Commission on the Environment

 Meeting Minutes
June 13, 2006

1.	Welcome, News and Agenda Review
	The meeting was called to order at 7:30pm in the Blue Crab Room at Rockville City Hall.
2.	Review and Approval of Meeting Minutes
	Motion to approve May 9, 2006 meeeting minutes passes by unanimous vote.
3.	High Performance Green Building Position Statement
	FK presented the Commission on the Environment’s position statement on High Performance Green Buildings (HPGB).  Key points included: Prioritizing energy performance of buildings as a feature of an overall environmentally enhanced building ordinance Stipulating requirements for commercial buildings to improve energy performance above energy code (perhaps 15%), score 75 or better under EPA’s Energy Star program, etc. Set a minimum number of LEED points each new commercial building must achieve; Montgomery County just set theirs at 20 points.  May want to put certain requirements on which aspects of the LEED rating system these points come from. Consider the development and use of a fast-track permitting system as an incentive to pursue high performance green buildings.  To facilitate the process, consider the use of a qualified citizen-based volunteer review panel to assess design stage plans for compliance with HPGB program guidelines. For residential building retrofits, develop a checklist approach of high performance/green methods for various types of retrofits.  Self-certification program for a residence to obtain a high performance green building designation. Work with residential building community to identify simple changes that could be made to new construction to build more high performance new homes in Rockville. SY then explained how the LEED rating system is organized, and mentioned that making achievement of LEED certification mandatory would alleviate City oversight of high performance green buildings as the developments would be reviewed by the U.S. Green Building Council to obtain the certification.  SY was also uncertain of the availability of qualified volunteers for a citizen review panel. GS wanted to know if there should be minimum square footage requirements for a HPGB program; it was mentioned that some jurisdictions use 10,000 ft2, others use 20,000 ft2 as cut-off.  It was generally agreed that 10,000 ft2 would be appropriate for Rockville. JL wondered which side of the meter were readings taken to determine performance above energy code.  It was agreed that more information was needed regarding Rockville’s energy code – TO will look into this. General consensus was that although this platform might not have all the final numbers (points required of LEED, percent above energy code required, etc.), it would be a useful basis for discussion and reaction.  This platform will be used at next month’s RORZOR meeting to discuss HPGBs in Rockville. AH moves, KD seconds to adopt the HPGB position statement as amended.  Unanimous vote in favor.
4.	Sustainability: Issue Paper review, relevant metrics
	Due to time constraints, this agenda item was tabled until the July meeting.
5.	Commission FY06 Accomplishments and FY07 Goals
	Due to time constraints, this agenda item was tabled until the July meeting.
6.	Staff Updates
	NW mentioned that starting July 1 (FY07), there will be a new Environmental Management Division with the Department of Public Works.  NW’s position of Environmental Specialist is being transferred from the Long-Range Planning Division of the Department for Community Planning and Development Services and into this new DPW division; in addition, the City will begin the hiring process for a division chief. A coyote educational brochure was sent out in the last issue of Rockville Reports.  This brochure was based on a similar one used by Vancouver. NW mentioned that he had received multiple requests from residents to review the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement (http://www.seattle.gov/mayor/climate).  NW has done so, and will be taking a recommendation to Mayor & Council within the next few months.
7.	Wrap-Up and Adjourn
	Meeting adjourned at 9:17 pm.