Lawrence Recycling and Resource Conservation Advisory Board (RRCAB) Meeting Minutes

November 17, 2004

Members Present: Heather Muth, Laura Routh, Dickie Heckler, Cindy Strecker, Kevin Dobbs, Chris Cobb, Steve Hughes

Staff: Mollie Mangerich, Diana Sjogren, Michelle Crank

Guests: Tina Brown, Rachel Cornish (Lawrence Transit), Patty Ogle, Stormwater Technician and WaterFest Representative.

OCTOBER Minutes were distributed, reviewed and approved.

Update on new members: Jeff Severin, Manager of KU’s Environmental Stewardship Program has been appointed to the RRCAB Board for a 3-year term.  Lew Phillips is completing his second full term (6 years) on the RRCAB and cannot be re-appointed.   The Board appreciates the service Lew has provided our community by serving on the RRCAB.

Energy Fair update:

Michelle passed around final accounting of the Energy Fair, and noted that while the project did not break even, it was well attended and feedback has been very positive. Estimated attendance at this year’s fair between 400-500 people.

Preferred Yardwaste Container – Ordinance Change Update:

Diana and Mollie updated the group on the yard waste and compost education efforts, including radio spots and the plastic bag ban slated to go into effect in January 2005.

Earth Day Events Update:

Patty indicated that Waterfest would like to be part of the Earth Day activities this year, as they were last year. Mollie asked if they had received grant funding again this year, and Patty concurred they had some monies available through the 3^rd year of a Clean Water Festival grant from KS Association of Conservation and Environmental Educators. Patty noted that WaterFests expenditures were not expected to be as high as last year.  The biggest expense will likely be advertising.  RRCAB concurred that WaterFest be included again, and voted to invite them back.  The parade route is expected to be the same as last year.  The Celebration at the Park will hopefully be held on the east (Pavilion) side of South Park.

Rachel Cornish, Marketing Coordinator for Lawrence Transit brought information to the RRCAB about "CarFree Day" and asked that we consider supporting or participating in such an event in Lawrence, perhaps in conjunction with Earth Day. She suggested Lawrence look at efforts in Columbia MO as a model.  Rachel will be checking with her board, and reporting back.  One idea would be to have a joint effort with neighborhood associations, and promote/participate in neighborhood block parties, where streets can be blocked off for the day and pedestrian activities and interaction can be promoted.  She is interested in trying to offer free ridership that day, presuming it is approved by her Division.  Mollie Mangerich suggested that RRCAB members make arrangements to attend a Transit Advisory Board Meeting to discuss a collaboration regarding Earth Day.

The KU Environs are working to bring the author of "Divorce Your Car" to KU to speak as part of their Earth Day events.  RRCAB invited Rachel be a part of the Earth Day committee and she said she would check with her supervisor, and seek approval to do so.  Laura agreed to inquire with Sunflower Bike Shop to see if they are interested in having entries in the parade and perhaps being a financial sponsor and having a table or clinic in the park.  Tina agreed to inquire about inviting the Critical Mass folks to participate.  She will report back through Heather.

Update on Westar Energy Meeting:

Minutes from that meeting were distributed, and will be attached to the November minutes to be forwarded to the Commission.  Laura distributed an “Energy Tips” handout sent to her by Chad Luce at Westar, and suggested that the handout could accompany the Energy Conservation Memo as a sample of the types of information that could be used in educational efforts.

Mollie suggested that when new RRCAB members join us later this season, the Board devote a portion of a future meeting to establish goals and priority setting for 2005.

It is agreed that GOAL SETTING and task prioritization be scheduled for the DECEMBER 8, 2004 meeting.

Energy Conservation Memo:

Upon conference with Mollie Mangerich, Tammy Bennett, Senior Management Analyst for the Public Works Division reviewed the draft of our revised version of the memo and suggested deletion of a New Entry #7 because it was an entirely new topic (alternative fuels and procurement of fuel efficient fleet vehicles) and had not been reviewed or approved by the Commission.  Deletion was agreed to by RRCAB.  This new entry to the Memo was proposed by the subcommittee assigned to editing the original Memo.  Tammy Bennett suggested that the RRCAB could still pursue this issue if they wanted  – outside the recommendations provided in the memo - by meeting directly with the appropriate Division (Central Maintenance Garage). The memo was then reviewed and reordered by the group.

A motion was made and approved to invite Neighborhood Resources staff to the January meeting, and ask them to address the programs that are in place, within their Division, that address the energy conservation recommendations within the RRCAB memo.  Mollie will speak with Margene Swarts, Community Development Manager as to whom should be invited to attend that meeting.

Mollie will provide RRCAB with a draft timeline to accompany the memo, and will email that to RRCAB members for comments.  Comments should be received BEFORE December 1.

Review of HHW program statistics:

SQG (small businesses bringing hazardous waste to the HHW facility) participation is WAY up, and is taking a lot of staff time.  They are currently short an intern and looking forward to hiring an additional part-time intern in 2005 to assist in HHW/SQG program activities.

Discussion of Report titled: "Increasing Recycling In Lawrence: Evaluation and Options Including Curbside Recycling"

Laura expressed significant frustration and concern with the process that was used to approve and release the report titled: "Increasing Recycling In Lawrence: Evaluation and Options Including Curbside Recycling", prepared by Bob Yoos, Solid Waste Division Manager.  Laura noted that the RRCAB was cut completely out of the process.

Heather Muth noted discontent with the fact that she had seen a news story in the LJ World about the report long before she received a copy of the report or had been given any opportunity to review it.  Dickie Heckler concurred.

Laura noted that according to the charter of the RRCAB, the Board "advises City officials on the promotion and implementation of public and private recycling and resource conservation efforts" (quote from the City of Lawrence Advisory Board Webpage: http://www.lawrenceks.org/boards.shtml#recycling).

Yet, this report was drafted and released with absolutely no input from the RRCAB at all. Laura asked Mollie why?  Mollie explained the Bob Yoos had been directed by Chuck Soules, Public Works Division Manager – via Mike Wildgen - to expedite the release of the report.  Laura commented that such a process was unacceptable, given the obligation of the RRCAB to represent the interests of the Citizens of the City of Lawrence in regard to matters of recycling.  She noted that she had received several comments from citizens, asking about the City's lack of curbside recycling.

Laura offered to write a memo detailing this issue on behalf of the Board.  Mollie suggested that it be addressed to Bob Yoos, Solid Waste Division Manager.  Laura said the memo would express the Boards view and note that the report should have been vetted by the Advisory Board before being elevated to the City Commission and released to the general public.  RRCAB members agreed that it would be appropriate to do so, and Laura agreed to draft that memo, and forward it to RRCAB members for their review.

Other WRR Updates:

Mollie reported that the Division was experiencing the expected end-of-the year expenditure drawdown.  She explained that she would be meeting with the Park and Rec. Division and the Utilities Division to discuss partnering on a “green” landscaping education and outreach brochure that would include proper plant selection, composting, and water conservation.  The WRR staff is currently accepting quotes on the development of an online “What’s In Your Trash” game.  Mollie announced that there would be a special show, “The Magic School Bus”, at the Lied Center on Saturday, February 12^th  which would have a recycling focus.  WRR staff will be in the lobby, distributing outreach materials.

Meeting Adjourned at 6:15 PM.

Next meeting date: December 8, 2004, 4:30 PM.   Agenda will include GOAL SETTING and task prioritization with newly appointed Board members.