Minutes_Environmental Stewardship Advisory Commission 5 3 11MINUTES OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP ADVISORY COMMISSION
MAY 3, 2011
5:00 P.M.
CITY HALL ANNEX, 1300 MAIN, CONFERENCE ROOM # 1
Chad Oberdoerster called the meeting to order at 5:04 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Wayne Klostermann, Ed Cawley, Chad Oberdoerster, Mike
Buelow, Gayle Walter, Aditi Sinha (via phone)
MEMBERS ABSENT: One seat remains vacant
STAFF PRESENT: Don Vogt, Mary Rose Corrigan, Deron Muerhing, Todd
Shoemaker
Mary Rose Corrigan completed the Certification of Compliance with the Iowa Open
Meetings Law.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Wayne Klostermann moved to accept the Minutes of the April 5, 2011 meeting. Ed Cawley
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. Car Wash Policy.
Deron Muehring, Engineering Department gave an overview of what has been done to date
with the Car Wash Policies, what other cities are doing, what the Ordinance states and how
it all relates to the City's stormwater plan and permit. Car washes are not illegal as long as
the runoff doesn't go into the storm sewer system.
Staff will meet with the Colts Drum and Bugle Corps to see if water can be diverted at
various car wash sites, i.e., run into the grass, etc. The Colts are still finalizing their car
wash sites. They cannot allow runnoff to go into the storm sewer or the City will be in
violation of the Clean Water Air Act. Filtering does not meet the law and Deron would have
to ask EPA if that was acceptable. Deron will talk with DNR to see if our permit language
can be changed to accommodate car washes. The Commission emphasized that the intent
is to allow car washes, but using responsible environmental practices. Deron will also ask
EPA for an interpretation and report back at the next meeting.
NEW BUSINESS: None
ITEMS FROM STAFF.
OLD BUSINESS:
1. Plastic Bag Update.
Mary Rose Corrigan reported that the staff committee working on the plastic bag
elimination process is now formulating a recommendation to the City Manager that will go
on to the City Council.
2. Glass Recycling.
Don Vogt remarked about the TH article regarding the City of Ames glass recycling project.
They are trying to arrange Cori Burbach to author a "My View" in the TH to respond to the
glass recycling issue. There are many other cities facing the same problems and the TH
article did not portray the entire picture. An educational program is being formed by City
staff to deal with the glass issue.
E -scrap won't be allowed at the landfill after July 1, 2011. The last week of May will be
amnesty week where the e-waste will be collected at various sites around the city. After
that, the e-waste will go to a Davenport landfill that processes it.
Compost. Don Vogt also discussed the landfill's inability to produce /sell compost. It is on
the agenda for the Dubuque Area Solid Waste Agency meeting tomorrow. There has been
no progress on the food scrap issue due to IDNR not allowing changes.
CLARIFICATION OF TASKS:
Mary Rose Corrigan will forward the recommendation on the plastic bag issue to the
Commission. Deron Muerhing will follow -up with the car wash items.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS:
Plastic bag. Car wash policy.
NEXT MEETING DATE:
June 7, 2011.
ADJOURNMENT:
Mike Buelow moved to adjourn the meeting. Ed Cawley seconded the motion. Motion was
approved by a 5 -0 roll call vote at 6:15 p.m.
MRC/cj