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HomeMy WebLinkAboutStudy Notes 09-11-2017SPECIAL STUDY SESSION NOTES CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO City Council Chambers 7500 W. 29th Avenue September 11 , 2017 Upon adjournment of the Regular City Council Meeting Mayor Joyce Jay called the Special Study Session to order at 8:01 p.m. Council members present: George Pond, Janeece Hoppe, Kristi Davis, Monica Duran, Tim Fitzgerald, Zachary Urban, Larry Mathews, Genevieve Wooden Absent: George Pond (excused), Larry Mathews (excused), and Kristi Davis (excused) Also present: City Clerk, Janelle Shaver; City Attorney, Jerry Dahl; City Manager, Patrick Goff; other staff, guests and interested citizens. CITIZEN COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS none APPROVAL OF AGENDA ~ Wheat Ridge Environmental Sustainability Committee (WRESC) Report Amy DePierre and Joy Opp from the Environmental Sustainability Committee gave the first presentation to the City Council on the committee's efforts to date. Some members of the 11 member committee were present. [The Power Point is attached to these minutes.] Amy DePierre gave an introduction: • She expressed gratitude to Sundari Kraft for her facilitation, motivation and organizational help in getting them going and thanked the City for providing her. She also acknowledged the help of City staff members Matt Anderson and Carly Lorentz. Their help will be essential going forward. • This volunteer citizen committee was chosen for their experience and expertise. • Their mission is three-fold: 1. Evaluate the current policy and practices of sustainability in Wheat Ridge so they can provide support, advice, and guidance for the Council. They will be involving the community through engagement and outreach. 2. Identify metrics that can be used to track progress. 3. Develop and implement an action plan by May of 2018. • There was analysis of six key topic areas o Green Building & Energy Efficiency o Renewable Energy o Transportation SPECIAL STUDY SESSION NOTES: September 11, 2017 Page -2- a Solid Waste and Recycling a Water a Communication & Outreach • Their definition of sustainability is responsible use of resources that have impact socially, economically and environmentally for people, profit and planet. Ms DePierre went through the importance the committee sees for green building & energy efficiency, renewable energy and transportation. (See Power Point for details) • The City has already done much through the volunteer employee committee and programs (e.g. solar garden). More staff and funding are needed to do more. • For renewable energy the committee sees education and community engagement as priorities. • For transportation, the City already has ongoing efforts and there is good bus and light rail connection; the challenge is to increase options. Ms. Opp addressed solid waste & recycling and water. (See Power Point for details) • The City has sustainable waste practices, but more could be done to further recycling and trash management. • City plans and code retied water conservation efforts, but behavioral changes and incentives for water conservation are needed. Ms. Opp covered communication and engagement (See Power Point for details) • Analysis in each area includes: o Summary of what's currently being done and Summary of current metrics o Strengths and Challenges o Guiding principles for future goals and Next steps • The committee recommends o Consistent outreach, advocacy and stewardship around all areas o Adopting sustainable neighborhood programs; more focused programs o More effective communication o Creating communication and engagement tools o Continued use of the City website, Localworks, Gazette and Connections o Use of social media where the interest level in sustainability is high Council questions and comments followed. Members of the Committee weighed in depending on their area of expertise. Discussion points included: • Could they develop a point system for developers and a zip card for drivers? • Next week the committee will set an agenda for the next 8 months. They could communicate regularly and advise Council of next steps as they come. • "40% of WR residents don't drive" includes children. It was not known how that compares to other cities. They will check to see where that figure came from. • Since a single city-wide trash service is controversial, perhaps they could start with a city-wide recycling service • The issue of backyard windmills is too specific yet; it will be discussed in the future. • Appreciate the plan to identify pharmaceutical drop-offs to help with wastewater protection -which also intersects with the opioid addiction crisis. SPECIAL STUDY SESSION NOTES: September 11, 2017 Page -3- • The committee hasn't discussed much about next steps for increasing urban agriculture; WR is ahead in that area. The Lutheran medical campus may be an opportunity for that. • What are the programs for food waste with restaurants? 5 Fridges Farms collects food waste to use for compost. That program could be expanded. • We should be bold, dedicate resources to this and develop action steps. The Committee should push for Council action on a single trash service and a storm water utility. • "Reducing heat island effect" means planting trees; it also has to do with asphalt. • Suggest considering connection to our two Gold Line stations. • The time limit for the committee is one year. May of 2018 is their deadline. Mr. Goff said the City will dedicate a page on the website for this. Councilmember Fitzgerald asked for consensus to direct the City Manager to give a report on the energy audits -including the glass-recycling program. Mr. Goff reported he has several energy audits for City buildings he can provide. Staff was directed to wait on the glass-recycling program until the committee gave a complete report on all the issues. The Mayor asked what the Committee's feelings were. One of the members said they would recommend a glass-recycling program. Councilmember Fitzgerald modified his consensus to include directing staff to· initiate the glass recycling program test. Councilmember Urban requested discussion and asked if there weren't two phases to this and if so, he would like to again see the costs involved. Mr. Goff noted it's been awhile since this was discussed. He and Mr. Dahl suggest bringing this back to a study session to re-examine it. Councilmember Hoppe advised that this consensus is to have staff bring it to them for discussion. The consensus to discuss the glass-recycling contract at a study session passed. Councilmember Fitzgerald asked for a vote on the consensus to have reports on the energy audits. The consensus to have staff report on the energy audits passed. CITY MANAGER'S MATTERS Mr. Goff reported that the 2018 Budget is coming this Friday. He encouraged Council to look at it and ask questions before the formal presentation on October 2. SPECIAL STUDY SESSION NOTES: September 11, 2017 Page -4- CITY ATTORNEY'S MATTERS none CITY CLERK'S MATTERS Clerk Shaver presented to the City a framed piece containing a set of eight pictures from this year's Carnation Festival. It was made and given to the City by John Colvin, a Wheat Ridge resident who works for CIRSA-the City's insurance carrier. Mr. goff said he will find a place for it. -She honored the victims of 9/11. Today is the 16th anniversary of that event and it isn't often we have a meeting right on that date. -She also sent thoughts and prayers to the victims of Hurricane Irma in Florida. ELECTED OFFICIALS' MATTERS Janeece Hoppe distributed the Treasurer's bi-weekly report on the finances for the hailstorm and highlighted main figures. -She reminded folks of the Farmers 5000 this weekend, which also includes Cow Pie Bingo - a fund raiser for the Porns. Zachary Urban acknowledged the service of the first responders in Hurricane Irma and the sacrifice of those who lost their lives on 9/11. -He encouraged everyone to come to the Farmers 5000 this Sunday. -He invited everyone to come out to the Cool Duo SK at Sts. Peter and Paul School on October 7. -He announced there is a state website dedicated to the safe disposal of medications. It is called "takemedsseriously.org". In Wheat Ridge folks can take medications for disposal to the WR Pharmacy on 3ath and Walgreens at 44th & Wadsworth. ADJOURNMENT The Special Study Session adjourned at 8:55p.m. George Pond, Mayor pro tern