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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCtzens' Sustnablty Cmte - 07/08/2013 f � � � CITY OF PALM DESERT ��'�� CITIZENS' SUSTAINABILITY COMITTEEE , _ ,:, , , . MINUTES • • MONDAY, JULY 8, 2013 — 2:00 P.M. ADMININSTRATIVE CONFERENCE ROOM 73-510 FRED WARING DRIVE, PALM DESERT, CA 92260 I. CALL TO ORDER Chair Robert Leo called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Absent: Member Tommy Edwards at 2:05 p.m. Member Gregory Gritters Member Eric Freed Member Ralph Raya Member Dean Gatons Member Bruce Kassler Member David Koller Member David Mourhess Member Susan Rosenberg Member Luke Taylor Vice Chair Cleve Langford Chair Robert Leo Also Present: Susan Marie Weber, Councilmember John Wohlmuth, City Manager Lauri Aylaian, Director of Community Development at 2:20 p.m. Martin Alvarez, Director of Economic Development Ruth Ann Moore, Economic Development Manager Tony Bagato, Principal Planner Monica O'Reilly, Recording Secretary III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None CITY COtJNCILACTION APPROVED DF1vIF.D R�CEIVED � � OTHER MF,CT G DATSE , `� � AYF,S: NOFS: A13SCNT: ARSTAiN: VF,RIFIrD 13Y: Original on Fiie with City CI k's �ffice MINUTES CITIZENS' SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE JULY 8, 2013 IV. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES of the Citizens' Sustainability Committee meeting of March 20, 2013. Rec: Approve as presented. Staff noted that Member Gritters had a change to his comment on page 7 last paragraph. Upon a motion by Mourhess, second by Gatons, and a 9-0 vote of the Citizens' Sustainability Committee, the Consent Calendar was approved as amended with Members Edwards, Gritters, and Raya ABSENT. V. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER None VI. NEW BUSINESS None VII. CONTINUED BUSINESS None VII1. OLD BUSINESS A. UPDATE ON SINGLE-USE PLASTIC BAGS Member Eric Freed stated that Ms. Kate Castle from the City of Palm Springs drafted a letter. He said that potentially the tact they are taking is that she wants to present a unified front with the Palm Desert and Palm Springs Sustainability Committee to launch a valley-wide initiative. The feedback from the other cities is that it is a great idea; however, they do not want to be the first to do it. He said they are hoping to find a way around that issue by doing it all at once. Ms. Castle drafted a letter that essentially says "there are 72 municipalities in California that have done it, including Los Angeles. There is no reason why we can't do it, it is costing the city money; let's do it all together." He stated that Ms. Castle would like Palm Desert to back her up. Member Freed communicated that they have a draft letter, a draft policy, and templates. He asked what they need to do now. Member David Koller inquired if the Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG) would be better suited to move the issue forward. 2 G:\Planning\Monica OReilly\Sustainability Committee�2013\Minutes\7-8-13 min.docx MINUTES CITIZENS' SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE JULY 8, 2013 Member Freed responded that CVAG would be perfect to move it forward; however, they have refused because they have other priorities that take precedence. Member Koller suggested writing a letter to CVAG. Chair Leo commented that the Palm Desert Sustainability Committee will have to request that the Palm Desert City Council write a letter to CVAG. He asked the City Manager if that was correct. Mr. John Wohlmuth, City Manager, responded that the City Council has asked CVAG to look into the matter, and to consider bringing single-use plastic bags forward. He stated he brought it up at the City Manager's meeting, and most of the city managers are not interested in addressing the issue of plastic bags. He noted that Indio expressed interest, but that was about it. He feels that the issue is likely to be tabled forever. The City Council feels the same unless there is a regional approach. Member Dean Gatons commented that in May 2013, Palm Springs hosted a meeting, and they invited all of the Coachella Valley cities. He noted that the Palm Desert subcommittee attended the meeting. He said that their concern is they are not getting support. He mentioned that he sat in the Palm Desert Walmart parking lot and he literally saw Home Depot bags stuck in trees, which Home Depot is in Rancho Mirage located across the street. Member Gatons stated that Palm Desert is serious about the issue, and displayed his daughter's art project that was made of single-use plastic bags. Chair Leo asked the City Manager if the ban of single-use plastic bags will go anywhere. Mr. Wohlmuth responded that the City Council is interested in a regional approach. He noted that CVAG is made up of nine cities, and unless you get half of them wanting something it is likely that it is not going to occur. Chair Leo asked if the Committee has the liberty to contact the other cities. Mr. Wohlmuth replied that they could talk to the elected officials from the other cities. He mentioned that Ms. Nale gave a couple of presentations to the Solid Waste Task Force and Energy Environment. Unfortunately it did not have momentum. Mr. Tony Bagato, Principal Planner, noted that items on the agenda are updates, and there will not always be an action recourse. He also noted that they are working on updating the Strategic Plan, and there is a focus group on sustainability that will take about 10 months to adopt. 3 G:\Planning\Monica OReilly\Sustainability Committee�2013\Minutes\7-8-13 min.docx MINUTES CITIZENS' SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE JULY 8, 2013 Chair Leo asked if anyone from the Sustainability Committee is in the focus group. Mr. Bagato replied that Member Mourhess is in the focus group. Member Freed inquired if CVAG is the only path to move this issue forward. Mr. Wohlmuth reaffirmed that the City Council wants a regional approach, and that it does not have to go through CVAG. Member Freed asked if it will be the same legislation or can there be subtle differences between all the cities. Mr. Wohlmuth said that historically someone would draft a model ordinance, and that it would be slightly or greatly modified by each city. Member Freed stated that they have a draft model ordinance that has not been seen by any City Council in the Coachella Valley. He stated that if they could get three to four cities to participate, they could get the other cities to participate. Member Tommy Edwards asked Mr. Wohlmuth if they have reached out to city councils through CVAG, and city managers to look at a regional approach. Mr. Wohlmuth responded that when the City Council asks staff to do something, that is the quickest way. He said that the City Manager and staff receive direction in a number of different ways: from the council, the community, input at council meetings, and regionally through CVAG. Member Freed inquired if he as a citizen or as a unified body are restricted from writing an editorial for The Desert Sun. Would it be appropriate? Mr. Wohlmuth responded that the Sustainability Committee is an advisory committee to the City Council. As a committee, Mr. Wohlmuth advised Member Freed to first ask the City Council. As an individual, he could write the editorial as a committee member, and noted that it could upset the Council. Member Gatons agreed with Member Freed. They need a valley-wide initiative to move forward; however, he does not know how they can get there. Member Edwards commented it might be worth taking it back to the City Council for direction. 4 G:\Planning\Monica OReilly\Sustainability Committee�2073\MinutesV-8-13 min.docx � ' MINUTES CITIZENS' SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE JULY 8, 2013 Chair Leo asked if it would be possible to do an informal survey of establishments that on their own are trying to reduce the number of plastic bags, and raising the level of reusable bags instead of mandating plastic bags. Ms. Aylaian commented that she believes stores are required by law to have a place to recycle plastic bags, and they are also required to provide reusable bags for purchase. Member Freed reaffirmed that there is a law for collection of plastic bags. He mentioned that he has a letter of support from the California Grocers Association. Member Bruce Kassler asked if it is possible to get the City Council to agree to the ban of plastic bags based on the ordinance that has been written, but will not enact the ordinance until there is a minimum of four other cities within the Coachella Valley. Mr. Wohlmuth responded that it is not likely, and explained the ordinance process. He suggested to Chair Leo to send a report to the City Council of what has been done along with the model ordinance and letters of support, He said to ask the Council to consider authorizing the Mayor to send a letter to the mayors of the other cities with the ordinance attached, and encourage them to consider this issue as a city or through CVAG. Member Freed inquired who they send the request to. Chair Leo directed Member Freed and Gatons meet with Mr. Bagato to prepare the letter and staff report. Member Gatons asked who in the City will enforce or monitor the ordinance. Mr. Wohlmuth replied that the Code Enforcement Department woutd respond to a complaint. B. UPDATE ON DE-ASPHALTIFICATION Mr. Bagato reported that staff is moving forward with the zoning ordinance modification. He noted that they looked at parking counts, and they will be reducing the parking requirement. Member Freed mentioned that he has information on solar reflective index (SRI) material, and will be happy to present the information to staff when appropriate. Mr. Bagato stated that the zoning ordinance will go to the Planning Commission and the City Council in August. Member Freed asked if the counts are minimums and not maximums. 5 G:\Planning\Monica OReilly\Sustainability Committee�2073\Minutes\7-8-13 min.docx MINUTES CITIZENS' SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE JULY 8, 2013 Mr. Bagato replied that the counts are minimums. Member Freed asked if counts vary on use. Mr. Bagato replied yes. IX. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. Economic Development Director 1. Desert Cities Energy Partnership Update Mr. Martin Alvarez reported that the energy partnership the City of Palm Desert has with CVAG is moving forward with a couple of projects. At this time, the City is completing the renovation of seven irrigation pumps at Desert Willow. He noted that the City is looking at receiving a $12,000 rebate from Southern California Edison for the irrigation pumps. The second item is the City was awarded $160,000 in grant money. The grant will assist in the following: 1) revising the City's greenhouse gas inventory; 2) allow the City to look at a utility manager (computer software); 3) allow the City to develop a policy for commissioning and retro-commissioning municipal facilities; and 4) the possibility of adopting a green building policy for commercial and residential developments. He stated that for CVAG's regional Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program, CVAG selected a consultant that would provide a turnkey regional approach that cities could opt into to have their PACE program administered. Ygrene is the consuttant selected, and they have been visiting the cities to seek the city's approval to join the district. He noted that in May of this year, Palm Desert opted to join the CVAG's PACE program. Mr. Alvarez noted that the Palm Desert's Energy Independence program is still active. Member Freed asked if the Ygrene program is the City's program. Mr. Alvarez clarified that the City's PACE program still exists, and the Ygrene program has not launched. Member Freed asked what the advantage is of Ygrene administering the program instead of the City. Mr. Alvarez replied that there are administrative costs that the City incurs, and City funds are also being used for the loans. With a third party, he said that there are no administrative costs for the City and no additional risks. He stated that having a regional approach you have one voice, one message, and one process. He said that Ygrene will launch in November or December. 6 G:\Planning\Monica OReilly\Sustainability Committee�2013\Minutes\7•8-13 min.docx MINUTES CITIZENS' SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE JULY 8, 2013 B. Committee Members Member Freed commented that the city of Lancaster proposed to require solar on every new project, commercial and residential. He mentioned that the city of Santa Monica is also putting forth their version of it. Member Gatons mentioned that The Desert Sun throws My Desert in driveways, and half the people are not home. He inquired if they are allowed to do that, and do they have the right to throw My Desert into driveways. Mr. Wohlmuth responded that he sent a letter to The Desert Sun concerning that issue about a year ago. He said that per the City's ordinance, if the paper is not picked up within 24 hours, The Desert Sun has to return to pick the papers up. Member Gatons commented that people are not recycling when it is so easy. Mr. Wohlmuth noted that the City is at 72 percent recycling. Vice Chair Cleve Langford commented that the Sustainability Committee has been discussing plastic bags for a long time, and he hopes they receive direction soon. Member David Mourhess agreed with Member Langford. Member Susan Rosenberg commented that she just got back from Hawaii, and that Hawaii has banned plastic bags. She said she did not see plastic bags floating around, and people seemed to deal with it just fine. Chair Leo asked if the Sustainability Committee can get updated reports from the Strategic Plan focus group. Mr. Wohlmuth responded that they are in the beginning stages of the Strategic Plan so there are no goals yet from the focus groups. Ms. Aylaian also commented that staff may be able to add a regular informational agenda item on the Sustainability Committee agenda. X. ADJOURNMENT Upon a motion by Gatons, second by Langford, and a 10-0 vote of the Citizens' Sustainabifity Committee, Chair Leo adjourned the meeting at 2:42 p.m. . � Monica O'Reilly, Recording Secreta 7 G:\Planning\Monica OReilly\Sustainability Committee�2013\Minutes\7-8-13 min.docx