Boards and Commissions

Commission on the Environment

 Meeting Minutes
March 14, 2006

Attendees: Faith Klareich (FK), Doug Beard (DB), Kris Dighe (KD), Alicia Hosmer (AH), Jerry Leighton (JL), Tolulope Odunlami (TO), Geoff Sanders (GS), Jaskaran Singh (JS) and Nate Wall (NW).

Absent: Kris Dighe (KD) and Alicia Hosmer (AH).

Also Present: Applicants for the Commissioner vacancy position Bob Lukes (BL), Clark Reed (CR) and Sura Yakowitz (SY); Councilmember Susan Hoffmann (SH).

1. Welcome, News and Agenda Review
The meeting was called to order at 7:36 pm in the Blue Crab Room at Rockville City Hall.

2. Greeting of Commission Applicants
Applicants for the open position on the Commission on the Environment are given the opportunity to tell the Commission more about themselves.

CR is a resident of the Twinbrook neighborhood.  He works for EPA’s EnergyStar program and is particularly interested in the Commission’s High Performance Buildings Working Group.  CR recommends benchmarking City buildings using EPA’s EnergyStar system; can apply label recognition to buildings, not just appliances.

SY is also a Twinbrook resident.  She leads the sustainable architecture group of an area architecture firm.  Is interested in moving more towards restoration ecology.  Thus is interested in both the High Performance Buildings and Watersheds & Stormwater Mgmt Working Groups.

BL is also a Twinbrook resident.  He works for the NRC.  Has background in mechanical and environmental engineering.  Became interested with the Commission when reading the Montrose Parkway position paper.  Likes the political advisory role that the Commission fulfills.

3. Meeting Minutes Approval
Motion to approve February 16, 2006 meeting minutes passes by unanimous vote.

 
4. Working Group Updates & Issues
The Watersheds & Stormwater Management Working Group (W&SWMWG) met with just two people in attendance.  Looked over GIS map of Rockville watersheds and water resources provide by NW; discussed status of Rockville’s watershed plans, particularly the Cabin John Creek Watershed Plan, which is next on the list for an update.

The High Performance Building Working Group (HPBWG) met last month and will be meeting again February 23rd.  This group has been well attended thus far.  The HPBWG discussed the City’s Environmental Excellence Award created by Councilmember Hoffmann, went over the draft information from the “Environment” chapter of the City’s “Environmental Scan”, and discussed the creation of a High Performance Building Program / Ordinance for Rockville.  The HPBWG decided that to create a High Performance Building Program for Rockville, they could facilitate the stakeholder process rather than recommending the creation of a new task force.

AH was not in attendance, and FK mentioned she would contact her by phone to discuss the Community Outreach Working Group (COWG) – specifically, having the members assist with the advertising and community awareness of the upcoming Environmental Summit.

FK also recommended that the Environmental Summit could also be used as a recruiting tool for the working groups, especially the W&SWMWG which is short on members.

5. Debrief from March 6th Mayor & Council Meeting re: Zoning Ordinance Issues
At the recent Mayor & Council meeting discussing environmental aspects of the zoning ordinance, Mayor Giammo ended the discussion by telling City Staff to “reach high –go way out there setting standards and let us pull you back, rather than trying to start with conservative standards” (paraphrasing).  FK mentioned that Councilmember Marcuccio liked the material, but thought that it lacked a cohesive vision – where were the long-term environmental objectives?  FK said that it would be good to go before the Mayor & Council to get their vision for a high performance green building program in Rockville.  Note that the EC has already crafted and submitted a “Sustainable Rockville” issue paper – this paper should be re-evaluated and fleshed out.  This could provide the holistic sustainability approach that Councilmember Marcuccio is looking for.

In reviewing the Sustainable Rockville issue paper, DB feels that it needs more definition on process – the “4 E’s” define the components of sustainability, but don’t mention what needs to happen in Rockville to fulfill them.  JL feels that the “ekistics” portion of sustainability needs to be highlighted in future developments beyond Town Center.

Due to time constraints, Commissioners will review the Sustainable Rockville paper, as well as the environmental issues zoning ordinance white paper, and provide comments to NW by Friday.

Councilmember Hoffmann arrives to the meeting, and mentions it is her intention to attend meetings whenever possible.  Also, since Rockville is about to enter into the pilot refuse program, she was wondering if there were any environmental aspects of the program that should be highlighted such as better access to recycling.

FK mentioned that the City Manager had brought up this issue last fall when the Commission met with him, and that her reaction is that increased recycling is great – but if you don’t create the demand on the other side of the equation, its not worth it.  If this refuse pilot program saves the City money, perhaps a portion of those savings could be used for green purchasing of recycled products to help increase demand, while still retaining some savings from the program.

Councilmember Hoffmann mentioned that she would be supportive of a green purchasing program; perhaps that could also be highlighted with the Environmental Excellence Awards program.
FK to wrap up recycling issues – to get products to the market the City could showcase recycled goods: people see these products in use by the government, and they consider purchasing them.  The more they are purchased, the more the price comes down.  Will look into green purchasing policies for the City.

6. High Performance Building Ordinance
FK reported earlier on HPGB working group feedback.  We should refresh / update HPGB recommendations.  Also, should consider a stakeholder process facilitated by the Commission to preview concepts the EC feels are essential to program, and determine the components of a program that works for Rockville.  We would need to have a worksession with Mayor & Council before any stakeholder process began.  Councilmember Hoffmann agreed that a worksession on this issue would be good.

NW mentioned that the Thomas Farm Community Center was considering green building techniques – NW will get information to the HPGB group for review.  SY mentioned that the City may want to consider having a LEED consultant review the project as well to look for additional green opportunities.

7. Stormwater Management Summit - Tuesday April 11th at the Rockville Senior Center
FK was interviewed by Rockville Reports for an article on the upcoming Stormwater Management Summit in the next issue.  Will look into getting the information into the Gazette.  Sally Hoyt from the Center for Watershed Protection will be the speaker.

FK described the general content of the presentation, and the format – there will be the presentation, followed by a break during which time people write and submit questions to the EC.  These will be summarized and presented to the panel consisting of Sally Hoyt, City Staff, and any Councilmembers that may wish to participate.

NW to get updated list of civic association contacts for personal invites from the Commission.  FK will create feedback form.  NW will obtain refreshments and set up coffee service.

8. Staff Updates
NW officially mentioned that both Councilmembers Hoffmann and Marcuccio had been appointed as Council Liaisons to the Environment Commission.

On Thursday March 23rd, Somer Cross will be giving a Zoning Ordinance Summary for all interested Boards and Commissions members.
The City of Rockville has recently signed on to the Potomac River Watershed Trash Treaty, and will be attending a Trash Summit to be held at the World Bank on March 16th.  In line with the Trash Treaty, the City will begin to implement certain programs (e.g., Adopt-A-Stream), trash monitoring, and other initiatives related to reducing trash in local waterways.  On a related note, this year’s Potomac Watershed Cleanup Day is Saturday April 8th.

9 . Wrap-Up and Adjourn
Meeting adjourned at 9:08 pm.