Minutes - Environmental Policy Board - 12/01/2014

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• Discovery • Preserve accountability • Promote environmental awareness and conservation practice for citizens • See this group functioning more as environmental outreach committee — not policy board Advising and education were identified as the common themes. City Planner Anderson asked the Board how they envisioned their advising role. Board Member Valentine stated his belief that the Board's advisement role in the past has been reactive and that the Board is more effective in a reactive role than a proactive role. He spoke about being involved in the Comprehensive Plans as much as possible depending on timelines. Chairperson Stodola felt that the Board should focus more on being proactive by bringing ideas/suggestions to the City Council. Community Development Director Gladhill stated that he feels that Best Management Practices (BMPs) are a great -tool in developing projects and suggested the Board utilize both BMPs and bringing ideas/suggestions to the City Council. Board Member Valentine agreed that the Board should be proactive within the framework of the Comprehensive Plan. Community Development Director Gladhill stated that there seemed to be a broad agreement that the Board's statement of purpose should include an advisory component and asked the Board how it would feel about reviewing development plans and improvement projects focusing on environmental issues. City Planner Anderson clarified that the Board's focus would be on environmental issues in the developmental phase of projects. This could mean one or two cases a month and would be concurrent with the review already going on with the Planning Commission. Staff would compile all of the input and bring it to the City Council. This would also be a good opportunity to learn about City ordinances and could lead to new ideas. Board Member Valentine spoke about the importance of not slowing down the process. City Planner Anderson clarified that future involvement of the Board would be blended into the current review process so that the 60-day clock on development proposals would not be affected. Board Member Stodola asked if the Board would have the expertise to contribute positively. City Planner Anderson suggested that with the residential developments the City could have the projects brought to the Board in the sketch plan phase. The Board could then provide recommendations/feedback to the developer. Community Development Director Gladhill stated that the City would provide the Board with the tools to do this kind of activity and that the Board should not worry about the level of expertise. Environmental Policy Board / December 1, 2014 Page 3of12