CITY OF SANTA MONICA

TASK FORCE ON THE ENVIRONMENT

The meeting was convened at 7:15 p.m. Task Force members in attendance: Susan Mearns, Matt Petersen, Bill Selby, Tim Carmichael, Bobby Rees, and Mark Gold. Santa Monica City staff in attendance: Craig Perkins and Dean Kubani. Others: Recreation and Parks Commissioners Lori Nafshun and Jennifer Wolch, MWD Board Member Judy Abdo, Genevieve Bertone, Susy Holyhead, Ferris Kawar, Barbara Filet, Marty Rubin, Jerry Rubin, Louisa Fish, Rob Rader, and Susan Hartley.

Minutes

The minutes from the meeting of October 21, 2002 were unanimously approved.

Update on Sustainable Works Business Greening Program

Sustainable Works Business Greening Program Coordinators Genevieve Bertone and Susy Holyhead provided the update. To date 18 businesses have participated in the program since its inception in July 2001. The program has resulted is significant environmental benefits and cost savings for the participating businesses, primarily through improvements in energy and water efficiency and waste reduction. Sustainable Works has had success marketing the program to businesses along Main Street, and to several restaurants as part of a water efficiency program in conjunction with the City. They plan to focus on the hotel sector in coming months. Task Force members recommended that the program be expanded to include a recognition program for participating businesses and that a green guide (possibly web-based) be developed to promote local green businesses and environmentally-preferable products and services.

Sustainable City Program Update

Dean Kubani presented the full draft of the Sustainable City Plan, which was amended to incorporate input from the Task Force received at the October 21 meeting. Following review and approval of the draft by the Task Force it will be forwarded to City Council for final adoption. The Task Force completed its review of the entire draft document and provided final recommendations for changes. They asked City staff to work with Parks and Recreation Commissioner Jennifer Wolch to develop an indicator measuring regionally appropriate vegetation on public land in the City. The Task Force voted unanimously to approve the document as amended and to forward it to City Council for formal adoption. Adoption of the document has been agendized for the January 28, 2003 Council meeting.

Airport Ad Hoc Committee Update

Tim Carmichael provided the update. The committee last met October 24 and reviewed airports in the region with similar conditions (size, traffic, proximity to residential areas) to Santa Monica and discussed opportunities/feasibility for pursuing a regional effort to address air quality issues at smaller airports. This discussion will be continued at the next committee meeting on November 21.

Sustainable Schools Program Update

Dean Kubani provided the update. Dean Kubani and Brian Johnson met with Wally Berriman, Director of Facilities Management for the Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District, in October regarding development of a sustainable schools program in the District. Mr. Berriman expressed some interest in working with the City to address certain areas of school operations but was reluctant to consider development of a comprehensive program for the District. Judy Abdo suggested arranging a meeting with the Superintendent and a presentation to the School Board and PTA to gain support for the program within the District. Mark Gold indicated that he is interested in participating in those discussions.

Metropolitan Water District Update

MWD Board member Judy Abdo provided a brief update. In the aftermath of the board decision not to pursue the Cadiz water-banking proposal, MWD is now focusing on finding additional sources of water for the region and is looking into other water-banking proposals.

Public Input

Judy Abdo noted that the Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District is committing to reducing its energy usage by 20% to reduce its operating expenses.

Marty Rubin thanked the Task Force for the important work that it is doing.

Jerry Rubin recommended that the Task Force request that it be included in the City’s Boards and Commissions directory. He also voiced his support for John Quigley who is working to protect a 400-year-old oak tree in Santa Clarita.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:45pm