MINUTES

NOVEMBER 13, 2006 MEETING OF THE

CITY OF SANTA MONICA

SANTA MONICA SUSTAINABLE CITY TASK FORCE

 

 

Task Force members in attendance:  Jim Ries, Sandy Grant, Genevieve Bertone, Jennifer, Carol Rosskam, Albert Rosen, Laura Berland-Shane, Christina Erickson, and Dennis Woods

Members of the public in attendance: Solar Santa Monica representative Virginia Nicols and Recreation and Parks Commission liaison Kristina  Deutsch

Staff in attendance:  Shannon Parry and Susan Munves

 

The meeting was convened at 7:20pm.

 

Public Input on Agenda Items

There was no public input on agenda items.

 

Approval of Minutes from the October 9, 2006 meeting

The Task Force requested that “No action was taken as the presentation was not specific to the Sustainable City Plan” be added to the Presentation and Discussion Regarding Sustainable Concepts at Santa Monica Place section.

 

The minutes from the October 9, 2006 meeting were unanimously approved with the above change. Sandy Grant and Carol Rosskam abstained from the vote.

 

Introduction to New Agenda Format

Jim Ries introduced the item.  He provided a detailed explanation of the new agenda format.  The new agenda format is designed to provide consistency, offer opportunities for the subcommittees to meet and to interact, and highlights the significance of the Sustainable City Plan goals in relation to the Task Force’s work.

 

Jenifer Wolch suggested that the Chair and Vice Chair work with staff to develop a long range agenda plan.  Jim Ries, Laura Berland-Shane and Shannon Parry agreed to develop a long range agenda plan in 2007.

 

Update on the Sustainability Advisory Team

Shannon Parry gave the update.  The Sustainability Advisory Team reconvened on October 16, 2006.  The Sustainability Advisory Team is working to develop strategies to express sustainability throughout the city of Santa Monica, coordinate city activities to ensure consistency with the Sustainable City Plan, and provide guidance for future sustainability efforts.

 

Update on Community Sustainability Liaison

Shannon Parry provided an update on the Community Sustainability Liaison. The Task Force requested that the speed of the RFP for the Community Sustainability Liaison be accelerated.  

 

Sandy Grant made a motion, seconded by Al Rosen, to establish a subcommittee to review the RFP for the Community Sustainability Liaison.  

 

The motion was approved unanimously.

 

Al Rosen, Sandy Grant and Laura Berland-Shane were nominated to the Community Sustainability Liaison subcommittee.   Their nominations were accepted and approved unanimously.  

 

Christina Erickson, seconded by Al Rosen,  moved to allow the subcommittee to approve the RFP for the Task Force prior to the next meeting. The motion passed unanimously.

 

Staff agreed to send out a draft of the RFP to the subcommittee for review and comment prior to the next meeting.

 

Genevieve Bertone left the room during this discussion to avoid a potential conflict of interest. 

 

Subcommittee Meetings  

Laura Berland-Shane introduced the topic and asked the subcommittees to use the Sustainable City Plan, especially the goals and indicators, to frame their subcommittee work plans.

 

The Task Force reviewed the subcommittee memberships. The Resource Conservation subcommittee includes: Genevieve Bertone, Albert Rosen, Laura Berland Shane, Jim Ries and Mark Olson.  The Economic Development subcommittee includes: Dennis Woods, Leonard Mitchell, and Christina Erickson.

The Environmental and Public Health subcommittee includes: Carol Rosskam and Sandy Grant.

 

The Resource Conservation, Environmental and Public Health and Economic Development subcommittees met to discuss their respective work plans.

 

Subcommittee Reports 

The Resource Conservation, Environmental and Public Health and Economic Development subcommittees continue to develop their work plans. 

 

City 101 Presentation: Solar Santa Monica

Susan Munves introduced this item and Virginia Nicols provided a presentation detailing the Solar Santa Monica program. This two-year demonstration project was approved by Council in September 2006 and the pilot phase is set to launch in January 2007.

 

The goal of Solar Santa Monica is to transform the way Santa Monica gets and uses energy. The Solar Santa Monica pilot phase will bundle efficiency measures with solar systems on 50 buildings- residential, commercial and institutional- and make it easy for participants by creating standardized “packages” of measures, pre-screening installers, and streamlining permitting.

 

Discussion and Recommendations Regarding City 101 Presentation

The Task Force expressed support for Solar Santa Monica and asked the Solar Santa Monica representatives to maintain an emphasis on energy efficiency and community wide access. 

 

Albert Rosen and Dennis Woods emphasized the need for solar photovoltaic installations to be effective, efficient and economically viable over the duration of their use.

 

Discussion and Recommendations Regarding Future City 101 Presentations

The Task Force generated a list of topics to be covered at future meetings. This list includes waste management, water resources, the proposed city reorganization, Santa Monica Airport Sustainability Initiative, and a summary of the top 5 most sustainable cities.

 

Setting of Agenda for December 11, 2006 meeting

The Task Force has asked the Chair and Vice- Chair to work with staff to set the agenda. 

 

Genevieve Bertone requested that future agenda provide an opportunity for liaison updates.

 

Public Input on Non-Agendized Items

There was no public input on non-agenda items.

 

Comments and Announcements

Shannon Parry gave an update on the Santa Monica LUCE and the Green Business Certification Program.  She also reminded Task Force members that they need to attend one of the scheduled ethics trainings offered by the City to address AB1234.

 

Adjourn

The meeting adjourned at 10:00pm.