HomeMy WebLinkAboutGTF Minutes 01-23-12
MINUTES
Green Task Force
January 23, 2012 Meeting
nd
Downey City Hall – 2 Floor Training Room
11111 Brookshire Ave., Downey CA 90241
I. CALL TO ORDER:
Meeting was called to order at 5:02 PM by acting Chair Alex Saab.
Members Present: Sean Ashton (arr. 5:04pm), Jose Magaña, George Manzanilla,
Mario Mendoza, Pat Owens, Alex Saab, Anna Valcarcel
Members Absent: Bob Ciatti, Jonathan Cousimano, Janet Molinaro
Staff: Shannon DeLong, Staff Liaison, Office of the City Manager
Others: Terry Shain and Bob Shaw of MWS, Lars Clutterham
II. CONSENT CALENDAR:
It was moved by Mr. Owens, seconded by Ms. Valcarcel, and unanimously carried to
accept the November 21, 2011 minutes as read.
The agenda was re-ordered and items were heard in the order presented below
IV. NEW BUSINESS:
1. Presentation from MWS/Kaiser
Mr. Terry Shain and Mr. Bob Shaw of MWS (Medical Waste Services) were
introduced. Mr. Shain explained that MWS is partnering with Kaiser Permanente
Hospital in Downey on a pilot hazardous medical waste disposal process. He
presented an overview of the patented process, which would enable medical waste
to be processed on site and then safely disposed of, instead of trucking the waste to
out-of-state incinerators. The on-site processing would be monitored by the South
Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) and the California Department of
Public Health. The Building division of the City of Downey is currently working with
MWS on the permitting process.
Discussion ensued regarding the pilot process, and Mr. Shain and Mr. Shaw offered
to conduct a site visit once the medical waste equipment was installed. It was
requested that MWS forward copies of air quality monitoring data to the Task Force
as the data becomes available.
It was motioned by Mr. Owens to receive and file the report in approval. The motion
was seconded by Mr. Manzanilla and approved unanimously, noting the abstention
of Ms. Valcarcel.
III. OLD BUSINESS:
1. Report from Ad-Hoc Committee on Parkway Planter Project
Vice Chair Ashton reported that he and Ms. Valcarcel had met with the Task Force
Liaison DeLong and Keep Downey Beautiful Coordinator Carol Rowland the
previous week. Mr. Clutterham had also been in attendance. The project was
outlined in further detail:
- Local expert Catherine Pannell-Waters has volunteered to develop a
landscaping palette (sample plants that do well in Downey and would be
appropriate for a parkway planter)
- Using the sample plant palette, volunteers would plant a demonstration
garden at Furman park, likely in late February
- The Ad Hoc committee would also create a 2-3 sample landscape designs for
residential areas. Staff would seek necessary City approvals of the designs,
and the designs would then be discussed and voted upon by the Green Task
Force at its February meeting
- Following adoption of a sample landscaping plan, the Task Force would need
to work on public outreach (including materials, website information, photos,
etc.) and consider approaching local suppliers (nurseries, farmers’ market,
etc.) to ensure residents can easily purchase plants
IV. NEW BUSINESS:
2. Green Task Force Quarterly Report
Ms. DeLong noted that the quarterly report would be sent to the City Council through
inter-office mail, and would provide an update on Task Force goals, presentations
heard, and on the parkway planter project.
3. Set Regular Meeting Date and Time
After discussion, it was moved by Vice Chair Ashton, seconded by Mr. Magana, and
decided unanimously to set the regular meeting date and time as the fourth Monday
of the month at 5pm.
V. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS:
Mr. Clutterham offered his assistance to the City on the creation of a Bicycle Master
Plan.
VI. GREEN TASK FORCE COMMUNICATIONS
The Task Force requested the following future agenda items:
Presentation on potential Tierra Luna solar panels
European “Twenty is Plenty” Speed Limit Campaign
VII. ADJOURNMENT:
Adjournment: It was motioned by Vice Chair Ashton, seconded by Mr. Owens, and
unanimously agreed to adjourned at 6:16 PM to 5pm, Monday, February 27, 2012.