Environmental Commission MinutesPage 1
Meeting ofFebruary 7, 2018
MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF OXFORD
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION
February 7, 2018
7:00p.m.
Call to Order
Environmental Commission members present at the Wednesday, January 3, 2018 meeting were: Chair, Mr. Wright Gwyn; Vice-Chair, Ms. Madeline Maurer; Planning Commission Representative, Mr. Bill Snavely; Mr. Vince Hand, and Mr. Andor Kiss. A quorum was present. Ms. Suzanne Zazycki, Associate Director at Miami University’s (MU’s) Institute for the Environment and Sustainability (IES), and three IES Graduate Students (Ms. Celeste Bronson, Ms. Clare Quinlan, and Ms. Sara Rudokas) were also in attendance.
The Minutes from the January 3, 2018 Environmental Commission meeting were unanimously approved as presented.
Discussion
A)Institute for the Environment and Sustainability Professional Service Project: Update Summary of Researching the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy
The IES students are part of a Professional Service Project (PSP) team investigating applicability of Oxford’s participation in the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy program (the Covenant) on behalf of the Commission. The IES PSP team members provided a summary of their activities since early December 2017, when they had made a mid-academic term presentation of the past semester’s findings. Other college cities of similar populations and approximate student-resident ratios had been contacted. Discussion indicated that a previous energy audit, including a greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory done by an IES PSP in 2009 would not suffice for a GHG baseline value, as that PSP only looked at municipal operations and not Oxford as a whole. The expense of having a professional consultant perform the GHG inventory for Oxford was estimated to range between $30,000 and $50,000. Also, research into details with the Covenant found that any pledges in GHG reduction targets would be required to be at least as large as those pledged by the United States as part of the Paris Climate Accord. The PSP team reported that Dr. David Prytherch had offered to assist in the PSP with students in an urban geography course he is instructing this year. The question was raised whether investigating the entire responsibilities associated with the Covenant could be done by the end of April, and perhaps the PSP should be more focused on what Oxford could reasonably accomplish to reduce GHG emissions. The general consensus of the Commission and the PSP team was to continue on the present course, as the information already encountered (and what is anticipated to be learned) is helpful for Oxford to determine if its participation in the Covenant is practical and/or possible. Ms. Zazycki informed the Commission that the League of Women Voters had requested a summary presentation of the PSP findings into the Covenant be made at an upcoming meeting in March 2018.
B)City Council and Planning Commission Activities Updates
Mr. Hand updated the Commission on the February 6, 2018 City Council meeting. The MU Student Community Relationship Committee and the Associated Student Government has explored establishing a bikeshare program for the community (MU and Oxford). Spin is America’s largest stationless bikeshare company, which operates at no immediate cost to the sponsoring community or campus. Utilizing the internet, a Spin bicycle’s location can be found, and access to the bicycle gained by an app. The expense for use is $1 for 30 minutes, with monthly and annual programs are reportedly available (according to Spin’s internet web site). Spin indicated that they would hire approximately 20 part-time employees to manage the bicycles, with maintenance being performed by Bike Wise. Oxford City Council is reportedly considering a memorandum of understanding with Spin, which would allow community-wide usage of their bicycles. Presently, 50 bicycles are anticipated for a pilot study prior to MU’s spring break (March 19-23, 2018), with 150 bicycles present afterwards. The Council discussed development of a new aquatic center. Presently, the intention is to contract with a single firm to provide the design and oversee construction of the center. A request for qualifications for the development of the aquatic center is to be issued by Oxford shortly. Chair Wright and Commissioner Mr. Jon Ralinovsky had previously met with Oxford’s Parks and Recreation Department Director, Mr. Casey Wooddell, to discuss incorporation of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) components into the new center. City Council had approved the 15-year Update to the Butler County solid Waste Management Plan, as developed by the Butler County Recycling and Solid Waste District (District). Mr. Hand indicated he was disappointed that the Environmental Commission had not had the opportunity to review/comment of the Plan Update prior to Council’s action. Staff explained that the District had 90 days (Tuesday, April 3, 2018) to obtain approval from legislative representatives of at least 60% of the County’s population, and it was determined best if Oxford’s City Council quickly approves the Plan Update, allowing District representatives more time to present the Plan Update to other governmental organizations within the County.
Mr. Snavely informed the Commission that the Planning Commission had a work session exploring applicable taxation and regulation (among others) issues associated with short-term rentals of residential properties.
C)Developments With Tesla Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
Mr. Kiss updated the Commission on recent developments regarding his investigations into securing vehicle electrical charging stations from Tesla, Inc. Mr. Joe Williams, Project Manager for Charging Infrastructure at Tesla, Inc. (formerly Tesla Motors), had informed him that national interest in the program was very high, and they were working through the requests as quickly as possible.
Other Business
Mr. Hand indicated that his contact at MU’s English Department indicated that undertaking development of a “user friendly” presentation of the electrical aggregate reports as a possible project could be considered as a fall 2018 project for their technical writing group.
The Earth Day Proclamation for 2018 was unanimously approved as presented. Staff informed the Commissioners that this year’s Earth Day observation (“EarthFest”) would occur on Saturday, April 21, 2018 in the Uptown Memorial Park. Staff has reserved a spot for the Environmental Commission at the event and intends to be present to distribute literature, take requests for changes in recycling services, and be present to answer questions from the public.
The Arbor Day Proclamation for 2018 was unanimously approved as presented. Staff was instructed to forward both the Earth and Abor Day Proclamations to City Council for their consideration.
Adjournment
The Commissioners concluded discussion at 8:20 p.m. The Environmental Commission is next scheduled to meet at 7:00 p.m. on March 7, 2018, in the Municipal Building’s Second Floor Conference Room.