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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - MGG - 02-28-2008ORIGINAL Milton Goes Green Committee Minutes February 28, 2008 [Approved] Date: February 28, 2008, 5:30 --9:15 p.m. Place: City of Milton, Executive Conference Room Attendees: Council -Woman Julie Zahner Bailey, Don Cunniff, Jon McPhail, Francia Lindon, Jack Lindon, Mark Law, Charles Slade, Melinda McConnell, Melissa Estes and Cindy Eade, Tim Enloe and Marc Arrington. Other people who expressed interest but couldn't attend this meeting (and some of whom have attended others) are Tina D'Aversa, Alan Tart, Eddie Moore, Lynna Lee, Paul Hackman, Kathi Cook, Janie Barnabie, and Dan Drake. The Committee will continue to evolve.) Agenda for this meeting is to follow-up on the next steps of the prior meeting of 2/22/08. It was agreed that we would formally accept the minutes each meeting. Minutes are taken, compiled, sent to the committee for edits and finalized. Continue to concentrate attention on "low hanging fruit" first: ■ Committee name ■ Committee logo • Mission statement wording • Designation/grant research • Outlining of the priorities and goals of this volunteer committee • Determine if the "Adopt a Road" volunteer committee will be a sub -committee or somehow involved with the Green committee. • Create standing sub -committees and ad hoc committees. Areas of discussion included: • Designations --Find other similar -sized cities that have a "green" designation and look at what they are doing. Roswell has made a commitment and has a "green" designation from several national sources. Glenwood, NY developed a plan to deal with growth and save local farms from urban encroachment — sustainable agriculture. • Involvement wl Adopt —a — Road - Tim Enloe and Julie confirmed after talking to Dan Drake, that the "Adapt -a -Road" program might be melded into this committee. Adopt -a - road, Adapt -a -stream, Rivers Alive, could become part of this committee. Linda Blow has been working with an MVP group tied to Adapt -a -Road. Historically she noted the potential to have that Adopt -a -Road committee combined with the Green Committee. The Green Committee invited Linda to have the MVP's for the Adopt a Road program to join us since the two committees were meeting the same night. (Note: Following the Adopt -a -Road committee meeting — where no one attended — Linda Blow came by to say that she did want the Adopt -a -Road program to be combined with the Green Committee. JZB has asked Chris Lagerbloom to determine if he wants that to occur or not). • Could development rights for farms be transferred and deeded through grants that Malton Grows Green Committee Minutes February 28, 2006 [,4pprovedl ALL MILTON GROWS GREEN DOCUMENTS ARE PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER WITH AT LEAST 35°!o POST -CONSUMER CONTENT. preserve the farm? Transfer of development rights should be studied as a mechanism to preserve green space while providing for appropriate development. • Communications - Ask our communications staff/Chris Lagerbloom if utilization of the city's web site for education and communication re: Milton Going Green is possible. • The City as a green citizen — o Procurement is a big issue — i.e., energy efficient fleet vehicles, solar powered stop- lights. o Examine other departments for "opportunities" where we could make suggestions. c Recycling within city hall - review and adopt applicable parts of the recycling program Janie Barnabie set up at Summit Hill Elementary School. • Identify other local neighborhoods, schools or social organizations that support green, "sustainable initiatives." • Pulling in more local businesses — some will want to be involved. When the committee decides on a logo, it could design a sticker that would identify them as part of the program. It was decided that since the committee is still in its formative stage, deciding the parameters for the committee, we would temporarily hold off in involving more businesses. This is of course part of the longer term goal as all stakeholders are needed for Milton to go green. • Need to make arrangements for an older population that can't maintain large lots as part of making Milton a sustainable community for all citizens. It was noted that this, too, is a part of the CLUP update process. Volunteers were encouraged to be engaged in that process. • We should to be looking at the comprehensive land -use planning document (initially the Fulton county 2025 plan) currently being modified. It looks at two different populations current and future, who we are and where we want to go. We can express a voice in the document and how it relates to our initiatives. ■ The term "Smart Growth" puts commercial and business development near sources of public transportation. Identify other ways to influence future development so that it is both appropriate and sustainable. With luck MARTA will be extended to Windward. It will be much easier to make changes now on paper than to "retrofit" in the future. • Land -Use comments- 0 Could development rights for farrns be transferred and deeded through grants that preserve the farm? Transfer of development rights (TDRs) should be studied as a mechanism to preserve green space while providing for appropriate development. It was noted that TDRs are a part, or may be, of the CLUP update process. 4 Part of Milton being green is how it ties to the overall mission statement of the city and community. There is a desire to keep our focus on Milton's rural character. The "floor" here is 1 acre because of the septic system requirements. Is there a "conservation" subdivision plan that could preserve land without jeopardizing the one acre minimums? It would have to preserve "buildable" land and not just non - Milton Grows Green Committee Minutes February 28, 2006 [Approved] p. 2 ALL MILTON GzRows GREEN DOCUMENTS ARE PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER WITH AT LEAST 35% POST -CONSUMER CONTENT buildable land, which has been the case when denser development has been proposed in the past. Historical perspective was that only unbuildabie land had ever been proposed for conservation subdivisions historically. Another issue noted was that some landowners historically have noted concerns with increasing the amount of land per home. • The CLUP update process is important and there may be some opportunity to leverage some of the Green community concepts in this planning document. Once in place this document should be "unbendable" in making changes. (Note — Please look at it It is on the city of Milton web site.) Standing Sub -Committees and Ad Hoe Sub -committees - It was noted that both types of sub- committees were needed in order to make progress and ensure efficiency of volunteer time. Ad hoc sub -committees: ■ April 26th Spring Day — It was noted that this Spring Event is being handled by a different group of folks, but that there is a natural cross over. The Green Committee wants to have a presence at the event given the Spring Event ties to Earth Day, etc. Discussions about a booth with tip sheets and information for "going green." Desire to have a H.S. Beta Club Green Survey. H.S and M.S beta club volunteers could help to administer the survey at the Spring event. There may be a fun run in the morning and a parade. (FYI, it was noted that the Roswell recycle bulky trash day same day. JZB will communicate the bulky trash day information to Linda Blow as an FYI). ■ List and prioritize Green Committee initiatives and goals, easiest to achieve to most difficult o Possible city designations/grants (Excel spreadsheet proposed by Melissa Este, Melinda McConnell, Kathi Cook) Designations mentioned -- LEED, Green Communities, Cool Cities, Tree City, etc. (it was noted that Mark Law has looked into becoming a Tree City already -- activities of the Green Committee may help him with the pursuit of that designation ). • Input from Mark Law - Trees — state of Georgia is interested in establishing an inventory of trees 400 years old + and their health at no cost. In order to become a "Tree City" must allocate $2lcitizen to preservation of trees probably not doable at this time. Question as to whether or not developer's tree bank would count. ■ Suggest initiatives to comprehensive land -use document. Standing sub -committees: Tied to the principles of sustainability identified by the provincial government of Ontario and adopted by the EPA. Melinda McConnell read some of the initiatives. These needed some modification to make them more specific to Milton character - our notes and minutes should reflect the modified language. (Note to members please add name where interests and expertise lie). Water quality, energy conservation, air quality (Jack Lindon, Cindy Eade) • Land -use, open space or conservation land, trees (Mark Law, Jack Lindon, Melissa Estes, Jon McPhail) Milton Grows Green Committee Minutes February 28, 2006 [Approved] p. 3 ALL MILTON GROW$ GREEN DOCUMENTS ARE PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER WITH AT LEAST 35% POST-cONGUMER CONTENT • Solid waste and recycling (Charlie Slade, Dan Drake, Don Cunniff, Mark Arrington) • Communication and education (Francia Lindon, Melissa Estes, Jon McPhail) Titre Enloe proposed adding benches along major roadways and/or the trail system as a visual identification that now you are in the city of Milton. "Lets you know you're home visually." This might act as a deterrent to littering. The benches would give a "park -like" appearance. Residents could support the project with a "sponsor -a -bench" program. Comments on last week's notes: ■ The 5¢ deposit on plastic water bottles would have to be a state initiative. Not likely to happen in Georgia given Coca-Cola's influence in the state. This is not cleari.e., whether a local deposit requirement could or should be imposed. • Should consider setting up a recycle center - single stream — ideally would be a "break even" financial situation. It would be offered as a convenience to citizens. It is a commitment the city makes. Not in immediate future because of setup costs. Subcommittee should check on whether or not solid waste haulers are meeting parameters for recycling. Near term there may be a way to leverage City of Roswell activities and possible leverage of Milton locations. This will be co -coordinated with Public Works. • Need to get neighborhoods to identify and adopt a preferred holder for trash. Continued Brainstorming Names/Tag Lines and Mission Statements Possible Mission Statements (Bring suggestions to next meeting,): To see our city as a sustainable sanctuary today; to make possible a rural landscape for tomorrow. To engage and encourage Milton citizens in creating a healthy and sustainable environment. Preserving Milton's special rural character while shaping sustainable growth. Names/Tag Lines: Milton Means Green Green Initiative Milton's Greenways Green Measures Greenway Green Paths Milton Goes Green Green Pathways Milton Growing Green Green Print Milton Favors Green Green Program Green by Design Green Project The Green City Green Strategy Where Pastures Are Greener Keep It Green Milton Grows Green Committee Minutes February 28, 2006 [Approved] p. 4 ALL MILTON GROWS GREEN DocUMENTS ARE PRINTED oN RECYCLED PAPER wrrH AT LEAST 35% POST -CONSUMER CONTENT The Green Acres Initiative Green Acres Green Advantage Green Focus Green Ideas Green Face Sustainable Milton Logos (Should contain the name we choose) ' I �r wS �reeh Milton Treading Softly Tread Softly Milton = Green Green Tips (idea for a brochure name re: ideas for how to go green?) Keep It Green and Clean Sustainable Green Milton e js�ree-n City of Milton Ncxt Meeting: Thursday, March 6, 2008, 6:30 .m., City of Milton Executive Conference Room. Minutes APPRQVED by the G erning Board this 121h day of June 2009. ATTEST: Jon B. McPhail, Co -Chair Francia Lindon, Secretary Milton Grows Green Committee Minutes February 28, 2006 [Approved] p. 5 ALL MILTON GROWS GREEN DOCUMENTS ARE PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER WITH AT LEAST 35% POST -CONSUMER CONTENT