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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Citizens Sustainability Committee - May 9, 2012X- E I CITY OF PALM DESERT CITIZENS' SUSTAINABILITY COMITTEEE MINUTES WEDNESDAY, MAY 9, 2012 -10:00 A.M. ADMININSTRATIVE CONFERENCE ROOM 73-510 FRED WARING DRIVE, PALM DESERT, CA 92260 I. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Langford called the meeting to order at 10:04 a.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Absent: Member Dean Gatons Member Eric Freed Member John Greenwood Member Bruce Kassler arrived at 10:13 a.m. Chair Ellis "Cleve" Langford Vice Chair Robert Leo Member David Mourhess Member Ralph Raya Member Susan Rosenberg Member LukeTaylor Also Present: Bill Kroonen, Mayor Pro Tern John Wohlmuth, City Manager Lauri Aylaian, Director of Community Development Mark Greenwood, Director of Public Works Frankie Riddle, Director of Special Programs Martin Alvarez, Redevelopment Manager Missy Wightman, Assistant Planner Lisa Ream, Recycling Technician CITY COUNCILACTION Monica O'Reilly, Recording SecretWPROVED __ DENIED RECEIVED q' F; l e OTHER III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS MEETING DATE - -a None AYES: a-r ,e- NOES: ABSENT: rky ABSTAIN: VERIFIED BY: Original on File with City Clerk's O , MINUTES CITIZENS' SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE MAY 9, 2012 IV. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES of the Citizens' Sustainability Committee Meetings of February 8, 2012. Rec: Approve as presented. Upon a motion by Member Leo, second by Member Raya, and 9-0-2 vote with Member Freed and Member Kassler absent, the Consent Calendar was approved as presented. V. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER None VI. NEW BUSINESS A. DISCUSS AND ESTABLISH WORKING GROUPS FOR DE- ASPHALTIFICATION. Ms. Missy Wightman, Assistant Planner, explained to the new members that de- asphaltification is the overuse and overpaving of parking lots in big box centers. Most of the parking is paved over, but the majority is not being used for parking. She presented a Power Point presentation on de-asphaltification. Ms. Wightman mentioned that she recently attended a seminar where she learned how to get the most action in a climate action plan is to develop working groups. She said she has four different categories: photography, research, landscape, and incentives. Ms. Wightman asked the members to sign up for one of the four categories. She briefed the members on the following categories: • Photography — Documentation of items that occupy stalls that are not cars. • Research — An appropriate influx of available stalls during the holiday season. • Landscaping — Appropriate landscape. Some items under landscaping are Shading, blocking line of sight, planter size, tree trimming, landscape type, and carport vs. landscape for shading purposes. • Incentives — Retrofitting existing parking lots. Such as, create shade, avoid blocking line of sight, codify correct planter sizes, facilitate correct tree trimming, use appropriate landscape, reduce unnecessary pavement. Ms. Wightman said that she would email each of the contacts signed up for that group, and each will be able to develop their own work plan. Member David Mourhess asked what is the goal of de-asphaltification. 2 GAPlanning\Monica OReilly\Sustainability Committee\2012\Minutes\5.9-12 min.dou MINUTES CITIZENS' SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE MAY 9, 2012 Ms. Wightman responded that the goal is to reduce the amount of paving. Member Mourhess inquired if the paving adds to the warming problem. Ms. Wightman answered that was correct. Ms. Lauri Ayalain, Director of Community Development, added that the City is currently updating the zoning ordinance. One of the items that the zoning ordinance spells out is for every type of use from residential to commercial; exactly how many parking stalls are needed per 1,000 square feet of building or per patron. She mentioned that staff and committee members are assessing how much parking is being used by the various uses in Palm Desert. They are collecting the data to take a look at the required parking so they could apply the zoning ordinance to future development, and they would know how much parking is actually required. Member Dean Gatons asked if the big box stores would have to change their parking lots. Ms. Aylaian responded that the zoning ordinance would provide standards for somebody that builds a new development. She mentioned that incentives would be good for existing businesses to encourage them to correct or reuse their parking space. Member Bruce Kassler noted that less asphalt whether it is an existing or proposed building, creates less storm water runoff. Member John Greenwood asked if large retailers are eligible for the financial options that are available from the City such as AB 811. Mr. Martin Alvarez, Redevelopment Manager, responded that there are no funds currently available. Staff is in the process of looking at water efficient retrofits as part of the AB 811 program. Ms. Wightman mentioned that looking at creative incentives to allow people to grow as an individual business owner yet help the City maintain an adequate amount of parking to support successful retail sales are two of the main topics this committee needs to keep in mind. Member David Koeller asked Ms. Wightman if she had the results of the parking counts. Ms. Wightman replied that staff is very close to completing the parking counts. Member Greenwood said that he would be able to take counts in the evening. 3 GAPlanning\Monica OReilly\Sustainability Committee\2012\Minutes\5-9-12 min.docx MINUTES CITIZENS' SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE MAY 9, 2012 B. DISCUSS AND ESTABLISH WORKING GROUPS FOR OUTDOOR LIGHTING. Ms. Wightman presented a Power Point presentation on outdoor lighting. Member Mourhess asked if there was a dark sky initiative. Ms. Wightman replied yes, which is part of the lighting ordinance and needs to be updated Member Mourhess inquired about the security aspect of in lighting a parking lot. Ms. Wightman answered that the Committee has discussed security in the past. She mentioned one option was dimming down the lights by the front door where people are parking while allowing the unused parking lot lights to be turned off by automatic sensors. Ms. Wightman continued with the Power Point presentation. She stated that she has the same categories for the outdoor lighting work groups, which is the following: • Photography — Document good examples vs. bad examples, includes building, pole, and signage lighting. She mentioned the most recent controversial signage was the Apple store, which provided a lot of extra light onto El Paseo. • Research — Pole height (look at other cities), location of poles, type of lamps allowed (LED vs. other types), parking ramp/carport lighting, and permanent holiday string lights. She mentioned Bristol Farms as an example for retail development adding permanent decorative lighting after the permitting process is complete. • Landscaping — Appropriate landscape; not blocking light fixtures. • Incentives — Retrofitting existing outdoor lighting. She stated that a couple of new things that have come up are solar on light poles and windmills on light poles. Currently, the code does not address either of these. Is this something they want to allow on light poles and standards? Mr. John Wohlmuth, City Manager, asked in what category safety would fall under. Ms. Wightman said it would be under research. Member Susan Rosenberg inquired what the dark skies ordinance says. 4 GAPlanning\Monica OReilly\Sustainability Committee\2012\Minutes\5-9.12 min.dou MINUTES CITIZENS' SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE MAY 9, 2012 Ms. Aylaian responded it controls the type of light (lamp), it limits the amount of light to be dispersed in a parking area, and it requires that there be a housing or light shield over the top of the light fixture to focus the light downward. Member Rosenberg asked if the ordinance addresses the lighting of trees. Ms. Aylaian answered the ordinance does allow a limited landscape lighting, accent lighting, or architectural lighting. Member Ralph Raya stated that the landscape side of the ordinance is being rewritten specifically because the way the code is outlined today; it actually lets you use more lights than you really need to. He briefly went over the items being addressed in the lighting ordinance. He suggested an item that should be added and be part of research is a standard photometric plan. So when people are coming to build in the City, they could be shown examples of what a photometric plan is, and it could be helpful for them to understand. Ms. Wightman agreed with Member Raya. Member Raya asked if once all the information is gathered and filtered to Ms. Wightman, would the ordinances be rewritten. Ms. Wightman replied yes. She noted that she is the only one working part-time on the sustainability plan, but would like to continue moving forward on items for City Council consideration. Member Mourhess said that solar came up in the landscape and lighting slides. He inquired if they are contemplating creating an ordinance specifically for solar. Ms. Wightman answered that the state governs over the solar industry. The City could provide changes here and there. She noted that most of solar installed in the City are residential to match the pitch of the roof, but if you go to more urban areas, they have varying restrictions. Member Mourhess stated that he thinks roof tops are fine, and probably does not need a lot of direction. He was thinking more specifically looking at parking lots and carport structures, such as how high they can go, what are the separations between two structures, what does the Fire Department say, and how large the structure should be. Ms. Aylaian stated the solar rights act removes a lot of local jurisdiction control over the solar panel installation, but when life safety issues need to be considered, that's where they still retain jurisdiction. She said that she likes the idea of having guidelines of what they would like to see without infringing upon rights.. 5 GAPlanning\Monica OReilly\Sustainability Comm1ttee\2012\Minutes\5-9-12 min.dou MINUTES CITIZENS' SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE MAY 9, 2012 Mayor Pro Tern Kroonen mentioned the solar panels on the Berger building. Ms. Aylaian replied that the Berger building is a good example. She said there was lively discussion when they originally came in for permitting, which caused them to learn a whole lot more of the solar right initiative. It also required the City to work with legal counsel to determine what the City could or could not allow. She stated that it turns out that they could not dictate the type of panels or anything on an aesthetics standpoint. Member Mourhess noted that the solar panels on the Berger building are currently not working. Ms. Ayalain stated that when the panels are being adjusted, there is a loud buzzing sound that is very audible to surrounding buildings. She said if she were a tenant in that building, she would find the noise more disruptive than the looks of it. Ms. Aylaian said again, that unless there was a health and safety issue in the opinion of the Building Official, the City has no jurisdiction over solar panels. Member Mourhess asked if the City has any control over the architectural aspects. Ms. Aylaian responded that is the number one forbidden area of local legislation. Member Greenwood mentioned that he did a bus shelter in Palm Desert, and he took a careful look at the aesthetic of the solar panels that he had placed on top of the shelter. The contractor came back and valued engineered, and put up a panel that was far less aesthetic. He asked if the City has no right to go back based on the documents that were submitted. Ms. Aylaian replied that when solar panels come in, they take a look for structural integrity and wind loading before issuing a building permit. However, if the quantity of panels or the looks have changed; the City has no right to go back. Chair Langford suggested adding to the ordinance that all existing businesses and residences over time use the same color lights. Member Greenwood asked when someone submits a submittal, does that get written into the conditions of approval. Ms. Wightman responded that the current code does not specify that lighting has to be LED or high pressure sodium. As of now, it has never been a specific condition of approval. Applicants are allowed to change types as long as the requirements of the approval remain the same or in -kind. 6 GAPlanningWonica OReilly\Sustainability Committee\2012\Minutes\5-9-12 min.dom MINUTES CITIZENS' SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE MAY 9, 2012 Member Raya added what happens is one goes in for their preliminary and are required to provide a photometric plan. He explained that a design professional will design a photometric plan based upon a specific light fixture, and the light fixture might be of a good quality product. During the construction or bidding process it is changed. He stated that currently the code does not require the owner to resubmit because of a change. Ms. Ayalain interjected that there have been some instances where it has come to the City's attention that someone is installing different light fixtures, and a City representative has gone out to investigate the change. Member Greenwood stated that they should stick to the design of the photometric plan. Ms. Wightman asked the members to sign up for a category. C. DISCUSS AND ESTABLISH WORKING GROUPS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF SINGLE -USE PLASTIC BAGS. Ms. Wightman reported that they are doing ongoing education. She stated that initially they received a lot of opposition to the thought of any restriction regarding single -use plastic bags. She has found that as people get educated on the issue, people become more receptive to change or specific restrictions placed on single - use plastic bags. Ms. Wightman mentioned that Member Leo would be having an environmental and sustainability expo on Friday, May 11, for high school students. She will be showing the film Bag It at the expo. She mentioned that the film was shown in February in conjunction with UCR and the US Green Building Council. There were over 300 people that registered, and she conducted a survey afterward to take a poll of what the attendees thought of the issue. She said there was overwhelming positive feedback. Ms. Wightman stated that they are trying to get to different groups, and educate them on the harmful effects of plastic bags. Ms. Wightman asked for a couple of volunteers from the committee to participate in meeting with retailers. She mentioned that she would like Member Freed to participate since he has worked with the City of San Francisco on this issue, but she is still looking for two more volunteers. Vice Chair Leo and Member Gatons volunteered. Ms. Wightman stated that before pushing the issue forward with negative comments, she would rather wait and educate people to receive greater support on the issue. She mentioned that the City of Palm Springs Sustainability Committee has expressed interest in working with Palm Desert. They will have someone from their committee meeting attending the retailer meetings as well. She also mentioned that the City of Indio went to a vote, but it has not moved anywhere. Indio's concern was more aesthetic due to the big box retailers near 7 GAPlanning\Monica OReilly\Sustainability Commilteet2012\M1nutes\5.9-12 min.dou MINUTES CITIZENS' SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE MAY 9, 2012 the 1-10 freeway that have bags blown around from the wind, causing blight in their community. Ms. Wightman stated that the issue was brought up at CVAG to be looked at as a valley -wide issue; it was decided to let the state figure out if they are planning anything rather than doing something locally. Ms. Wightman presented a Power Point presentation on the results of the survey given after the Bag It movie that was shown at UCR. She said it is clear that there is support on the issue, especially after seeing the educational movie. Member Bruce Kassler suggested that the City Council watch the movie prior to a vote on any aspect of this issue. The movie does have an impact. Ms. Wightman briefly mentioned the age group that attended movie, and noted that there were not many young people. The age group was mostly late 30's to late 50's. Vice Chair Leo (who teaches at Cal State University San Bernardino) stated that ultimately they want to get the youth involved in the General Plan process, as it relates to sustainability. This would at least get them exposed to the plastic bag issue. Ms. Wightman stated that the Palm Desert Youth Committee made a recommendation to the City Council, and they will be presenting their findings to the Council on Thursday, May 10. She noted that video of the City Council meeting is now available online at www.cityofpalmdesert.org. Member Mourhess asked what kind of arguments are advanced by those who would not be in favor of the ban. Vice Chair Leo responded that you would have to look at the retailers. They are asking retailers to change their knowledge, attitude, and their behavior as it relates to plastic bags. There are several myths that are floating around; however, they have to correct those myths. He said that the resistance seems to be coming from the smaller retailers more than the big box stores. Ms. Wightman added the big box stores are getting it. Many of them offer incentives. Some give you a 5 or 10 cents discount per plastic bag that you would have used. She said that most of negative comments seem minor. Some of the comments that she received are: How am I going to throw away the diapers? How am I going to throw away my dog's waste? Ms. Wightman stated that with most negative comments; there is a solution. It is a change in behavior, where many people resist change. The Committee briefly discussed convincing the retailers, educating the public, and developing a model for other cities on the issue of single -use plastic bags. 8 GAPlanning\Monica OReilly\Sustainability Committee\2012\Minutes\5-9-12 min.docx MINUTES CITIZENS' SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE MAY 9, 2012 Member Rosenberg inquired if anyone can go see the movie on Friday. Vice Chair Leo said yes. The movie is going to be shown at 9:00 a.m. at the Cal State San Bernardino University Palm Desert campus in the Oliphant Auditorium. Member Koller asked what was the City Council's reaction when it was brought up to them. Ms. Wightman answered that initially Mayor Pro Tern Kroonen requested that staff research the environmental effects of single -use plastic bags, which was presented to the City Council. They voted to continue the research on the subject, and that is the phase they are in now. Ms. Wightman presented a graph on reusable bags. Ms. Wightman announced that there is a change of meeting dates. Following are future meeting dates: August 8 and October 10. November 14 has been canceled. VII. CONTINUED BUSINESS None Vlll. OLD BUSINESS IX. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. REDEVELOPMENT MANAGER 1. ENERGY INDEPENDENCE PROGRAM UPDATE Mr. Alvarez presented a Power Point presentation on the Energy Independence Program (EIP). He reported the program is continuing, but at a slower pace. 2. FHFA LITIGATION UPDATE Mr. Alvarez continued with a presentation on the FHFA litigation. He stated the court required FHFA to provide public comment, which the City provided. In addition FHFA was required to publish a proposed rule on PACE by May 25. The court date is scheduled for June 25, 2012. Mr. Alvarez also gave an update on the Set to Save Program. They are continuing to move forward with free home energy surveys and the one stop pool pump program. They are also offering a $5.00 incentive to homeowners' associations (HOA). If someone in an HOA has an energy survey performed on their residence, $5.00 will be given to the HOA for each survey completed. 9 GAPlanning\Monica OReilly\Sustainability Committee\2012\Minutes\5-9-12 min.dom MINUTES CITIZENS' SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE MAY 9, 2012 The same incentive is being offered to Palm Desert schools. If parents of students have an energy survey conducted on their home, the school would receive $5.00 per survey. Mr. Alvarez stated if anyone is interested in the survey incentives, he has business cards for the Set to Save representative available. Ms. Lisa Ream, Recycling Technician, asked who they would contact. Mr. Alvarez responded that they should contact Mr. Mark Wasson. Ms. Ream said she would like some of his business cards since she is out in the field a lot. Mr. Mourhess asked if the commercial light incentive only applies to internal lighting. Mr. Alvarez replied yes; it is mostly interior lighting. Mr. Mourhess asked if it would apply to parking lot lighting. Mr. Alvarez answered no. B. COMMITTEE MEMBERS Ms. Wightman commented that since there are new members on the Committee, she introduced Ms. Frankie Riddle, Director of Special Programs and Ms. Lisa Ream, Recycling Technician. They handle the City's recycling programs. She also introduced Mr. Martin Alvarez, Redevelopment Manager. He is in charge of the Energy Department. Ms. Wightman said that if they had any questions pertaining to their research or anything in general, they could email her and she would try to find the answer from the correct source. Member Kassler commented that because they are the Sustainability Committee for the City; they need to both be thinking about and promoting the reason for de- asphaltification, which is to reduce the number of cars and travel in the City of Palm Desert. He personally believes that you can't wait for everyone else to take care of the problem. If they are going to lead the challenge of de-asphaltification, he believes one way is to promote fewer parking spaces. He stated that he helped with parking counts, and there are a lot of parking spaces not being used. Member Gatons mentioned an example of a mall in the city of Industry that had a lot of parking spaces that were never used. The city and the mall worked in conjunction and recruited restaurants. Restaurants were then built around the perimeter. On a different note, he suggested publicizing that there are different size options of Burrtec bins in the Bright Side so that people are aware. 10 GAPlanning\Monica OReilly\Sustainability Committee\2012\Minutes\5.9-12 min.docx MINUTES CITIZENS' SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE MAY 9, 2012 Ms. Ream said that the City does an annual brochure, which states that information. She stated that Palm Desert is a "pay as you throw" city so the smaller the trash container you have, the less you pay too. Member Koller stated that he had parking counts at Bristol Farms, and he was astounded on the number of spaces that were occupied. He noted that the time of day made a difference; noon was the most occupied. He asked about the assignments, are they getting a to-do list the next time they meet. Ms. Wightman responded that she did not know yet. She stated that she would send out an email of the individuals that signed up for each group, and they could email each other to discuss how they would assign the research within each group. Vice Chair Leo invited the Committee to the university for a presentation on sustainability on Friday, May 11, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The Bag It movie is scheduled to be shown at 9:00 a.m. Member Mourhess commented that he is looking forward to learning, contributing and making a difference. He asked what the difference between a committee and commission is. Mr. John Wohlmuth, City Manager, responded that normally a committee makes a recommendation to the City Council. A commission could make its own decision, but that is not always true across the board. Ms. Wightman added that the City Council does have the ability to call something up to their level if they disagree with a commission's action. Member Rosenberg commented that she is glad and honored to be the first woman on the Committee. She said she is a chemist by training and a long time recycler. She's very interested doing what she can to help. Member Taylor mentioned that the survey results after showing the Bag It movie, seemed to have an overwhelming support for banning plastic bags. He asked if it is possible to do a survey outside of store like Target. Ms. Wightman answered that they continue trying to get out to different groups that are unfamiliar at different expos that are going on. She thinks if you gave people a survey out right, you are going to receive a completely different set of answers because they don't have any education on the background of what the survey is really about. She noted that they found that out from the Youth Committee. Depending on an individual's education on a specific topic will affect the outcome of a survey. We are looking for educated feedback. 11 GAPlanning\Monica OReilly\Sustainability Committee\2012\Minutes\5-9-12 min.docx MINUTES CITIZENS' SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE MAY 9, 2012 Mr. Wohlmuth stated that they could always add the survey to the Bright Side, but something like that is really expensive and the return rate is very, very low. Member Greenwood inquired what was presented to CVAG to push the plastic bag ban. Ms. Wightman replied that Ms. Katie Barrows, presented the issue to CVAG of possibly Palm Desert moving forward with the issue. She said that she did not make it to the second meeting, but Ms. Barrows informed her that not enough city officials were interested in moving forward with an individual or valley -wide ban of plastic bags ordinance at this time. They agreed to see what the State of California would do. Mr. Wohlmuth explained that with the economy the way it is, city managers are not concerned about the ban of plastic bags. They are concerned with positions being cut at different cities so plastic bags are not high on their priority list. Chair Langford commented that the Committee should make a good push to get a recommendation on the outdoor lighting ordinance. X. ADJOURNMENT Upon a motion by Vice Chair Leo, second by Member Greenwood, Chair Langford adjourned the meeting at 12:00 p.m. Monica O'Reilly, Recording Secret 12 GAPlanning\Monica OReilly\Sustainability Committee\2012\Minutes\5.9.12 min.docx