TASK FORCE ON THE ENVIRONMENT

The meeting was convened at 7:10 p.m. Task Force members in attendance: Sandy Grant, Mark Gold, Bill Selby, Matt Petersen, Tim Carmichael and Tom Nelson. Santa Monica City staff in attendance: Craig Perkins, Gordon Anderson and Dean Kubani. Others: Council members Mike Feinstein and Paul Rosenstein, and members of the public Louisa Fish and Laurel Roennau.

Minutes

Minutes from the meeting of September 11 were unanimously approved.

Sustainable Schools Program Strategy Discussion

Mark Gold and Dean Kubani provided an overview of the Sustainable Schools Program proposal developed (initially in 1995 and revised in 1996) by the Task Force and staff from the City and School District, and summarized the obstacles that have impeded program implementation. These obstacles have included a lack of willingness by the City Council to earmark funds to the District specifically to create and implement the program, and lack of awareness/interest in the program and its potential benefits on the part of the School Board members and District administrative staff. To help overcome these obstacles it was agreed that a sub-committee of Task Force members (Mark Gold, Tim Carmichael, Sandy Grant, and Matt Petersen) would first meet with City Council members to brief them on the proposed program and discuss ways to facilitate program implementation. Dean Kubani agreed to meet with District staff to discuss how best to proceed with regard to the School Board.

Continuation of Sustainable Business Outreach Discussion

The discussion focused on the need to involve the local business community in helping to meet the Sustainable City Program goals and how best to do that. Mark Gold noted that a joint letter from the Task Force and the Chamber of Commerce (requesting that Council convene a forum of local stakeholders to discuss local economic development and sustainability and ultimately develop an action plan for increasing the involvement of local businesses in the Sustainable City Program and in the community) is undergoing final approval by the Chamber Board and will then be forwarded to Council members by Mark and Chamber Exec. VP Dan Ehrler. Mike Feinstein recommended that the letter be forwarded to the City Manager for comment before distributing to Council members. Craig Perkins agreed to do this. Tim Carmichael recommended that the issue of the City working with the Chamber should be discussed with Council members at the same time as the Sustainable School discussions.

Sandy Grant presented a summary of the Sustainable City Outreach strategy developed for the City by Rogers and Associates in 1999. It was recommended that health care institutions and e-commerce companies be added to the list of industry sectors targeted for outreach in the plan.

Bill Selby described plans at Santa Monica College’s Center for Environmental and Urban Studies to 1) provide environmental business internships and service learning opportunities for SMC students and 2) to develop an environmental and urban studies major at the college. These plans now have strong administrative support. Next steps are to form an advisory group, raise funds (approximately $500,000), and hire a staff person to oversee the major. Once the staff person is hired the college can put together the service learning/internship program to focus on environmental business outreach.

It was agreed to continue this business outreach discussion and address general Sustainable City Program outreach at the November meeting.

Discussion on Updating SCP Indicators and Targets

Due to shortage of time this item was deferred until the November meeting.

Continuation of Discussion of Task Force Role in Major Development Projects

Craig Perkins presented an update on Council action regarding the proposed RAND development. At the previous Council meeting they preliminarily approved the project but did not include Task Force recommendations that the project achieve LEED certification and be connected to the SMMURF in the development agreement. The RAND project is on the October 3 Council agenda for final approval. Craig indicated that there might be a chance that the Task Force recommendations can be addressed outside of the development agreement. Regarding the larger issue of the Task Force role in major development projects, it was agreed to continue discussion at a future meeting.

Discussion of Modifications to Santa Monica’s Urban Runoff Ordinance

Craig Perkins discussed draft changes to the ordinance and noted that it was agendized for Council approval at their November 14 meeting. He asked for Task Force comments by October 16.

Metropolitan Water District Update

MWD Board Member Judy Abdo was not present at the meeting so this item was not addressed.

Task Force Announcements

Tim Carmichael asked that future Task Force meetings be held on the third Monday of each month so as not to conflict with LA League of Conservation voters meetings. Task Force members agreed and the change will take place beginning with the meeting in January 2001.

Public Input

Laurel Roennau recommended that the Task Force educate the Planning Commission about LEED Certification to help inform future Planning Commission decisions and recommendations. She also asked if the Task Force will address the proposed Target development. Craig Perkins indicated they will and that he would forward the executive summary of the Target EIR to Mark Gold, Tom Nelson, Sandy Grant and Matt Petersen for review and comment.

Louisa Fish asked about City enforcement of requirements for trashcans on commercial property and about the availability of tire recycling in Santa Monica. Craig Perkins indicated he would look into these and get back to her with answers.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:50pm (phew!)