Arvada Sustainability Advisory Committee

September 11, 2013

ArvadaCity Hall

Meeting called to order at 6:35pm, Doug Magee, chair

In attendance: Doug Magee, Chuck Clark, Ken Anderson, Allen Best, Kevon Storie, Nancy Ford, Al Grasso, Tara Kent andJessica Prosser,

Absent: Kevin Donovan, Natalia Ekberg, Jackie Raehl, Don Allard, Shelley Cook and Christopher Rose

Public Comment: None

Approval of June 12, 2013 Meeting Minutes: Minutes approved with minor revisions.

Approval of July 10, 2013 Meeting Minutes: Minutes tabled for approval at future meeting.

Reports from Staff/ City Council Liaisons – Upcoming events/activities, tours, city programs, etc.

  • On September 28, SustainAbility holding a recycling event at its Marshall St. location for hard-to-recycle items, e.g., mattresses, electronics and paint. Recommended that Sustain Arvada promote.
  • Arvada is a finalist for the Rand McNallyBest of the Road contest for Most Beautiful Community. Discussion about how to vote and include information as to why Arvada is such a beautiful community.
  • Discussions held for a potential solar community garden located on City land east of new police substation (64th and Kendrick). The potential system will be 116 kW on 1.5 acres.
  • The process to revise the Arvada Comprehensive Plan is underway. September 30 is the target date for representatives of Arvada Boards and Commissions to discuss and offer input.

Unfinished Business

  • Updates by topic area groups
  • Air quality and local policy (pertinent to Land Use and Energy topic areas)
  • Discussion about CO2, the increase of CO2 density in the atmosphere and the impact local policy can have on national and international policy change.
  • Waste topic area
  • Discussion of the RooneyRoadRecyclingCenter, the city’s/county’s household chemicals disposal site and how to promote usage without over-promoting it that results in more cost.
  • ASAC strategic planning session fall 2013
  1. Discussion of two main areas to review as a committee at the planning session:
  1. The City is implementing the Focus Initiative, a performance-based budgeting system in which each department develops a short-term plan for identifying strategic goals. The Initiative impacts Sustain Arvada so part of strategic planning session will include a review and alignment check.
  2. Identification of a possible need to reprioritize goals within the committee.
  1. October planning meeting will include a review of term limits, as well as other policies and areas for improvement.
  2. Other topics raised as ideas for the October planning meeting:
  1. A discussion of whether a purpose of the committee is to take public stances on sustainability issues and legislation, and what our role is to advocate for those issues.
  2. How the Sustain Arvada plan is aligned with other city-based plans and strategies.
  1. Please send Jessica ideas for agenda topics.
  • Discuss status of ResourceSmart Arvada program and ways to promote
  • ResourceSmart is a strategic priority moving forward
  • There are significant opportunities to improve the success of the program including:
  • Partner with local banks and lending institutions to promote the program.
  • Partner with groups like the Arvada Urban Renewal Authority, Arvada Chamber and Arvada Economic Development Association to market to local businesses.
  • Workwith local HOA’s on the program.
  • Have a booth at the Foster Elementary Farmers Market in the Columbine neighborhood.
  • A committee member shared the ResourceSmart audit report that had been done on his house.

New Business

  • Discuss city-hosted recycling drop site and SustainAbility
  • The current city drop site (61st and Olde Wadsworth) has become a financial and staffing burden due to the volume of recyclables being dropped. Pickups by recycling contractor are six times per week with an annual estimated cost of $90,000.
  • Alternatives on the east side of town being considered.
  • SustainAbilityconsidering creating an additional drop-off site for household and “hard to recycle” materials on the East side of Arvada (SustainAbility has drop-off site for many recyclables at Indiana and 66th).
  • Discussion that this option doesn’t necessarily promote household recycling on a city-wide level, but rather alleviates a current constraint on city resources at the current drop-off site.
  • Preview of new format of city’s recycling guide and content organization.A draft of the interactive, searchable webpage was reviewed.
  1. Routine maintenance of recycling guide will be needed to ensure data is up-to-date.
  • Leaf recycling program for fall 2013
  1. Locations same as 2012 – Permagreen and TimberlineGardens
  2. Dates: November 2 and 9th, 9 AM – 3 PM for leaves and small branches
  3. Committee volunteers sought
  • Discuss Sustain Arvada Festival planning meeting in October
  • October date to be set to meet with the Festivals Commission to begin planning the 2014 Sustain Arvada Festival including festival location, date and general logistical items. Current target dates for the festival are May 3 or May 10
  • Results of ASAC officer elections
  1. ChairNancy Ford
  2. Vice ChairChuck Clark
  3. SecretaryDoug Magee

  • Review of August tour
  1. Tour of the water treatment plant and solar facility
  2. Solar facility is a 680kW array, elevated, that tracks with the sun.
  3. Water treatment has seen reduction in demand in recent years; source water quality is exceptional in Arvada.

Reports from Committee Members: None.

Agenda Items for Next Meeting: None discussed.

Adjournment 8:40pm

Respectfully submitted, Al Grasso