2015-10-05 Committee on the Environment Minutes
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENT
October 5, 2015
After determining that a quorum of the Committee on the Environment of the Denton City
Council was present, the Committee on the Environment thereafter convened into an Open
Meeting on Monday, October 5, 2015 at 1:33 p.m. in the City Council Work Session Room 215
E. McKinney, Denton, Texas.
Present: Council Member Dalton Gregory, Council Member Joey Hawkins and Council
Member Keely Briggs
Also Present: Howard Martin, Kenneth Banks, Katherine Barnett, Shirlene Sitton and Annie
Bunger
1. REGULAR MEETING:
A. COE15-008
Hold a discussion and elect a Chair for the Committee on the Environment.
Motion by Hawkins for Gregory to remain the Chair. Second by Briggs.
B. COE15-010
Consider approval of the Committee on the Environment meeting minutes of August 3, 2015.
Approved with one correction.
C. COE-15-006
Receive a report hold a discussion regarding City of Denton Building Codes, home ventilation
requirements and 2016 Building codes.
Katherine Barnett introduced Jim Hemsell from A Closer Look Inspections. He has been
conducting energy audits under our program for the past eight months. He spoke about home
ventilation options and building code changes for 2016.
Hemsell said Energy Code on
September 1, 2016. In that code there is a requirement for mechanical ventilation on houses. It
is designed to have no more than three air changes per hour in zone three. Hawkins asked the
definition of an air change. Hemsell explained it would be the air that is moved from a building
and replaced by outside air per hour. By reducing the air changes you reduce the amount of run
time on the HVAC equipment, which saves energy. Currently there are three models that are
used in the area; exhaust ventilation, central fan integrated supply ventilation system and
balanced ventilation system.
Gregory added that this translates into new house construction such that it dictates the kind of
HVAC system that is put in and the size of the exhaust fans. Hemsell answered the energy code
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October 5, 2015
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the capacity of the HVAC systems. A 14 seer unit is supposed to be the minimum you can buy
in the southern climate.
The mechanical ventilation requirements went into effect because of the potential of making
houses too air tight. The code is slowly moving to a balance, where if you pump out 50 CFM
you pump in 50 CFM.
Gregory asked the significance of zones. Hemsell answered it deals with temperature and
humidity. There are eight zones throughout the United States. Construction is also taken into
account in the different zones of the United States. The zone that Denton is in is has the tightest
criteria as far as air changes and solar heat co-efficient, U and R values. That started about five
years ago. Climate, humidity and growth has a lot to do with it as well.
There was discussion regarding how new houses are inspected for energy responsiveness.
Barnett added that this will roll into the building code instead of the International Energy
Conservation Code 2015. This does not apply to commercial.
D. COE15-009
Provide a report and hold a discussion regarding dumpster enclosure issues, and amending
Section 35.13 of the Denton Development Code regarding Solid Waste and Recycling Facilities
Design Standards.
Shirlene Sitton, Zero Waste Manager, talked about this item. There are two major issues. One
has to do with the development code and standards for new development, which do not apply to
existing structures.
Gregory stated this has to do with the goal for Denton to have 40 percent recycling. When we
look at multifamily and commercial we are not close. Sitton agreed. Unless there are changes
and have policy direction recycling percentages will stay the same.
Hawkins stated there are recycling and trash dumpsters, are people just not recycling. Sitton
stated it is extremely complicated. There are ambiguous statements about what exactly is wanted
as a whole, including existed and multifamily complexes.
Sitton stated it is important to have parking spaces so the question is would recycling be a higher
priority. The clear standards for parking spaces take precedence. Landscaping requirements,
would that be more important than recycling.
Sitton talked about an email that was received regarding recycling at a particular multifamily
place. The multifamily would like recycling however there is only an enclosure for trash. With
the Development Code that went into effect you have to have enclosures. Martin asked for new
multifamily construction is there a mandatory requirement through the code process that requires
recycling. Sitton answered no. Martin stated if we are ever going to reach the 40 percent total
waste diversion then multifamily and commercial will have to be addressed. As a function of
new development there is no mandatory requirement at this point. The most difficult will be the
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October 5, 2015
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dumpsters in the right of way or on the street. The easier portion of the problem would be how
we treat multifamily and commercial moving forward.
Gregory added that some of the policies need to be changed so the departments can get goals
accomplished. We also need to change policies to require all new construction to have an
enclosure that includes recycling as well as garbage.
Martin added that the first step is to address new construction and then work toward the more
difficult issues. Sitton stated that this summer staff has been working to remove dumpsters from
the right of way or the curb. This is voluntary not everyone did this. There are not clear rules
regarding existing containers. Many businesses did work with staff. There are no consequences
for not complying.
Sitton added that Ron Menguita is the planning personnel that helps with the enclosure problem.
He was completed a lot of work on this over the years. Staff is ready to change the Development
Code but there have been problems. Infill problems came and clouded the overall update. There
is a balance with efficiently and flexibility. The information that is in the back up is what went
to P&Z earlier. Gregory asked if P&Z passed it. Sitton agreed it was passed with stipulations. It
did not go to Council. Menguita stated there was no official public hearing through Planning and
Zoning Commission to move forward. There were questions to address and it
was ready to move forward. Staff believes it is ready now. Hawkins asked if it needs to go back
through P&Z. Menguita believes it does. Gregory asked if this is modified or the same as what
was reviewed before by P&Z. Menguita stated the three things that was brought up before was
public view, location and gates for enclosures. Gregory asked if any modifications have been
based on the three concerns. Sitton added that the
seen. If it is in the back then gates are not required.
Sitton added since Solid Waste is under the purview of the Public Utilities Board and not
Planning and Zoning there were questions and concerns. Martin added that if something is
brought to a Board or Commission that is not in their normal purview there are many more
questions and sometimes consensus is harder to achieve. Menguita stated there were four work
sessions during 2012. Recommended to take back to P&Z.
Sitton then talked about multifamily and commercial recycling. San Antonio has a great
program. There is a stipulation regarding landscaping and parking spaces that says recycling
would take priority. That makes it easier on code enforcement. Fort Worth, Dallas, Austin and
San Antonio all have multifamily recycling ordinances. Austin has a zero waste plan, with a
universal recycling ordinance. Many cities provide residential collections but do not provide
commercial collections.
Gregory believes it will be easier if the issues are separated. Talk about code issues for new
construction as the first objective. Martin clarified; new construction multifamily or new
construction commercial. Gregory answered both, Briggs and Hawkins agreed.
Minutes of Committee on the Environment Meeting
October 5, 2015
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The Direction is to recommend to Planning and Zoning to review and make a recommendation to
the full Council, Code Amendments that require recycling accommodations for multifamily and
commercial.
This will go to P&Z, if there are many changes bring back to this Committee, otherwise take to
Council for approval.
Briggs clarified that if a person that lives in a multifamily structure and wants to recycle the only
option is to visit a recycling center. Sitton agreed.
Gregory asked if staff has looked at a program to add recycling to a multifamily place that would
like to have it, but does not have the funds to accomplish it. Sitton answered as an enterprise
fund that could get very expensive. The enclosure rules are not the only issue, there are many
Gregory stated that the Committee on the Environment would recommend that staff work on a
more comprehensive plan for recycling that will be very likely to increase the amount of
recycling in the City, specifically to multifamily and commercial.
Martin asked if the current 40 percent goal is satisfactory. There was a consensus to get to the 40
percent goal.
Sitton added that the terminology for zero waste gives you starting goals and goals as the
program progresses.
Gregory suggested talking to restaurants and businesses to use packaging that is recyclable.
nutrition department is an enterprise fund also. They hire minimal amount of staff to prepare
food and clean up to keep the cost down. Briggs added if they could find creative solutions it
would make a significant difference.
Gregory stated downtown looks better as far as enclosures and dumpsters are concerned. He
would like to ride in a trash truck.
E. COE15-007
ACM Update
1) FY Update on Energy and Water Audit
2) Update on iSWM
3) Denton Sustainable Schools
4) Matrix
F. Under Section 551.042 of the Texas Open Meetings Act, respond to inquiries from the
Committee on the Environment or the public with specific factual information or recitation of
policy, or accept a proposal to place the matter on the agenda for an upcoming meeting AND
Under Section 551.0415 of the Texas Open Meetings Act, provide reports about items of
Minutes of Committee on the Environment Meeting
October 5, 2015
Page 5 of 5
community interest regarding which no action will be taken, to include: expressions of
thanks, congratulations, or condolence; information regarding holiday schedules; an honorary
or salutary recognition of a public official, public employee, or other citizen; a reminder
about an upcoming event organized or sponsored by the governing body; information
regarding a social, ceremonial, or community event organized or sponsored by an entity other
than the governing body that was attended or is scheduled to be attended by a member of the
governing body or an official or employee of the municipality; or an announcement
involving an imminent threat to the public health and safety of people in the municipality that
has arisen after the posting of the agenda.
Hawkins would like a presentation on concrete that absorbs water
G. The meeting was adjourned by consensus at 3:15 p.m.