TASK FORCE ON THE ENVIRONMENT

The meeting was convened at 7:10 p.m. Task Force members in attendance: Sandy Grant, Bill Selby, Mark Gold, Tom Nelson, Tim Carmichael and Matt Petersen. Santa Monica City staff in attendance: Craig Perkins, Susan McCarthy, Susan Munves, and Dean Kubani. Others: Council Member Paul Rosenstein, MWD Board Member Judy Abdo, Planning Commissioner Darrell Clarke, and Louisa Fish.

Minutes

Minutes from the May 1 meeting were unanimously approved.

Discussion of Environmental Programs Division Proposed Budget for FY 00-01

Craig Perkins provided an overview of the proposed EPD budget as well as EPWM Departmental Objectives, and Interdepartmental Objectives for FY 00-01. Major proposed changes in the Environmental Programs Division include requests for 3 new staff positions (EPD Manager, Hazardous Materials Analyst, Energy Efficiency Analyst) and funding for a consultant to assist with implementation of the Green Building Design and Construction Guidelines. Task Force discussion focused on the budget objectives, the Green Building Guidelines, the need for improved environmental code enforcement, and the need for increased outreach to residents and businesses. The Task Force passed (5 votes for, with 1 abstention) the following motion to be forwarded to Council regarding the proposed budget:

“Regarding the City’s proposed FY 2000-2001 Budget, the Task Force on the

Environment makes the following recommendations:

1) Implementation of the Green Building Design and Construction Guidelines should be included as an interdepartmental goal under Work Objective #4.

2) Assessment and enhancement of the enforcement strategy for the City’s environmental policies and ordinances should be made a high priority.

3) Current environmental education and outreach programs should be coordinated to ensure that the Sustainable City Program is integrated throughout. In addition, long-term needs for Sustainable City Program outreach to residents and businesses should be assessed and prioritized.”

The Task Force also requested that staff provide them with an itemized breakdown of the Environmental Programs Division budget highlighting funding for outreach and education.

Continuation of Discussion on Task Force Role in Review of Major Development Projects

Due to time limitations, discussion on this item was limited to development of a recommendation to Council and the Planning Commission regarding the proposed RAND project. The Task Force unanimously approved the following motion:

“To best meet the City’s and RAND’s sustainability goals, the Task Force on the Environment recommends that the RAND project should be designed and constructed to meet or exceed the United States Green Building Council’s LEED Gold Level certification.”

The Task Force requested that this item be agendized for further discussion at the next meeting.

Report on May 9 Smart Growth Conference by Councilmember Paul Rosenstein

Councilmember Rosenstein attended this conference with Mayor Pro tem O’Connor and Planning Commissioner Darrell Clarke. The conference was organized by the California Futures Network and focused on current efforts in the state legislature to address smart growth. Paul reported that there is currently a smart growth caucus in the legislature with approximately 25 members that is beginning to apply smart growth principles (directing investment to inner cities, fighting sprawl by favoring pedestrian and transit-oriented development, etc) to legislation. In addition, the Local Government Commission has arranged monthly meetings with key state department heads to facilitate coordinated smart growth and sustainability programs. Paul felt that the conference demonstrated that there is some progressive thinking going on at the state level regarding smart growth. Tim Carmichael recommended that a follow-up discussion on possible barriers to mixed-use development in Santa Monica be agendized for a future Task Force meeting.

School Garden Video

Due to time limitations this item was deferred until the following meeting.

Metropolitan Water District Update

MWD Board member Judy Abdo provided the update. She indicated that the Communications committee she sits on will begin overseeing distribution of MWD grant funds, which was formerly done on an ad hoc basis. This will provide an opportunity to shift the focus of funding to support more sustainability, water quality and education projects.

Public Input

There was no public input.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:35pm