SC 03-15-2018CITY OF CUPERTINO SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION
Environmental Education Center 22221 McClellan Road
Thursday March 15, 2018 4:00 p .m .
MINUTES
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
Commissioners Present: Gary Latshaw, Anna Weber, Meera Ramanathan, Vignesh
Swaminathan, Angela Chen (arrived@4:20pm)
Commissioners Absent: None
Staff: Misty Mersich, Sustainability Manager; Cheri Donnelly, Environmental Programs
Manager
Members of Public: James Tuleya
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Action Item: Draft minutes of February 15, 2018 meeting reviewed. Motion to approve
the minutes was made by Commissioner Latshaw and 2nd by Commissioner Weber.
Motion passed 3-1-1, with Commissioner Chen absent and Commissioner Swaminathan
abstaining.
POSTPONEMENTS
None.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
James Tuleya representing Home Energy Analysis let the Commissioners know about
the Homelntel program available to Cupertino residents and any customer in PG&E
territory. Letters were sent to high energy users throughout the city to encourage them
to sign up and get help in reducing energy use.
OLD BUSINESS
1. Subject: CREST Awards -Selection of Sustainability Champion of the Year
Commissioners discussed the applications of the two nominees and whether it made
sense to have two separate categories for individuals vs. organizations next year.
Action Item: Motion to select Kristin Jensen Sullivan as the 2018 Sustainability
Champion of the Year was made by Commissioner Weber, 2nd by Commissioner
Swaminathan. Motion passed 4-0-1, with Commissioner Chen absent.
2. Subject: Sustainability Grants for Students
Commissioners were delighted to see so many applicants for the grant program from
many worthy projects. The Commissioners discussed keeping this program going and
offering it again in the fall. The original budget for this program would allow two
awardees; however, the Commissioners decided to increase their internal budget to
allow for one additional winner, for a total of three winners.
The awardees are:
1. John F. Kennedy Middle School: Green Commuters Project
2. DeVargas Elementary: Kindergarten Garden Project
3. Rolling Hills 4-H Club: Native Plant Education Project
Two of the applications were not awarded a grant but were referred to City staff to help
implement. This included a request to install waste bins at Wilson Park and to procure
Brute recycling bins for Eaton Elementary.
Action Item: Motion to select John F. Kennedy Middle School : Green Commuters
Project; DeVargas Elementary: Kindergarten Garden Project; and Rolling Hills 4-H
Club: Native Plant Education Project as the 2018 Student Sustainability Grant award ·
winners was made by Commissioner Ramanathan, 2nd by Commissioner Weber. Motion
passed 5-0.
3. Subject: Budget/Work plan
Commissioners reviewed and discussed the work plan and budget.
Commissioners will send Misty their availability for Earth Day tabling. No action
was taken.
NEW BUSINESS
None.
STAFF AND COMMISSION REPORTS
Commission Reports:
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Commissioner Chen attended the Urban Forestry Workshop. Commissioners Chen and
Latshaw talked with the Library Commission about an essay contest, and possibility of
partnering with them for their S4 program. They will send out information on the event.
Staff Updates:
• City is having Volunteer Fair on May 5th. Commissioners can volunteer to staff
the Commissioners table; if interested, let Misty know.
• SVCE Rates Update: PG&E raised their rates 10%; SVCE rates will be 6% below
PG&E rates -cheaper and cleaner!
• Earth Day is April 21 st. Commissioners were asked to email Misty with their
availability for the Sustainability Division/Commissioners table.
• The Homelntel program is up and running. Mailers went out to the high energy
users in the community and marketing has begun.
• Sustainability Speaker Series-April 12th_ Rose Grimes from NASA will speak @
Community Hall. Program starts @ 6:30pm.
ADJOURNMENT-6:15 p.m.
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