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HomeMy WebLinkAboutGTF Minutes 2014-9-22Green Task Force September 22, 2014 Meeting Downey City Hall – 2nd Floor Training Room 11111 Brookshire Ave., Downey CA 90241 I. CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 5:07 p.m. by Vice Chair Ricardo Perez. Members Present: Patrick Owens, Alex Gaytan, Janet Molinaro, Steve Perez, Ronnie Fernandez, Vice Chair Ricardo Perez, and Chairman Sean Ashton. Members Absent: Michael Chirco Staff: Juddy Montenegro, Staff Liaison II. CONSENT CALENDAR: It was moved by Member Molinaro, seconded by Member S. Perez to approve the minutes from the August 25, 2014 meeting. The motion passed 7-0-1, with Members Chirco absent. III. OLD BUSINESS: 1. Discussion of coordination with the Downey Chamber of Commerce Vice Chair R. Perez suggested Mia Vasquez be invited to the next Green Task Force meeting to discuss this item further. Staff Liaison Montenegro advised she would contact Ms. Vasquez and invite her to attend the October meeting. Vice Chair R. Perez asked that this item be moved to next month’s meeting. Being there was no objection, it was so ordered. IV. NEW BUSINESS: 1. Subcommittee Updates a.) Drought Tolerant Landscaping Guide Member S. Perez suggested that former Green Task Force Member Anthony Negrete be asked to return all information gathered for the Drought Tolerant Landscaping Guide, since he is no longer part of the group. Staff Liaison Montenegro advised she would attempt to get in contact with Mr. Negrete. Member Molinaro mentioned it would be a good idea to start over and look at what other agencies are doing to educate the public on drought tolerant landscaping. Member S. Perez agreed and advised the Metropolitan Water District (MWD) would be a good resource and volunteered to do some research. Chair Ashton arrived at 5:11 p.m. b.) Promotion of Bicycling Member Gaytan mentioned an upcoming Kiwanis event taking place in April 2015 and suggested the Green Task Force get involved. The event is called “Kiwanis One Day” and Member Gaytan noted this is a great community event that makes a difference in communities. c.) Business Sustainability GREEN TASK FORCE MINUTES, SEPTEMBER 22, 2014 – PAGE 2 Chair Ashton and Vice Chair R. Perez suggested this item be postponed until next month’s meeting when a representative from the Downey Chamber of Commerce is present. Being there was no objection, it was so ordered. d.) Green Task Force Branding Member Gaytan showed various samples of a Green Task Force logo to the group for their review and approval. He advised this new logo was created by a different graphic artist that is willing to donate the logo copyrights to the City. The group debated between logos “D” and “E,” but the overall consensus was to select logo “E.” Councilmember Mario A. Guerra, who was present at this month’s meeting, suggested that this new logo be taken to the City Council for approval. Staff Liaison Montenegro noted this item would be placed on the agenda for the October 14th meeting. Montenegro also advised that before proceeding with ordering items with this logo, there needs to be an official agreement in place between the City and the graphic designer. This would be an addition to Council’s approval. Chair Ashton asked if Member Gaytan could obtain a quote for t-shirts/polos and suggested that each member could purchase their own. Councilmember Guerra noted that he believed there is a budget for the Green Task Force. Staff Liaison Montenegro advised she was not aware of any budget for the group, but would look into it. Member Molinaro noted that the shirts would be great to wear at community events and would provide a lot of visibility for the group. 2. Calendar of Events a.) Earth Day 2015 and b.) Arbor Day 2015 Chair Ashton mentioned how the City’s Keep Downey Beautiful Program organizes a tree planting event on Earth Day. Member Molinaro suggested that the group choose one single event to focus on for Earth Day. Vice Chair R. Perez suggested the Kiwanis group could be invited to the next meeting to discuss ideas. Member Gaytan noted he could contact someone from Southern California Edison (SCE) to schedule a tour for the group. Chair Ashton suggested a “No Plastic Bag Day.” Member Molinaro agreed with Chair Ashton and suggested the group promote a day without a plastic bag for Earth Day. She asked that the group consider this or other ideas and come back to the next meeting with their input. GREEN TASK FORCE MINUTES, SEPTEMBER 22, 2014 – PAGE 3 V. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS: Councilmember Mario A. Guerra expressed his support for the Green Task Force and said he was excited to hear all of the discussions from the group during the meeting. Councilmember Guerra noted that he was one of the founders of the Green Task Force and would like to see all of the short-term and long-term goals accomplished. He would like for the group to continue working toward these goals as it benefits our community. Mimi Oh, representative from True Market Solutions, was present to talk about sustainability efforts her company works on. Ms. Oh expressed interest in partnering with the Green Task Force to help with some of their goals. VI. GREEN TASK FORCE COMMUNICATIONS: Member S. Perez noted he would be forwarding some emails to Staff Liaison Montenegro regarding front yard and community gardens, as well as information on vacant lots from the City of San Francisco. Member Fernandez mentioned he has not seen recycling containers at City events and this is an important issue that should be brought up. He also noted it would be a good idea to have a Green Task Force Outreach presentation that they can have to go out to different groups and promote the group’s efforts. VII. STAFF COMMUNICATIONS: Staff Liaison Montenegro noted that Anthony Negrete has been officially removed from the Green Task Force due to number of absences. VIII. ADJOURNMENT: The Green Task Force meeting was adjourned at 6:16 pm to 5:00 pm, Monday, October 27, 2014.