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Home My WebLink About2014-02-10 CSC Regular Meeting MinutesCITY OF PALM DESERT CITIZENS’ SUSTAINABILITY COMITTEEE MINUTES MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2014 – 2:00 P.M. ADMINISTRATIVE CONFERENCE ROOM 73-510 FRED WARING DRIVE, PALM DESERT, CA 92260 ______________________________________________________________________ I. CALL TO ORDER Tony Bagato called the meeting to order at 2:01 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Absent: Member Tom Edwards Member Gregory Gritters Member Eric Corey Freed Member Luke Taylor Member Dean Gatons Chair Robert Leo Member Bruce Kassler Member David Koller Member David Mourhess Member Ralph Raya Member Susan Rosenberg Also Present: Van Tanner, Council Member Susan Marie Weber, Council Member Lauri Aylaian, Director of Community Development Tony Bagato, Principal Planner Lisa Ream, Recycling Technician Monica O’Reilly, Recording Secretary Cassidy Quilling, Youth Committee Member III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None MINUTES CITIZENS’ SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE FEBRUARY 10, 2014 2 G:\Planning\Monica OReilly\Sustainability Committee\2014\Minutes\2-10-14 min.docx IV. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES of the Citizens’ Sustainability Committee meeting of November 6, 2013. Rec: Approve as presented. Upon a motion by Member Mourhess, second by Member Edwards, and a 7-0-3- 1 vote of the Citizens’ Sustainability Committee (AYES: Edwards, Freed, Gatons, Kassler, Koller, Mourhess, Rosenberg; NOES: None; ABSENT: Gritters, Leo, Taylor; ABSTAIN: Raya), the Consent Calendar was approved as presented. V. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER None VI. NEW BUSINESS None VII. CONTINUED BUSINESS None VIII. OLD BUSINESS A. UPDATE ON SINGLE-USE PLASTIC BAGS (Tony Bagato, Principal Planner) Mr. Tony Bagato, Principal Planner, reported that the City Council approved $57,900 for a Reusable Bag Promotional Program. The City will purchase Chico and EarthWise reusable bags to be given away. Councilman Van Tanner asked if residents need to provide proof that they live in Palm Desert to receive a bag. Ms. Lisa Ream responded that one Chico bag will be provided based on the resident’s address and tracked by staff. The less expensive reusable bags will be given away at educational events. Mr. Bagato continued that he is looking for volunteers to assist him in creating brochures to educate people on the negative effects of single-use plastic bags. Member Susan Rosenberg asked if the retailers are also going to be educated. MINUTES CITIZENS’ SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE FEBRUARY 10, 2014 3 G:\Planning\Monica OReilly\Sustainability Committee\2014\Minutes\2-10-14 min.docx Mr. Bagato replied yes. He mentioned that the Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG) is looking at stepping away from a regional ordinance due to a proposed statewide ban. He stated that the City’s main focus is education while it goes through state legislation. Member David Mourhess asked where a potential vendor could find information on the reusable bag Request for Bid (RFB). Mr. Bagato responded that it is available on the City’s website, and posted on the board outside of the Council Chamber. Deadline to submit a bid for the Chico bags is February 18 at 10:00 a.m. Ms. Ream added that the RFB for the less expensive bags is also posted on the board, which bids are due by February 12 at 3:00 p.m. Member Mourhess mentioned that the Palm Desert Chamber of Commerce board of directors was working on a statement of support for the City’s position with respect to the outreach, education, and marketing aspect of the waste reduction initiative. He said that the statement will probably come to a halt since CVAG has put the program in neutral. Member Dean Gatons referred to the Senator Alex Padilla fact sheet, and noted that the bill will prohibit any local agency from enforcing an ordinance related to single-use carryout bags after January 1, 2015. He asked if the City puts something into place prior to that date, does state law take over. Mr. Bagato replied that is correct. Member Eric Corey Freed mentioned that there is a new incentive, and the State believes that SB 270 – Padilla will pass. He noted Desert Hot Springs and Indian Wells were not interested; however, all other cities were supportive and in favor of prohibiting single-use bags. He stated that he still likes the idea of a valley- wide ordinance. Councilman Tanner commented that the City will continue to educate and encourage people to use reusable bags. Member Gatons stated that some stores have signage reminding people to use reusable bags. He feels that education is critical in the interim phase. Ms. Ream mentioned that staff is working on providing signage in parking lots. Member Gatons asked if signage will be initiated by the City or will the City encourage stores to provide signage themselves. MINUTES CITIZENS’ SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE FEBRUARY 10, 2014 4 G:\Planning\Monica OReilly\Sustainability Committee\2014\Minutes\2-10-14 min.docx Ms. Ream responded that some funds were budgeted for signage, which is a component of the education. Member Edwards asked if the City is going to reach out to the homeowners’ associations (HOA). Mr. Bagato replied that they plan on reaching out to HOA’s through the newsletter and other notifications. Member Edwards commented that most HOA’s have their own newsletter, and suggested the City provide them the information to add to their newsletter. Member Susan Rosenberg asked what Chico bags are. Are they from the store Chico? Mr. Bagato responded that it is a specific brand of bag that folds into a little pouch. Member Ralph Raya suggested sending a letter to other cities and communities from the Sustainability Committee regarding the educational process. Ms. Aylaian commented that the purpose of the Sustainability Committee is to serve as an advisory body to the Palm Desert City Council. Following discussion regarding education outreach, Member Kassler moved, by Minute Motion, directing staff to investigate the distribution of information via homeowners’ association newsletters, inserts, and/or printed information in Burrtec and Southern California Edison statements for City Council’s consideration. Motion was seconded by Member Mourhess and carried by an 8-0-3 vote (AYES: Edwards, Freed, Gatons, Kassler, Koller, Mourhess, Raya, Rosenberg; NOES: None; ABSENT: Gritters, Leo, Taylor). B. PRESENTATION ON A NEW OUTDOOR LIGHTING ORDINANCE (Member Ralph Raya) Member Raya noted that a copy of the draft Outdoor Lighting Ordinance was included in the agenda packet. He stated that the purpose of the update is to bring it up to date, and to be able to sustain future changes in the lighting industry. Member Raya presented a Power Point presentation highlighting the draft ordinance (attached to the minutes). Councilman Tanner interjected that he had another appointment, and excused himself from the meeting at 2:10 p.m. Member Raya continued with his presentation. MINUTES CITIZENS’ SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE FEBRUARY 10, 2014 5 G:\Planning\Monica OReilly\Sustainability Committee\2014\Minutes\2-10-14 min.docx Member Mourhess inquired about uplighting, for example, billboards. Member Raya responded that it would fall under architectural façade building area and 4,000 lumens. He noted that there is nothing in the code specifically addressing billboards. Ms. Aylaian mentioned that the City of Palm Desert does not allow billboards. Member Bruce Kassler asked if there are examples of existing signs and parking lot lighting covered under the Outdoor Lighting Ordinance so they can see the differences of what is being proposed. Member Raya replied yes. He said that he can attempt to organize a trip one evening, or issue a list of areas with a description. Mr. Bagato asked Member Raya if the ordinance is going to be written in a way that the LED and the metal halide, if allowed, are not bright white. Member Raya explained the difference between a LED and metal halide light. He commented that the ordinance will help the design professional find the right and higher quality product, and eliminate the less qualified products. Member Kassler asked if the proposed ordinance is set up in a way that a staff member would have a black and white decision on yes or no. Member Raya responded that is their goal. The goal is to make it much simpler. Member Rosenberg mentioned that the City does not encourage the use of street lighting, and asked if that is a standing policy. Mr. Bagato responded that street lighting is not required. Member Gatons commented that it was a very thorough report. Member Raya offered to answer any questions. He restated that the changes are to help bring the ordinance up to date. Member Rosenberg commented that the desert has a large senior population, and she asked if there is any concern that the lighting levels will not be sufficient for areas such as nursing homes or senior centers. Member Raya responded that there should be sufficient lighting. MINUTES CITIZENS’ SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE FEBRUARY 10, 2014 6 G:\Planning\Monica OReilly\Sustainability Committee\2014\Minutes\2-10-14 min.docx Member Freed moved, by Minute Motion, to direct staff to present the proposed new Outdoor Lighting Ordinance to the City Council for consideration. Motion was seconded by Member Gatons and carried by a 7-0-3-1 vote (AYES: Edwards, Freed, Gatons, Kassler, Koller, Mourhess, Rosenberg; NOES: None; ABSENT: Gritters, Leo, Taylor; ABSTAIN: Raya). IX. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. Committee Members Comments Member Raya commented that he had another meeting to attend, and excused himself from the meeting at 3:30 p.m. Member Rosenberg commented that she hopes the Committee addresses the water issue that has been in the news lately. Member Freed realized that he has big dreams, and a big vision for what the Committee could do. With the aid of slides (attached to the minutes), he gave a presentation on different sustainability topics that the Sustainability Committee could discuss and make a recommendation to the City Council. Some items he listed were mandatory recycling, water conservation, mandatory solar, and de- asphalification, Member Kassler liked Member Freed’s ideas; however, he feels his ideas should be done in stages. He suggested that the Sustainability Committee create a priority list. Member Freed noted that he was not implying that they would create a giant policy. He said that they would need to prioritize which ones are most needed first. Mr. Bagato commented that it would be appropriate to choose an item, and recommend to staff to take to City Council for discussion. Member Edwards excused himself from the meeting at 3:55 p.m. Following discussion regarding water conservation, Member Freed suggested that the Citizens’ Sustainability Committee put a recommendation together for the City Council to review. The Committee agreed to look at water conservation. Mr. Bagato said he would provide the Sustainability Committee with a copy of ordinances that are in place now, and he will add water conservation to the next Committee agenda before going to the City Council. MINUTES CITIZENS’ SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE FEBRUARY 10, 2014 7 G:\Planning\Monica OReilly\Sustainability Committee\2014\Minutes\2-10-14 min.docx Councilwoman Weber commented that it would help to use words such as motivation instead of punitive. X. ADJOURNMENT Upon a motion by Member Gatons, second by Member Koller, and a 7-0-4 (AYES: Freed, Gatons, Kassler, Koller, Mourhess, Raya, Rosenberg; NOES: None; ABSENT: Edwards, Gritters, Leo, Taylor) vote of the Citizens’ Sustainability Committee, Mr. Bagato adjourned the meeting at 4:01 p.m. Monica O’Reilly, Recording Secretary