Meeting Minutes
Kansas City Climate Protection Plan
Carbon Offsets & Waste Management Work Group Meeting
January 16, 2007
The meeting was called to order at 4:00 p.m., by Jamie Frazier, Chairman. Meeting attendees signed an attendance roster.
Jamie Frazier provided introductory remarks, and:
• Summarized the reports made to the Steering Committee at their December 2006 meeting
• Reviewed the schedule of upcoming meetings that will lead to the preparation of the Phase I Climate Protection Plan for submittal to Mayor Barnes and the City Council in early April
• Noted that the presentations scheduled for today’s meeting address some of the topics that generated strong interest at the December 14, 2006 Work Group meeting.
Ted Hartsig, Applied Ecological Services made a presentation to the group on carbon sequestration. Some of the key points discussed included:
• Native prairies, in addition to forests, can provide carbon sequestration in our region. Up to 70% of the plant organic matter is in the very deep root systems of native grasses.
• Native vegetation provides ancillary benefits such as reducing stormwater runoff and providing cooling effects.
• Prairies can sequester approximately 1 ton of Carbon/acre/year.
• Group discussion noted that sequestration rates reported in the literature for forests ranges from approximately 0.5 to 4.5 ton C/acre/year.
• Kansas City might wish to explore becoming a member of the Chicago Climate Exchange. Ted has worked with that organization in the past and can provide contact names.
Stuart Bullington, Kansas City Water Services Department, made a presentation on the Ivanhoe Neighborhood 10,000 Rain Gardens project. Key points included:
• After being told the project qualified for funding, the City recently learned that the project would not be funded this year. The City is still interested in conducting the project and may look for alternative sources of funding.
• Information material was passed out to the group, including a case study in Baltimore. It was noted that the Baltimore project started with one funding source, but eventually grew to bring in 36 partners.
• The intent of the Ivanhoe project is to integrate stormwater management demonstrations with urban revitalization efforts. There are plans to construct 250 rain gardens, disconnect downspouts, and install rain barrels. Further, the project would hire 8 summer youths to help with the work, and work with homeowners on energy conservation issues.
• The neighborhood includes approximately 4,000 parcels, including 1,800 vacant lots. There are 238 land trust lots in the neighborhood. It is also hoped that ownership of some of them can be obtained for rain garden construction.
• A goal of the project will be to demonstrate means to replicate successes in other neighborhoods to help this type of program expand elsewhere.
Michael Shaw, Kansas City Solid Waste Division, made a presentation on recycling efforts in Kansas City. Key topics included:
• There were four landfills serving the Kansas City region, but one recently closed. In response, hauling and disposal fees are rising.
• The KC Recycles Program is doing well and growing. The value of materials collected by the vendors through curbside recycling should reach $2 million this year.
• Drop-off centers accept many items that are not included in curbside recycling
• The amount of trash Kansas City is collecting is going down.
• Neighborhood cleanup assistance programs are very popular.
• Kansas City going to start a pilot recycling program for pedestrians this spring, placing dual trash/recycling bins on street corners. The City is also starting a pilot program to use biodegradable trash bags.
• Other initiatives that are in the planning stages include: Mobile recycling centers that can be moved to various locations; Apartment recycling programs; Solar panels for recycling centers and drop-off locations; Food waste recycling program for City Market; Expanded composting of food and yard waste
• The City is also developing a Long Term Solid Waste Management Strategy to coordinate these initiatives
David Dods asked the group for feedback on topics they would like to hear discussed at the February 6, 2007 meeting. Suggested topics included:
• Promoting urban/local agriculture, to keep food production close to home, especially promoting no-till and organic approaches
• Urban forestry
• An update of the KC zoning ordinance changes that are underway, especially as they pertain to promoting landscape preservation and sustainable development
• Construction & Demolition Waste recycling
It was requested that all presentations should specifically cover the potential for greenhouse gas reductions provided by the topic
Participants were also asked to provide, prior to the next meeting, information on education and outreach activities relative to global warming that they are involved in or aware of. Staff will distribute a form to participants for this purpose. Materials are to be submitted to Jerry Shechter by February 1, 2007.
The next meeting is on February 6, 2007.