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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-10-18 RPEC Regular Meeting Minutes CITY OF PALM DESERT RESOURCE PRESERVATION & ENHANCEMENT COMMITTEE MINUTES Monday, October 18, 2021 – 3:00 P.M. ZOOM VIRTUAL MEETING I. CALL TO ORDER Chair Dean Gatons called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Chair Dean Gatons Vice Chair James Henderson (Absent during roll call) Member Berlinda Blackburn Member Dennis Guinaw Member Vincent Heuring Member Mel Mason Member David O’Donnell Member Evan Trubee Also Present: Jan C. Harnik, Mayor Pro Tem Gina Nestande, Councilmember Amy Lawrence, Special Programs Manager Heather Horning, Assistant to the City Manager Ryan Gayler, Project Manager Debbie Thompson, Recording Secretary Andy Ramirez, Deputy Director of Public Works Brian Taylor, Forefront Power Kevin Flanagan, SPURR III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS NONE IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. MINUTES of the Resource Preservation & Enhancement Committee meeting of July 19, 2021. Rec: Approve as presented. PRELIMINARY MINUTES RESOURCE PRESERVATION & ENHANCEMENT COMMITTEE OCTOBER 18, 2021 2 Member Blackburn moved to approve the Minutes of the regular meeting held on July 19, 2021. Motion was seconded by Member Mason and carried 7- 0-1 with Blackburn, Gatons, Guinaw, Heuring, Mason, O’Donnell, and Trubee voting AYE; with Member Henderson absent during the vote. V. NEW BUSINESS A. CONSIDERATION TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE CIVIC CENTER PHOTOVOLTAIC IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT TO THE CITY COUNCIL Mr. Gayer referred to the staff report regarding approval of the Civic Center Photovoltaic Improvements Project. Brian Taylor of Forefront Power gave a presentation regarding solar energy for the City. Kevin Flanagan of SPURR presented the services that would be provided to the City which include operations and maintenance, and the performance of the system. Services to provide four charging stations would be an additional $60,000 and would be placed at the Civic Center, Parkview Office Complex, and the Palm Desert Aquatic Center. Member Heuring moved to recommend approval of the Civic Center Photovoltaic Improvements Project to the City Council for further consideration. Motion was seconded by Member Henderson and carried 8-0-0 with Blackburn, Gatons, Guinaw, Henderson, Heuring, Mason, O’Donnell, and Trubee voting AYE. B. CONSIDER A RECOMMENDATION FOR THE CITY MANAGER TO AUTHORIZE A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) WITH THE COACHELLA VALLEY ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENTS (CVAG) FOR A REGIONAL SB 1383 MARKETING CAMPAIGN Ms. Lawrence referred to the staff report that was included in the agenda packet. Member Mason moved to make a recommendation for the City Manager to authorize a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG) for a Regional SB 1383 Marketing Campaign. Motion was seconded by Member Blackburn and carried 8-0-0 with Blackburn, Gatons, Guinaw, Henderson, Heuring, Mason, O’Donnell, and Trubee voting AYE. C. RECEIVE AND FILE INFORMATIONAL REPORT ON GAS-POWERED LEAF BLOWERS Ms. Lawrence referred to the staff report that was included in the agenda packet regarding the ban of gas-powered leaf blowers. Mayor Pro Tem Harnik stated that the governor signed a law that gas powered leaf blowers will be banned effective 2024. PRELIMINARY MINUTES RESOURCE PRESERVATION & ENHANCEMENT COMMITTEE OCTOBER 18, 2021 3 There was discussion regarding how to enforce the ban of gas-powered leaf blowers, what type of equipment will replace the blowers, and what kind of incentive program the City can provide to assist gardeners with their services. The City Council and staff need to be proactive in finding a solution prior to the ban in 2024. Member Mason moved to receive and file the information report on gas- powered leaf blowers. Motion was seconded by Member Henderson and carried 8-0-0 with Blackburn, Gatons, Guinaw, Henderson, Heuring, Mason, O’Donnell, and Trubee voting AYE. VI. CONTINUED BUSINESS NONE VII. OLD BUSINESS NONE VIII. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. STAFF 1. Staff Reorganization Ms. Lawrence introduced herself as the staff liaison and Ms. Thompson as the recording secretary for the Resource Preservation & Enhancement Committee. 2. Meeting Schedule Ms. Lawrence stated that this committee will meet every other month on the third Monday at 3:00 p.m. She noted that February 21, 2022 is Presidents’ Day and a new date will need to be scheduled. B. Committee Members Chair Gatons thanked the City for the BrightSide newsletter that included an informational flyer from Burrtec. IX. ADJOURNMENT With Committee concurrence, Chair Gatons adjourned the meeting at 4:10 p.m. Debbie Thompson, Recording Secretary