City of Gaithersburg Environmental Affairs Committee met July 10.
Here is the minutes 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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