Brittney Jenkins 1 Environmental Quality &
Energy Conservation Commission
Recording Secretary May 02, 2024
May 02, 2024
MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF THE
TORRANCE ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY CONSERVATION COMMISSION
1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
The Torrance Environmental Quality and Energy Conservation Commission convened in a regular session at 6:01 p.m. on Thursday, May 2, 2024, in the West Annex Commission Meeting Room.
ROLL CALL
Present: Commissioners Hill, Jendrucko, Love, Montoya, Seferian, and Chair Stecker.
Absent: Commissioner Gunnar.
Also Present: Staff Liaison Nora Duncan and Community Development Director Michelle Ramirez.
MOTION: Commissioner Love moved to excuse the absence of Commissioner Gunnar.
Commissioner Hill seconded the motion; a roll call vote reflected a 4-0 approval (Commissioners Gunnar, Jendrucko, and Seferian absent).
2. FLAG SALUTE
Commissioner Hill led The Pledge of Allegiance.
3. REPORT OF STAFF ON THE POSTING OF THE AGENDA
Staff Liaison Duncan reported that the agenda was posted on the Public Notice Board at 3031 Torrance Boulevard on Thursday, April 25, 2024.
4. ANNOUNCEMENT OF WITHDRAWN, DEFERRED, AND/OR SUPPLEMENTAL ITEMS None.
5. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
None.
Commissioner Seferian joined the Commission at 6:04 p.m.
6. CONSENT CALENDAR
6A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: APRIL 4, 2024
MOTION: Commissioner Love moved to approve the April 4, 2024, minutes.
Commissioner Montoya seconded the motion; a roll call vote reflected a 5-0 approval (Commissioners Gunnar and Jendrucko absent).
Brittney Jenkins 2 Environmental Quality &
Energy Conservation Commission
Recording Secretary May 02, 2024
7. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
7A. REVIEW AND DISCUSS THE CLIMATE SMART AWARDS NOMINATION Staff Liaison Duncan presented Item 7A.
Staff Liaison Duncan stated that the Climate Smart Awards seek to recognize residents, students, schools, businesses, and organizations for their commitment to excellence in environmental stewardship and outstanding environmental achievements. Awards and criteria are in the following categories: Climate Smart Energy, Climate Smart Water, Climate Smart Youth, Climate Smart Community, and Climate Smart Business.
Staff Liaison Duncan presented Climate Smart Award nominees:
1. Climate Smart Youth nominee Bruce McCallum, a junior at West High Torrance, completed (2) climate smart projects in two years which included designing (3) shade structures and (2) planting tables for Torrance Parks and assisting the endangered monarch butterfly population by planting milkweed plants in various locations. Mr.
McCallum fundraised for both projects, raising $1000.00 for each.
Commissioner Jendrucko joined the Commission at 6:08 p.m.
No members of the public spoke.
MOTION: Commissioner Seferian moved to close public comment. Commissioner Hill seconded the motion; a roll call vote reflected a 6-0 approval (Commissioner Gunnar absent).
MOTION: Commissioner Love moved to award nominee Bruce McCallum to receive the Climate Smart Youth Award. Commissioner Seferian seconded the motion; a roll call vote reflected a 6-0 approval (Commissioner Gunnar absent).
2. Climate Smart Community nominee Trisha Minahan, an Environmental Science teacher at South High School, educates students on the importance of community engagement and advocates for wildlife restoration and sustainability.
Members of the Commission spoke.
No members of the public spoke.
MOTION: Commissioner Hill moved to award nominee Trisha Minahan to receive the Climate Smart Community Award. Commissioner Jendrucko seconded the motion; a roll call vote reflected a 6-0 approval (Commissioner Gunnar absent).
3. Climate Smart Community nominee Friends of Madrona Marsh Docent Tour Leaders are comprised of volunteers who give tours to provide residents an opportunity to spend time in natural, wild spaces and learn and support sustainable living with wildlife. In 2023, docents led (71) life study tours for (843) students and (183) teachers, led additional tours (Tykes for Hikes and Friday Fun), and hosted various events (Nature Story Time and Annual Nature Festival).
Brittney Jenkins 3 Environmental Quality &
Energy Conservation Commission
Recording Secretary May 02, 2024
No members of the public spoke.
MOTION: Commissioner Love moved to award nominee Friends of Madrona Marsh Docent Tours Leaders to receive the Climate Smart Community Award. Commissioner Seferian seconded the motion; a roll call vote reflected a 6-0 approval (Commissioner Gunnar absent).
4. Smart Youth Award nominee Thomas Machian, a member of the Ecology Club at North Torrance High School, helped to create drought resistant landscapes for (3) Torrance residents, completed his Eagle Service Project at Madrona Marsh by building a kiosk at the preserve entrance gate, and organized conservation projects around the preserve.
No members of the public spoke.
MOTION: Commissioner Jendrucko moved to award nominee Thomas Machian to receive the Climate Smart Youth Award. Commissioner Hill seconded the motion; a roll call vote reflected a 6-0 approval (Commissioner Gunnar absent).
5. Climate Smart Business Award nominee American Honda Motor Company, has an array of environmental sustainability programs, decreased corporate CO2 emissions by 29.5% in 2022, became 98.6% landfill free in 2022, and plan on having vehicles 100% electric by 2040.
No members of the public spoke.
MOTION: Commissioner Seferian moved to award nominee American Honda Motor Company to receive the Climate Smart Business Award. Commissioner Hill seconded the motion; a roll call vote reflected a 6-0 approval (Commissioner Gunnar absent).
6. Climate Smart Community Award nominee Mary Simun created a California native water- resistant garden in the front and back yard of her property (front yard receiving a Native Habitat plaque from the South Bay Parkland Conservancy) and displays acts of water preservation through water recycling. Ms. Simun is on the Board of Directors for the South Bay Parkland Conservancy, performs water quality testing for the South Bay Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation, rides her electric bike everywhere, and uses jackery power banks to recharge batteries.
Commissioner Jendrucko inquired if Ms. Simun could be awarded the Climate Smart Water Award in place of the Climate Smart Community Award due to her water conservation efforts. Community Development Director Ramirez confirmed that it was in the Commission’s purview to adjust the award category.
No members of the public spoke.
MOTION: Commissioner Jendrucko moved to award nominee Mary Simun to receive the Climate Smart Water Award. Commissioner Seferian seconded the motion; a roll call vote reflected a 6-0 approval (Commissioner Gunnar absent).
Brittney Jenkins 4 Environmental Quality &
Energy Conservation Commission
Recording Secretary May 02, 2024
7. Climate Smart Community Award nominee Doug Macmillan converted his home into a completely solar-reliant sanctuary and is an example on how to live fossil fuel free. Mr.
Macmillan provides presentations on environmentally sustainable living and the benefits of using induction cooking and is a founding member of California’s Virtual Power Plant.
Commissioner Jendrucko requested that nominee Doug Macmillan be awarded the Climate Smart Energy Award in place of the Climate Smart Community Award.
No members of the public spoke.
MOTION: Commissioner Hill moved to award nominee Doug Macmillan to receive the Climate Smart Energy Award. Commissioner Seferian seconded the motion; a roll call vote reflected a 6-0 approval (Commissioners Gunnar absent).
8. PUBLIC HEARINGS
None.
9. COMMISSION ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Chair Stecker inquired on the Honda North America presentation. Staff Liaison Duncan replied that Honda North American has not been contacted but staff was able to get ahold of Heal the Bay who will do a presentation August 2024.
Chair Stecker inquired about the Beautification Award. Community Development Director Ramirez replied that additional research is being done and will come back before the Commission in August as elections are in June, and July will be dark due to Independence Day.
Community Development Director Ramirez announced the Rock Around the Block event and stated that staff will provide the Commission with dates and times for volunteer consideration.
Staff Liaison Duncan stated that she will bring back the second half of the Commission Calendar in June or August.
Commissioner Montoya stated that he will be absent next scheduled meeting.
10. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: At 6:39 p.m. Commissioner Love moved to adjourn the meeting to Thursday, June 6, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. Commissioner Montoya seconded the motion; a roll call vote reflected a 6-0 approval (Commissioner Gunnar absent).
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Approved as submitted
June 6, 2024
s/ Rebecca Poirier, City Clerk