City of Lawrence

Recycling and Resource Conservation Advisory Board

March 8th, 2006 Meeting Minutes

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:

Kevin Dobbs, Aimee Stewart, Marie Stockett, Daniel Poull, Laura Routh, Cindy Strecker, Chris Cobb

MEMBERS ABSENT:

John Craft, Shannon Criss, Dickie Heckler

 

STAFF PRESENT:

Mollie Mangerich

 

PUBLIC PRESENT:

None

 

  1. Guest Presentation by Bruce Flanders, Director, Lawrence Public Library.

The Library is actively soliciting interest from developers who are interested in a public/private partnership centered on the library expansion project in downtown Lawrence.  Information regarding the Library Expansion Project can be found at http://www.lawrence.lib.ks.us/newdir/index.html

 

Bruce described four areas in the downtown area that have been proposed to date: Vermont and Kentucky Streets (a couple blocks of area); Area north of Lawrence Arts Center; Area south of Hobbs Loft; and existing site.

 

Bruce provided an estimated timeline to Board.

RFP issued (May 2006); RFP awarded (June 2006); conduct design & cost analysis of project (Fall 2006); public vote on bond issue if needed (Spring 2007); design phase (Mid 2007); goal completion of construction (2010).

 

Laura Routh asked what the RRCAB could do to encourage support that the City of Lawrence Public Library be designed and constructed to be a green or sustainable building that could meet the Leadership in Energy and Environmental design (LEED) certification criteria (or comparable standards).

 

Bruce suggested the RRCAB could (a) keep the issue on the “radar screen” of the city commissioners; and (b) provide a brief presentation to the Library’s Advisory Board Members regarding advantages of the incorporating green building standards into design and construction of the expanded library project.  The Library Advisory Board meets the 3rd Thursday of the month, 4:00 p.m. at the library.  More information at:

http://www.lawrenceks.org/advisorybds/board_rosters/Public_Library_Board.html

 

Discussion: Discussion ensued regarding providing a presentation to the Library Advisory Board regarding benefits of green building practices.

 

Motion: Kevin Dobbs made a motion that the RRCAB work towards providing a presentation to the Library Advisory Board regarding advantages of incorporating green building practices into the expanded library project.

 

Second: Motion seconded by Laura Routh. 

 

Motion Approved unanimously.

 

 

  1. Minutes for February Meeting approved; Motion to approve: Daniel Poull, Seconded by Cindy Strecker.  Motion approved unanimously.

 

  1. Subcommittee Reports
    1. Energy Conservation Subcommittee

The Energy Conservation Subcommittee did not meet.

 

Daniel Poull announced that Mayor Dennis “Boog” Highberger and the City Commissioners agreed to sign onto the US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement at the March 7th City Commission meeting.

 

    1. Recycling Subcommittee:

The RRCAB received minutes from the February 15 meeting of the Recycling Subcommittee.  The next meeting of the subcommittee will be Tuesday, March 14th, 5:30 p.m. @ Panerra’s.

 

Marie Stockett summarized to the Board, the projects that the Recycling Subcommittee has been looking at:

            a. Licensure of Recyclers

            Discussion: Laura Routh discussed with the RRCAB the Current Development Code as it relates to restriction of residential areas to host site for recycling centers.

 

Motion: Laura made a motion to invite Sheila Stogsdill, interim Planning Directors, to a future Board Meeting to discuss current Development Code as it relates to restriction of residential areas to provide siting for recycling centers.

 

Second: Kevin Dobbs

 

Motion approved unanimously.

 

Action to be taken:  Board needs to decide if and when such an invitation should occur and schedule it into one of the Advisory Board meeting dates.

 

            b. Meet with Curbside Recyclers

Action item: i) The Board requested Mollie to provide current curbside recycling service “Business Registration Form” that is currently used by WRR office to voluntarily received information; and ii) provide Board with information that has been submitted by curbside recyclers to WRR office.

 

Laura Routh suggested further discussion regarding purpose of meeting with curbside recyclers be withheld until Dickie Heckler is attendant at next meeting as he has been organizing this. Board agreed to suspend further discussion until such time.

 

            c. Develop questionnaire for Lawrence households regarding recycling

 

            Laura Routh provided to the Board a draft questionnaire that could be given to Lawrence residents regarding recycling.

           

            Discussion among Board Members led to purpose of survey, where might it be given and if it should be created to be statistically significant in its results.  Aimee Stewart suggested the Board be given more time to review the draft questionnaire and that adequate time be given at a future meeting to discuss more fully the subject.  It was so agreed.

           

4.   2006 Goals Setting Session

Kevin Dobbs, chairperson suggested the Board utilize the services of a third-party facilitator for the purpose of discussing and deriving a sleight of 2006 RRCAB goals. 

 

Action to be taken: Aimee Stewart offered to contact a facilitator she knows who may be willing to volunteer their time to the Board for such a purpose.  Aimee will report back to the Board.

 

It is the intent of the Board to have a facilitated goal-setting session at the April 12th board meeting.  The list of proposed activities, to date, include:

 

      a)   Expanding scope of work to include sustainable landscaping/tree preservation/toxics use reduction. 

 

      b)   Litter clean-up project

 

      c)   Continue energy conservation work and support of adoption of energy code

 

      d)   Reviewing charter and by-laws of RRCAB

      e)   Determine how much effort we wish to put into established projects managed by staff: energy fair and Earth Day events, versus new projects and directions

      f)    Development Code: Provide input for development code regarding street and area lighting; construction/energy standards, jobsite recycling of wood and cardboard, space for neighborhood recycling centers.

5. Earth Day, Saturday April 22, 2006

Six years ago, the RRCAB decided to hold an Annual Earth Day Parade and Celebration.  Mollie provided a sign-up sheet to the Board for the purpose of filling slots where workers are needed before, during and after the Earth Day activities.  Without the physical assistance of advisory board members, WRR staff would be hard pressed to continue this event as a function of the Division.

6. Waste Reduction and Recycling Staff Report

Mollie provided RRCAB members with the following requested documentation from Laura Routh:

UMaterials Recycled in Lawrence 1997 – 2005

UMunicipal Solid Waste Generated data 1997-2005

UNarrative description of the sources of data which comprise the Year to Year Comparison Table

USolid Waste Division Budget 2002-2006

UNarrative explaining which parts of City government provide which services (i.e., yard waste collection, commercial recycling collection, drop off center collection).

UA detailed narrative explanation of the city’s recycling rate for 2004 and 2005: what does it include, and not include.

UCollection, hauling and processing costs, including staff time of Cardboard, Newspaper and Office Waste Paper.

7. Miscellaneous

Aimee Stewart requested committee and subcommittee meeting minutes be submitted to the board earlier so that adequate time may be spent reviewing them prior to meetings.

            Meeting adjourned: 7:45 PM.