Resource Conservation Advisory Board Minutes 2009 01 12

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Resource Conservation Advisory Board Minutes DATE Page 2 of 3 program had been listed on the City Website, and made available to residents via pamphlets at City Hall and the Library. They also discussed some options for greater energy-use efficiency in the City, such as options for P-V Panels at the Recreation Center with a program offered by Sun-Edison. It was noted that LRCAB expects to hear a presentation about such program options from city resident Gerry Christensen at a future meeting. VIII. Review Status of New City Refuse/Recyclables/Compostables- Collection Services: Tom Phare reported the proposed city-wide service contract was approved unanimously by City Council at their Jan-6th meeting. He also reported that Western Disposal had been selected as the service contractor. The contract period is five years, and the new program is expected to be implemented in late Spring 2009. There was some discussion about service options and associated fees. IX: LRCAB Goals & Projects for 2009: Members were asked about particular goals-programs-projects they would like the board to pursue in 2009. Richard Smith wants us to reduce water usage, such as landscape irrigation; reduce city electrical usage, such as street & public-area lighting. Beth Armbruster concurs with Richard, and wants us to check back with Facilities Manager David Svabados about electrical usage at city buildings. She also wants us to pursue some kind of program to redistribute reusable shopping bags. Annie Hughes concurs with Beth about the reuse of shopping bags, and would like the City to consider a ban on single-use plastic bags. She also wants us to continue to pursue some kind of green-building codes, preferably performance-based criteria like those in Boulder County's Build-Smart program. Mark Persichetti also wants to pursue some kind of green-building codes, for both residential and commercial sectors, for new construction and remodel projects. He also wants us to repeat the LED holiday-lights exchange program in late 2009. Tom Phare pointed out that City Staff & Council would like all city boards to work to develop timelines and specificity for their goals. Once we have goals defined with a plan to achieve them, we can schedule a meeting with City Council to discuss our goals at one of their study sessions. X. Pesticides Use at Harney-Lastoka Open-Space property & Impacts on Kerr Community Gardens: Annie Hughes told us about problems for gardeners at the Kerr Community Gardens, resulting from the spraying of herbicides/pesticides on the remainder of the Harney-Lastoka open space by the tenant farmer. She noted that many garden plants wilted or simply didn't reach maturity, and some gardeners may not renew their plot reservations. She also noted it has been difficult to determine which particular herbicides/ pesticides have been used, what the longer-term effects may be for produce grown next season, and who in particular is responsible for overseeing such