JOINT OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE ON SUSTAINABILITY

 

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Room 3220 – Administrative Center

4:00 p.m.

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:  Jai Johnson, Jeff Bluske, Dale Hexom, Dorothy Lenard, Tom Rauk, Brad Pfaff (arr @4:06)

MEMBERS EXCUSED:  None

MEMBERS ABSENT:  Nick Nichols

OTHERS PRESENT: Tim Kabat, Karl Green, Brian Tippetts, Bryan Jostad, Jim Speropulos, Erica Black, Jerry Severson, Cheryl Stephen

 

CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL

Committee Chair Jai Johnson called the meeting to order at 4:04 p.m.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Bryan Jostad requested a correction under “purchasing policies” and “bio-diesel pilot projects”, that these are only in the discussion stages and should be considered as work in progress; he does not want to create any false expectations.  MOTION by Pfaff/Bluske to approve the minutes of January 15, 2008, including the above noted corrections/comments.  Motion carried unanimously; Nichols absent.

 

REVIEW COMMITTEE PURPOSE

Jai reviewed purpose of committee per city and county resolutions and emphasized importance of staying focused on the prime objective of developing a strategic plan.  Reports from working groups are intended to be brief progress reports.  Jai encouraged anyone interested in more detail on specific projects and initiatives to attend these working group meetings.  Committee will also forego inviting speakers until we have developed the process for strategic planning. 

 

UPDATE ON WORK GROUP PROJECTS

Tim Kabat reported on four items that the work group is working on:

·         LEED certification – Doing some research relating to economic development and tourism benefits.  Noted the LEC Construction Committee is currently reviewing, but the final decision will be made by the County Board.  Supervisor Rauk noted the next LEC Construction Committee meetings are February 12th and 26th; he foresees decisions being made on cost only.  Jim Speropulos noted that it looks like the building can be LEED certification eligible without a lot of cost; he foresees the final decision in March by the County Board.  Brian Tippetts suggested review of operating costs vs. just capital costs.  Jim said the architects and construction managers plan to provide that information.  Suggestion to contact County Administrator on how this committee can make recommendations.

·         Bio-diesel pilot project(s) – Still work in progress.       

·         Purchasing policies – Collecting policies from other entities with plan of drafting a policy to take to City Council and County Board; this is considered as optional.

·         Facilities Managers meeting – working on pulling it together; may have Kermit King speak to the group about school district efforts.

 

CHANGE PROCESS PLANNING MATRIX (Cont.)

Tim distributed copies of the updated “The Natural Step – Change Process Planning Matrix” based on input from the last meeting.  Some highlights of his overview as follows.  The e-training will be reported on at the next meeting by Jai, Tim and Karl.  Plan to make a presentation at the April County Board Retreat; Jai is working with Steve O’Malley on this.  Jai and Dorothy are responsible for a presentation for City Council.  Details for staff training needs to be developed.  Karl and Jai are working on presentation.  Tim and Erica plan to complete baseline inventory report by March.  City continues to send out sustainability e-newsletters.  Jeff noted the County also does a newsletter for employees (paper and on-line) that could incorporate the same news; Erica will contact Mike McGuire on this.  Jai suggested bringing in an outside speaker for the March 10th County Board Planning meeting on The Natural Step.  Supervisor Pfaff suggested a community meeting on the same afternoon at Viterbo or WTC that would include government officials, community partners, businesses, etc. and get the media involved.  Lengthy discussion followed.  Consensus is to bring in someone experienced with TNS.  Jai will check on getting a speaker.  Dorothy was concerned with the timeframe for an expanded effort (e.g. Western Tech) and suggested waiting until Earth Week; this would give more time for better planning.  Brad noted in addition, LADCO is always looking for speakers for their scheduled events.  Jai then asked, “when is it time to bring in outside help?”  Tim noted staff is able to do the city and county related work, but how can the community vision be created?  General discussion followed on community-wide process vs. focus on city/county.  In context of matrix, committee generally agrees to proceed with planning phases within city/county but stay open to extending educational opportunities beyond city/county.  These efforts can and should occur concurrently.  There is also general agreement that the most effective way to engage others is to demonstrate success.   

 

Jerry Severson said government should set an example; he suggested the matrix be made public and add it to the new website, including upcoming related meetings of all agencies/groups that are working on sustainability.   Tim suggested that we include work group projects in the matrix as action plans.

 

Jai distributed draft copies of a “participant inventory.”  Members are asked to review before the next meeting, bring any suggested additions and thoughts on where churches, schools and labor unions would best fit.   

 

EARTH WEEK PLANNING

Noted that Earth Week starts on Saturday, April 19th.  Dorothy will contact Beth at UW-La Crosse, as the main organizer, indicating the committee wants to be involved.  More detailed planning will take place at the next committee meeting; members were encouraged to bring ideas. Beth will attend if possible.

 

INFORMATION SHARING

Dorothy noted the January 31st event – “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, staff and interested others to participate.

 

Jai noted she has introduced a small wind energy systems ordinance at the City and requested help on details and strategy.  Tom and Jerry will review.

 

NEXT MEETING

Tuesday, February 12 at 11:30 a.m. in room 3220 in the County Administrative Center; will try a new meeting time in order to accommodate most members.

 

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION by Lenard/Hexom to adjourn the meeting.  Motion carried unanimously; Nichols absent.  The meeting adjourned at 5:35 p.m. 

 

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