Minutes - Environmental Policy Board - 08/17/2015

Home

City Planner Anderson clarified that what was being suggested was changer the word "natural resources" to "renewable resources". Board Member Covart said she didn't have a concrete suggestion, and just wanted to suggest the word "renewable" be added. Councilmember LeTourneau noted he approved of using the words "natural resources" because it makes people think of natural things. We want to raise awareness of water and renewable resources, and he said he would like to have people be brought into a discussion of how we can address the aquifer and other issues. If the word "renewable" helps open up the conversation, then it should be used. He suggested the question read, "What value does environmental and natural and renewable resources add to your community." He pointed out water is renewable. Trees are somewhat renewable, and compost and recycling is more renewable than natural resources. Chairperson Stodola stated the word "renewable" was redundant. Board Member Bentz commented these words are more along the lines of reclaiming rather than renewable. He suggested creating a statement with the words "renewable" and "reclaimable", as they both fit under the umbrella of "sustainability". He stated a moderator in a discussion may able to suggest words that others may not think of. He said preservation is a large part of this subject, and others may not think of this as sustainable. Councilmember LeTourneau stated he would like to find words that resonate with the public. Chairperson Stodola noted he had thought over the situation and he would no longer like to keep the word "sustainability" in. He said if the Board is having this much discussion over it, the public could be unsettled. Board Member Lewis suggested the word "sustainability" be replaced with "conservation". He stated it may be more to the point. He clarified the question would then read, "What value do. natural resources and conservation add to your neighborhood?" It was the consensus of the Environmental Policy Board to move ahead with the question: "What value do natural resources and conservation add to your community?" Councilmember LeTourneau asked when this item will come before the Council. City Planner Anderson replied it will be either the 25th of August or the 8th of September. Councilmember LeTourneau suggested this question be posted at Happy Days. City Planner Anderson responded he did plan to have it in place by Happy Days for that reason. He said it would be a great opportunity to get feedback on this, and anything else. Councilmember LeTourneau stated if there is a lot of confusion over it, the Board can discuss at a future meeting. If people seem to understand it, then we can move forward in discussion of this chapter of the Comp Plan. Environmental Policy Board / August 17, 2015 Page 3 of 11