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Minutes - Envir, Stew. 5 1 01MINUTES OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP ADVISORY COMMISSION MAY t, 200t 4:00 P.M. CITY HALL ANNEX, 1300 MAIN, CONFERENCE ROOM # 1 John Bennett called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: John Bennett, Dave Czarnecki, Leslee Spraggins, Art Sunleaf MEMBERS ABSENT: Mike Buelow, Briana Tully, William Niemann STAFF PRESENT: Mary Rose Corrigan, Don Vogt John Bennett completed the Certification of Compliance with the Iowa Open Meetings Law. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Leslee Spraggins moved to approve the Minutes of the April 3, 2001 ESAC meeting. Dave Czarnecki seconded the motion. There were no changes or additions and the Minutes were approved as distributed. TEST AGENDA: Art Sunleaf moved to accept the agenda. Leslee Spraggins seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. ITEMS FROM COMMISSION: OLD BUSINESS: 1. Energy. John Bennett presented a paper on geothermal incentives based on a Scottsdale, AZ model. We could develop a similar system, which would probably involve partnering with other commissions, departments, etc. The Commission discussed that this was a narrow focus and why would we not focus on other energy programs. John commented that it might be the best approach to tackle one at a time slowly as we develop incentives around energy. Currently, this area has the natural resource to develop geothermal. Yesterday, Leslee Spraggins met with officials from IDNR. She distributed many handouts. One of the programs the State has is called ',Rebuild Iowa" and it is a grant application process, which provides funds to hire a coordinator and decide what a community wants to focus on. The next grant round is due in October and the applications are not ready yet. If Dubuque was successful in such a grant process, it could be used as a means to arrive at a particular energy incentives program, such as geothermal, to focus on. The Commission will review the distributed materials and continue the discussion. We will need to develop a timeline, and John will continue to do research and ask questions of the Scottsdale community. 2. Dee~ Mary Rose Corrigan stated that she contacted Lisa Molenhauer, Assistant City Manager of Iowa City, who was the person coordinating their urban deer management plan. They initially hired the USDA Wildlife, but ran into legal difficulties and subsequently contracted with White Buffalo, a company run by Tony Denicola. She said that, basically, this company did all the legwork and research necessary to conduct the sharpshooting, including their aerial surveys. Their goal is to reach a population of less than 35 deer per square mile. They also used CDBG funds to process the deer meat and distribute it through their Salvation Army. She stated there are only three or four companies in the country that do this type of sharpshooting, and this one seemed far and above the best one. Iowa City did have to pay expenses for the White Buffalo Company to come and do the research in preparation for the sharpshooting. Currently, we have no budget to pay for planning using a private company. It was the consensus of the group that Mary Rose Corrigan should contact White BuffalO to see what advice they could offer prior to us being able to pay them. Mary Rose also suggested that if we have any public meetings regarding sharpshooting, we would want an expert present and, currently, we don't have anyone qualified. 3. Other Business. Mary Rose Corrigan stated that Bill Niemann contacted her and asked that she report that he was a presenter at a continuing education workshop for home inspectors. It was held at the Linn County Health Department on April 23. He stated that his slides discussing radon were well received and could be used in the presentation to the Building Code of Appeals Board or other groups. He also stated that Bill Feld who is coordinating the University of Iowa radon lung study also presented and is very well respected for his work throughout the country. Leslee stated that she thought the Julien's Journal article regarding the Bottle Bill was very well done by John Bennett and thanked him for it. John stated that there was an amendment to the Bottle Bill, but it was not approved. Therefore, at this point in time, it appears that there will be no changes to the current Bottle Bill law, but something could happen next year. NEW BUSINESS: ITEMS FROM STAFF: OLD BUSINESS: NEW BUSINESS: ITEMS FROM THE PUBLIC: There was no one present to address the Commission topics other than above. CLARIFICATION OF TASKS: Review the distributed energy information. Mary Rose will contact White Buffalo. NEXT MEETING DATE: Due to the fact that no staff will be available on June 5 (next scheduled meeting date), and the next meeting falls on July 3, the Commission agreed to combine June and July into one meeting that will be scheduled on JUNE 19, 2001 AT 4:00 P.M. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS: Energy, deer, radon. ADJOURNMENT: Dave Cznarecki moved to adjourn the meeting. Art Sunleaf seconded the motion. Meeting was adjourned at 4:56 P.M.