JOINT OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE ON SUSTAINABILITY

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Room 3220 – Administrative Center

3:00 p.m.

MEMBERS PRESENT:  Jai Johnson, Jeff Bluske, Dale Hexom, Dorothy Lenard, Tom Rauk, Nick Nichols (exc @4:20), Brad Pfaff (arr @3:15)

MEMBERS EXCUSED:  None

MEMBERS ABSENT:  None

OTHERS PRESENT: Steve O’Malley, Tim Kabat, Brian Fukuda, Karl Green, Brian Tippetts, Bryan Jostad, Jim Speropulos, Erica Black, Tim Anderson, Jerry Severson, Maureen Freedland, Kassie Hauser, Cheryl Stephen

CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL

Committee Chair Jai Johnson called the meeting to order at 3:01 p.m.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

MOTION by Lenard/Bluske to approve minutes of November 20 and December 18, 2007.  Motion carried unanimously; Pfaff excused.

RECAP AND DISCUSSION OF COMMITTEE RETREAT HELD ON DECEMBER 18

Committee members Bluske, Lenard and Pfaff gave positive comments.  Committee Chair Johnson compiled a one-page report relating to the two questions as asked at the Retreat, those being: (1) What do you hope to accomplish through your work on the sustainability committee and (2) what outcomes are you looking for as a result of The Natural Step (TNS) process.  She compiled the answers into 4 categories:  (1) results oriented/action oriented (2) raise awareness and understanding of TNS, (3) organizational transformation/culture changes, and (4) plan/implementation.  Her report was copied and distributed.  Team members are closely aligned in what they want to achieve. 

REPORT FROM STAFF WORK GROUP AND DISCUSSION OF LOW-HANGING FRUIT TYPE SUSTAINABLE PROJECTS

Tim Kabat gave an update on the work group’s work in progress.  The group has chosen 3-4 projects with plan of completing them within the next 3-6 months, those being:

·        Bio-diesel pilot projects with MTU, City, County, Gundersen-Lutheran, and possibly Viterbo, UW-La Crosse, WTC, and La Crosse School District or any entity that has a fleet.  Keith Carlson and Gary Thurk will move ahead with 1-2 buses using B2 or B5 bio-diesel fuel.  The fuel will be housed at the Municipal Service Center.  Will check with County Highway Dept. on their usage of bio-diesel.

·        LEED certification for new building projects.  The LEC Construction Committee will determine that for the LEC addition; staff will assist in that decision making process.  Tim noted the Black River Beach House is also looking at LEED; Dorothy added that the Hixon Eco Park building is striving for silver certification.  Steve O’Malley suggested Karl Green and others do literature research on economic benefits of LEED.  Nick Nichols noted Gundersen Lutheran sees the value in LEED as their new parking lot and the new clinic in La Crescent are going for LEED certification; if the numbers are analyzed over the life cycle costs, you will save money.

Discussion on new stormwater regulation by DNR.  Stormwater utility is under development for Council consideration; not yet approved.  Credits for green roofs, permeable pavement, rain gardens, etc., will be a part of that discussion.

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·        Purchasing policies.  Plan to ask City and County to approve resolutions recognizing joint environmentally preferable purchasing efforts; this joint effort may also include school districts and others.  Have already prepared standardized listing of products.  Lenard noted importance of effectiveness of products.  Committee Chair Johnson suggested standard language be used in all bids.

·        Focus on Energy - Plan to hold a meeting of all facilities managers of large, major institutions to discuss energy, light control, HVAC, etc. and start focusing on energy - sharing of information.  

DISCUSS COMMITTEE BUDGET AND FINANCES

Tim Kabat noted budget balance at the City is at $25,000+ and Steve O’Malley noted County share is at $10,000.  Regular financial report will be given at future meetings.   

POSSIBLE PRESENTATION TOPICS AND FIELD TRIPS

• Presentation - La Crosse School District energy conservation and efficiency program (Kermit King)
• Presentation – energy programs, rebates, etc. (Steve Craker)
• Presentation – home building techniques (Roald Gundersen)
• Presentation – Gundersen Lutheran initiatives (Nick Nichols)
• Create action plan and unveil strategic plan during Earth Week (April 21)
• Motivational speaker and training session for all departments, including County Board and City Council.
• Public education and relations - assisted by Karl Green, UW Extension Community Development Agent
• Tour Organic Valley facility in LaFarge
• Tour Aldo Leopold Center near Baraboo

At this time, Dorothy Lenard distributed information regarding the January 31^st – “Focus the Nation” – a national teach-in day for students, faculty, and others relating to global warming awareness and solutions; all 3 local campuses will be participating; she encouraged committee members and staff participation.

Supervisor Pfaff noted UW River Falls has a website on sustainability as initiated by a Professor.  He suggested those interested to view the site.  (http://www.uwrf.edu/sustain/)

NEXT MEETING

Tuesday, January 29 at 4:00 p.m. in room 3220 in the County Administrative Center

BEGIN “CHANGE PROCESS PLANNING MATRIX”

Heading - “Education & Awareness for Local Government”

How:  Tim noted 1000 Friends of Wisconsin are offering a 3-hour E-course on The Natural Step; cost is $129 per person or may consider a group rate.  Suggestion to have all committee members and working group staff take the course.

·        E-course - Committee Chair Johnson & Tim Kabat will check it out; may do as group-setting

Training

·        Outside speaker(s) 

·        Joint website:  “sustainablelacrosse.com”; County IT will house the site

·        Weekly e-newsletters – need to add recipients to the list

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·        A presentation is being discussed for February 11^th Board Meeting or Retreat.

Discussion on establishing study circles.  Noted department heads of the county and city currently hold meetings; need to include same for employees, plus other organizational groups, including Towns Association, LAPC, collaboration conferences, community and business groups.  Supervisor Pfaff  suggested a community organization take on “sustainability” as their goal.  Johnson and Lenard report that efforts in this area are currently underway.

Who: 

·        Karl Green & Tim Kabat > Elected Officials @County Board Policy Planning or Retreat, City

Council, County Towns Association, LAPC, Countywide Collaboration Conference, community

Organizations and business groups.

Tim and Committee Chair Johnson will revise the matrix with input from today’s meeting and revised copies will be distributed at or before the next committee meeting.

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION by Lenard/Hexom to adjourn the meeting.  Motion carried unanimously; Nichols excused.  The meeting adjourned at 4:58 p.m. 

Disclaimer:  The above minutes may be approved, amended or corrected at the next committee meeting.

Cheryl Stephen, Recorder