JOINT OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE ON SUSTAINABILITY

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

County Administrative Center – Room 3220

11:30 a.m.

MEMBERS PRESENT:  Jai Johnson, Dale Hexom, Nick Nichols, Brian Fukuda, Dorothy Lenard, Marilyn Pedretti, and Brad Pfaff (arr @11:49)

MEMBERS EXCUSED:  None 

MEMBERS ABSENT:  None     

OTHERS PRESENT: Steve O’Malley, Tim Kabat, Bryan Jostad, Brian Tippetts, Erica Black, Jim Becker, Wayne Delagrave, Gary Thurk, Jerry Severson, Brad Lenz, Lynn Paddy, Alice Holstein, Michael Giblin, Bill Bailey, James Poehling, John Fisher, Bryan Olson, Carolyn Mahlum-Jenkins, Maureen Freedland, Cheryl Stephen

CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL

Committee Chair Jai Johnson called the meeting to order at 11:31 a.m.  Supervisor Freedland suggested sending around a sign-up sheet for all present.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Lynn Paddy, Wal-Mart store manager in south La Crosse and Sustainability Captain for 13 area Wal-Mart stores, noted the group wants to support and encourage the committee with their involvement with community initiatives.  Any of their group would be honored in filling the citizen vacancy on the committee.  The group also offered assistance at any of the workshops being presented by Mr. Gips.

Michael Giblin also noted his involvement.  He encouraged the committee to follow-up in near future with all workshops as proposed by Mr. Gips; in addition to workshops 1-3, continue on with  4, 5, and 6 as proposed by Mr. Gips.  

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

MOTION by Lenard/Nichols to approve meeting minutes of June 10, 2008.  Motion carried; Pfaff absent.

RESOLUTION RE AUTHORIZATION TO ESTABLISH A SUSTAINABLE PROVISION WITHIN THE COUNTY PURCHASING POLICY

Bryan Jostad reviewed in detail, noting the committee gave direction to the work group to proceed in this direction.  The purpose is to establish a sustainable provision within the County purchasing policy to encourage departments to follow through as a policy approved by the elected officials.  Tim Kabat noted the City is also moving forward in purchasing “green/eco-friendly” products and will introduce policy for formal endorsement in the near future.  MOTION by Pedretti/Fukuda to approve the resolution.  After some discussion and clarification, MOTION by Johnson/Nichols to amend by adding additional language at the end of the first “Be It Further Resolved” paragraph, to read as, “with preference of purchasing locally whenever possible.”  Motion on the amendment carried unanimously.  Original motion as amended carried unanimously.      

UPDATE ON CONSULTING SERVICES

Tim noted confirmed dates with Terry Gips training workshops, those being:  afternoon of July 30, morning of July 31 and day-long on August 12 - half-day for city; half-day for county.  Details will be noted in the invitation letter from Steve O’Malley and Mark Johnsrud.

REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION BY BIO-DIESEL WORKGROUP

Tim commended Gary Thurk for overseeing this workgroup.  Gary distributed information relating to bio-diesel, including listing of auto/engine makers positions of support; action plan/recommendation as prepared by Power Service Products Inc.; letter from Mayor Johnsrud to WI Office of Energy Independence for submission of an application to EPA’s Midwest Clean Diesel Initiative Program; and bio-diesel workgroup use and purchasing recommendations.  Gary noted that he facilitated this group with participants from the City, County, School District of La Crosse, WTC, and Harter’s Quick Clean-up; much was learned by all participants.  Recommendations by the Bio-diesel Workgroup, as follows; noted that each entity has agreed to same goal/recommendation or working toward similar:

·         Use no higher than a B5 bio-diesel blend to ensure compliance with OEM engine warranties and periodically review OEM bio use recommendations.

ü       City will start with B2 bio-diesel blend for 1 year and review results before proceeding with higher bio-blend.

ü       County has used B2 and B5 for the past 3 summers.  

·         Purchase bio-diesel meeting ASTM6751 specifications and from a BQ9000 certified producer and require Certificate of Compliance for same.

ü       City agrees – no exceptions.

ü       County is purchasing per ASTM6751 and will work toward BQ9000 certification.

·         Additize bio-diesel to ensure correct cetane, CFPP, lubricity and biocide level.

ü       City currently doing and will continue to monitor and test the product.

ü       County in the process of investigating additizing their fuel.

·         Cost of 15ppm ULSD vs. bio-diesel.

ü       City will procure bids for USLD and bio-diesel and purchase whichever is lower cost.  Wayne Delegrave noted that if the City were to purchase bio-diesel at a higher cost, will also have to get approval by the City Council – similar as to what the County has done.

ü       County will procure bids for USLD and bio-diesel, and per County Board resolution, cost cannot exceed 3% of ULSD.

Miscellaneous questions and discussion.  Gary noted vendor prices change twice daily and prices vary. 

WEBSITE DEVELOPMENT UPDATE

Tim noted the plan is to go “live’ at the end of July with the help of the County IT Dept. who will also be the webmaster.  Plan to add links to other organizations.  There was a suggestion to have Karl Green, as UW Extension Educator, be in charge of the events calendar and give that information to the IT Dept.  Tim reminded committee members to submit a brief profile, including a photo, and get this to him by the end of the week.  Dorothy commended Erica for putting together great newsletters.

BASELINE INFORMATION

Tim noted Erica has collected a lot of information relating to inventory of electricity, natural gas, waste generated, recycling supplies, fuel, affordable housing, acreage in conservancy, farmland, etc.  Plan to have a draft available for the training workshop.  Need to track and view trends.  Nick noted City, County, University and School District all of Winona recently did carbon foot-printing project and looking at same process and how to gather, and suggested doing the same for City of La Crosse, County, UW-L, and school district.  Steve O’Malley noted that he and Brian Tippetts are prioritizing Nick’s workload.

CITIZEN MEMBER TO REPLACE NICK NICHOLS

Committee Chair Johnson asked for input.  Pointed out that the resolution that created the committee requires only one county staff member to be on the committee.  Brian Fukuda offered to step down so that Nick could remain on the committee as the County Sustainability Coordinator.   Suggestion to have individuals submit a paragraph regarding their interest.  Steve O. suggested a small group from the committee help determine.  Marilyn questioned need for replacement if committee’s duration is limited. Jai pointed out that this group will review and approve the strategic plan but needs to discuss future needs for a sustainability committee as this group is ad hoc. Next agenda will include this discussion.  Committee members Lenard and Pedretti volunteered to meet by the end of July to come up replacement process and/or recommendation.

INFORMATION SHARING

Tim noted a small group met with representatives of the Madison Community Car Program.  A La Crosse student-housing owner is interested in providing this service for his renters.  Other locations have been discussed including the transit center.  A workgroup is needed to assist with this idea including funding; the group should include UW-L, Viterbo, larger downtown businesses, larger downtown apartment complexes, etc.  If interested in getting involved, contact Tim.  Suggestion was made to include neighborhood groups.

Brad Pfaff suggested in either August or September, the committee invite a representative of the State DATCP who is working on local food initiative in relation to larger institutions, such as jails, senior housing, etc.  Steve O. suggested Bryan Jostad present more information on the subject first.

Dorothy noted the City Council passed a resolution last month relating to supporting the Wisconsin Office of Energy Independence in becoming energy independent and meet the goal of generating 25% of WI’s electricity and transportation fuels from renewable sources by 2025.  City passed the first small wind ordinance for La Crosse.  Jai also noted that Tim will be presenting an informational session/update before the City Council this Thursday relating to progress of the committee, etc.  

Nick Nichols, as the County Sustainability Coordinator, noted huge pile of shingles at the landfill; looking for consumers to use underneath road base or as hot mix; any additional ideas, give him a call. 

ITEMS FOR THE NEXT MEETING & MEETING DATE

General agreement to hold the next meeting on Tuesday, August 26 at 11:30 a.m.    

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION by Lenard/Nichols to adjourn the meeting.  Motion carried unanimously.  The meeting adjourned at 1:09 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