GHG Baseline:

Melanie began by highlighting the importance of conducting a greenhouse gas inventory and its necessity in helping us set reduction targets based on our current status. She went on to explain some of the ways that joining ICLEI can help Grand Forks in measuring our emissions through certain software that they have now and more that will be made available next spring. After looking at different options, the subcommittee recommended to the commission that we work with an experienced UND post-graduate student, beginning after the first of the year. The group supported the recommendation, and the subcommittee will now schedule a meeting with the mayor’s office to look at ways to approach the plan.

Transportation:

Dexter summarized the status of the subcommittee fairly quick, noting that there has been a good amount of discussion and planning, but no real recommendations had been put together. The subcommittee thoroughly discussed bus ridership in Grand Forks, with Dexter proposing that we consider working out a way to make it free in the future. He then mentioned their discussion on fuel substitutions and the thought that it would be rather costly and possibly not even reduce carbon emissions. There was also discussion on working out a way to partner with UND on a single bus service. At the next meeting Dexter said they plan on looking at City fleet numbers, the bike program, and would like to come up with a ten year reduction plan with hard numbers and data.

Alternative and Renewable Energies:

Judel started by discussing possible ideas (e.g. methane) involving the landfill situation, as well as the wastewater treatment facility, and noted that they were still gathering lots of information. She identified sources that would provide much more discussion, including areas such as wind, hydrogen, solar energy, and more. She brought up the idea of ground source heat pumps and some possibilities there, but questioned the applicability of solar power and wind in the Grand Forks area. Some members of the commission felt that, while maybe difficult, there are ways to make both of these energy sources work with our situation. The location of a new industrial park was mentioned, noting that we should look at strategic planning to allow for future energy projects. Other areas that were briefly mentioned include: compiling a list of projects taking place at UND, pump efficiency, and water reuse and drought management.

Next Meeting: Thursday January 10, 2008, 4:30 pm @ EERC

Land-Use:

Andrei began by explaining how the subcommittee has been comparing Grand Forks with other cities of the same size in order to determine what is applicable to our situation. They also looked at programs such as Maryland’s Smart Growth Initiative to see what kinds of approaches cities are taking across the United States. He briefly mentioned that while Grand Forks saw population decline around the time of the flood, the size of the city continued to grow. Andrei concluded by mentioning the need for a citizen representative to join their subcommittee. They have a number of students and are getting plenty of input about on-campus living, but would like to hear more about non-university living in the area.

Next Meeting: Friday January 4, 2008 5 pm Location: TBA

Municipal Buildings and Facilities:

Tom began by bringing up the international energy code, something the city hasn’t adopted, and that the subcommittee is looking into. He went on to explain ways that we can reduce energy inputs through insulation changes. Another idea that was brought up was rooftop wind generation that can power buildings and would allow us to sell excess energy to companies. The commission also brought up geothermal and ground source energy, to which the payback timeline issue was questioned. Some said a twenty-five year payback would be realistic, while others argued it would be closer to ten years.

Next Meeting: Thursday January 3, 2008 6 pm GF City Hall Room A101

Recycling and Urban Forests:

The first idea brought up by Mike was a Plant a Tree Day that would involve the entire community rather than just elementary aged students. It was mentioned that a flood control tree planting project could take place by Belmont if an Xcel grant is awarded to the City. Another idea other than tree planting, as Mike stated, could be the restoration of prairie grasses, as they help absorb emissions as well. In terms of recycling, a big issue was the availability to apartments, or lack there of, as well as ways to make recycling easy. It was stated that comingling of waste has been a good first step in making recycling more convenient. Other ideas mentioned were the banning of bottled water and only allowing tap water, having a green clause for special events on city property, and getting a local bar to set an example for others by recycling glass, cardboard, etc.

Public Education:

The first and main point made by Tina was that they want to empower the people rather than using scare tactics to force them into doing something they don’t want to. She mentioned that they want to be the PR hub for all other subcommittees, so others should feel free to give them ideas. The subcommittee essentially came up with a list of almost forty ideas, while Tina outlined some of the main ones: having a “Green Walk” around town (like the Art and Wine walk) that would introduce people to green ideas taking place around the city, having a sustainability seminar at the university, media strategies that involve the Herald, television spots, and human interest stories, a green directory for Grand Forks (listing “green” businesses), and possibly the most important idea, getting someone to run a website.

Local, State, and Federal Policy:

Rebecca mentioned that they were looking at both top-down and bottom-up approaches. They were considering ways the City could initiate certain issues and ideas, as well as getting members from the commission to interact and find more information. They are looking for ways to provide more information about what is going on at the state and federal levels of government, as many seem to have a grasp of what is happening at the local level, but are detached from the other two levels. She also mentioned that they are looking at ways to interact more with UND to find ways to work together on certain issues.

Economic Development:

This subcommittee has not yet met, but made it clear that more people are encouraged to join and bring ideas to their meetings.

Green3 Resource Committee will be held the third Thursday of the month, 6 pm at Grand Forks City Hall in City Council Chambers. The next meeting will be held on Thursday January 17, 6 pm at GF City Hall. For more information or to become involved please contact: Melanie Parvey-Biby at 746-2570 Ext. 232 or email: mparvey@grandforksgov.com

Meeting Notes by:

Matt Bonzer, Project Intern December 21, 2007