May 14 2014 Operations Committee Meeting Approved Minutes

CITY AND COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO
COMMISSION ON THE ENVIRONMENT
OPERATIONS COMMITTEE

APPROVED MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 2014, 5:00 P.M.

CITY HALL, ROOM 421
ONE DR. CARLTON B. GOODLETT JR. PLACE
SAN FRANCISCO, CA  94102

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:  Commissioners Angelo King (Chair), Heather Stephenson, Sarah Wan

ORDER OF BUSINESS
Public comment will be taken before the Committee takes action on any item.


1. Call to Order and Roll Call.  The Operations Committee meeting was called to order at 5:07 p.m.  Present:  Commissioner Stephenson and Wan; Excused: Commissioner King.

2. Approval of Minutes of the February 19, 2014 Rescheduled Operations Committee Meeting. (Explanatory Document: February 19, 2014 Operations Committee Meeting Draft Minutes) (Discussion and Action)  Upon Motion by Commissioner Wan, second by Commissioner Stephenson, the February 19, 2014 Operations Committee Meeting Minutes were approved (AYES:  Commissioners Wan and Stephenson; Absent:  Commissioner King).

3. Public Comments:  Members of the public may address the Committee on matters that are within the Committee’s jurisdiction and are not on today’s agenda.  There were no members of the public present at this time.

Item 5 was heard before Item 4.

4. Informational Presentation on the Department of the Environment’s Energy Watch Program.  (Explanatory Document:  Presentation) Sponsor:  Commissioner Angelo King; Speaker:  Ann Kelly, Energy Watch Program Manager (15 minutes) (Informational Presentation and Discussion) 

 
Energy Watch Program Manager Ann Kelly reported on the Department of the Environment’s energy efficiency programs that include “Power Savers” from 2001-2002; SF Peak Energy Program from 2003-2005, and the local government partnership with PG&E on the San Francisco Energy Watch Program from 2006 to present.  She reported on cumulative savings achieved from energy efficiency programs since 2001 and number of projects installed as of 2013.  Ms. Kelly presented on Energy Watch program topics that include:

• Budget from 2013-14 by category; goals and staffing. 
• Program process that is driven by contractors and implementation working with ICF, contractors, and PG&E.
• Qualifying customers by program areas and qualifying products for incentives.  
• Professional services and expert installation that is provided.
• Multi-family and commercial projects.
• Traditional and social media for advertising and outreach. 
• Case studies.
• Neighborhood campaign.
•  Energy assessments conducted.
• Commercial lighting ordinance outreach.
• Program achievements.
• Program participants.

Ms. Kelly discussed Title 24, State Energy Building Code campaign, financial incentives for lighting controls to expire resulting in program obstacles and the possibility of Commissioners and leaders supporting the Department’s position on Title 24 by writing a letter or contacting CPUC Commissioners. 

5. Informational Report on Zero Waste at San Francisco Parks.  Sponsor Commissioner Heather Stephenson, Speaker:  Julie Bryant, City Government Zero Waste Senior Coordinator  (10 minutes) (Informational Report and Discussion)

City Government Zero Waste Senior Coordinator Julie Bryant reported on recycling and composting activities in San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department managed facilities.  She discussed the success of the Recreation and Park Department’s composting program of yard debris from neighborhood parks and Golden Gate Park that is redistributed to parks locally and results in energy, resource and transportation conservation.  Recreation Center staff has assigned recycling and composting containers that are serviced by trained custodians.  Ms. Bryant reported that the Recreation and Parks Department is the major event permit issuer in San Francisco.  She reported on event requirements that event-producers pay for recycling, composting, and trash services and provide access to appropriate containers.  Many event producers hire event-greeners that provide zero waste services such as containers, monitors, and post-consumer sorting of material.  The Recreation and Park Department has the ability to prevent permit issuance and hold back deposits if requirements are not adhered to. 

Ms. Bryant discussed the abuse of public receptacles that has led to some containers being removed to avoid illegal dumping and misuse, but reported that there has been public opposition to this solution.  She pointed out that there are no trash receptacles on federal lands such as national parks.  Smaller events have a pack it in and out requirement to influence more recycling and composting.   Other public receptacles that are seen in parks include self-service containers for bottles and cans.  Ms. Bryant reported on work in progress with Recology to do post-consumer processing of public receptacle material.  She discussed current equipment capabilities and new equipment seen on the market that can remove compostable material from trash.  She stated that the long term solution for public receptacles is offsite sorting at a transfer station.   

Commissioner Stephenson discussed opportunities for event-greeners to partner with non-profits and public volunteers to outreach, educate and direct the public on correct sorting procedures at smaller events and busier locations and to promote the pack it out model.   Commissioner Wan suggested that there be strict adherence to enforcement mechanisms if the event producer does not pack out the trash.   She suggested that multi lingual signs be provided to event producers and that customized signs could be produced for particular events.  Ms. Bryant reported that there is an online sign maker tool that to produce customized signs.    

6. New Business/Future Agenda Items. (Discussion)  Commissioner Stephenson requested a discussion on Department intervention on water abatement and reduction as a result of the drought if it is in the Department’s jurisdiction and a presentation by the Recreation and Parks Department on urban food production.

7. Public Comments:  Members of the public may address the Committee on matters that are within the Committee’s jurisdiction and are not on today’s agenda.  There were no members of the public present at this time.

8. Adjournment.  The Operations Committee meeting adjourned at 6:15 p.m.

Monica Fish, Commission Secretary
TEL:  (415) 355-3709; FAX: (415) 554-6393

The next meeting of the Commission on the Environment Operations Committee is scheduled for Wednesday, August 13, 2014, 5:00 p.m., at City Hall, Room 421, San Francisco, CA  94102.
** Copies of explanatory documents are available at (1) the Commission’s office, 1455 Market Street, Suite 1200, San Francisco, California, 94103 between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.  Photo identification is required for access to the building; (2) on the Policy Committee’s website http://www.sfenvironment.org/commission/agendas, or (3) upon request to the Commission Secretary at telephone number 415-355-3709, or via e-mail at [email protected]. The meeting audio can be reviewed at the website link by meeting date http://www.sfenvironment.org/commission/audio. 

Approved:  August 13, 2014