HomeMy WebLinkAboutGTF Minutes 07-22-13MINUTES
Green Task Force
July 22, 2013 Meeting
Downey City Hall — 2nd Floor Training Room
11111 Brookshire Ave., Downey CA 90241
CALL TO ORDER:
The meeting was called to order at 5:04 PM by Chair Steve Perez.
Members Present: Janet Molinaro, Ricardo Perez, Alex Gaytan, Lars Clutterham, Patrick Owens,
Catherine Jun, Vice Chairman Sean Ashton, Chairman Steve Perez.
Members Absent: None.
Staff: David Blumenthal, Staff Liaison.
II. CONSENT CALENDAR:
It was moved by Member Clutterham, seconded by Vice Chair Ashton to approve the minutes from the
June 24, 2013 meeting. The motion passed 7 -0 -1, with Member Owens abstaining.
IV. NEW BUSINESS:
Chair S. Perez suggested taking Item # 2 under new business first since there were members of the
public wanting to present to the Green Task Force. Seeing no objection, it was so ordered.
2. Community Gardens
Member Clutterham stated he attended a presentation by an organization called the Growing
Garden, who wanted to establish a community garden in the City. He invited them to present to the
task force.
Carey Smith & Eyleen Nieva with the Growing Garden, PO Box 4951, Downey, noted that they
were looking for a location in the city to establish a community garden. They noted that they first
want to plant a sustainable garden and teach children about planting and maintaining the garden.
They eventually want to expand to classes about cooking, music, arts, and fitness within the
garden. The long term goals of the garden would also include making space available for licensed
professionals to utilize the space for individual and group therapy sessions in a healthy
environment.
Reverend Christie Melby- Gibbons with the Moravian Church of Downey, 10337 Old River School
Rd, Downey, states that the church makes a significant effort to teach people about living a greener
lifestyle. She believes that they have a space on the property that would be suitable for the garden.
Member Molinaro noted that the idea of teaching children is great, but they should also consider
something that includes the elderly population of the City.
Chair S. Perez noted that there is a property at the end of the Irwingrove Dr that might be available
if the church doesn't allow the use.
Member Jun asked if the Growing Garden had a business plan to show the organization is
sustainable over the long term, to which Carey Smith replied they are still working on their funding
sources to support the long term growth of the community garden.
Chair S. Perez asked staff to look into the proposal and report back to the Task Force.
III. OLD BUSINESS:
1. Drought Tolerant Landscape Guide
Vice Chair Ashton said there was no update this month.
2. Walk/Bike to School Day
Member R. Perez passed out a memo laying out the goals and plans for a Walk/Bike to school day
in October 2013. The memo noted what organizations would need to be involved to make the
event successful, why the City should support it, and the history of the event.
Member Molinaro noted that the event should focus on the middle and high school kids, because
most elementary parents don't let their kids walk or bike to school.
Member Gaytan said the biggest hurdle would be to get the School District Superintendent to
support the event. He asked who would be in charge of the event: Healthy Downey, the School
District, or the Downey Bicycle Coalition?
Member Clutterham stated that it should be a collaboration effort between all three of the
organizations.
The Task Force discussed dates the event should take place to ensure there was sufficient time to
plan. It was agreed that Downey Walk /Bike to school day will be on October 9, 2013 November a
2013. It was further agreed that the subcommittee should set up a meeting with all the involved
groups to discuss further.
3. Promote walking /bicycling
Member Clutterham noted that the City is still waiting to find out if they received the grant funding
on the bicycle master plan. He found out the decision on the grants has been postponed until
September.
Chair S. Perez asked if the City can take any actions to encourage bicycling in the mean time,
perhaps having "Share the Road" signs installed. Members Clutterham and Owens both noted that
they also serve on the Public Works Committee so they will ask for it to be agendized.
IV. NEW BUSINESS:
1. Review of Goals and Priorities
Due to the lack of time, Chairman S. Perez requested that this item be continued to the next
meeting. Seeing no objection, it was so ordered.
2. Task Force Attendance Policy
Member Clutterham expressed his frustration with the inability with the Task Force not being able to
meet due to a lack of quorum. He asked that all members take note that Task Forces Bylaw's on
attendance.
A brief discussion on the attendance requirements occurred, which included how many absences a
member may have before they are replaced on the task force. At the conclusion of the discussion,
Task Force asked staff to agendize a change of the bylaws at the next meeting.
GREEN TASK FORCE MINUTES, JULY 22, 2013 — PAGE 2
V. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS:
None
VI. GREEN TASK FORCE COMMUNICATIONS:
None.
VII. STAFF COMMUNICATIONS:
None.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT:
Without objection the Green Task Force meeting was adjourned at 6:11 pm to 5:00 pm, Monday,
August 26, 2013.
GREEN TASK FORCE MINUTES, JULY 22, 2013 — PAGE 2