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HomeMy WebLinkAboutGTF Minutes 06-02-14Green Task Force June 2, 2014 Meeting Downey City Hall – City Council Chambers 11111 Brookshire Ave., Downey CA 90241 I. CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 5:07 p.m. by Chair Sean Ashton. Members Present: Ronnie Fernandez, Patrick Owens, Alex Gaytan, Janet Molinaro, Vice Chair Ricardo Perez, and Chairman Sean Ashton. Members Absent: Anthony Negrete, Steve Perez and Michael Chirco. Staff: David Blumenthal, Staff Liaison Juddy Montenegro, Administrative Aide II. CONSENT CALENDAR: It was moved by Member Owens, seconded by Member Gaytan to approve the minutes from the April 28, 2014 meeting. The motion passed 6-0-3, with Members Negrete, S. Perez and Chirco absent. III. OLD BUSINESS: 1. Drought Tolerant Landscaping Guide Chair Ashton suggested this item be moved to next month’s meeting given that Member S. Perez was not present to provide status. Being that there was no objection, it was so ordered. 2. Promotion of Walking/Bicycling Vice Chair R. Perez noted there was an item that came before the City Council on May 27, 2014 regarding an amendment to the Downey Municipal Code regulating bicycles in the City. He asked that the Green Task Force be notified of upcoming City Council agenda items. Staff Liaison Blumenthal mentioned this information will be provided from now on. 3. Promotion of Task Force Chair Ashton noted that the Green Task Force had a booth at the City’s recent Kids Day event held on May 10, 2014. He mentioned they received a good response from the public and passed out used oil containers to promote recycling of motor oils. Reusable “green” bags were also passed out by the Green Task Force. Member Fernandez agreed the Green Task Force had a good response at Kids Day. Member Gaytan noted Kids Day was a great event and provided good visibility for the Green Task Force. He mentioned t-shirts would help with promoting the group and advised he would report back with t-shirt pricing. Member Molinaro commented that Kids Day is a great community event and expressed that Green Task Force members could possibly pay for their own t-shirts. Chair Ashton mentioned it would be a good idea to incorporate the City’s new branding image on the t-shirts. GREEN TASK FORCE MINUTES, JUNE 2, 2014 – PAGE 2 IV. NEW BUSINESS: 1. Discussion of Policy on Styrofoam Staff Liaison Blumenthal noted that staff researched information to include in a possible ordinance banning the use of Styrofoam at City functions. He asked members to review and provide input. Chair Ashton noted that this policy could be implemented at the annual Taste of Downey event and food vendors would be required to abide by new policy. He asked how this would be enforced. Staff Liaison Blumenthal advised City staff would be responsible for enforcing at Taste of Downey and all other City events. Chair Ashton asked for a motion to take this item to the City Council for formal adoption. It was moved by Chair Ashton, seconded by Member Gaytan to recommend that the City Council consider adopting a policy to ban Styrofoam at City functions. The motion passed 6-0-3, with Members Negrete, S. Perez and Chirco absent. 2. Discussion of coordination with Chamber of Commerce Vice Chair R. Perez suggested this item be moved to next meeting in order for the Director of the Downey Chamber of Commerce to be present and discuss further. Being that there was no objection, it was so ordered. 3. Discussion of front yard gardens Chair Ashton suggested this item be moved to next month’s meeting. Being that there was no objection, it was so ordered. 4. Task Force Long Term Goals Staff Liaison Blumenthal noted that all goals are currently in progress. Vice Chair R. Perez noted he and Member Fernandez would meet with the Director from the Downey Chamber of Commerce to discuss goal # 5 regarding collaboration with the business community. 5. Review of Subcommittee Assignments Vice Chair R. Perez noted that the Promotion of Bicycling subcommittee was interested in having a booth for the Green Task Force at the Tour de Downey event on June 14, 2014. He said he has been in contact with the Parks and Recreation Department and would request more information. Member Gaytan advised he would assist in obtaining a booth at this event. Chair Ashton mentioned he would speak with the City’s Keep Beautiful Coordinator to find out if there were giveaways available for the Green Task Force to hand out. Two new subcommittees were created: Business Sustainability Subcommittee consisting of Chair Ashton, Vice Chair R. Perez and Member Fernandez, and Green Task Force Branding Subcommittee consisting of Members Molinaro and Negrete, and Vice Chair R. Perez. GREEN TASK FORCE MINUTES, JUNE 2, 2014 – PAGE 3 V. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS: Lars Clutterham, Downey resident, spoke about the progress of the City’s Bicycle Master Plan. VI. GREEN TASK FORCE COMMUNICATIONS: Member Molinaro noted she would like for the Green Task Force to have handouts and resources to distribute to the public. She advised there are many resources available online and volunteered to do some research and report back to the group. Member Fernandez mentioned he would like to speak with the Downey Chamber of Commerce regarding eco-friendly policies in the local business community. Vice Chair R. Perez asked if a calendar of events can be added to next month’s agenda. Member Gaytan mentioned there are several summer activities coming up and one is the Kiwanis Green Team summer program, which is in its 5th year. He expressed interest in involving members of the Kiwanis Green Team in Green Task Force activities. Member Molinaro mentioned it would be a great idea, but wants to make sure there are waivers in place for them to participate. Member Gaytan also asked if Karina Gonzalez, a local youth, can be recognized at a City Council meeting for her achievements in the Keep Downey Beautiful program. VII. STAFF COMMUNICATIONS: Staff Liaison Blumenthal noted that Juddy Montenegro, Administrative Aide, will be taking over as the new Green Task Force Liaison effective next month. VIII. ADJOURNMENT: The Green Task Force meeting was adjourned at 6:10 pm to 5:00 pm, Monday, June 23, 2014.