAPIanning\Monica ORWIl ASustainability Committee\2019\Minutes\7-29-19 min.docx MINUTES CITIZENS' SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE JULY 29, 2019 Ms. Horning replied that she would look into changing the wording. Member Vincent Heuring disclosed that Batteries+Bulbs would accept most batteries, including acid batteries. He said it would be a good idea to add the location to the website if it is not already listed. Ms. Horning requested that the Committee let her know if there are any other recycling locations to add to the website. Member David O'Donnell stated that Ace Hardware is another location that accepts batteries. Chair Gatons pointed to a blue sign near the conference room entrance and asked if people could recycle utensils. Ms. Lawrence responded that the sign is old and staff would take it down. Mr. Floyd voiced that the Committee did not address reducing the amount of trash generated or how to do it. Member Trubee left the meeting at 4:02 p.m. Councilmember Harnik responded that the purpose of the Single -Use Plastics Workshop is for people to come up with ideas. Chair Gatons invited Mr. Floyd to the workshop. B. Committee Members Member Blackburn asked if the City would be adopting any initiatives for Earth Day in 2020. Ms. Lawrence replied that she would be talking to Mr. Stendell and other staff members about Earth Day. Staff would provide information at the October meeting. Member Heuring mentioned he saw on television that people are blocking charging stations. He hoped it was a rare situation, and they should keep an eye on it. Chair Gatons asked if a person would receive a citation for parking in front of a charging station. Ms. Lawrence was not sure, but could find out. Chair Gatons asked if the stores are following the single -use plastic bag policy. He pointed out that the Kohl's in Palm Desert charges for a bag; however, the Kohl's in La Quinta provides a bag. Councilmember Harnik believed there is a State policy. 6 GAPlanning\Monica ORedly\Sustainability Committee\2019\Minutes\7.29-19 min.docx MINUTES CITIZENS' SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE JULY 29, 2019 Chair Gatons found it odd that there is a different policy with the same corporation, with stores a few miles apart. Councilmember Harnik commented for that reason the City took the issue on single -use plastic bags to CVAG; however, there was a push back from other Coachella Valley cities. Ms. Lawrence stated she would look into the State policy. For the workshop in September, Chair Gatons said the only Monday he is not available is September 23. Ms. Lawrence communicated that she would send an email to the Committee with several dates in September, and she would find a day the works best for everyone. X. ADJOURNMENT With Committee concurrence, Chair Gatons adjourned the meeting at 4:15 p.m. i Monica O'Reilly, Recording S retary 7 GAPlanningWonica OReilly\Sustainabihty Committee\2019\Minutes\7-29-19 min.docx