Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutGreenleaf Commission 2019-11-20 th MINUTES OF THE 16 REGULAR MEETING OF GREENLEAF COMMISSION ON SUSTAINABILITY On Wednesday, November 20, 2019, the above meeting for the Greenleaf Commission on Sustainability of the City of Livonia was held in the West Conference Room of the Livonia Department of Public Works,12973 Farmington Road, Building 12, Livonia. Chairperson James Baringhaus opened the meeting at 7:01 p.m. Members present: James Baringhaus Katherine Bone Elizabeth Calhoun Terry Cullum Nikki Mehelich Michael Shesterkin Members absent: John Grzebik Also present: Jacob Rushlow, Superintendent of DPW Victoria Krause, Secretary I at DPW 1. 2020 Greenleaf Commission Meeting Schedule Chairman Baringhaus informed the commission that he stuck to the previous format when it came to scheduling meeting dates. Commissioner Bone said that she would have to miss the May meeting as she is getting married that Saturday. Commissioner Mehelich also said that she would not be able to attend the May meeting. #7-19 RESOLVED, that Greenleaf Commission on Sustainability does hereby adopt the following schedule for 2020 Commission Meeting dates:  Wednesday, January 15, 2020 at 7:00 p.m.;  Wednesday, March 18, 2020 at 7:00 p.m.;  Wednesday, May 20 13, 2020 at 7:00 p.m.;  Wednesday, July 22, 2020 at 7:00 p.m.;  Wednesday, September 23, 2020 at 7:00 p.m.; and  Wednesday, November 18, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. Location of Meetings: DPW Administration Building located at 12973 Farmington Road, Livonia, West Conference Room. thth With the adjustment of moving the May meeting from the 20 to the week before, the 13. A roll call vote was taken on the foregoing resolution with the following result: AYES: Baringhaus, Bone, Calhoun, Cullum, Mehelich and Shesterkin. Greenleaf Commission on Sustainability 16th Regular Meeting of November 20, 2019 Page 2 NAYS: None. ABSENT: Grzebik 2. Simple Recycling Updates Jacob Rushlow, the Superintendent of the Department of Public Works (DPW), notified the Commission that the Simple Recycling launch date would be December 9, 2019. He then passed around a flyer that would be a two-sided post card that would be delivered with the initial two bags to every household. These would be printed and mailed the week prior to the launch. He would be attending a meeting the following day with the Mayor’s office regarding education of residents through online social media. When asked if it would be on the Nextdoor App as well, Jacob replied that Kristin Houchins, from the Mayor’s office, would post it. Then she would be able to see any questions and reply to them on her post. The front desk of the DPW would also be provided with Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). Commissioner Bone asked what other social media forums information about the program would be posted on. Chairman Baringhaus responded that if Mr. Rushlow could provide files that information could also be posted on All Things Livonia and Friday Musings. Mr. Rushlow stated that they could share or link to the City’s posted information. He also informed the Commission that the Mayor’s office, much like Chairman Baringhaus had, insisted that it be included that residents continue to donate first. That was something that was left off the initial flyer produced by Simple Recycling but would be on the one to go out residents. Commissioner Bone asked if Commissioners were allowed to make posts and the Chairman replied that they could post on their personal pages but to remember that they were representing the City. He also recommended keeping posts simple and just providing information. 3. 2020 Greenleaf Commission Initiative Ideas Recap Chairman Baringhaus asked if there were charging stations for electric vehicles at City Hall. Commissioner Calhoun responded that there were not any at City Hall. She stated that there are charging stations at Consumer’s Energy and Commissioner Mehelich added that there are stations at Meijer and by the Phoenix Theater although it often isn’t working. Commissioner Mehelich shared with the Commission that she had spoken with Dave Borneman from Ann Arbor Parks and Recreation. They have an outreach program, the Mayor’s Monarch Pledge, and Bee Safe Neighborhoods. Their ordinance allows proscribed burns, no invasive species, rain gardens, and an aggressive resolution to be carbon neutral by 2030. Chairman Baringhaus asked in reference to rain gardens, if Mr. Borneman had said if they were specific areas because it is very manicured. The Commissioner responded that the parks have rain gardens. Mr. Rushlow informed the Commission that rain gardens are more of a storm water issue and that there are different systems underneath rain garden areas. Vice- Chairman Shesterkin suggested right of ways because you could create a concave space and utilize rocks. Commissioner Calhoun mentioned that a resident on Hubbard, south of Five Mile Greenleaf Commission on Sustainability 16th Regular Meeting of November 20, 2019 Page 3 tore out their lawn and has a sign up that says native planting in progress. The Chairman proposed that residents could alter problems by adjusting plants, for example deer love hostas but they are not native so they could be switched out. Mr. Rushlow asked Commissioner Mehelich whether her end goal is to implement revisions or just to show preference to native species? The Commissioner replied that she is looking to show native species as being the preference and goal wherever possible as well as having guides for the residents. In addition, she would like to see native plants used during City planting or a certain percentage at least. Mr. Rushlow stated that education for the residents would be great. He also informed the Commission that there are reasons for not always picking native species. Native species can be weak, shed, and the roots have been known to destroy the right of way and sidewalks. Commissioner Mehelich would like to see the suggested tree species list reorganized to have the native species listed first, or even marking native species on the list with an N and including that native species are preferred. Commissioner Calhoun asked if the list could be reorganized and Mr. Rushlow responded that the City of Livonia is a Tree City so they would need to meet with the Tree City Committee to discuss changes to the list. If the list is just to be rearranged, Mr. Rushlow said that should be fine with agreement from the Tree City Committee, but if they want the list changed then it would need to go to law as it is part of an ordinance. Commissioner Cullum reiterated the desire to have intelligent traffic signals at half mile lights as cars are idling at the lights which adds to air pollution. He would like to see air quality reports by zip code to see how much impact vehicles have sitting at traffic lights. Commissioner Baringhaus asked him to bring more information on this topic to the January meeting. Mr. Rushlow remarked that there are federal grant programs for air quality that could be utilized. He also informed the Commission that there are formulas that are used, as well as timing and lane adding, and that Wayne County is very short handed currently in their roads department. Commissioner Mehelich stated that all the mile roads are County maintained and Mr. Rushlow added that all traffic signals are County maintained. Commissioner Bone discussed park recycling and the fact that they had been focusing on events and the issue of contamination. Mr. Rushlow shared that he had spoken with Ted Davis, Superintendent of Parks and Recreation, about the new recycling program at the rec center. They utilize recycling carts that are then placed on Hubbard, as they back up to Hubbard, for regular recycling pickup. Commissioner Bone said that she had been rethinking things and thought it would be easier to start with plastic recycling through the schools as there is more control in the schools then in the parks and was wondering if it was possible with the current Greener for Life (GFL) contract. Commissioner Mehelich felt this would create an opportunity to reach the students about recycling plastic, rinsing things out, and taking the bins out to the street. Commissioner Bone shared that at Cleveland Elementary they asked a neighboring resident if they could place a recycle cart at his house for pickup. He agreed and they started last week. Chairman Baringhaus asked about approaching GFL about recycling pickup at the schools or if that would need to be added to the contract. Mr. Rushlow said it Greenleaf Commission on Sustainability 16th Regular Meeting of November 20, 2019 Page 4 would have to be discussed with GFL and they may be okay with picking up from some of the schools and that the schools have their own contract with GFL. Vice-Chairman Shesterkin asked when the contract is up and Mr. Rushlow stated that it started in 2015 and is an eight- year contract, so won’t expire until 2023. Chairman Baringhaus recommended looking at the schools to see which would be practical choices and stated that they would need someone there to champion the program. He then asked Commissioner Bone if they do this at her school. She said that they have a couple of people who collect recycling and take it home to add to their personal recycling bin. The Chairman then suggesting thinking how this could be implemented at Cleveland Elementary as a pilot program then expanded after discussions with GFL. In regard to education, Chairman Baringhaus discussed the plans to rework the Greenleaf Commission on Sustainability website. The new design would include columns for recycling, reusing and native plants. Commissioner Mehelich suggested creating a series on Facebook. Vice-Chairman Shesterkin asked when the Greenleaf Commission would be meeting with the new mayor. Commissioner Baringhaus said that they would need to get an agenda together for what they were going to discuss. Mr. Rushlow informed the Commission that she was sworn in as the Mayor Elect and they could try to get in before the end of the year, otherwise, she will be meeting with all of the departments in the new year. 4. 2020 Greenleaf Award Update Chairman Baringhaus shared with the Commission that information of the 2020 Greenleaf Award was rolled out in the Friday Musings. Commissioner Calhoun asked about the award information being added to Facebook and the Chairman stated that there is a form on the City of Livonia website to nominate businesses. There is currently one nomination, Aristeo Construction, a WHC certified business, which is a first for the community. A second nomination may be Livonia Public Schools. Vice-Chairman Shesterkin pointed out that the award is geared towards businesses so the schools may miss out. He asked about having a business award as well as a community award. The Chairman reminded the Commission that this award is in conjunction with the Chamber of Commerce, so it has been business oriented for its six-year history. 5. Sustainability Leaders Award Update Chairman Baringhaus described the new award to the Commission as recognizing a non- business entity such as a resident or organization. He proposed presenting the award, a plaque, in April as that is Earth Month. Criteria for receiving the award would be for the organization or resident to be innovative in having a solution for a problem or impactful. Commissioner Bone questioned if someone could be nominated for something they donate to, or an organization for donating profits. The Chairman said that they are currently working on complete criteria as well as an online nomination form. Commissioner Mehelich asked if the individual must reside in Livonia or just do the work in Livonia. Chairman Baringhaus stated Greenleaf Commission on Sustainability 16th Regular Meeting of November 20, 2019 Page 5 that the first recipient of the Greenleaf Award was the Kohl’s store located in Livonia so that is definitely something to consider. He informed the Commission that he would be sending the form to Casey O’Neil in Information Systems to be rolled out in 2020. 6. New Business Commissioner Calhoun brought up the end of the leave pick-up program, stating that it is naïve to say GFL doesn’t take leaves on the website as they don’t know what is in the bags. It was meant to say yard waste. Mr. Rushlow agreed that it was meant to say in compost bags or marked containers and the wording has been corrected. Chairman Baringhaus confirmed that Dave Varga from the Mayor’s office corrected the wording. Commissioner Calhoun stated that they need to watch for these things as it is their wheelhouse. She asked if the DPW would take leaves and Mr. Rushlow replied that when yard waste ends a notice is sent out and residents can begin taking leaves to the refuse transfer site. Vice-Chairman Shesterkin shared a newsletter on sustainability he had found that comes out quarterly. The main part is put together by a company and the Greenleaf Commission would be able to add their own content. This would be something that they could put out directly to the residents for education. Commissioner Bone stated that she loved the FAQs that were listed. Chairman Baringhaus mentioned branding in the newsletter and the Vice-Chairman mentioned the possibility of offsetting costs by using branding. The Chairman asked for pricing and the creation process to be obtained. Chairman Baringhaus brought up an article on lead in service lines in the Metro Detroit area. Mr. Rushlow referred the Commission to the Water Quality Report that provides general information as well as some information on the community provided by Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA). The Chairman asked if there were lead pipes in the City of Livonia. Mr. Rushlow confirmed that there are, and they are working to digitize old records and get them on a GIS map which is required by the state in phase one. In phase two, the pipes need to be dug up and examined. Chairman Baringhaus recognized that it was an ongoing process and lead pipes are documented as they are found. Vice-Chairman Shesterkin shared that quote that “no amount of lead is safe” and the fact that there is a small amount of lead in any water. He stated that zero is not the answer and it is all in the concentration and exposure levels over time. Mr. Rushlow assured the Commission that the DPW is doing what needs to be done to meet state and federal regulations and that these regulations are not health-based. They are required to replace private service lines to houses unless copper or plastic. The DPW is currently using an asset management-based approach by replacing those lines when they are in the area replacing water main. Communication None. 1. Approval of Minutes. On a motion by Mehelich, seconded by Cullum, the Minutes of the September 18, 2019 meeting was approved. Greenleaf Commission on Sustainability 16th Regular Meeting of November 20, 2019 Page 6 On a motion by Cullum, seconded by Calhoun, and unanimously adopted, the meeting of November 20, 2019 was adjourned at 8:25 p.m. Next Meeting – January 15, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. West Conference Room, DPW Administration Office JAMES BARINGHAUS, CHAIRPERSON GREENLEAF COMMISSION ON SUSTAINABILITY