JOINT OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE ON SUS

JOINT OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE ON SUSTAINABILITY

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

County Administrative Center – Room 3220

11:30 a.m.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Jai Johnson, Nick Nichols, Brian Fukuda, Dorothy Lenard (arr @11:37), Marilyn Pedretti

MEMBERS EXCUSED: Dale Hexom and Brad Pfaff

MEMBERS ABSENT: None

OTHERS PRESENT: Steve O’Malley, Tim Kabat, Bryan Jostad, Brian Tippetts, Karl Green, Erica Black, Jim Becker, Gene Pfaff, Wayne Delagrave, Gary Thurk, Lynn Paddy, Alice Holstein, Michael Giblin, Bill Bailey, Cheryl Stephen

CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL

Committee Chair Jai Johnson called the meeting to order at 11:32 a.m.

PUBLIC COMMENT

None requested.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Correction requested by Supervisor Pedretti noting that she had abstained from approving the April 8, 2008, meeting minutes as she was not a committee member at that time. MOTION by Hexom/Fukuda to approve meeting minutes of May 13, 2008, including the correction as noted. Motion carried unanimously; Hexom and Pfaff excused, Lenard absent.

SUMMARY/FEEDBACK RE COLLABORATION CONFERENCE

Brian Fukuda reviewed, noting 120 registered for the Annual County Collaboration Conference held on April 24. At the end of the conference, a survey/feedback form was distributed and filled out by most attendees. Question: rank strategies re energy conservation; answers: 1) green building techniques, 2) heat-energy use management, and 3) public investment in alternative energy. Question: biggest issue/barrier to energy conservation projects; #1 answer: lack of education. Question: your feelings re green initiatives by government; #1 answer: many said it was great idea. Question: ideas you have to better address energy issues for the County/State; answers: better education, more collaboration with businesses and other public groups. Question: what role should local government play in encouraging sustainable business practices; #1 answer: most said “a big role” by setting policies. Brian offered to send the complete survey/feedback report to the committee members via email. In addition, Brian will do follow-up with Coulee Partners.

DISCUSSION AND UPDATE ON SUSTAINABLE PURCHASING POLICY

Bryan Jostad distributed an informational sheet. He noted a workgroup is working on this; Erica Black researched and drafted the policy; Jim Becker is concentrating on sustainable/green maintenance for County Facilities, Hillview and Lakeview; as contracts end or product supplies diminish, will be doing more; education and communication is key; products need to be practical as well as perform. The plan is to bring a resolution to the committee in July and on to the County Board in August. Tim Kabat noted the City has decided to hold off in order to gather more information and get more consensus; Gary Thurk is in charge of seeking green products for the City. Dorothy also noted trial and error by Viterbo maintenance staff; they are finding products that actually work; she also suggested financial tracking – compare costs as to being eco friendly, such as using less energy, etc.; this is the type of information that policymakers may want to hear about.

CONSIDERATION OF CONSULTING SERVICES

Noted that Corporation Counsel concurs with not having to redo an RFP. Tim distributed copies of letter that he sent to Terry Gips on behalf of the committee, as well as copies of return letter from Mr. Gips that included information on: experience (Terry Gips & Dave Wanberg), understanding scope of work, proposed work plan, various workshops, on-going consulting, and proposed fees. Total cost of Mr. Gip’s proposal is $35,000; for items 1, 2 and 3, cost is $15,000; additional options are listed as #4-10. Tim reviewed in detail. The proposed work program includes shared training on sustainability and the Natural Step Framework (NSF) utilizing the A-B-C-D process:

Awareness of sustainability – establish a shared understanding of sustainability and the NSF that provides a common ground for discussion, analysis, action, policy and planning;
Baseline assessment – examine all aspects of operations and policies to determine where they do and do not meet the four principles of NSF;
Create a vision – develop a shared, inspiring and unifying vision of a sustainable La Crosse that fulfills the four principles of NSF;
Down to action planning – craft a sustainability action plan for La Crosse that will allow it to become fully sustainable.

Consensus is to concentrate on items 1 thru 3, and then determine how much more is needed; items #7 & 8 could be done in-house. Item #1 is for Joint city-county NSF workshop – 2 half day sessions, and #3 is city and county sustainability planning workshop – 2 half day sessions. Training workshops could range from 10-15 key people from each the County and City; key people are those who are passionate on the subject and will promote within. Brian Fukuda and Dorothy reiterated the importance of educating the elected officials. Brian also suggested that maybe the education could start at the standing committee level. Discussion on how to get the elected officials involved, best way to handle, and get more participation. After lengthy discussion, general agreement to eliminate the evening elected officials workshop (item #2) at a cost of $2,400, and focus on items #1 & 3, which brings the cost down to $12,600.

At this time, a conference phone call was held with Mr. Gips and Mr. Wanberg. Committee Chair Johnson noted the committee wants to focus on items #1 and 3; she also asked if number of key people could be increased to 60 (30 each from City and County). Mr. Gips said that would be OK; the downside is less time to address issues/concerns. Tim asked if it’s critical for participants to attend both workshops. Gips said it’s not critical. Dorothy asked if advance reading is recommended. He does not encourage any advance reading prior to the workshop; he encourages sharing of experiences and growing together; he suggested on-going series on education, such as showing videos. O’Malley asked Mr. Gips if something more tangible could come out of these first two steps, such as a draft or framework for a strategic plan - a document to start building from. Suggested timeframe for items #1 and 3: July 30, 31 and August 1 or August 4-8 (Gips is not available on eve. of Aug. 5). Tim and/or Brian will get back to Mr. Gips by the end of the week regarding actual dates. General agreement for the County and City to share 30 names each for the workshops; Steve will give his suggested names to Brian Fukuda; and Tim will collect those from the City. Mr. Gips noted that it’s not necessary for chosen people to attend both workshops, though suggested.

MOTION by Lenard/Fukuda to go forward with Terry Gips proposal for items #1 and #3 for dates of July 30-August 8, for total cost of $12,600. Motion carried; Hexom and Pfaff excused.

DISCUSSION ON WEB SITE DEVELOPMENT

Brief discussion on contacts and maintenance of the website. The County IT Dept. will maintain the site and keep it updated. Determined that items for posting, in particular calendar items, should be sent to one staff person, that being Erica Black. Committee members reminded to do profiles – suggested sharing at next meeting.

INFORMATION SHARING

Nick Nichols was just hired as the new County Sustainability Coordinator.
La Crosse City Council approved a resolution re: partnering with the Wisconsin Office of Energy Independence to become energy independent and meet the goal of generating 25% of the city’s electricity and transportation fuels from renewable resources by 2025.
Two representatives of the Madison Community Car plan to visit La Crosse on June 16, and plan to meet with some of the committee members and staff.
Tim and Karl are working on a “green cluster” for businesses that provide products or services.
The bio-diesel workgroup has applied for a grant through the State as part of the Midwest Clean Diesel Initiative.

ITEMS FOR THE NEXT MEETING & MEETING DATE

Next meeting will be Tuesday, July 8^th at 11:30 a.m. Agenda items are: 1) resolution re purchasing policy, 2) update on consulting services, 3) update on bio-diesel & grant, 4) update on website development, 5) update on baseline information, 6) need for citizen member to replace Nick Nichols, 7) and any other items as needed.

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION by Pedretti/Lenard to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried; Hexom and Pfaff excused. The meeting adjourned at 1:13 p.m.

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

Cheryl Stephen, Recorder

Edited by Committee Chair Jai Johnson