Montgomery News

City of Rockville Environment Commission met April 5.

Here is the minutes provided by the Commission:

Attendance

Commissioners Present: Chair John Becker, Sy Garte, Larissa Johnson, Clark Reed, Monica Saavoss, Steve Sprague.

Commissioners Absent: Fedon Vayanis, Lea Rosenbohm, Alicia Hosmer

Council Liaison: Mark Pierzchala (absent)

City Staff: Erica Shingara

Guests: none

Meeting Commencement

The meeting convened at 7:05 p.m. by Chair Becker.

Approval of Agenda

Staff noted the original posted agenda was modified to include discussion on the draft annual report.

Commissioner Saavoss moved and Commissioner Garte seconded a motion to approve the April 5, 2018 agenda as amended. The motion passed (6-0).

Approval of Meeting Minutes

Commissioner Reed moved and Commissioner Saavoss seconded a motion to approve the March 3, 2018 meeting minutes. The motion passed (4-0-2) Commissioner Johnson and Commissioner Sprague abstained due to absence from the meeting.

Community Forum

No guests present.

Committee Reports:

• Watershed: Commissioner Garte reported that in lieu of the monthly committee meeting, members will attend two April events: the stream walk is scheduled Saturday (4/7) at 1 p.m. and the Maryvale Stream Cleanup will be held on April 14 from 10 a.m. to noon. Amanda Aparicio will help prepare the site and Steve Cardon will pick up supplies from EMD on April 13. He encouraged all Commissioners to volunteer at the cleanup.

• Climate Action Committees: Commissioner Sprague reported the monthly meeting was cancelled due to snow.

• Energy Committee: Commissioner Reed reported the committee assigned SMC actions to various members to complete write-ups. Members will draft write-ups by the next committee meeting. Due to snow, the Ethics Commission postponed their March meeting and crowdsourcing discussion until April. The Chesapeake Climate Action Network reported that the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) legislation did not get out of committee and will proposed next year. Staff noted that Rockville submitted written statements of support for the RPS increase for delivery to the House Economic Matters and the Senate Finance Committees.

• Sustainability: Commissioner Saavoss reported that members will be joining other committees. Rockville Environment Commission

Sustainable Maryland Certified (SMC)

Staff distributed an updated SMC action plan and the Commission reviewed adopted actions and noted that volunteers should have received an email to access the online SMC application.

¬ Action Item: Staff will check on the number of innovative projects allowed per category.

¬ Action Item: Volunteers should complete action write-ups for Commission review at the May meeting; with overall approval at the June meeting.

Lead SMC Action Summary

Clark Reed and

Energy Committee

Community Engagement Programs, such as diversity town hall meetings,

City Academy, Business Academy and other events held by the

Community Engagement Division.

Backyard Hens

Solar Co-op

Green building regulations and tax credit

Building Energy Benchmarking

Electric vehicle and charging station

Larissa Johnson Residential energy efficiency

Alicia Hosmer Community Wildlife Habitat

Lea Rosenbohm Bike Friendly Program

Monica Saavoss Croydon Creek Nature Center education and outreach programs Volunteer opportunities for community engagement (storm drain art program, H20 Summit)

Hometown Holidays (HTH)

Chair Becker noted that he received an update from Special Events about the HTH booth. He indicated that the Commission would like to share a booth with the Human Right Commission to split time between Saturday and Sunday. He drafted the application to reserve a booth. Staff noted that HTH needs volunteers at the booth for the full time (1:30-8 p.m.) on Saturday and Sunday and it has not been confirmed if the REC and HRC will have enough volunteers to staff the booth for the full time on both days. The Commission discussed volunteer availability, outreach materials and exhibit needs. Several volunteers from last year may not be available this year. The Commission has purchased a rain barrel to raffle, some outreach supplies available from last year, and approximately $900 available until June 2018 for additional materials. Staff noted that orders for HTH materials need to be placed in April to allow for printing and shipping by HTH. Commissioner Saavoss moved and Commission Johnson second motion to spend $800 on outreach supplies for HTH. The motion passed (6-0). Committees should brainstorm other exhibit needs, prize wheel trivia and sign needs.

¬ Action Item: Commissioner Sprague volunteered to assist with setup or cleanup.

¬ Action Item: Chair Becker volunteered to submit the booth application, send out a volunteer sign-up schedule, and coordinate raffle tickets

¬ Action Item: Commissioner Saavoss volunteered to coordinate volunteer interest forms and follow-up.

¬ Action Item: Staff will check the inventory of supplies and begin to restock items (pencils, seeds, recycling coloring books & crayons, scrapers, water bottles, etc.) and will research prices and availability of new items such as reusable spork, metal straws, and a raffle for solar power cell phone charger ($100).

Rockville Environment Commission

Annual Report

Chair Becker reported that he emailed a draft annual report for a potential presentation to the Mayor and Council on April 30th. Additional time is needed for Commission approval and agenda processing, so the presentation date may be postponed until May or June; depending on meeting and Commissioner availability. He encouraged Commissioners and Committee members to plan to attend the presentation.

¬ Action Item: Chair Becker will update the draft report and forward it to the Commission for review and comment in May.

Chair Report

Chair Becker provided the following updates:

• Noted the success of the Environmental Excellence Awards presentation and Earth Hour/Day/Month proclamation and thanked Commissioners for attending.

• Rockville was recognized by Insurify for a 2018 Greenest Cities Award. Rockville ranked #1 in Maryland. Insurify’s Greenest Cities Award recognizes the cities with the lowest average household carbon footprint.

• Reminded committees to submit budget requests.

• Noted the Green Bank is now available for commercial and multifamily properties in Montgomery County.

Environment Management Division (EMD) Update

Staff reported on upcoming dates and invited Commissioners to attend:

¬ Distributed information on Earth Month events throughout April.

¬ On April 24, the Maryland Public Service Commission will have a public hearing on Pepco’s proposed pilot microgrids in Montgomery County and Prince Georges County (including Rockville Town Center).

¬ Montgomery County Energy Summit occurred on April 4 and had more than 300 attendees.

¬ Update still pending for Maryland to re-issue the NPDES Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Phase II General Permit.

Chair Election

Postponed to the May meeting.

Adjourn

The Commission adjourned by acclamation at 8:30 p.m.

http://www.rockvillemd.govhttp://www.rockvillemd.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_04052018-2245/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05242018-2285