YVSC Community Meeting Minutes

September 3, 2015, 12 – 1 p.m., Rm 113-114

Environment. Community. Economy.

I. Call to Order
Mission Statement

II.Introductions 4 staff, 2 board, 2 students, 12 community members, partners, and city representatives
III. Approval ofMinutes from August

IV. YVSC Updates

  1. Talking Green– Sept 29 with Historic Routt County, Jim Lindberg Senior Director, Preservation Green Lab at the National Trust for Historic Preservation discussing green building as it applies to historic preservation. October 27 with Mark Easter from CSU Calculating Greenhouse Gasses
  2. Waste Diversion – will be bringing total 2015 diversion numbers to October meeting; Paintcare program is now accepting paint at Sherwin Williams and Ace – bring that BEFORE the Drop Off Day; Annual Drop Off is October 10th – volunteers needed. Visit to see what’s accepted. KEEP checking that site – will be updated by Oct 1 to see what fees apply to what.
  3. Green Building – Sept 8 Green Building Program Certifications – LEED, Green Globes, Green Building, Energy Star; extensive 7 speaker panel discussing both residential and commercial certifications. Oct 25 Green Building Tour – Mountain Modern – 3 local homes and a tourbus, wrapping up with the Solar Panels on the County building
  4. Energy – finalizing our Energy Smart Colorado partnership (building web page); working with Energy Outreach Colorado to work with lower income families for energy upgrades and rebates. August numbers are highest yet: 32 applications for 91 rebates (double) in $2081 (8 from Craig). $25,000 in local contractor work so far. $15,000 left to give away for 2015!
  5. Sustainable Schools – lunchroom waste meeting, new signage, and reduction in paper
  6. ReTree Steamboat–received EPA mini grant to take the work we’re doing with ReTree and work with two HS teachers to develop curriculum (biology – monitoring long term health of trees, and - ). 2 upcoming events: Art show at the Depot October & November (deadline for submissions is Sept 7) , Opening of show Oct 2 at First Friday also thank you party and premier of our ReTree Documentary; Oct 4 planting at Chuck Lewis SWA (1000 trees). Sign up at

V. Partner Updates

1. Marsha Daughenbaugh – Community Ag Alliance – leafy spurge has taken over millions of acres of grasslands and waterways in the west and if you it anywhere contact Greg Brown at the County Road and Bridge (image below) (spread by water) (chemicals to kill it are toxic to water and can not be used)
Second annual Yampa Valley Plate and Pint Dinner at Butcherknife, pairing courses with beer (will sell out) (70 people) October 3rd, 6pm
Yampa Valley Marketplace – you will see some changes to that in the next few months, promoting local food. For now, 1. Join the marketplace! It’s harvest season! And 2. If your garden has excess you can sell here or donate to Lift Up.

2. Kenny Reisman – City Council – make sure your causes are being looked after in these upcoming elections (leaving, along with Sonja) 4 seats that are up, lot of dialogue in the next few months. Let’s not let the community get off track of what’s important in the subject of sustainability.
Mary Brown part of development that’s looking to do passive construction – passed planning, goes to City Council on Sept 15 for consent. Article posted about it on the Pilot on August 27th.
Initial collection of data is complete with STAR program, and they will be presenting at Sept 15 or Oct council meetings.
They hosted an open forum with the EPA for the public and the stakeholders (2 meetings) on Sustainability in July, community engagement, affordable housing, and energy, SWAT analysis, and their consultants will provide their results at the end of Sept.

3. Mike Zopf – Routt County - water body setback proposal will come to light at the Planning Commission meeting on , referring to any waterbody that flows for 60 or more consecutive days (all the big creeks and the Yampa). New since 1995. Regulations are new and only put in place when people aren’t doing the right thing (in 95 we had high water, and poor construction choices that lead to flood issues). This is a minimal (50 foot) set back – ag is excluded – and includes other hazards. Please make your comments and show support at that meeting. Mike is retiring, and they’re looking at options for replacement, but they have agreed not to hire a full time manager again. This could jeopardize the environmental program. Decisions will be made during October budget cycle. They hope to hire someone and Planning is currently supervising Environmental Health program until then. Mike will share bullet points to share with your commissioners.

VI. Open Forum

  1. Dave Miller–How can we make sure we find a Police Chief that is worldly and sensitive to world issues to support healthy communities.
  2. Rich Levy – running for City Council, current planning commissioner, available to answer your questions. Make sure to bring your issues to the forums for the 12 candidates, since you aren’t supporting a forum. Our building program does not have a green foundation, and simply advocating for more sustainability isn’t going to work, we need to get green in the rules.
  3. Catherine Carson – the largest forum is the Pilot – they do take suggestions for that forum, send them to Lisa Schlictman (editor) directly, Dems forum is Oct 15th.

VII. Upcoming Events

Sept 8 – Green Building Workshop
Sept 29 – Preservation Green Lab

Oct 2 – First Friday and ReTree Party

Oct 4 – Tree Planting at Chuck Lewis SWA

Oct 10 – Community Recycles Drop Off Day

Oct 25 – Green Building Tour

Next meeting

Back to Wednesdays: October 7, 2015
11: 30-12:30 pm, Centennial Hall room 113-114

YVSC is a 501c3 and never endorses a specific political party or candidate. We always endorse education about issues related to sustainability.

From Partner Update 1 Leafy Spurge