MINUTES

MARCH 10, 2008 MEETING OF THE

CITY OF SANTA MONICA

SUSTAINABLE CITY TASK FORCE

 

 

 

 

Sustainable City Task Force members in attendance:  Laura Berland Shane, Jennifer Wolch, Dennis Woods, Al Rosen, Jim Ries, Christina Erikson, Carol Rosskam. City staff in attendance: Dean Kubani and Shannon Parry. Members of the public in attendance:  Community Sustainability Liaison Traci Reitz and Louisa Fish.

 

The meeting was called to order at 7:15pm.

 

Public Input on Agenda Items

Louisa Fish commented on the Community Sustainability Liaison workplan.  She would like to see an expedited timeline.

 

Approval of Minutes from the February 11, 2008 Meeting

The minutes from the February 11, 2008 meeting were unanimously approved. Jim Ries abstained from the vote.

 

Update from the Community Sustainability Liaison

Traci Reitz introduced the item. She reviewed her workplan with the Task Force.  She also highlighted the success of the Sustainable City Champion Program.  Al Rosen requested Sustainable Santa Monica material be provided to AAGLA. Traci Reitz agreed to provide him with materials.

 

Update on the Santa Monica Strategy For A Sustainable Local Economy

Shannon Parry introduced the item. Staff has interviewed the finalists for the Santa Monica Strategy for A Sustainable Local Economy. The consultant should be selected by the end of March.

 

Discussion and Recommendations Regarding the Santa Monica Sustainable City Plan Implementation Plan- Phase 2 Resource Conservation Goal Area

After discussion, the Task Force generated draft implementation measure for the Santa Monica Sustainable City Plan Implementation Plan- Phase 2.  These include:

 

Solid Waste

  • Develop and pass a Zero Waste ordinance
  • Labeling compostable materials – support statewide efforts
  • Extended Producer Responsibility – support statewide efforts
  • Expanded recycling in public places (beaches, parks, promenade, etc)
  • Explore rate changes to incentivize recycling
  • Expand HHW pick-up / electronics HHW locations
  • Develop a program similar to LA’s 311 effort

 

Water Use

  • Water Shortage Management Plan
    • Enhanced Enforcement
    • Enhanced Outreach
    • Enhanced Incentives
    • Water Budgets – performance budgets
  • Extend Funding for Landscape Grants
  • Ensure timely completion of groundwater remediation
  • Increase water billing frequency and include educational materials with bill
  • Require or encourage permeable surface alleys, walkways and parking areas
  • Consider programs to encourage submetering (interior and exterior)
  • Expand landscaping ordinance to include existing buildings
  • Require graywater installation in new construction and substantial remodels.
  • Expand capacity to collect and treat urban runoff; expand recycled water sales

 

Energy Use

  • Develop target for citywide energy use
  • Facilitate installation of PV throughout SMMUSD sites
  • Enhance ability to provide energy efficiency assessments
  • Expand funding for energy efficiency programs and staffing
  • Consider energy retrofit upon sale ordinance
  • Consider establishing solar thermal incentives
  • Investigate submetering opportunities
  • Hire a City commissioning agent
  • Require LEED-EB for all appropriate city facilities
  • Consider a retrofit upon tenancy change ordinance

 

Renewable Energy Use

  • Meet Solar Santa Monica targets for 300% expansion of PV capacity by 2010
    • Create Solar Assessment District - Property tax assessment to fund new solar installation
    • Establish Community Solar Trust
  • Aggregated purchase and sale of renewable energy
  • Ensure timely and appropriate purchase of green energy credits for municipal buildings

 

Discussion and Recommendations Regarding Green Cities California

Shannon Parry introduced the item. On November 27, 2007, Council approved the Green Cities California resolution expressing Santa Monica’s commitment to work cooperatively with other California local governments to accelerate local, regional, national and international efforts to achieve sustainability. 

 

The founding members of Green Cities California include the cities of Berkeley, Los Angeles, Pasadena, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, Santa Barbara, Santa Monica and the County of Marin.

 

Liaison Updates

  • LUCE:  Jim Ries provided the update.  The Planning and Community Development Department is working on the updates to the Land Use and Circulations elements as well as the Housing element.  He encouraged public participation in these efforts. Jim Ries also requested that a discussion of the housing element be agendized for the April meeting.
  • TFOE:  Carol Rosskam provided the update. The Task Force on the Environment received presentations and provided feedback on the City’s reduced emission fuel policy and the draft water shortage management plan.
  • Chamber of Commerce: Laura Berland-Shane provided the update. The Chamber’s Sustainable Quality awards will be presented to businesses in May. All are encouraged to attend.

 

Public Input on Non-Agendized Items

There was no public input on non-agendized items.

 

Comments and Announcements

The Task Force designated a subcommittee to review the housing element with respect to sustainability in general and energy efficiency in specific. The subcommittee is comprised of Jim Ries and Laura Berland-Shane.

 

Adjourn

The meeting was adjourned at 10:00pm.