Laserfiche WebLink
he can start to put together timelines to consider. He talked about taking the water resource topic <br /> and trying to break it down. He presented ideas on how the City could start to put together some <br /> educational information on each of the subtopics. He stated that he realized this deviates from <br /> the discussion at the March meeting in which the Board was going to come up with educational <br /> topics. He stated that he did receive suggested topics that are included in the case. He stated that <br /> after the Board discussion in March and discussions with other Staff, there was a realization that <br /> water resources is a topic that aligns with the City's legislative platform. <br /> Acting Chairman Valentine asked the Board for support of the water resources topic and/or other <br /> topic suggestions. <br /> Board Member Hiatt stated that he thinks it is a smart move to align with the legislative platform. <br /> He suggested coordinating the education with the City Council's work on the legislative <br /> platform. <br /> Board Member Lewis stated he likes the water resources idea, but he would like to have the topic <br /> be quantifiable. He would like to have a benchmark and objective within the community. He <br /> likes the idea of having a challenge thrown out and feels it begs for more community <br /> participation. He stated that his intention would not be to mandate but to encourage participation <br /> on a citizen and business level. <br /> City Planner Anderson stated that the goal would be to relate the concern to the public, <br /> demonstrate the problem such as water usage in the summer, educate the public about things that <br /> can be done to reduce water usage, and then issue a voluntary challenge to the community. <br /> Acting Chairman Valentine stated that the Board has to be careful that it doesn't look like a <br /> regulation. If it speaks to someone's desire to contribute to the solution of a problem,he thinks it <br /> is a good idea. <br /> City Planner Anderson suggested a contest of some sort involving citizens that use the municipal <br /> water system. If citizens can demonstrate their reduction, they would qualify for some sort of <br /> credit or rebate. This would be more of an incentive than a regulation. <br /> Board Member Hiatt stated that the primary goal is educating the community about water usage. <br /> The Board would want to see a change in practice as a result of the education. It needs to be <br /> very carefully stated upfront that this is not a mandate. The best education would be that they <br /> would want to do it and it would be good to have some measurable outcome that reflects that the <br /> Board's education has had an impact. He stated the importance of keeping the focus on <br /> educating the community and looking for a change in practice. <br /> City Planner Anderson distributed a water conservation handout entitled Diverse Measures <br /> Ensure Conservation Success. He stated that the handout was forwarded to him today and it was <br /> suggested that it be given to the EPB. It was not necessarily intended for discussion. <br /> City Council Liaison LeTourneau brought up a communication by Connexus Energy that <br /> compares individual consumption ratings with their neighbors. He suggested this may be a tool <br /> to consider if we have access to that type of information. <br /> Environmental Policy Board/May 19, 2015 <br /> Page 5 of 7 <br />