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HomeMy WebLinkAboutGTF Minutes 11-21-11MINUTES Green Task Force November 21 , 2011 Meeting Downey City Hall – 1st Floor Conference Room 111 1 1 Brookshire Ave., Downey CA 90241 I . CALL TO ORDER : Meeting was called to order at 4:08 PM. Members Present: Sean Ashton, Lars Clutterham, Jose Magaña , Janet Molinaro, Alex Saab, Anna Valcarcel Members Absent: Bob Ciatti (excused), Jonathan Cousimano (excused) , George Manzanilla (excused), Patrick Owens (excused) Staff: Shannon DeLong, Staff Liaison, Office of the City Manager, Carol Rowland, Keep Dow ney Beautiful Others: Steve Perez II . CONSENT CALENDAR: It was moved by Mr. Saab, seconded by Mr. Magaña, and unanimously carried to accept the September 28 minutes as read. III. OLD BUSINESS: There was none. IV. NEW BUSINESS: a. SCAG Compass Bluep rint Grant Ms. DeLong reported on a Compass Blueprint Grant of Professional Services awarded to the City by the Southern California Association of Governments, which will study options for enhancing public accessibility to the civic center area. It was mov ed by Mr. Ashton, seconded by Ms. Molinaro, and unanimously carried to receive and file the report. b. Bicycle Paths or Routes Ms. DeLong reported that the Public Works Committee has initiated inquiries into incorporating bicycle lanes within the City, wit h an initial emphasis on establishing a San Gabriel to Los Angeles River connection, including a feasibility study expected to take about eight to ten weeks. It was moved by Mr. Saab, seconded by Mr. Ashton, and unanimously carried to receive and file the report. c. Parkway Planters Ms. DeLong with Ms. Rowland proposed the development of a voluntary neighborhood - appropriate approach to water conservation that would include education through the development of sample parkway planters featuring drought - tolera nt plants, as well as the creation of a recommended plant palette that would be readily available at local nurseries. It was moved by Mr. Ashton, seconded by Mr. Magaña, and unanimously carried to create a n ad - hoc committee to work on these options. It was further moved by Mr. Ashton, seconded by Mr. Saab, and unanimously carried to appoint Ms. Valcarcel, Mr. Clutterham, and any other interested members not present to be members of the subcommittee. Ms. Rowland recommended a timetable of two meetings in Dec ember and two meetings in January, in order to be ready to plant sample parkways in February, the peak of the planting season. d. Green Task Force Quarterly Report Ms. DeLong recommended that the Green Task Force quarterly report be presented as a staff re port in January, including a reminder to City Council of Task Force goals and an update on the parkway planter project. It was moved by Mr. Ashton, seconded by Mr. Saab, and unanimously carried to pre - approve a January staff report, with the possibility of reviewing it in advance, if the Green Task Force meets in December. V. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS: Mr. Perez spoke in favor of community gardens, as another viable approach to sustainable use of resources, water in particular. He encouraged the Task Force to review the “ Twenty’s Plenty” program, now in vogue throughout Europe, which advocates 20 mile - per - hour speed limits in residential neighborhoods. He also referred the Task Force to streetfilms.org for more bicycle - friendly ideas and information. VI. GREE N TASK FORCE COMMUNICATIONS It was moved by Mr. Ashton, seconded by Ms. Valcarcel, and unanimously carried to agendize community gardens and “ Twenty’s Plenty ” for a future Green Task Force meeting. VII. STAFF COMMUNICATIONS: Ms. DeLong asked Task Force members if a 5:30 or 6:00 p.m. meeting time might work better than the 4:00 p.m. time currently scheduled. Discussion ensued and Ms. DeLong suggested additional follow - up. VII. ADJOURNMENT: Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 5:11 PM to a time yet to be d etermined.