Commission on the Environment

 Meeting Minutes
October 10, 2006

1.	Welcome, News and Agenda Review
	The meeting was called to order at 7:33pm in the Blue Crab Room at Rockville City Hall.
2.	Review and Approval of Meeting Minutes
	Motion to approve September 12, 2006 meeeting minutes passes by unanimous vote.
3.	Green Building Conference
	FK provided a summary of the COG-sponsored “Regional Leadership Conference on Green Building Best Practices and Policies for Local Government and the Region” held September 29, 2006.  The conference was attended by FK, TO, NW, and two other City staff, as well as all four Councilmembers.  Speakers for the event came from Chicago, Portland, Austin, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), and several other local governments and green developers.  An item of particular interest to Rockville given our nascent green building program is that the USGBC is working to incorporate LEED standards into the building code via ASHRAE Standard 189 P.  This standard is expected to be available within the year. USGBC opposes efforts to mandate LEED for private development, as they see LEED as a voluntary program.  ASHRAE Standard 189 P is their solution to the requests made by local governments for an enforceable green building standard. Also of note is the concept put forth by the City of Chicago that citizens look to their city as a source of reputable information for energy efficiency and “green renovations”.  Chicago puts on “How-To” seminars to address these and other subjects.  Councilmember Hoffmann expressed interest in a similar concept for Rockville – perhaps a green / energy fair. For additional information and materials from the conference, check out COG’s website at: http://www.mwcog.org/environment/committee/committee/documents.asp?COMMITTEE_ID=201 In addition to regional efforts at green building programs, FK mentioned that Montgomery County’s program is still working its way through County Council.  The Environment Commission should track this, and possibly participate if other public comment periods open up.  This would be a good task for the High Performance Green Buildings working group.
4.	Working Group Goals & Activities
	The goal of the working groups is to have two Commissioners per group.  With AH’s recent resignation, that leaves two vacancies on the Commission (one full and one student member).  Because AH filled the leadership role for the Community Outreach group, the Commission should look for candidates specifically interested in filling a community outreach role. Watersheds & SWM Working Group: KD mentioned that the group had met and come up with a list of potential activities: 1.  Review and comment on the Cabin John Creek Watershed Plan.  Be prepared to participate in the new watershed planning efforts. 2.  Produce a brochure for a) residents and b) businesses on watershed protection and how to minimize impacts.  This could be a joint effort with the Community Outreach group. 3.  Implement a volunteer watershed monitoring program.  This could also include stream cleanups. 4.  Take water quality / monitoring classes through organizations such as the Audubon Naturalist Society. 5.  Outreach to Schools on stormwater, water quality, watershed education.  Still need to determine best way to integrate into curriculum, appropriate ages, etc. DB also mentioned that this last point would be an excellent way of getting EC’s student member involved.  NW mentioned that this group should also consider coordinating with the Croyden Creek Nature Center, and the new supervisor Elissa Totin. High Performance Green Building Working Group: TO listed the following possible activities: 1.  Coordinate with homeowners groups, businesses, etc. to educate about energy efficiency.  Could create flyers or brochures. 2.  Similar to the Watersheds groups, is considering working with schools to integrate energy efficiency education. FK said to perhaps start with something more concrete, such as an energy or green building fair.  Create this in such a way as to appeal to homeowners and small businesses.  There is plenty of information out there on this – would definitely not have to create new materials.  NW mentioned that one source of information could be Montgomery County’s residential green building information, Going Green at Home. FK also mentioned that Chicago was able to bulk purchase energy efficient appliances, bulbs, etc. for residents/businneses - is Rockville large enough to do this aggregation strategy?  Would like to see some case studies on this.  Also, should make a point of following the Montgomery County green building ordinance(s), COG’s regional policies, and ties in to the RORZOR zoning revision process.  Lastly, mentioned that the EC should come out in support of Green Purchasing requirements for the City.  NW mentioned this was in the Environmental Strategy, so nice segue. FK stated that working groups should prioritize goals for the next meeting.
5.	Review and Endorsement of the City's Environmental Strategy
	DB asked if there was any inherent prioritization involved in the list of environmental strategy “focus areas”; NW said no – this list was simply a brain dump of sustainable city practices.  DB suggested that the numbers should be made into letters, or the focus areas should be put into alphabetical order – something to remove what appears to be a prioritization of the focus areas.  NW agreed, as this was all supposed to be concurrent.  DB also mentioned that basically all focus areas on the list are heavily effected by land-use decision – this could be underscored in the introduction, or elsewhere in the document. General consensus was that this was a “living document” – specific items or even entire areas can be added or modified based on current needs or opportunities.  KD moves, DB seconds to endorse the City’s approach to a sustainable city.
6.	Expanded Riparian Buffer Directive / Tree Canopy Goal
	Rockville will be participating in a State (MD DNR) effort to assess and expand our Urban Tree Canopy.  The state will assist us in assessing our current coverage, set a tree canopy goal, then create an implementation plan to reach the goal.  Annapolis and Baltimore have both been through this process, and can act as great examples (particularly Annapolis) on how to do this right.  Rec & Parks is leading this effort (via the City Forester and other Parks staff), and have been requested by Mayor & Council to keep the EC and Parks Advisory Board in the loop on the process as it moves forward.
7.	Commissioner Vacancies
	Applicants will be invited to the November and/or December meetings.  To reiterate, the applicants for the non-student position should have a desire to engage in the Community Outreach aspect of the EC by leading or co-leading that working group.
8.	Staff Updates
	NW mentioned that the Thomas Farm Community Center is to go before the Planning Commission on Wed. November 1st.  FK summarized the EC’s history of involvement in the project, including the conversations and memo with Burt Hall, Director of Rec & Parks, stating the EC’s stance on the “green building” process and components, and the desire to remain involved in the project.  FK plans to attend the Planning Commission meeting.  It was agreed that NW should submit the Burt Hall memo to Planning for inclusion in the staff report given to the Planning Commission prior to the meeting.
9.	Wrap-Up and Adjourn
	Meeting adjourned at 9:20 pm.