Montgomery News

City of Gaithersburg Environmental Affairs Committee met July 10. 

Here is the minutes as provided by the committee:

1. Call to Order

      The Regular Session of the Environmental Affairs Committee was called to order at 7:00 PM with Chair Doug Wolf presiding.

Attendee Name                     Title           Status      Arrived

Melissa Goodwin               Member        Present

Maribeth Gravunder           Member       Present

Paul Hlavinka                     Member       Absent

Alex Stavitsky-Zeineddin    Member      Present

Ed Mitchell                          Member      Present

Doug Wolf                           Chair           Present

      Staff present: Sustainability Coordinator Backe, Intern Ezrin

      Visitors/Guests present: Stephanie Riddick, Beth Phillips

2. Approval of Minutes

      A. Regular Session held June 12, 2018

           Motion was made to approve the above minutes.

           RESULT:           APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]

           MOVER:           Melissa Goodwin, Member

           SECONDER:     Ed Mitchell, Member

            FOR:                 Goodwin, Gravunder, Stavitsky-Zeineddin, Mitchell, Wolf

            ABSENT:            Paul Hlavinka

3. Discussion Topics

      A. City Staff Update

      Coordinator Backe provided an update on the July 23rd Work Session before the Mayor and Council regarding the natural means of lawn care pilot project.

      Intern Ezrin provided an update on the food waste composting pilot project at the Main Street Farmers market.

      B. City Council Update

      This item was deferred.

      C. Committee Updates

      Members discussed the following:

             The recent Green Gala at Brookside Gardens

             Education and outreach to reduce usage of plastic straws

      D. Shaare Torah troubleshooting

      Beth Phillips of the Shaare Torah congregation discussed the following:

             Recycling

             Polystyrene ban

             Bike Racks

      E. Discussion topics for joint meeting with Transportation Committee

      Members discussed potential topics for a future meeting with the Transportation Committee.

      F. Outreach

      Members continued a discussion about outreach opportunities from the June meeting. Member Goodwin suggested the committee seek to determine the priorities and/or concerns of diverse members of the community.

      G. Other

      Topics for discussing included:

            Community solar

            County health issues

            the Ocean Friendly Restaurant certification

            the Federal Geothermal credit

            Polystyrene ban FAQ’s

               Motion was made to discuss the concept of supporting Federal action to create a Carbon Fee & Dividend system with Council members. If members are amenable to supporting the concept, the committee will either create a memo requesting support or present a recommendation during the Annual Update.

               RESULT:          PASSED [4 TO 1]

               MOVER:          Ed Mitchell, Member

               SECONDER:   Maribeth Gravunder, Member

                FOR:               Maribeth Gravunder, Alex Stavitsky-Zeineddin, Ed Mitchell, Doug Wolf

                 AGAINST:       Melissa Goodwin

                 ABSENT:        Paul Hlavinka

4. Adjournment

      There being no further business, the session was adjourned at 8:53 PM

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