1 OFFICIAL MINUTES OF THE CULVER CITY SUSTAINABILITY SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING OF THE January 11, 2024 CULVER CITY SUSTAINABILITY 6:00 p.m. SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE CITY COUNCIL CULVER CITY, CALIFORNIA Call to Order & Roll Call Mayor McMorrin called the special meeting of the Sustainability Subcommittee of the City Council to order at 6:01 p.m. in the Dan Patacchia Meeting Room at City Hall and via Webex. Present: Yasmine-Imani McMorrin, Mayor Freddy Puza, Council Member Staff Present: Sean Singletary, Environmental Programs and Operations (EPO) Manager Dani Cullens, Recreation and Community Services Manager Wallis Nash, Senior Management Analyst Joe Susca, Senior Management Analyst Alicia Ide, Management Analyst o0o Pledge of Allegiance Mayor McMorrin led the Pledge of Allegiance. o0o Sustainability Subcommittee of the City Council January 11, 2024 2 Community Announcement by Members None. o0o Information Items from Staff Sean Singletary, Environmental Programs and Operations (EPO) Manager, discussed upcoming route reviews required with AB1383 Organics Recycling legislation; report cards provided for education; and public outreach. o0o Public Comment - Items NOT On the Agenda Mayor McMorrin invited public comment. The following member of the public addressed the Subcommittee: David Coles congratulated Mayor McMorrin on becoming mayor; asked about the process for getting items agendized; discussed lack of compliance with the leaf blower ordinance; proposed inviting Code Enforcement to provide a report; having a public and Council Member discussion about compliance; creating a dedicated agenda item for water conservation; auditing outdoor watering and finding ways to reduce usage; backyard composting; costs to administer green bins; increased participation; rooftop solar on City-owned buildings; and having Culver City serve as a climate leader. o0o Receipt of Correspondence Alicia Ide, Management Analyst, indicated that no correspondence had been received. o0o Sustainability Subcommittee of the City Council January 11, 2024 3 Consent Calendar Item C-1 Approval of Minutes for the Sustainability Subcommittee Special Meeting on September 14, 2023 MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER PUZA, SECONDED BY MAYOR MCMORRIN AND UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED, THAT THE SUSTAINABILITY SUBCOMMITTEE APPROVE MINUTES FOR THE SPECIAL MEETING ON SEPTEMBER 14, 2023. o0o Agenda Items Item A-1 Receive Report and Discuss a Progress Update regarding Culver City Unified School District Green New Deal Mimi Mirvish, Waylon Adzentoivich, and Nava Waisman, Culver City High School (CCHS) Green New Deal Team, provided background on the team; discussed advisors and supporters; the nine pillars that make up the Green New Deal; the current focus on Transportation; concepts; inactive plans; additional information available to the Subcommittee; the potential for a website in the future; the need for more robust sustainability policy in the Culver City Unified School District (CCUSD); past events; the commitment of CCUSD to implement up-to-date environmental policy; providing opportunity for students to walk or bike to school; adding crosswalks; participation in the West Los Angeles College (WLAC) Climate Palooza; agreement to provide links for City staff to post on the sustainability webpage; growing the team; the objective and subobjectives of the Transportation pillar; bike and pedestrian infrastructure improvements near the Elenda campus; bike rack expansion; expanding student transit; resistance from the City on the TAP cards; the need to provide additional accessibility; plans for the future; increased green education; engagement with staff; creation of an Environmental Justice course; the grass replacement rebate; and they provided contact information for anyone with questions. Discussion ensued between the Green New Deal Team, staff, and Subcommittee Members regarding appreciation for the project and for the presentation; staff referenced previous Sustainability Subcommittee of the City Council January 11, 2024 4 presentations by the Green New Deal Team to the Mobility, Traffic, and Parking Committee (MTP) and the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) regarding the Elenda campus; inclusion of a study the area in the new budget; additional crossing guards; a copy of the presentation and the nine pillars will be posted on the meeting website; climate change; collaboration with WLAC; the City Council West Los Angeles College Liaison Committee; providing community training; the Earth Day event; offering training on backyard composting; community events vs. school events; connecting with the community at large; issues with the TAP card distributor; Subcommittee Member support of the program; and staff agreed to provide Subcommittee Members with the MTP presentation. Mayor McMorrin invited public comment. Alicia Ide, Management Analyst, indicated that no requests to speak had been received. o0o Item A-2 Receive Presentation and Discuss Use of Vendor Reusable Containers for Takeout, Delivery, and City Events Rene Hallen, Bouy, discussed reusable containers for takeout, delivery, and City events; the app-based system; participating restaurants; the free-of-charge system for consumers; ensuring that the system works for all communities; reusage fees charged to the restaurant; the closed loop system; materials and process used in the design and manufacture of the containers; food-safe plastic; working to get businesses and school systems involved; and the pilot phase. Discussion ensued between Bouy representatives, staff, and Subcommittee Members regarding costs; incentives; existing upcharges for take-out; customer data; minimum number of participants; permit and placement of collection bins; support of the Pride event and others; support of the program by the Downtown Business Association (DBA); ensuring that the program works for business-owners and the community; awareness of the service; restaurants that want to participate in the first wave of the program; functionality of the system; teaching people how to use the system; Sustainability Subcommittee of the City Council January 11, 2024 5 brainstorming for locations; teaming up with a local business for a washing facility; the timeline for implementation; coordination with local waste management; waste reduction; recovery; identified restaurants; synergy; financing; costs per restaurant to start up; and previous use of the company for a City event. Mayor McMorrin invited public comment. The following member of the public addressed the subcommittee: David Coles indicated that he would love to be a user of the system; he received clarification regarding the incentive for people to return the containers; and expansion of the system for those who do not use apps. Discussion ensued between Buoy representatives, staff, and Subcommittee Members regarding the honor system; the deposit system; trash thrown in the bins; expensive solutions to prevent anyone except those with containers from putting anything in the bins; placing the bins adjacent to trash bins; the need to sign up online; and checking a box to choose the option of reusable containers when ordering online. o0o Item A-3 Receive Presentation and Discuss Status of Zero Waste Program at City Facilities Wallis Nash, Senior Management Analyst, provided a presentation on the Zero Waste Program at City facilities; discussed the original phased plan; additional efforts; webpages; expansion of waste reduction regulations to all City facilities; the waste reduction action plan checklist; the recent waste assessment conducted; continued outreach; establishing a volunteer from each department and division to be part of the Zero Waste Green Team; distribution of containers; determining a diversion percentage; creation of an annual report; research techniques to further reduce waste; implementation of reusable utensils and dishwashers outside of City Hall; inspection of City facilities; recommendations made; implementation; results of the waste characterization of City Hall; lack of contamination; opportunities for improvement in trash; items that could be Sustainability Subcommittee of the City Council January 11, 2024 6 recycled; the Zero Waste Holiday party; providing refresher training for staff; reminders about waste reduction regulations; access to the instructional video; the partnership with Recycle Coach; and information available at CulverCityRecycles.com. Discussion ensued between staff and Subcommittee Members regarding appreciation for the presentation and the work done; support for efforts to create a shift in culture; supporting the expansion to educate the community; analytics; number of people utilizing Recycle Coach; strategies for improvement; social media outreach; increased usage of the under-utilized program; metrics; incentives; identification of barriers to participation; improving participation; costs involved; one-time costs budgeted; education; and a suggestion to station someone by receptacles to educate people. Mayor McMorrin invited public comment. The following members of the public addressed the Subcommittee: Michelle Weiner proposed a Culver City reduction app; discussed Culver City as a leader in sustainability; providing tips to everyday people on how to reduce waste; the zero waste event co-hosted by the City in May; the repair café planned at Vets; the electronic waste disposal event; the community building event; the zero waste potluck; and giving away objects in good repair. Additional discussion ensued between staff and Subcommittee Members regarding a suggestion to provide an aggregate of the sustainable related events coming up on the website. Adrian Colesberry, Bouy, noted their need for a washing center and proposed borrowing during the pilot program. o0o Item A-4 Receive Update and Discuss Improvements to Sustainability Webpages Mayor McMorrin invited public comment.
Sustainability Subcommittee of the City Council January 11, 2024 7 The following member of the public addressed the Subcommittee: David Coles noted that the website was not the most user-friendly and he was looking forward to seeing improvements. Discussion ensued between staff and Subcommittee Members regarding the timeline for the project with the consultant; staff indicated that they would provide a report at the next meeting; use of CulverCityRecylcles.com as the launching spot for all initiatives; the task of the consultant; removing outdated information; pulling in other items related but outside of Public Works or Environmental Programs and Operations; tying in sustainability initiatives; and consolidating Environmental Programs and Operations in one place. o0o Item A-5 Receive Update and Discuss City-wide Sustainability Plans Sean Singletary, Environmental Programs and Operations Manager, discussed the CCUSD presentation; the webpage update; sustainability programs throughout Culver City; legislative requirements; providing opportunity for residents to make complaints about non-compliance with waste regulations for staff to investigate; current sustainability initiatives in the City; the Urban Forestry Master Plan; water efficiency and conservation; and replacement of grass with drought tolerant landscaping. Dani Cullens, Recreation and Community Services Manager, discussed the Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (WELO); replacing decorative grass with drought tolerant plantings; and use of a consultant to evaluate compliance. Discussion ensued between staff and Subcommittee Members regarding budgeting for projects; timing of making a budget request; and encouragement for staff to look into the matter and return. Joe Susca, Senior Management Analyst, discussed a previous presentation on the Parkway Ordinance related to residential parkways requiring drought tolerant landscaping if a resident wants to alter parkway planting and irrigation; free City Sustainability Subcommittee of the City Council January 11, 2024 8 review of plans; he also discussed the purchase of 100% power from the Clean Power Alliance; and customer participation. Discussion ensued between staff and Subcommittee Members regarding making it harder to opt out; the Sustainable Business Certification Program; criteria established by the California Green Business Network; those who certify and those who innovate; inclusion of the pilot program for reusable takeout containers; CCUSD accomplishments; additional City programs spread across different departments; absence of a sustainability plan; making it easier for people to find all the programs; appreciation for the participation of different department teams working and supporting the vision of a more sustainable Culver City; helping people see the bigger picture; creation of one page listing all programs with links; showing how things work together; appreciation for the hard work; a suggestion to have the initiative come from the City Manager’s Office; leadership from the top to create a comprehensive plan; strategic planning in February; support for education around existing efforts; the City Sustainability Report Card; and required reporting to the state. Mayor McMorrin invited public comment. The following members of the public addressed the Subcommittee: David Coles expressed support for the work being done noting that he always wants more; he discussed consuming vs. generating clean power; putting rooftop solar on City-owned buildings; gas-powered leaf blowers used by the Parks Department that barely meet requirements that the public is supposed to follow; crews maintaining the grounds around City Hall; he pointed out that more could be done; and he noted his previous comments about proposed agenda items. Michelle Weiner expressed appreciation for Subcommittee interest in providing a more cohesive arrangement so everyone can benefit; discussed a video from 2014 called Reimagining the Parkways; and she indicated that she would try to find the video and provide it to staff. Jane Leonard provided background on herself noting that her comments were her own; she reported that the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission was working on language to assist with the opportunity to bring municipal water Sustainability Subcommittee of the City Council January 11, 2024 9 efficiency compliance to the City Council; discussed her efforts to promote proper sorting; the differences between trash and recyclables; bins; informational refrigerator magnets; she indicated she would be available to help with bringing the program to multi-family residential complexes; and she noted that people needed to be educated regarding parkways and the inability to use artificial turf. Discussion ensued between staff and Subcommittee Members regarding having a Green Ambassador in multi-family developments. Joe Susca, Senior Management Analyst, discussed solar programs; carbon-free and renewable programs; the focus on resiliency; suspension of installing a micro-grid at the Veterans Memorial Complex until future plans for the facility have been determined; Vets as the emergency evacuation shelter in partnership with the American Red Cross; the value of generating power onsite; investigation of community solar programs; participation by the Clean Power Alliance; and the inability to meet required criteria for participation. Samantha Ortega, Charger Help, discussed repair of charging stations for electric vehicles; reliability; the importance of including successful charging infrastructure in planning; different parties involved; addressing recurring issues; connectivity; and she indicated that she would provide additional information. Discussion ensued between staff and Subcommittee Members regarding the number of electric charging stations available at City facilities owned and operated by EVGo via a private partnership that serves any make and model of EV car; the plan to help the community transition; the partnership agreement with an EV operator company; plans to transition the City fleet to all electric vehicles; appreciation to Assembly Member Bryan for funding; the deadline for compliance with SB1383; properties with limited space; waivers; the importance of having a Green Ambassador program; outreach; consideration of individual properties; targeted mailings; signup sheets; a planned presentation to the Chamber of Commerce; outreach to multi-family properties; having those interested communicate with staff; backyard composting; minimal response to surveys; greenhouse gas reduction; regulations requiring trucking in compost; and efforts to do things within Culver City.
Sustainability Subcommittee of the City Council January 11, 2024 10 o0o Public Comment for Items NOT on the Agenda Mayor McMorrin invited public participation. Alicia Ide, Management Analyst, indicated that no requests to speak had been received. o0o Items from Subcommittee Members/Staff Discussion ensued between staff and Subcommittee Members regarding items for the next meeting; the City-wide stormwater project; compliance; waiting on the report requested on community engagement efforts; expanding outreach; allowing people to take advantage of City programs; reducing barriers to participation; sustainability goals; engagement with multi-family projects regarding waste; providing a report on leaf blower compliance; partnership with West Los Angeles College; community interest; time sensitive items; the polystyrene ban; balloons, cigarettes, single-use beverage containers, and plastic bags; the request to the City Council; feedback on prioritization; efforts to stick to the every other month schedule; and agreement on the date for the next meeting. o0o