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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012/08/13 RCC MinutesL~ City of Chula Vista, Executive Conference Room 103 276 Fourth Avenue MEMBERS PRESENT: Commissioners Coleman, Flores, Kappes, Vargas, and Chair Rahimzadeh MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE RESOURCE CONSERVATION COMMISSION MEETING CALLED TO ORDER: By Chair Rahimzadeh at 4:03 p.m. ROLL CALL: August 13, 2012 MEMBERS ABSENT: Commissioner Romo MOTION TO EXCUSE: Commissioner Romo excused STAFF PRESENT: Administrative Services Manager Beamon, Environmental Resource Manager Reed, Sr. Civil Engineer Aminpour, Recycling Specialist Medrano, Office Specialist Didonato, Conservation Specialist Wedewer, and Sr. Secretary Fields OTHERS PRESENT: None • OPENING CHAIR COMMENTS APPROVAL OF MINUTES ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: Resignation of Commissioner Davis Welcoming of new RCC member Benjamin Flores The Minutes of May 14, 2012 were approved. Chula Vista resident Betsy Cory addressed the board on Fragrant Gardens. She stated that she is a member of the California Native Plant Society and a member of the Chula Vista Library System, and that she is working on a project to replant the Fragrant Gardens at the South Chula Vista Branch Library. She added that she would like to replant that area with plants provided by a $500 grant from the California Native Plant Society, and that the Library had approved the project. She came before the board to request having a City logo placed on a flyer regarding the project so that she could post it at the Chula Vista Library. Environmental Resource Manager Reed stated that that could be done, and asked Ms. Cory to a-mail the flyer to him. ACTION ITEMS: 1. Election of Chair and Vice Chair for fiscal vear 2012/2013 Action: The board re-elected Commissioner Rahimzadeh as Chair, and re-elected Commissioner Coleman as Vice Chair. RCC Minutes, 8/13/12, Page 1 of 3 2. Landscape Irrigation Runoff Prohibition Ordinance Sr. Civil Engineer Khosro Aminpour spoke on stormwater discharges and discussed the proposed amendments to the City's Municipal Code, which will help reduce pollution of water resources. He discussed what would constitute a violation and that public education would be an important factor. Aminpour also went over what the exemptions to the discharge prohibition would be. Action: Commissioner Vargas made a motion that the Resource Conservation Commission recommend that City Council accept the proposed revisions to the municipal code to prohibit runoff from landscape irrigation. Commissioner Coleman seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. INFORMATION ITEMS 1. Community Savings Initiative (Phases 2 8~ 3) Commissioner Coleman introduced the item. He talked about the pilot program and discussed details about the Showcase Demonstration Home Tours. Conservation Specialist Lindsey Wedewer talked about the Home Upgrade/Carbon Downgrade program and how it tied into the Community Savings Initiative. She also went over results of the program including number of attendees at various events, energy assessment sign-ups, etc. Wedewer also mentioned additional upcoming events and open houses. Commissioner Coleman closed the presentation with a review of lessons learned through the tours and open houses. 2. Food Waste & Organics Program Developments • Office Specialist Dave Didonato stated that it's been in their vision to have a food waste collection and composting facility. He said that a plan had just been approved for atwo- year study to extend the food waste and composting program at the Otay landfill. He went over some of the details of the pilot program and discussed options for collection. He then responded to questions from the board. 3. New HHW Facility & Use Agreement with the City of San Diego Recycling Specialist Manuel Medrano presented the item. He stated that they were working with state authorities and City property management staff to develop a new household hazardous waste facility on the west side of Chula Vista at the former Public Works facility at 707 F Street. He said that this closer location would be a better option for residents, and that they are anticipating being open at least 4 - 5 days per week. Medrano added that they are working with the City of San Diego on the possibility of allowing south county San Diego residents to use the Chula Vista facility. The project is currently in the permitting process. 4. Plastic Bag Ban Updates Recycling Specialist Manuel Medrano stated that they were researching the possibility of a plastic bag ban in Chula Vista. He cited results from some of the other California cities that have recently approved similar ordinances. He then responded to questions from the board. Medrano added that the City would be receiving an award for the Household Hazardous Waste Program at the City Council meeting on Tuesday. RCC Minutes, 8/13/12, Page 2 of 3 5. Recent Conservation Grant Submittals Environmental Resource Manager Brendan Reed discussed two grant submittals -one • with the California Center for Sustainable Energy and others to the Department of Energy for the Sunshot Plug and Play Grant to identify ways to make solar more commercially available, and another with I Love a Clean San Diego to have them take a fresh look at the City's policy on community gardens. 6. SDG&E General Rate Case II Update Environmental Resource Manager Brendan Reed updated the board on the General Rate Case. He mentioned some of the major points in the City's rebuttal testimony, which was included in the agenda packet. He stated that evidentiary hearings would occur in September. MANAGERS COMMENTS • Environmental Resource Manager Reed stated that locations had been identified for the trees that the RCC wants to plant. Since Commissioner Romo, who initiated the item, was not present, the board agreed to bump the topic to the following meeting for further discussion. • Environmental Resource Manager Reed mentioned that the City would be receiving the SDG&E Emerging Technology Champion Award at tomorrow's Council meeting due to the work done at Fig Ave. and some of the other projects the City has been working on. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS • Commissioner Coleman spoke on the Coastal Commission's approval of the plan for the • Bayfront. CHAIR COMMENTS • Chair Rahimzadeh again welcomed new Commissioner Flores to the group and stated that he looked forward to working with him. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 5:50 p.m. to a regular meeting on Monday, September 10, 2012, at 4:00 pm in Executive Conference Room 103, Building 300, 276 Fourth Avenue, Chula Vista, CA 91910. Prepared by: ~~ Sheryl Field Sr. Secretary • RCC Minutes, 8/13/12, Page 3 of 3