SC 01-18-2018CITY OF CUPERTINO SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION
Environmental Education Center 22221 McClellan Road
Thursday January 18, 2018 4:00 p.m.
MINUTES
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
Commissioners Present: Angela Chen, Gary Latshaw, Vignesh Swaminathan, Anna
Weber (arrived @4:08 p.m.), Meera Ramanathan (arrived @4:16 p .m .)
Commissioners Absent: none
Staff: Misty Mersich, Sustainability Manager; Cheri Donnelly, Environmental Programs
Manager; Brian Babcock, Public Information Officer
Members of Public: Joan Chin
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Action Item: Draft minutes of December 21, 2017 meeting reviewed . Motion to approve
the minutes was made by Commissioner Swaminathan and 2nd b y Commissioner
Latshaw. Motion passed 3-0-2, with Commissioners Weber and Ramanathan absent.
POSTPONEMENTS
None.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
None.
OLD BUSINESS
1. Subject: Finalize Sustainability Champion category for CREST Awards
Brian Babcock, Public Information Officer, summarized the new CREST Awards
categories for this year, which include: Lifetime Achievement, Volunteer of the Year,
Volunteer Organization of the Year, Rising Star, Innovator of the Year, Public Safety
Person of the Year, and Distinguished Artist of the Year. Commissioners discussed with
Mr. Babcock the appropriate name and application questions for a sustainability award.
It was determined that the award will be called "Sustainability Champion of the Year,"
and there will be three questions for the application:
1. What did the nominee do?
2. How is the action ilmovative, exceptional, exemplary or inspirational?
3. What was the current or future impact on the community/environment? (include
quantitative impacts if possible)
The call for nominations will go out at the end of January with applications due
February 28t h. At the March meeting the Commission will review all applications and
choose a wilmer.
NEW BUSINESS
2. Subject: Cherry Blossom Festival and other festival planning
This year the festival is April 28th & 29th. The Commissioners are interested in tabling for
one of the days. Staff will reach out to the PIO office to see if any other commissions or
City departments plan to table and explore the possibility of sharing a table.
4. Subject: Student Green Grant Guidelines
Commissioners Weber and Ramanathan distributed a draft of a green grant that would
be given to K-12 students. Grant awards will be given up to $250. Commissioners
discussed details of the program, and Commissioners Weber and Ramanathan will
work on revising the guidelines to be disseminated to all the commissioners before
posting and advertising. Staff will look into ways of reaching out to the high schools, as
Peachjar might only be for CUSD.
4. Subject: Sustainability Speaker Series planning
Commissioners Latshaw and Chen announced confirmation of a speaker from NASA
for a talk to be held on April 12 th at 6:30 p .m. in Community Hall. The Commission
discussed how to set up Community Hall for the event. Staff will look into getting a
large screen that can be set up in the middle of the room. The Commissioners would
like to serve refreshments. Commissioner Chen will reach out to the library to create a
flyer and advertise.
5. Subject: Supporting Climate Legislation
Commissioner Latshaw reported that there are some bills and legislation that the
Commission might want to support, particularly SB100: 100 % clean energy and AB1745:
related to zero emissions cars by 2040. Commissioners discussed the best action, and it
was determi11ed that Commissioner Latshaw will draft a letter to be circulated among
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the commissioners that can be sent on to the Legislation Action Committee for
consideration.
STAFF AND COMMISSION REPORTS
Commission Reports:
Commissioner Swaminathan reported that he contacted Santa Clara University and
they cannot bring the Sustainable House to Cupertino, due to cost restrictions.
Commissioner Weber announced that students at Kennedy Middle School are starting a
composting program. City staff is providing material bins. The school is going to
conduct a waste audit and the students will create videos and posters.
Staff Updates:
• There are two new vacancies on the Commission, as terms expire for
Commissioners Latshaw and Chen at the end of January 2018. Interviews for the
positions take place on January 23rd.
• The Mayors State of the City will take place on January 31 st .
• Sustainability Division to hire a new Climate Corps Bay Area member, who will
start in mid-February.
• Sponsorships for Earth Day are being accepted this year. Silicon Valley Clean
Energy has signed up as the first sponsor.
• Cheri Donnelly reported on a recently awarded a food rescue grant from
CalRecycle .
ADJOURNMENT-5:51 p.m.
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