Minutes_ Envirnomental Stewardship Advisory Commission 12 7 10MINUTES OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP ADVISORY COMMISSION
DECEMBER 7, 2010
5:00 P.M.
CITY HALL ANNEX, 1300 MAIN, CONFERENCE ROOM # 1
Wayne Klostermann called the meeting to order at 5:05 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Wayne Klostermann, Ed Cawley, Chad Oberdoerster, Mike
Buelow, Aditi Sinha
MEMBERS ABSENT: Gayle Walter. One seat remains vacant
STAFF PRESENT: Jon Brown and Mary Rose Corrigan
Mary Rose Corrigan completed the Certification of Compliance with the Iowa Open
Meetings Law.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Chad Oberdoerster moved to accept the Minutes of the November 2, 2010 meeting.
Mike Buelow seconded the motion. There was no discussion and the Minutes were
approved by a 5 — 0 by roll call vote.
ITEMS FROM COMMISSION:
OLD BUSINESS:
1. Complete Streets
Mary Rose Corrigan reported that the letter recommending Complete Streets was sent
to the City Council on December 6, 2010. The City Council received and filed the
information.
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Oath of Office.
Completed the Oath of Office for Aditi Sinha.
ITEMS FROM STAFF.
OLD BUSINESS:
1. Plastic Bag Recommendation Follow -up.
Mary Rose Corrigan reported that the staff Plastic Bag Task Force met with area
grocers to solicit their ideas and what they are currently doing to reduce plastic bag
usage. Several of the grocers are utilizing the "Build with Bags" program and also
promoting recycling of plastic bags in their stores. Some stores are also offering a 5C
incentive for each bag the customer brings in themselves. Staff has developed a
spreadsheet of various communities where plastic bags have been eliminated or
banned and she will share that with the Commission. The next meeting the task force
scheduled with local retailers to discuss their needs and thoughts on plastic bag use
elimination. An informational memo will be sent to City Council regarding the progress
on the plastic bag issue.
NEW BUSINESS:
Paul Schultz, Chuck Goddard and Scott Dittmar gave a presentation on recycling glass.
Many problems exist with recycling glass and it actually is an expensive commodity due
to the high cost of processing and high degree of contamination that occurs during the
handling and recycling process. Scott Dittmar said that he believes that curbside glass
should not be collected anymore. Twenty percent of the recycled glass collected now
goes to the landfill anyway because of contamination, breakage, etc. Also, the glass is
handled at least ten times before it it processed. Chuck Goddard discussed that there
are limited uses for crushed glass, such as road base, etc., but gravel and other
materials are much less expensive. All discussed the need for community education
regarding glass recycling so that it doesn't appear that we are going backwards if the
City eliminates collecting glass for recycling. The Commission will discuss this further at
their next meeting.
CLARIFICATION OF TASKS:
Mary Rose Corrigan will forward a copy of the Complete Streets sent to City Council.
Mary Rose will send the plastic bag inventory spreadsheet to the Commissioners.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS:
Plastic bag ban task force update. Glass recycling.
NEXT MEETING DATE:
January 4, 2011. Ed Cawley will not be present.
ADJOURNMENT:
Mike Buelow moved to adjourn the meeting. Chad Oberdoerster seconded the motion.
Motion was approved by a 5 -0 roll call vote at 6:25 p.m.
MRC/cj