Loading...
HomeMy Public PortalAbout20100719CRCMinutes.pdfCITY OF TYBEE ISLAND COMMUNITY RESOURCE COMMITTEE MEETING Monday, July 19, 2010 – 6:00 PM Council Chambers minutes Members Present: Jason Buelterman (liaison), Freda Rutherford, Mallory Pearce, Karen Kelly, Don Ernst, Rusty Fleetwood, Judy Miller, Sandy Major, & Tommy Linstroth Members Absent: Lisa Callahan Guests: Libby Bacon,Chantel Morton, Frank Kelly, Diane Schleicher Jason Buelterman called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM. He thanked all for coming and committing to the mission and goals of the committee. He said that the Beach Task Force has been incredibly successful, that he didn't think there would be a beach on Tybee without all their hard work. He's hoping that this new committee will be as successful. Jason passed out a summary of Tybee (sustainability) followed by his goals for the committee. His goals are: 1. Reduce electricity, fuel and water usage by the City as to reduce costs to taxpayers and reduce impact of energy and water usage on environment by suggesting changes to existing City policies, facilities, procedures, equipment, etc. Measure the impact of such changes using 2009 and /or 2010 baseline. 2. Reduce energy and water usage of City residents and businesses by suggesting and investigating energy reduction initiatives (i.e. offshore wind turbines, etc.) 3. Suggest ordinance changes that will encourage property owners and developers to construct energy efficient buildings and/or improvements using carrot as opposed to stick (we have a lot of sticks in our codes, but few carrots, ire allow developers to substitute a bike rack for a parking spot...or encouraging water barrels being incorporated into new construction by reducing aid to construction fees.) 4. Assist City with implementation of Memorial Park federal grant. He then handed out the City of Tybee Island electricity cost summary for CY 2009 totaling $428,323.69. See attached. He said this is a good baseline to begin measuring costs savings in energy use for city facilities. Freda pointed our a draft matrix in the committee materials as an example of a format that the Beach Task Force used to keep track of projects. She proposed that we attempt to define project goals and first steps. SOLAR OFF SET Jason then asked Diane Schlesinger (city manager) to give an update on the Solar Off-set program. Diane said that Tybee had not been successful in getting the grant to install LEED lighting on the beach, but there are other options. A DOE contractor had proposed the Tybee project to DOE but only military bases were funded. Diane is meeting with Debbie again next week to explore whether we could find a group of scientists to evaluate a project. Libby suggested using Georgia Tech students. Libby said she would email the contact information to Diane. Don Ernst said that 7-8 years ago he proposed a feasibility study on Tybee to install its own poles, then charge users. He said the city could provide area-wide wireless infrastructure. He asked that we not ditch the street light issue. Judy suggested that we set-aside 10 minutes at the beginning of each meeting for an expert to provide a briefing. Don suggested Keith Freeman from One World Sustainable. WATER FIRST Tybee received a Water First designation from DNR EDP three years ago largely as the result of an application written by Councilman Paul Wolff. The designation resulted a lower rate for GEFA loans for city infrastructure projects. He said the project is up for renewal and a new application will need to be submitted. We will need to show improvement to get the designation a second time. Don asked that Paul be invited to the next meeting. Karen suggested that he be a part of the committee. MEMORIAL PARK CARBON NEUTRAL GRANT Jason said that the city reviewed the bids on Phase I of the project this morning and will make a recommendation to council Thursday. Phase I is retrofitting all the buildings, and when work begins, we'll be partnering with Armstrong & Associates to do an outreach campaign to tell staff and residents what we're doing and why and let them know how they can help us save electricity. This committee would be valuable in helping draft and disseminate the information. Freda said that perhaps the committee could be helpful in building consensus, i.e. the wind turbine. Judy suggested an ordinance that addresses removing wind turbine height restrictions. Mallory raised an issue of a machine that takes carbon dioxide out of the air. DNR GREEN TEAM (establishing baselines) Jason asked Chantel to update the committee on the project. Chantel said the city's first effort is solid waste reduction. She described actions that staff has taken, ie elimination of plastic water bottles and Styrofoam coffee cups, using 2 sided copies, etc. Their second weigh-in will be in a month; there is an annual assessment. Libby said we need some way to measure our projects. Karen asked Chantel if bars and restaurants will begin recycling. Chantel said she and Joe are working on it. Freda said Amy Lanier, current Beach Task Force chair, presented a plan to the BTF several years go to crush glass and use as beach sand. Freda said that she had talked to Amy about sharing her research with this committee and will invite her to the next meeting. Jason said that if we increase our recycling we will get a larger percentage back. Tommy said we could restructure ordinances. He said it might be efficient to use the structure of the Chatham County Environmental Forum for our plan. He said he will email the web site. Mallory said Jekyll has a birding festival and may not be able to continue it. Perhaps this committee could work on getting it for Tybee. He also said we could encourage eco-systems as nature parks. Libby said we could turn unopened roads into green-ways, then future councils couldn't sell them off. Don said someone did an inventory and we should get a copy. Jason said we must get organized. He said Tybee doesn't have a lot of bureaucracy and we can get things done quickly and effectively. He confirmed with everyone that the third Monday at 6PM is a good time to meet. Rusty motioned, Judy seconded, to approve the minutes from the June 21, 2010 meeting. All approved. Mallory presented the draft by-laws for committee members input. Jason suggested that we not have an election and set an annual meeting time until we have at least a minimum number of members – 10 needed. IDEA SHARING Judy handed out an article about a Green Roadway project in Oregon. See attached. Libby said that Joe Wilson was exploring using vegetable oil from local restaurants to fuel city vehicles. We should have him to our meetings. The meeting was adjourned at 7:02 PM . Respectfully submitted, Freda Rutherford Committee Member .