FLOWER MOUND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION COMMISSION MEETING OF JULY 7, 2009 PAGE 1 THE FLOWER MOUND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON THE 7TH DAY OF JULY, 2009, IN THE FLOWER MOUND TOWN HALL, LOCATED AT 2121 CROSS TIMBERS ROAD IN THE TOWN OF FLOWER MOUND, COUNTY OF DENTON, TEXAS, AT 6:30 P.M. The Environmental Conservation Commission met in regular session, with the following members present: Jay Yost Chair Carol Kohankie Member Kelly McDonald Member Alton Bowman Member Brian Kichan Member with members absent: Freddie Guerra Vice Chair James Brown Member Gary Rowen Alternate Member constituting a quorum with the following members of Town staff participating: Matthew Woods Director of Environmental Services Jared Martin Environmental Review Analyst Racheal Haynes Environmental Services, Administration Tom Hayden Town Council Liaison A. CALL REGULAR MEETING TO ORDER Chair Yost called the meeting to order at 6:33 p.m. B. CITIZENS/VISITORS COMMENTS None. C. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Chair Yost led the Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance. D. COMMISSION MEMBER REPORTS • Recycling update. Chair Yost stated that there are several questions needing to be answered. One, being, “What are other cities doing?” He then discussed ECC’s role and what can or can not be addressed realistically. Lastly, Chair Yost inquired about the current contract and how the ECC can work with Customer Relations to better this contract in the future. FLOWER MOUND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION COMMISSION MEETING OF JULY 7, 2009 PAGE 2 Councilmember Hayden expressed that first, it would be best for the Town to get through the budget process. He stated that there would probably be more direction from Town Council on this subject in the fall. Chair Yost inquired when the current recycling contract would expire. Councilmember Hayden responded that he knew the contract was up in two years and negotiations would probably begin in the next year. Commission Member Kohankie suggested that she would like to work towards mandatory recycling. Commission Member Kichan stated that household hazardous waste should be a component of the program as well. Commission Member Kohankie responded that prescription drug disposal was also very important. Commission Member McDonald stated that the Commission should establish their recycling goals. • Connemara Conservancy conservation easement monitoring reports. Chimney Rock Chair Yost stated that the report seemed surprisingly brief. He then inquired as to whether or not the Town had representation at their annual HOA meeting. Mr. Woods responded that he would inquire about staff attending in the future. Chair Yost asked whether or not the Town had been inspecting the property. He also inquired about any comments made by the Town on this property in the last year. Mr. Woods responded that when an issue arises, staff is usually contacted first. Mr. Woods explained that all of the items in this report have been acknowledged and referenced by staff. He stated that the noted concerns are usually entered into an inspection database for staff to address. Staff then works directly with Connemara to resolve issues. The Sanctuary Chair Yost again stated that he was concerned with the report being so brief. He then asked if the Town had done any recent walks on the property. Mr. Woods responded that staff usually only goes out if there is an issue in the easement. He stated that staff had been on the property several times, mainly in reference to drainage. FLOWER MOUND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION COMMISSION MEETING OF JULY 7, 2009 PAGE 3 E. STAFF REPORT • Update on Dutch Elm Disease. Jared Martin informed the Commission that there had been no new cases found this year. He stated that there was educational information on the issue posted to the Town’s website. Mr. Martin said that staff was going out on weekly inspections to various pieces of land through out town to look for the disease. Mr. Woods stated that the educational information had also been sent to the HOA Coalition. • Update on Land Trust. Mr. Woods informed the Commission that the Town Attorney had completed a legal analysis of the land trust, and it had been sent to the Town Manager for his review. Once it is approved, it will then be distributed to the Town Council. Chair Yost asked that the ECC receive a copy of the final Council Communication. F. CONSENT AGENDA Chair Yost read the item on the Consent Agenda. Commission Member Kohankie made a motion to approve consent Item 1. Commission Member McDonald seconded the motion. The item, as approved by consent, was re-stated below along with the approved recommendation for the record. 1. Consider approval of the minutes from the regular meeting of the Environmental Conservation Commission held on June 2, 2009. RECOMMENDATION: Move to accept the minutes as written. VOTE ON THE MOTION AYES: Commission Members Kohankie, McDonald, Kichan and Chair Yost. NAYS: None. ABSENT: Vice Chair Guerra, Commission Members Bowman, Brown, and Alternate Commission Member Rowen. The motion passed with a vote of 4-0. G. ADJOURNMENT – REGULAR MEETING FLOWER MOUND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION COMMISSION MEETING OF JULY 7, 2009 PAGE 4 Chair Yost adjourned the regular meeting at 7:13 p.m. H. CALL WORK SESSION TO ORDER Chair Yost called the Work Session to order at 7:13 p.m. I. WORK SESSION ITEMS 2. Green Building Program presentation. Matthew Woods presented. (Note: The power point presentation can be obtained from the Environmental Services office.) Chair Yost stated that he felt as if the current program is not getting used. He suggested that the Town either provide more incentives, or simply evaluate if the program is useful at all. Councilmember Hayden stated that at the next Town Council meeting they would be discussing commercial abatements. He suggested that the Commission recommend to Council possible tax abatement for participation in the Green Building Program. Commission Member McDonald inquired as to what other certifications Green Builders were seeking. Mr. Woods responded that options included such things as Energy Star or LEED certifications. Commission Member McDonald inquired as to why we needed a Town certification versus offering Energy Star or LEED certifications. Mr. Woods responded that in 2003, when the program was adopted, Flower Mound wanted a more unique program. Furthermore, he stated it is an option for the Town to consider promoting Energy Star or LEED in conjunction with a Town certification. Chair Yost inquired about the City of Dallas’ program. Mr. Woods responded that Dallas is moving from a voluntary type program to a more mandatory program. Mr. Martin responded that Dallas adopted their program last year, but it doesn’t go into effect until October 1, 2009. He stated that their program is a phased program. Mr. Martin stated that our program is more similar to the City of Frisco except their program is also mandatory. They have a focus on energy consumption and water-use rather than landscaping and disposal of waste. FLOWER MOUND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION COMMISSION MEETING OF JULY 7, 2009 PAGE 5 Chair Yost asked how these cities presented this mandatory program to their Councils. Mr. Woods responded that it would be beneficial to do more research on Frisco’s program. Commission Member Bowman stated that there should be a focus on the benefits to the developer in order to be successful. Chair Yost suggested the possibility of Flower Mound having a phased program. The first phase, being a mandatory program and the second phase, being a LEED certification. He asked how the Council might entertain this idea. Councilmember Hayden responded that he anticipated questions about the cost and/or the difficulty to build in Flower Mound. Commission Member McDonald stated that she agreed with Chair Yost’s suggestion of a phased approach. She suggested that there be the possibility of a voluntary LEED program, then a set of requirements that are more specific to our community. Chair Yost stated that a mandatory program may be difficult, let alone the inspections to continue in the future. Commission Member Kichan stated that not every aspect of the program can be tested, or inspected, once construction is complete. It may be difficult to inspect in future years. Commission Member Bowman suggested that there may be some kind of national recognition, like Tree City USA, that would help reinforce the suggestion of a mandatory program. Commission Member McDonald suggested research between the Town’s program, Energy Star, and LEED programs. Mr. Woods responded that there is actually some lap between the programs. Commission Member McDonald suggested that the Town incentify something valuable to residence and developers beyond Flower Mound. Chair Yost suggested that staff review standards, especially specific requirements, percentages, etc, as some standards may have been updated since the ordinances’ adoption in 2003. Mr. Woods responded that this type of review was conducted three years ago but it is time to review again. FLOWER MOUND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION COMMISSION MEETING OF JULY 7, 2009 PAGE 6 Chair Yost discussed Frisco’s landscaping requirements. He commented that other organizations are recommending not only “native” but “adaptive” species as long as they are drought tolerant. Commission Member Kohankie asked if residence could remove grass to put in native landscaping. Mr. Woods responded that there is currently not a Town ordinance that requires grass, but ground cover or grass is required before a house or project receives final approval. Furthermore, residents must also inquire with their HOA for specific regulations in the subdivision as well. Commission Member Bowman suggested that residence plant all native just to be safe. Commission Member McDonald suggested that the term “native” remain. Commission Member Kohankie agreed to the same. Chair Yost asked for comments from the Commission regarding advancing the program from voluntary to mandatory.