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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSustainability Cmte - 11-06-2013 �1T.,� CITY OF PALM DESERT � /� CITIZENS' SUSTAINABILITY COMITTEEE ,. MINUTES . • WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 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: C1TY COUNCILACTION Member Tom Edwards APPROVF.,D l��NiE� Member Eric Corey Freed RECE[VED �- i_Le�o'��t�d�;tt Member Gregory Gritters at 2:10 p.m. Member Dean Gatons MEETING DATE - 7- ,�G i �� Member Bruce Kassler AYES: - c � �p '�L a ; �1- Member David Koller NOES: ��%Y1e Member David Mourhess AI3SENT: �a�� Member Ralph Raya ABSTAIN:_N n���°. � Member Susan Rosenberg �'�RIFIF,D BY: r _ Member Luke Taylor Original on File with City Clcrk's ( 1'fice Chair Robert Leo Also Present: Van Tanner, Council Member Susan Marie Weber, Council Member Lauri Aylaian, Director of Community Development Martin Alvarez, Director of Economic 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 NOVEMBER 6, 2013 IV. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES of the Citizens' Sustainability Committee meeting of August 28, 2013. Rec: Approve as presented. Upon a motion by Koller, second by Mourhess, and an 8-0-2-1 vote of the Citizens' Sustainability Committee, the Consent Calendar was approved as presented with Members Edwards and Raya ABSTAINING and Member Gritters ABSENT. 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 on October 10, 2013, the Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG) Energy and Environmental Committee gave a recommendation to move forward to regulate single-use plastic bags. At the October 24 City Council meeting, the City Council approved the letter for the Mayor's signature and the model ordinance to send to other Coachella Valley cites. He mentioned that the ordinance needs a little more fine tuning to read better, and that Palm Desert City staff and CVAG will work together to address concerns from other cities. Chair Leo inquired if there was any progress on the citywide education program. Mr. Bagato responded that the educational program will go before the City Council in December. Member Eric Corey Freed offered to assist with the educational program. Member David Koller asked if each city would be able to adopt their own version of the ordinance or do they have to adopt the ordinance approved by CVAG. 2 G:\Planning\Monica OReilly\Sustainability Committee�2013\Minutes\11-6-13 min.docx MINUTES CITIZENS' SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE NOVEMBER 6, 2013 Mr. Bagato replied that each city could technically have their own version of the ordinance; however, it would save staff time if CVAG does the ordinance. He stated that the Grocers Association would prefer that the ordinance is the same for all cities. Member Dean Gatons asked who at CVAG is working on the ordinance. Mr. Bagato responded that Ms. Kate Castle (Palm Springs), Ms. Katie Barrows (CVAG), and himself are working on the ordinance. Member Freed commented that Cathedral City and Indian Wells were not sure about the ordinance, but he thinks it is because it was the first time they heard about it. He mentioned that Ms. Castle and he are going to meet with Cathedral City and Indian Wells to explain the logic of the issue. Member Gatons clarified that for the ordinance to be enacted in each city, each city's city council needs to approve the ordinance. The Committee replied that was correct. Mr. Bagato said that CVAG recommended that cities draft an ordinance for further review. The CVAG Executive Committee would still need to approve a model ordinance. Member Koller inquired if the County of Riverside is included. Member Freed responded that the County made clear they were not interested. Member David Mourhess mentioned that he is the Chairman for the Palm Desert Chamber of Commerce Board. He said that he invited Ms. Barrows to come to the board's meeting on November 26 to present the same presentation that Mr. Bagato gave at the City Council meeting on October 24. Member Susan Rosenberg commented that Mr. Bagato's presentation at the City Council meeting was excellent. She said the presentation had a lot of good facts, which helped make a point why it is very important. She recommended using the same presentation when meeting with other cities. Member Freed commented that he could make the presentation available to the Citizens' Sustainability Committee. Member Ralph Raya asked if the Grocers Association is onboard with the exception of a few changes. 3 G:\Planning\Monica OReilly\Sustainabiliry Committee�2013\Minutes\11-6-13 min.docx MINUTES CITIZENS' SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE NOVEMBER 6, 2013 Mr. Bagato responded that they are onboard. The Grocers Association prefers that the Coachella Valley have the same ordinance, and that there is a 10 cents charge for paper bags. Member Raya asked who the Grocers Association represents. Mr. Bagato replied that he did not know who specifically they represent, and noted that the Grocers Association does not represent every store. Member Freed commented that he has a letter of support from Safeway/Vons, which is the same company. He said that every grocer is in favor as long as they receive the charge for the paper bag. He also said that Blythe is part of CVAG, and they worry people will drive to Arizona to do their shopping. However, Blythe is in favor of the ordinance. Councilman Van Tanner requested information on the negative effects of single- use plastic bags so when he is asked by a constituent, he could respond intelligently and discuss with clarity. Chair Leo suggested having a one-page of talking points or a flyer pertaining to the negative effects. Member Luke Taylor asked if there is a timeline of when the model ordinance will go out. Mr. Bagato responded that there was not a specific timeline given by CVAG. IX. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. Ygrene Presentation Mr. Martin Alvarez introduced Ms. Crystal Crawford, Regional Director of Ygrene Energy Fund. He stated that Ygrene was chosen by CVAG to administer the regional Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program. Ms. Crystal Crawford presented a PowerPoint presentation on the Clean Energy CV Upgrade. The program provides financing to commercial and residential property owners for energy efficiency, renewable energy, and water conservation improvements. Member Tommy Edwards asked if the contractors are local. Mr. Crawford replied yes. She said that they have some contractors that work in the region, but may have their offices in other locations. She also said that training is open to any contractor who meets the basic requirements. They cannot exclude 4 G:\Planning\Monica OReilly\Sustainability Committee�2013\Minutes\t1-6-13 min.docx MINUTES CITIZENS' SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE NOVEMBER 6, 2013 anyone; however they, are working to attract local contractors. Ms. Crawford continued with her presentation. Member Freed inquired if there are any issues with Fanny Mae. Ms. Crawford responded that the FHFA issue continues to come up. She said that their underwriting standards were designed to address the concerns that the FHFA expressed in 2010. They are using the most recent legislation SP555 under the Mello Roos statue. She mentioned there have been some instances where the property owner has had to pay off their PACE loan as result of a buyer of the property not wanting to assume the loan during the sale. Member Rosenberg asked how the money is paid back. Ms. Crawford replied that the loan is paid back through property taxes. Member Rosenberg asked what is the interest on the loan. Ms. Crawford responded that on a residential property with a 10-year rate is 6.45 percent and a 20-year rate is 7.45 percent. For commercial property, they offer 5-, 10-, or 20-year terms and the rate is adjusted for each property. Member Rosenberg asked if the loan stays with the property through the property taxes. Ms. Crawford replied that is correct. Councilman Tanner asked if there are prepayment penalties. Ms. Crawford replied yes; up to five percent. Ms. Lisa Ream, Recycling Technician, asked if homeowners' associations (HOA) are eligible for the program. Ms. Crawford responded that the program could be available to the individual property owners. She mentioned that they are working with the HOAs on how to make the process go smoothly and quickly for HOA members. Chair Leo asked Ms. Crawford if she is familiar with the Community Associations Institute (CAI). Ms. Crawford replied yes. Member Mourhess mentioned that he serves on the CAI board. 5 G:\Planning\Monica OReilly\Sustainability Committee�2013\Minutes\11-6-13 min.docx MINUTES CITIZENS' SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE NOVEMBER 6, 2013 Member Greg Gritters asked how much equity does a property need to have. Ms. Crawford said 15 percent. Member Gritters inquired if they loan up to 100 percent. Ms. Crawford responded that if the property has 15 percent equity, it's current on property taxes, it's current on mortgage for the past three years, and property owner is not in bankruptcy then the property owner qualifies to borrow up to 10 percent of the fair market value. Councilman Tanner asked if there is an option to get outside funding instead of going through the PACE program. Ms. Crawford replied yes. Councilman Tanner inquired if a property owner is able to pay the loan through property taxes when using outside funding. Ms. Crawford responded not that she knows of. She stated that funding through Ygrene is a program that allows you to pay back PACE financing through property taxes. Last, she mentioned that they have a referral program. If a friend or neighbor is referred to the program, you will get paid half of a percent of the value of the project. She thanked the Committee for being invited to their meeting. B. Strategic Plan: Energy and Sustainability Focus Group (Member David Mourhess) Member Mourhess reported that he has the privilege of serving on the City's Strategic Plan Energy and Sustainability Focus Group. There are several focus groups that are looking 20 years into the future. The other focus groups are Transportation, Tourism, Public Safety, Education, Economic Development, Energy, Land Use, and Arts and Culture. He mentioned that at the last meeting they agreed to the overall vision statement for the City of Palm Desert and read the following: Palm Desert is the heart of California's Coachella Valley. Palm Desert's outstanding quality of life offers residents and visitors of all ages a wide variety of recreational, educational, shopping, housing, and entertainment opportunities, as well as, arts and cultural activities and world c/ass events in a uniquely beautiful desert environment. This premier resort destination is also a thriving sustainable community that attracts innovative employers by virtue of its diverse highly qualified workforce and synergistic business civic and educational partnerships. He said that the Energy and Sustainability Focus Group has a mini vision that ties into the overall strategic vision of the City, which they are still working on and read the following: In 2033, Palm Desert's consumption of natural resources is at 6 G:\Planning\Monica OReilly\Sustainability Committee�2013\Minutes\11-6-13 min.docx MINUTES CITIZENS' SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE NOVEMBER 6, 2013 an environmentally responsible level. By 2033, the City will reduce energy and water consumption. The City wants to exchange environmentally responsib/e resources and materials with those that are not. New construction will be net zero energy and will be water efficient. Member Mourhess added and read that the fourth strategic result area: Existing structures have been voluntarily retrofitted for energy and water reduction. He stated that the focus group is made up of Palm Desert citizens, with Martin Alvarez and Tony Bagato providing advice and guidance. Councilman Tanner inquired if the Strategic Plan will go to the City Council for the first quarter of 2014. Member Mourhess responded that they have two more work sessions, and they will wrap up and make the final recommendations by December. C. Committee Members Comments Member Edwards commented that he is glad to see staff's work on regulating single-use plastic bags. Member Freed said he would like to present a new item for the Committee to discuss at the next meeting. Member Gatons asked if there are incentives for HOA's and communities to convert grass to desert landscape. Member Koller responded that the Coachella Valley Water District has a rebate program. However, funds are no longer available for this fiscal year, but they hope to have more funds available from a State grant. Member Gritters mentioned that HOA's do participate in the rebate program, and that it is very effective. Member Bruce Kassler stated that the Committee should re-approach the County of Riverside in regulating single-use plastic bags. Member Koller commented that he is happy to see CVAG involved in the single- use plastic bag ordinance. Member Raya informed the Committee that he will bring the draft lighting ordinance to the next meeting. He mentioned that he had a field trip scheduled, however, no one showed. He said if anyone is interested in another field trip, please let him know. 7 G:\Planning\Monica OReilty\Sustainability Committee�2013\Minutes\11-6-13 min.docx MINUTES CITIZENS' SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE NOVEMBER 6, 2013 Member Taylor said that he would like to discuss air conditioner condensate at the next meeting. Member Rosenberg stated that water conservation should be a major focus of the Coacheila Valley. Councilman Tanner suggested regulating paper bags in addition to single-use plastic bags. Chair Leo stated to add to the agenda for future discussion on the best approach to regulate paper bags. Mr. Bagato commented that after talking to the Grocers Association, a charge for paper bags is the best approach. Member Freed said that there are two solutions: 1) regulate what products are allowed to come into Palm Desert; and 2) regulate mandatory recycling. He noted that San Francisco has mandatory recycling and mandatory composting. Member Kassler mentioned that there are some supermarkets that do not carry �ny bags. He said that people have to bring their reusable bags, buy a reusable bag at the register, or carry their items out. Mr. Bagato introduced Ms. Cassidy Quilling of the Palm Desert Youth Committee. She will be reporting back to the Youth Committee on items that the Citizens' Sustainability Committee discussed. Ms. Quilling stated that she is currently a senior at Palm Desert High School, and has served on the Youth Committee for approximately four to five years. She mentioned that she also serves on the Palm Desert Sister Cities board. X. ADJOURNMENT Upon a motion by Member Raya, second by Member Koller, and an 11-0 vote of the Citizens' Sustainability Committee, Chair Leo adjourned the meeting at 3:10 p.m. . r� , � � Monica O'Reilly, Recording cretary 8 G:\PlanninglMonica OReilly\Sustainability Committee�2013\Minutes\11-6-13 min.docx