HomeMy WebLinkAboutSeptember 9ENVIRONMENTAL INITIATIVES COMMITTEE
Regular Meeting Minutes
Date: September 09,2021
1.Call to Order (roll call)
a.Present: Vrinda, Steve, Anand, Pat, Aileen (had to leave early), Stan, April
b.Absent: Sasha... (anyone else?)
c.Public: Jay, Kjell, Jolie
2.Approval of Minutes of the meetings on Aug.12, 2021
a.Steve moved, Srini seconded, unanimous support.
3.Agenda Review
a.No requests for changes, other than fixing date for next meeting.
4.Topics of Interest /Open Discussion
a.Jay on GreenWaste: After their presentation, Jay sent emails to Emma ("what took GW
so long?"). Long delay, but asking what they can do to help improve the relationship
with LAH.
b.Jay's support of GW had been waning, but now he's convinced they want to improve. He
suggests we should offer ways to help them be more efficient, in return for reduction in
fees. For example, we could clean our recyclables better, which would help them.
c.Stan: He didn't personally have any animosity with GW ("they are an excellent provider
of services"), but many people in town do. 40% of LAH residents have special needs!
These are really expensive for GW.
d.Pat: The extra cost of collecting garbage for few was spread over all and that’s how the
prices stayed low. But that was considered unfair and they were losing money.
e.April: Price keeps going up... pouring salt on the wounds. Stuck with a bad contract for
10-15 years with increases every year.
f.ACTION: Jay will discuss with Kavita & Carl (or new city manager).
5.Discuss and approve GHG Inventory Presentation to the City Council.
a.Anand did review of his presentation: Great job! Added emotion! His presentation is
attached
b.Steve: "Greenwaste did it on their own"... LAH actually pushed biofuels. Also: Air travel
"4x typical american".... using conservative model... may be much higher.
c.Jolie: Can we work with Cupertino/DeAnza college to push Foothill?
i.Anand's update on FHDA: ESAC committee... meeting monthly, bi-weekly? Not
had a public meeting since July. Officially doing a lot, but maybe not really...?
But could not confirm FHDA status. Elevate to Council, request a meeting.
d.Jay: Loved the presentation and the list of key goals is great, but "have to keep the
pressure on"
i.Anand update: Meeting with Oscar (Director of Public Works) & Srini went
great. He's committed to biofuels and electrification. Next month will start with
renewable diesel! He is also interested in right-sizing the battery to make it as a
microgrid. He is talking to Cody about that.
ii.Also exchanged emails with Joe Simitian, regarding shifting the fire department
to Biofuels: They said they should do it.
e.Aileen: Very coherent presentation. Question on air travel... what about diet?
Consumption? Other individual issues?
i.Anand: Yes we should consider more than air travel.
ii.Vrinda: Town will do a survey, and EIC will get 3-4 questions.
f.Stan: Should we include Hybrids as well as EVs?
i.Steve, Anand, Vrinda opined that we should stick with EVs
g.Srini: Working on draft email to send to supporters for the October meeting. We need
to pack the hall! Everyone to get 4-5 friends to attend.
h.ACTION: Subcommittee will work on targets for Anand to present, and will develop a
draft CAP presentation for council before next EIC meeting.
6.CAP measures and the “ask” from the City Council
a.Council members would like info on the cost to the town, and what the options are, so
that they can decide on the targets.
b.Stan: Since EIC is an advisory body, it should state the preferred targets and not give a
range
c.Steve: ICLEI process says set the target first and then decide the Climate Action Plan.
d.Anand: Let the subcommittee decide on the targets to be proposed.
e.On Council Agenda for October 21st? Vrinda will confirm.
f.Steve's summary of Menlo Park's failed ordinance: not enough prep for council
members. Half Moon Bay is a week from Tuesday. Council members need to be briefed
on the complexity of the plans in the presence of a vocal group of naysayers.
g.Srini's summary of Palo Alto: Half a dozen presentators, explained how they came to the
goals. Mostly the choir-- no debate, understating the cost of transition, sugar-coated
the cost issue, and the contractor issue.
h.EIC will work on costing out the measures and present them at the next EIC meeting
7.GHG and CAP requirements for Community Relations -- how to get the word out?
a.April and Lew will be on Community Relations committee. No events for the past 18
months except car show. Might not be anything more until Picnic next June
b.Vrinda's question: Nextdoor is too "noisy". How do we get the word out to residents
about incentives, or recommendations?
c.April: Newsletter is best way to communicate. Well done, people read it. Usually the
events are for people to have fun... with their families. Duffy leads the Wines & Vines
event (October), another option (small table?) 200-250 people participate
d.Stan: Marketing should use everything we can... Newsletter, Town (Deborah has
control) website, and can push info via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram. Deborah has a
handle on that. EIC should set up a multi-prong plan--giving information in chunks to
educate everyone about who you are and what it is you are trying to do.
e.Anand: we need to make sure we have a presence at the Council meeting- at least 4-5
people to send a message to the City Council.
f.Stan: The meeting is going to be hybrid both in Zoom and in person.
g.Srini-pack the hall,
h.ACTION: April will discuss with CR committee.
8.Next EIC meeting: October 14, 2021 at 6:30pm