Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Citizens' Sustainability Committee 08/21/2017 ""'••• CITY OF PALM DESERT. CITIZENS' SUSTAINABILITY COMITTEE V1 a0 H� MINUTES �:`�,i►� gf'� •� MONDAY, AUGUST 21, 2017—3:00 P.M. ADMINISTRATIVE CONFERENCE ROOM 73-510 FRED WARING DRIVE, PALM DESERT, CA 92260 I. CALL TO ORDER Chair Susan Rosenberg called the meeting to order at 3:04 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Absent: Member Tommy Edwards Member Ralph Raya Member Gregory Gritters Member Courtney Lingle Member Dennis Guinaw Member Jim Schmid Vice Chair Dean Gatons Chair Susan Rosenberg Also Present: Councilmember Gina Nestande Lauri Aylaian, City Manager Ryan Stendell, Director of Community Development Pedro Rodriguez, Code Compliance Supervisor Deborah Glickman, Management Analyst Heather Horning, Management Analyst Monica O'Reilly, Recording Secretary III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Mr. Kim Floyd, Palm Desert, California, stated he is a supporter of the Community Choice Aggregation because it brings the decision-making of clean energy and energy choices to the local community. He suggested the Citizens' Sustainability Committee meet more frequently. He felt there are enough sustainability issues to be addressed and meeting once a year is not enough. With a new member appointed to the Citizens' Sustainability Committee, the Committee and City staff introduced themselves. MINUTES CITIZENS' SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE AUGUST 21, 2017 IV. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES of the Citizens' Sustainability Committee meeting of August 29, 2016. Rec: Approve as presented. Upon a motion by Member Edwards, second by Member Guinaw, and a 5-0-2-1 vote of the Citizens' Sustainability Committee, the Consent Calendar was approved as presented (AYES: Edwards, Gatons, Gritters, Guinaw, and Rosenberg; NOES: None; ABSENT: Lingle and Raya; ABSTAIN: Schmid). V. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER None VI. NEW BUSINESS A. ELECTION of Chairperson and Vice Chairperson. Chair Rosenberg noted that Vice Chair Dean Gatons volunteered to be the Chairperson. Member Gregory Gritters said he would volunteer for Vice Chairperson. Upon a unanimous vote, the Citizens' Sustainability Committee elected Member Gatons to Chairperson and Member Gritters to Vice Chairperson (AYES: Edwards, Gatons, Gritters, Guinaw, Rosenberg, and Schmid; NOES: None; ABSENT: Lingle and Raya). B. PRESENTATION on the Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) Program by Katie Barrows, Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG). Ms. Katie Barrows handed out an informational sheet regarding Community Choice Energy and provided a PowerPoint presentation on the CCA Program. Member Gritters mentioned that he worked in the energy business for 25 years prior to becoming a gardener. He stated the subject presented by Ms. Barrows is very complex. He asked what the process is to participate in the program. Ms. Barrows responded that the City Council makes the decision on passing a City of Palm Desert ordinance and approving the joint powers agreement. However, the customer has the option to stay with Southern California Edison (SCE) or to participate in the program. Member Gritters asked if there is a rate structure for customers who want to buy renewable energy. Ms. Barrows replied yes. She explained rates would be set on an annual by a local board with public input. 2 G:\Planning\Monica OReilly\Sustainability Committee\2017\Minutes\8-21-17 min.docx MINUTES CITIZENS' SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE AUGUST 21, 2017 Member Tommy Edwards asked Ms. Barrows if they•have looked at how much renewable energy is available in Palm Desert and will there be renewable credits. Ms. Barrows replied yes. Member Dennis Guinaw inquired if there is a period of time a customer must stay in the program before opting out. Ms. Barrows responded that customers could opt out before or within the first 60 days of CCA service. For customers who opt out after the 60 days will be prohibited by SCE from returning for one year. Member Guinaw asked if the distribution and maintenance of energy would stay with SCE and would SCE determine those rates. Ms. Barrows replied yes. She noted rates are regulated by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). Chair Rosenberg asked why SCE would want the City of Palm Desert to be part of CCA. Ms. Barrows believed SCE's business model is changing because of the electricity market for renewable energy is changing. She mentioned SCE has staff dedicated to working with the CCA working group to help have a successful program. Following discussion regarding the program and rates, Chair Rosenberg asked if the City Council is looking for approval from the Citizens' Sustainability Committee. Ms. Glickman responded that the CCA program is an informational item. If the Committee has major concerns, staff would take any concerns to the City Council. Member Gritters pointed out that the consumer has a choice; however, the consumer needs to be educated about the program. Vice Chair Gatons thanked Ms. Barrows for the presentation. He asked if the program is only being offered in the CVAG communities. Ms. Barrows responded that the City of Rancho Mirage is working on the CCA program on their own with the City of Lancaster. They are currently having discussions with Riverside County about joining the program. She believed that 1000 Palms is within the Imperial Irrigation District. Vice Chair Gatons noted that rates would need to go through the CPUC. He asked if Palm Desert would be shielded from that or would it be whatever cost is associated with the closing of the San Onofre Plant, as part of the SCE rates. Ms. Barrows referred to the exit fee. She explained that SCE needs the ability to recover the loss of the San Onofre Plant. The loss will be factored into the SCE rate. 3 G:\Planning\Monica OReilly\Sustainability Committee\2017\Minutes\8-21-17 min.docx MINUTES CITIZENS' SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE AUGUST 21, 2017 Member Edwards asked if the City of Rancho Mirage has their exit fee. Ms. Barrows believed Rancho Mirage recently started working with the City of Lancaster and are still going through the process. At the end of the CCA Program discussion by the Committee, Chair Rosenberg asked Ms. Barrows for an update on the Landscape Certification Ordinance. Ms. Barrows reported that the City Council was in favor of the ordinance. There are courses now in place for landscaper certification, which includes the Water Efficiency Program. She stated the program has been working well, with 400 to 500 people that have taken the courses. She announced that the Palm Springs Sustainability Commission organized a workshop, which will take place November 16 regarding zero net energy. She will send the information to Ms. Glickman to forward to the Palm Desert Sustainability Committee. C. DISCUSSION on the City of Palm Desert's Leaf Blower Policy by Deborah Glickman, Management Analyst. Ms. Glickman communicated that Councilmember Nestande requested that the Sustainability Committee discuss a leaf blower policy because she is concerned with particulate matter in the air. She asked the Committee if a leaf blower policy is something they should move forward. City Manager Lauri Aylaian said every couple of years' issues with leaf blowers are brought to the City's attention. She explained that leaf blowers are noisy, disruptive, detrimental to air quality, and energy consumers. However, there is a huge economic driver in the valley, which is the agricultural industry. There are a large number of people employed in the service industry that provide landscape maintenance, and they rely on leaf blowers to provide cost-effective landscape services to the community, golf courses, and residents. She stated if the industry is forced to use hand tools, the pricing implication would have serious impacts. Councilmember Gina Nestande commented that her concern with leaf blowers is not an attack on landscape businesses or their profitability. She would like to find a solution without balancing it on the backs of the landscapers or the companies. She mentioned a possible solution is to put a bag on a gas leaf blower so the dust goes into the bag. It was mentioned that South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) has a program that helps clean the air through a program to exchange old, noisy high- polluting leaf blowers for low-emission/low-noise backpack leaf blowers. Vice Chair Member Gatons asked what the hours for the use of a leaf blower are. Code Compliance Supervisor Pedro Rodriguez responded the hours for the use of leaf blowers, lawn mowers, and weed eaters are Monday through Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. October 1 through April 30; and Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. May 1 through 4 G:\Planning\Monica OReilly\Sustainability Committee\2017\Minutes\8-21.17 min.docx MINUTES CITIZENS' SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE AUGUST 21, 2017 • September 30. He 'noted leaf blowers and other equipment are not 'allowed on • government code holidays. Vice Chair Gatons remarked that in his community landscapers are not abiding by the landscape work hours. It was noted that golf courses are exempt from the landscape hours. Vice Chair Gatons said he does not live in a golf course community. He noted the landscape company is contracted by the City of Palm Desert. Mr. Rodriguez replied that there is a provision, which City contractors are exempt from the landscape hours. The intent was to have City parks and properties ready for the public. Vice Chair Gatons noted that he also does not live close to a park. Ms. Glickman said she would let the City's Landscape Department know of the landscapers starting before the hours they are allowed to work. Vice Chair Gatons mentioned he was in the City of Claremont and a landscaper was using an electric leaf blower; however, pollutants were still going in the air. As they look at leaf blowers, staff also needs to look at who is exempt and who is not. Ms. Glickman said the City of Claremont has had a ban on gas leaf blowers since the early 1990s. At that time, the Claremont was addressing noise issues. Member Gritters mentioned that the City Indian Wells has a ban on leaf blowers. Mr. Rodriguez commented that the Code Department rarely receives dust and noise complaints about leaf blowers. He noted that due to the drought, many homeowners have converted lawns to desert scape. He also noted that the industry has improved. He said with the exchange program, people are able to buy-back or a trade-in for new machines that are quieter, more efficient, and less polluting. He commented that maybe part of the process is to have landscapers use machines at half throttle, which would still do the job. Personally, he uses a blower with a bag and there is still a lot of particulate matter in the air. With that said, he does not know what would be a good solution. He said possibly pre-water the landscape before using a leaf blower. He stated that when the Code Division receives complaints, it is for noise and not dust. Chair Rosenberg felt leaf blowers are not something the City needs to regulate. She said it might be beneficial adding an element to the Landscaper Certification to let landscapers know about the SCAQMD program. Member Edwards left the meeting at 4:17 p.m. Ms. Aylaian stated the program has been around for a number of years, and the program depends on the funding SCAQMD has available. She does not think it is a 5 G:\PlanningWlonica OReilly\Sustainability Committee\2017\Minutes\8-21.17 min.docx MINUTES CITIZENS' SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE AUGUST 21, 2017 program that they could count on to reach all the landscapers who work in Palm Desert. She asked Member Gritters if there is equipment out there with better technology. If so, is the equipment more expensive? Member Gritters responded that the larger landscape companies are able to invest in better equipment that is available. He noted a backpack leaf blower retail value is $1,400 and a gas leaf blower retail value is $400. He said most of the landscape services are done by small landscape businesses that have workers who work hard, work seven days a week, and do not take vacations. Those workers are trying to get through the work as fast as they can, and they generally do not have the money to invest in more expensive equipment. It was noted that landscapers could have expensive equipment; however, the small particulate matter is what still comes out of the bag. Member Gritters said if the Committee decided to move forward with the regulation of leaf blowers, he would be happy to look into getting more information on equipment. At the conclusion of the discussion, Mr. Rodriguez offered to create an informational brochure to give to the landscape workers when they are in for their business license or mail the brochure when it is a renewal. Chair Rosenberg added that it is important to share the informational brochure with homeowners' associations. VII. CONTINUED BUSINESS None VIII. OLD BUSINESS None IX. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. Committee Members Comments Member Guinaw shared that the Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD) installed a smart sprinkler controller at his house, with no cost to him. He said the note at the bottom of his bill went from "efficient" to "excellent." He found polystyrene (often referred to the brand name "Styrofoam") containers were once referenced by the Committee. He noted that polystyrene could present the same issues as the single- use plastic bags and wondered if it is an item the Committee should discuss or get direction from staff. Vice Chair Gatons responded that the Committee touched on the subject when they were going through the process to ban single-use plastic bags. The Committee decided to wait for input from the State of California. 6 G:\Planning\Monica OReilly\Sustainability Committee\2017\Minutes\8-21-17 min.docx MINUTES CITIZENS' SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE AUGUST 21, 2017 Member Guinaw mentioned that the State Legislature rejected a proposed statewide ban on polystyrene. If they wait for the State, they have a long wait. Vice Chair Gatons welcomed Councilmember Nestande. He also welcomed back Ms. Aylaian. He was pleased to have her back in the City of Palm Desert. Lastly, he referred to an article in the Los Angeles Times. He reported that people are recycling; however, the products are not being recycled because the amount to generate recycling is so low. He said he is curious to know if Palm Desert is still generating recycling as they should be. Ms. Glickman responded that she could check with Burrtec Waste & Recycling. X. ADJOURNMENT With Committee concurrence, Chair Rosenberg adjourned the meeting at 4:30 p.m. Monica O'Reilly, Recording cretary 7 G:\Planning\Monica OReilly\Sustainability Committee\2017\Minutes\8-21-17 min.docx