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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Citizens Sustainability Committee 02/23/2015CITY OF PALM DESERT CITIZENS' SUSTAINAB ILITY COMITTEEE MINUTES MONDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2015 — 2:00 P.M. ADMINISTRATIVE CONFERENCE ROOM 73-510 FRED WARING DRIVE, PALM DESERT, CA 92260 I. CALL TO ORDER Chair Robert Leo called the meeting to order at 2:01 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Absent: Member Dean Gatons Member Tommy Edwards Member Gregory Gritters at 2:02 p.m. Member Dennis Guinaw Member David Koller Member Courtney Lingle Member David Mourhess at 2:05 Member Ralph Raya Vice Chair Susan Rosenberg Chair Robert Leo Also Present: Sabby Jonathan, Councilmember Lauri Aylaian, Director of Community Development Mark Greenwood, Director of Public Works Tony Bagato, Principal Planner Monica O'Reilly, Recording Secretary Jessica Kozlak, Youth Committee Member Rachel Sieberg, Youth Committee Member III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None MINUTES CITIZENS' SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE FEBRUARY 23, 2015 IV. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES of the Citizens' Sustainability Committee meeting of October 13, 2014. Rec: Approve as presented. Upon a motion by Member Gatons, second by Member Raya, and a 8-0-2 vote of the Citizens' Sustainability Committee (AYES: Gatons, Gritters, Guinaw, Koller, Leo, Lingle, Raya, and Rosenberg; NOES: None; ABSENT: Edwards and Mourhess), the Consent Calendar was approved as presented. Member Ralph Raya mentioned that he did not receive a copy of the Green Building Program manual. Mr. Tony Bagato, Principal Planner, responded that he emailed the manual to the Sustainability Committee. He said that he will resend the manual to Member Raya. V. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER None VI. NEW BUSINESS None VII. CONTINUED BUSINESS None Vill. OLD BUSINESS A. UPDATE ON SINGLE -USE PLASTIC BAGS (Tony Bagato, Principal Planner) Mr. Bagato reported that the City is educating businesses on the single -use bag ordinance that goes into effect April 1, 2015. Staff has also set dates to have a booth in front of stores to provide information and giveaway reusable bags. He mentioned that the City provided stores with signage and flyers, and there will be additional press releases in March. He asked the Committee to contact him if anyone is interested in volunteering for store events. Member Dean Gatons commented that the City of Indio has public service announcements on the radio. He asked if Palm Desert can do the same. Mr. Bagato replied that he will check with the City's Marketing Department and Public Information Officer. 2 G Tianning\Monica ORedly\Suslainabihty Committee\2015\Minutes\2-13-15 min.docx MINUTES CITIZENS' SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE FEBRUARY 23, 2015 Member David Mourhess reported that he volunteered to hand out information and reusable bags at Jensen's on Friday, February 20. He reported that people were skeptical because he was giving away free bags, and not because of the new ordinance. Majority of the people were not aware of the new ordinance-, he attributes that to most of the people being snowbirds. However, he said that the information was well received. He mentioned that the Mr. Don Woo, the consultant, put the program together very well and he was happy to be there. Councilmember Sabby Jonathan inquired if consumers have an alternative to paying 10 cents for a paper bag. Mr. Bagato replied that if you are at a grocery store deemed under the ordinance, a reusable bag is the alternative. There is a 10 cents charge for a paper bag provided by the store. Councilmember Jonathan asked if the 10 cents is remitted to the City. Mr. Bagato replied that the store keeps the money to offset the cost of paper bags. Councilmember Jonathan inquired if the City has a monitoring procedure in place. Mr. Bagato responded that the City would monitor on a complaint basis. He noted that the 10 cents charge was eliminated at retail stores. Councilmember Jonathan clarified that the City is prepared for the implementation of banning single -use plastic bags on April 1, 2015. Mr. Bagato stated that is correct. Chair Leo inquired if there was an update on the petition that the plastic bag manufactures were going to launch. Mr. Bagato replied that he was not sure if they received enough signatures. He reaffirmed that the City's ordinance goes into effect April 1 since it passed before the State. Member Gatons commented that it may still be a while. If they get enough signatures and it goes to a ballot, the process is going to lead to confusion within Palm Desert, Indio, and Palm Springs. B. DISCUSSION of Parking Lot Shade Tree Standards (Tony Bagato, Principal Planner) Mr. Bagato said that he and a couple of committee members looked at the shading coverage at several parking lots. 3 G \Planning\Monica ORedly\Sustamabdity Commit1ee\2015\Mmu1es\2-13-15 min. docx MINUTES CITIZENS' SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE FEBRUARY 23, 2015 An estimated shade coverage table by Members Gritters and Rosenberg was circulated to the Committee prior to the meeting. Member Gregory Gritters reported that he examined a couple of parking lots (Presidents' Plaza and Desert Gateway). He looked at the size of the parking lots, evaluated the trees, shade overage, and referred to the City's goal. He stated that the City will never meet that goal, and he is not sure what the solution is. Vice Chair Susan Rosenberg stated that she also examined two parking lots (Entrada del Paseo and College of the Desert). She said that she only counted the trees in the parking lot, and not the trees along the perimeter at Entrada del Paseo. Vice Chair Rosenberg and Member Gritters agreed that during the noon hour, trees are shading only the tree wells. Vice Chair Rosenberg also stated that the new parking lots with the solar panels at College of the Desert (COD) are 90 percent shaded. The other parking lots at the COD vary from no trees to some lots approaching the 50 percent coverage. Ms. Lauri Aylaian, Director of Community Development, commented that the easiest solution for providing shade seems to be building carports; however, trees have other benefits as well. She asked if there is a way to quantify the other benefits that trees provide so that they can do some kind of comparison as to what is a good balance. Vice Chair Rosenberg responded that the she does not think the amount of trees in the desert contributes enough to the carbon dioxide and oxygen levels, and does not think that the trees would help. She noted that the carports with the solar panels at the COD have a low level hum that is generated and noticeable. Member Raya commented that there are too many parking spaces for some of the larger centers, with most of the spaces never being used. On the other hand, the Committee is looking at the issue of shade trees, and there is not enough shade from the trees that are in lots now. He said that the size of the area where the trees are planted does not allow the trees to grow. Member Raya suggested a requirement to eliminate parking spaces, and make areas for trees larger so that they can grow. Member Gritters mentioned that he is working on a job at the Indian Wells Tennis Gardens. He said that they are putting irrigation underneath pavers to water the date palms, and noted that pavers have other reflective qualities as well. Member Gritters stated that a tree would probably grow nicely in a well, surrounded by pavers, and irrigation underneath the pavers. However, the cost would be significant. 4 G Tianning\Monica ORedty\Sustamabdlty Commit1ee\2015\Minutes\2-13-15 min.docx MINUTES CITIZENS' SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE FEBRUARY 23, 2015 Member Raya commented that increasing the size of the planters will help reduce parking spaces to soften parking lots, and commented that trees are more pleasing to see than carports. After the Committee briefly discussed maintenance of trees, Mr. Bagato displayed pictures of different parking lots and trees. Councilmember Jonathan commented that he was on the Planning Commission when the shading ordinance was implemented. He said that historically the objective of the shading ordinance was twofold: 1) to provide some shade; and 2) for the aesthetic quality of breaking up a parking lot, and to be sensitive to the cost effectiveness for developers. He mentioned that the list of acceptable plantings may need to be reviewed because some are effective and some are not. He voiced that he is concerned with reducing parking lot requirements. He noted that once you have inadequate parking, you are always going to have inadequate parking. He stated that there are two issues: 1) are the existing projects in compliance; and 2) how do you improve future development? Mr. Bagato displayed a picture of the parking lot and trees at the Kerrigan Family Medical Group on Washington Street. He pointed out that the planters run down the row of the parking lot. He noted that the trees are not being trimmed and they are providing lots of shade. Member Gritters commented that the islands work better for trees than little squares. Mr. Bagato asked the Sustainability Committee if they would want to make a recommendation to the City Council to pursue modifying the parking lot landscaping ordinance. Chair Leo responded that they should recommend to City Council to take a look at modifying and updating the ordinance so that it achieves the goals of sustainability for the City. Member Gritters suggested having standards that allow the architects and/or designers methods to achieve the City's goal. He said that whether or not they should use a certain amount of covered parking spaces, pavers, or longer islands; let the architects/designers achieve the goal with various options instead of just saying 50 percent shade covering. Member Raya commented that they may ultimately need to have a study done by a landscape architect. Councilmember Jonathan advised the Committee to request direction from the City Council on whether or not the current ordinance is deserving of a review and possible update. He also suggested that current compliance be reviewed with the existing ordinance. 5 G \Planning\Monica OReilly\Sustamability Comm ittee\2015\Minutes\2-13-15 min docx MINUTES CITIZENS' SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE FEBRUARY 23, 2015 Member Raya asked if the parking counts study that was previously completed would be combined with the parking lot landscaping ordinance. Mr. Bagato responded that it would be part of the deasphaltification and heat island effect. He noted that new standards would apply to new development, and it would apply to existing projects when there is a major remodel. Vice Chair Rosenberg asked Councilmember Jonathan what the Planning Commission's intention when a regulation was added that says "in 10 years your trees should shade 50 percent." Did anyone think 10 years ahead and point out that a developer's plan was approved; however, it does not meet the plan 10 years later. Councilmember Jonathan responded that there are consequences for not complying with the conditions of approval. He stated that his recollection was if you start by planting large trees the failure rate is much higher, therefore, the idea was to start with 10 or 20 gallon plantings to give the trees 10 years to grow. He hopes that after this process, the City will have a better ordinance than they have now. Vice Chair Rosenberg moved, by Minute Motion, to recommend to the City Council consider a revision to the parking lot landscape ordinance based on the findings that the current standards of providing 50 percent shading is not being met. Motion was seconded by Member Raya and carried by a 9-0-1 vote (AYES: Gatons, Gritters, Guinaw, Koller, Leo, Lingle, Mourhess, Raya, and Rosenberg; NOES: None; ABSENT: Edwards; ABSTAIN: None) IX. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. Principal Planner (Tony Bagato) Mr. Bagato reported that the top five sustainability goals by the City Council and the Sustainability Committee have been met. He briefly listed some of the goals that were accomplished. He stated that he will email the Sustainability Plan to the Committee. He requested that the Committee members read through the plan, and bring items that they would like to discuss to the next meeting. He mentioned that members could also email him if they are interested in volunteering for educational opportunities for programs that will be coming soon. Ms. Aylaian mentioned that staff is starting to see the first successful outcome from reducing parking spaces. She mentioned that a couple of developers have discussed with staff about adding new buildings on unused portions of their parking lots. Councilmember Jonathan asked if there are any incentives for water conservation. 6 G \Planning\Monica ORetlly\Sustainabihty COmmi1tee12015\Mmutes\2-13-15 min docz MINUTES CITIZENS' SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE FEBRUARY 23, 2015 Mr. Bagato responded that the City Council approved $100,000 in the current budget towards rebates for turf conversion ($50,000/commercial and $50,000/residential). He noted that an additional $50,000 was approved by the City Council due to the success of the program. Ms. Aylaian commented that the Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD) also matched City funds for rebates. Member David Koller stated that the CVWD budgeted and dedicated $3.2 million this fiscal year towards water conservation programs, which all funds have been earmarked for this year. Member Gritters asked if the $3.2 million was available through June 30, 2015. Member Koller replied yes. Member Gritters asked if a new budget will be submitted beginning July 1, 2015. Member Koller responded that they are in the process of submitting a budget for the next fiscal year. He commented that the budget may go higher than $3.2 million for next fiscal year. Ms. Aylaian asked Mr. Mark Greenwood, Director of Public Works, if the City is budgeting funds for the next fiscal year for the turf buyback program. Mr. Greenwood replied yes. Ms. Aylaian asked Member Koller if there are thoughts of expanding the program to golf courses. Member Koller answered yes. He stated that the CVWD applied for a grant, and received $1.25 million from the State of California. CVWD is accepting applications for the golf course turf rebate program until February 27, 2015. Mr. Greenwood noted that the City of Palm Desert submitted an application for the golf course turf rebate program. Member Gatons asked for an update regarding a suggestion he made to insert a quarterly waste and recycling newsletter into Burrtec statements. He commented that it should be included on the list of goals. Mr. Bagato responded that Ms. Lisa Ream, Recycling Technician, stated that it is possible. However, Ms. Ream has been on a leave of absence. Councilmember Jonathan thanked the members of the Sustainability Committee. He stated that the Committee is important and vital to the City, and looks forward to working with them all. 7 G Tlanning\Monica OReiiiy\Sustainabddy Commdtee\2015\Minutes\2-13-15 min docx MINUTES CITIZENS' SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE FEBRUARY 23, 2015 Member Gatons asked who Councilmember Jonathan replaced. Mr. Bagato replied that Councilmember Tanner, and Councilmember Weber Committee. X. ADJOURNMENT Jonathan replaced Councilmember Van s an alternate for the Sustainability Upon a motion by Member Gatons, second by Member Koller, and a 9-0 vote of the Citizens' Sustainability Committee, Chair Leo adjourned the meeting at 2:52 p.m. (AYES: Gatons, Gritters, Guinaw, Koller, Leo, Lingle, Mourhess, Raya, and Rosenberg; NOES: None; ABSENT: Edwards; ABSTAIN: None). Monica O'Reilly, Recording cretary 8 G Tlanning\Monica OReilly\Suslainabihty Committee\2015\Minutes\2-13-15 min docx