TASK FORCE ON THE ENVIRONMENT

The meeting was convened at 7:20 p.m. Task Force members in attendance: Sandy Grant, Susan Mearns, and Tim Carmichael. Santa Monica City staff in attendance: Craig Perkins, Susan McCarthy and Dean Kubani. Others: Council Members Paul Rosenstein, Michael Feinstein and Pam O’Connor, MWD Board Member Judy Abdo, Rachel Bruhnke, and Louisa Fish.

Minutes

Due to lack of a quorum, approval of the minutes from the June 26, 2000 meeting was deferred until the September meeting.

Report on ICLEI Global Cities 21 Conference

Mayor Pro Tem Pam O’Connor presented an overview of this conference and discussed her participation. Pam represented Santa Monica at the conference as a speaker/moderator in sessions on eco-procurement and globalization. The conference was sponsored by the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) and was held June 28-July 2, 2000, in Sachsen-Anhalt, Germany. Notable highlights included adoption of a new ICLEI strategic plan for 2001-2006 and an Earth Charter Resolution by ICLEI’s membership, and the institution of ICLEI partnerships with the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the UN Centre for Human Settlements (UNCHS), and the International Union of Local Authorities (IULA).

Report on Renewable Energy Systems in Cuba

Humboldt State graduate student Rachel Bruhnke reported on her research efforts in Cuba studying public education strategies for energy efficiency and renewable energy. She indicated that major economic problems in Cuba in 1990 contributed to a significant energy crisis. The government responded by developing local energy sources, implementing a renewable energy program (primarily bio-gas) and launching a major public education campaign promoting energy efficiency. Outreach strategies include a quarterly magazine about energy efficiency and renewables, television and radio advertisements, development of university courses on energy and efficiency, and sponsorship of conferences. One effective outreach strategy has been to outreach to children as a way to reach their parents.

Continuation of Discussion on Environmental Programs Division Budget

Continuation of Discussion of Task Force Role in Major Development Projects

Discussion of Sustainable Business Outreach Issues

Due to a lack of a quorum, discussion of these items was deferred until the September meeting.

Metropolitan Water District Update

MWD Board Member Judy Abdo provided the update. In Sacramento all potentially threatening legislation aimed at MWD has been either defeated or withdrawn. This means that for at least the next year small cities will continue to have representation on the MWD Board. Two major negotiations affecting water supply in southern California – the Colorado River agreement between several western states, and the Cal/Fed process in California – are nearing agreement. Judy indicated that she doesn’t know how they will play out but is certain that the region will receive enough water as a result of the agreements to continue to grow.

Public Input

Tim Carmichael mentioned that the City of LA is due to release its climate change action plan and that the County is revising its General Plan. He will provide an update of these plans at the October Task Force meeting.

Louisa Fish requested information on the status of locating additional cash back recycling machines in Santa Monica, and on the requirements for businesses to provide trash cans for public use on their property. Craig Perkins indicated he would check on these and report back.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:35pm