Agenda

MINUTES

JUNE 11, 2007 MEETING OF THE

CITY OF SANTA MONICA

SUSTAINABLE CITY TASK FORCE

The meeting was convened at 7:30pm.

Sustainable City Task Force members in attendance: Jim Ries, Genevieve Bertone, Christina Erickson, Carol Rosskam, Mark Olson, Leonard Mitchell, and Dennis Woods. City staff in attendance: Shannon Parry and Dean Kubani. Members of the public in attendance: Community Sustainability Liaison Traci Reitz, Council Member Pam O’Connor, Louisa Fish, Katherine Eldridge and Ken Kosoow and one additional member of the public.

Public Input on Agenda Items

Louisa Fish recommended that the City of Santa Monica consider similar action to Los Angeles Mayor Villaragosa’s commitment to reduce water use by 20%. She indicated that the current water crisis in an important opportunity to reinvest in community wide conservation efforts.

Dean Kubani informed the Task Force that the Environmental Programs Division will be providing an information item to the City Council regarding the drought and supporting programs.

Approval of Minutes from the May 14, 2007 meeting

Mark Olson made a motion to approve the minutes from the May 14, 2007 meeting. This motion was seconded by Dennis Woods and the minutes were approved unanimously. Genevieve Bertone abstained from the vote.

Update on the Sustainability Advisory Team

Shannon Parry provided the update. The Sustainability Advisory team will be meeting in August to review the draft content for the Sustainable City Progress Report and Report Card. In addition, the Sustainability Advisory Team will be identifying opportunities to enhance the quality and consistency of data for use in updating the Sustainable City Progress Report and Report Card.

Discussion and Recommendations Regarding Community Sustainability Liaison

Traci Reitz introduced the item. She introduced the newly developed community sustainability liaison website as well as a detail of her work plan. After discussion, the Task Force requested that the community sustainability liaison’s website be housed as part of the Environmental Program Division website so that there continues to be a single site that serves as the environmental information resource for the city.

The Task Force also recommended that Traci Reitz develop a tracking mechanism for her endeavors. Genevieve Bertone commented on the difficulty the Task force has had with this in the past, but re-emphasized the importance of developing such a mechanism. Christina Erickson recommended the use of established project management tracking systems. After discussion, the Task Force agreed to develop a subcommittee to work with Traci Reitz to develop a tracking system that measures both actions and impacts. Dean Kubani suggested that the Community Sustainability Liaison tracking system be modeled after Sustainable Works tracking and reporting systems.

Dennis Woods requested that Traci Reitz consider developing a tiered system of commitment to the Sustainable City Plan. Genevieve Bertone and Dean Kubani commented on the difficulty in developing the Green Business Certification checklists and suggested that the Task Force look at existing models for capturing community commitments. Dean Kubani recommended referencing the lifelong learning model and Shannon Parry recommended looking at the Urban Environmental Accords. The Task Force requested that Genevieve Bertone and Dennis Woods work with Traci Reitz and Shannon Parry to determine if developing a tiered level of commitment would be beneficial.

Liaison Updates

Sandy Grant provided the SMMUSD update which included information on the completion of the Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District Facilities Master Plan.
Shannon Parry provided the LUCE update. The monthly newsletter was included in Task Force packets.
Mark Olson provided the Chamber of Commerce update. The Sustainable Quality Awards were held on May 15, 2007 at the Fairmont Miramar hotel in Santa Monica. Additionally, the Chamber sent a delegation to Legislative Days in Sacramento from May 21 – 22, 2007. Mark Olson participated in the delegation and reported that it was successful. Finally, the Chamber’s Environmental Affairs Committee is hosting a speaker’s series and workshops to engage businesses in green practices. Shannon Parry will be leading a sustainable infrastructure tour June 28 and 30, 2007 as part of this series.
Shannon Parry provided the CVB update. The Convention and Visitors Bureau Education Committee continues to work on the “I Know Santa Monica” professional development program.
Shannon Parry provided the Task Force on the Environment update. At the request of Jim Ries, Shannon Parry provided an update on the Task Force on the Environment’s recent dry cleaning pollution motion. After discussion, the Task Force suggested a subcommittee be developed to support the Task Force on the Environment’s efforts to ensure the transition from a polluting garment industry into a sustainable garment industry in Santa Monica. Jim Ries, Genevieve Bertone, Sandy Grant and Carol Rosskam agreed to join the subcommittee.

Discussion and Recommendations Regarding Sustainable City Plan Projects

Shannon Parry introduced the Venice Family Clinic /Edison Sustainable Walkway Project. After discussion, the Task Force expressed support for the project because it meets a number of the goals established by the community and expressed in the Sustainable City Plan. Due to a loss of quorum, the Task Force could not vote on a motion at this time, but crafted the following motion to be voted on at the next Task Force meeting:

The Sustainable City Task Force supports the Venice Family Clinic /Edison Sustainable Walkway Project in concept. This project is consistent with a number of the goals established by the community and expressed in the Sustainable City Plan. In particular, this project promotes pedestrian friendliness, enhances walkability, provides safe routes to school, and contributes to a reduction in vehicle miles traveled. In addition, this project offers opportunities to incorporate Santa Monica friendly landscaping, urban runoff mitigations and other sustainability features.

During the discussion, the Task Force highlighted the importance of including the community in the Sustainable City Plan outreach efforts. Jim Ries suggested the Task Force develop a community-wide competition, similar to that done by the Pier Restoration Corporation for the Summer Concert Series, for the Sustainable City Plan. The Task Force agreed to consider this at a future meeting.

Discussion and Recommendations Regarding National Sustainable City Programs

Shannon Parry introduced the item. She provided an overview of sustainable city programs across the nation. Shannon Parry highlighted programs in Seattle, Portland, Vancouver, Seattle and Chicago. She introduced each city’s approach to marketing sustainability, institutionalizing sustainable practices, enhancing city and community interactions, utilizing indicators to drive performance, and creating strong public private partnerships.

Subcommittee Meetings

The Resource Conservation, Environmental and Public Health and Economic Development subcommittees met.