HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - MGG - 05-08-2013D ORIGINALMILTON GROWS GREEN COMMITTEE
MAY 8, 2013 MINUTES [ApPROVED]
Date: May 8,2013, 12:00 to 1:30 PM
Place: Executive Conference Room, Milton City Hall, 13000 Deerfield Parkway, Milton, GA
Attendees: Jack Lindon, Gail Gill, Richard Kinzel, Ken Hughes, Colin Randall, Teresa Stickels,
Cindy Eade, Kathy Johnson and Tom Mills from Green Shortz.
I. Agenda: It was posted on the City's web site.
11. Approval of Minutes:
• February 14, 2012 and March 20, 2012 minutes were approved. By way of an introduction to
MGG's two new members, some activities in the minutes were mentioned: the February
paint-recycling event done in conjunction with the Boy Scouts, Earth Day, Green Schools
Envirorunental Ed program, Adopt-A-Road reporting, an Arbor Day event led by Mark Law,
and an update on ARC Green Communities Certification. "Ours is a true grass roots
organization."
• Introductions -Two new people where introduced, Gail Gill from the Climate Reality
Project; she was a vendor at Earth Day. And Colin Randall, a student in Envirorunental
Sciences at Georgia College and State University.
111. Old Business (taken out of the order on the Agenda):
• Rainbarrels -Richard Kinzel installed 3 rain barrels at the Crabapple Crossing E.s. He said
the kids had painted them so beautifully he hated to drill holes in them.
• National Wildlife Foundation Milton Wildlife Habitat Community Certification Project
Still need about 40 more homes, businesses, HOA common areas and churches to sign up. We
need 100 more points to achieve our goal. Sarah Ellison, a girl scout working on her Gold
Award, is going to help us over the summer. We haven't gotten any churches yet. The
requirements are on-line (nwf.org/ garden). Teresa read a letter Lynna Lee drafted to send to
neighbors. We also have Matt DiMico, a boy scout who is installing a pollinator garden at the
Thompson St. Fire Station on June 8th •
• Earth Day Wrap-up -The weather was fabulous. We have an estimate of 1,400 people who
came. We did well raising sponsorships getting 18 at $250/ each. Had a new venue at
Friendship Community Park. Good array of vendors. Got a lot of positive feedback on the
location and parking. This was our 4th year and we started planning in December. Every year
it gets a little smoother although it wasn't completely without some bumps.
Tom Mills commented on how well it worked for him as a vendor. Ken Hughes also liked the
"circular" traffic flow. The vendors weren't as isolated. We can be more selective for
envirorunental vendors as we grow if we keep the same limited space venue. Wind was a bit
of the problem at the beginning of the day. Tents need to be staked at the beginning. Having
the Solar Display was a big plus. Maybe have a section of booths called "solar city" in the
future where vendors or an electric car or bike can be powered. Suggestion to have a vendor
passport where each vendor stamps the card and there is a drawing at the end. Have to think
about competing with farmers markets on vendors' fees. Vendors have to make their money
back if we want them to return. Consider also that vendors were giving away things for free.
Milton Grmvs Green Committee Meeting Minutes May 8, 2013 [ApPROVED1
ALL MILTON GROWS GREEN DOCUMENTS ARE PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER WITH AT LEAST 35% POST -CONSUMER CONTENT.
There are a number of logistic issues with using the park, which will have to be addressed if
we use it next year. Need to avoid using it on the same weekend as Crabapple Crossing's
Spring Festival. Might consider eliminating or reducing fees for certain vendors if we get a
good number of sponsors again. The festival could have gone on longer considering the
number of people who were still there at the end.
• Keep Georgia Beautiful/MGG Affiliation -Didn't cover this because of time. We need to
continue the discussion on this. City wants to go to the next level with MGG. Wants us to
become a 501(c) 3. Foundation receives its money from one private source. 501(c) 3 is a
public charity that receives funding from multiple sources. The City could remain a primary
source. The name "Foundation" is more of a gray area, doesn't have to be strictly an
organization with a single source of funding. Both would be considered tax-exempt and
offer tax deductions. This would help us expand in different areas. Could go hand-in-hand
with land or historic preservation. 501(c) 3 setup is not simple. Costs $150 to state to register
and attorney's fees if a lawyer is used. Would need a Board of Directors (minimum of 3) and
by-laws but there are models around, a letter of intent from the City on how it would be
used. A lot of funders require the organization they give to be a 501(c) 3 to get the tax
deduction.
N. New Business:
• Green Shortz -Tom Mills explained what Green Shortz (www.greettsltortz.com ) "Put your
Green On," is about, short videos, 2-1/2 to 3 minutes. It is a subscription series model, costs
$20/ month, covering the gamut of environmental issues. Could create a custom content
library for each client that links back to the client. Can also produce custom videos for
companies about what specific steps they are taking to go green. He's working with a
producer that has editing capabilities. New content is produced constantly. He passed out a
matrix listing videos. Has about 30 videos completed, 50 in production and 250 in the
aspirational phase. Videos on wonns, soldier flies (a great source of chicken food) and Adopt
a-Stream . Showed committee one on 6 alternate recycling streams.
Jack suggested sending out a note to other committee members to take a look at Green Shortz
and discuss affiliation at next meeting, possibly highlighting MGG at end of a video and
linking back to us. Custom content costs about $3,000.
• City Council-wants to officiall~ thank the Earth Day planning committee and sponsors at
a City Council Meeting May 20 , at 6:00 PM. Cindy needs to get contact inionnation for a
few.
• Bulky Trash Event June 8th, Need more volunteers for this especially because a few things
are going on at the same time.
• Composter/Rainbarrel Sale June 22 nd, Alpharetta is organizing it at Harry's. Price is very
competitive. New design is pre-drilled.
• Household Chemical and Paint Collection August 3rd, Cindy is working on bids. Bell
memorial park is location and pre-registration will be required. Recycling of paint has been
a problem as so much of it comes in. Atlanta Paint & Recycling was recommended . Clean
Harbors also highly recommended.
MGG Meeting Adjourned at 1:50 PM
Milton Grow s Green Committee Meeting Minutes May 8, 2013 [ApPRO V ED] 2