2016-04-04 Committee on the Environment Minutes
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENT
April 4, 2016
After determining that a quorum of the Mobility Committee of the Denton City Council was
present, the Mobility Committee thereafter convened into an Open Meeting on Monday, April 4,
2016 at 1:32 p.m. at the Central Fire Station in the Emergency Operations Center, 332 E.
Hickory Street, Denton, Texas.
Present: Council Member Dalton Gregory, Council Member Joey Hawkins and Council
Member Keely Briggs
Also Present: Howard Martin, ACM; Kenneth Banks, Director; Deborah Viera, Environmental
Compliance Coordinator; Stephanie Corley, Environmental Services
Sustainability & Grant Coordinator; Kathy Jack, Conservation Program
Coordinator; Charlie Rosendahl, Fleet Specialist; Terry Kader, Fleet Supervisor;
and Kim Mankin, Administrative Supervisor
1. REGULAR MEETING:
A. COE16-005 - Consider approval of the Mobility Committee meeting minutes of January 20,
2016.
Approved as circulated.
B. COE16-006 Receive a report, hold a discussion and give staff direction regarding the
current state of the alternative fuel vehicle fleet and implementing a Green Fleet Policy to
vehicles and equipment.
Terry Kader, Fleet Superintendent, gave the presentation talking points included; current fleet
status, alternative fuel strategies, clean fleet policy adoption, idle reduction strategies/policy and
the draft Green Fleet Policy.
Kader stated in the last year there has been about 54 alternative vehicles added. Hawkins is there
a certain department or something that was created that there is such an increase in vehicles.
Kader responded it is across the board.
Gregory would like a breakdown of different alternative vehicles. Kader will get that
information.
Kader showed a picture of the Renewable Fuel Station on Spencer Road at the Landfill and
talked about it in detail. Gregory stated a citizen asked if they can use the fuel station, Kader
answered it is for city vehicles only.
Kader then talked about the alternative fuel use as a percent of the total. Currently it is at 71%.
There are plans to have the equipment at the landfill to use an alternative blend in the near future.
Benchmarking and the clean fleet policy adoption was discussed. Some of the additions to the
policy include: expanded to include private sector, reduced petroleum consumption, promote
best practices related to vehicle auctions and emissions inspections, promote Clean Fleet Policy
adoption to private contractors and expanded to include overall fuel economy.
Idle reduction strategies for city owned vehicles currently include engine control module and
GPS tracking. Other strategies include driver training and a formal policy.
Gregory asked when City Council passed an anti-
vehicles. Banks answered it was for certain situations and applied to the city as a whole (i.e.
loading docks). The policy in and of itself would not apply to city vehicles because the
circumstances would be different. Banks added there was an anti-idling memo that was
produced for water and wastewater utilities. It is not city wide.
Gregory then asked if idle reduction will be addressed with City of Denton vehicles in the draft.
Kader answered it will. There are some vehicles that are exempt; fire, police and a few others.
The challenge will be policing the policy. Training will be important.
The different types of alternative vehicles and their uses were discussed for the different
departments.
The draft Green Fleet Policy was shown and goals were discussed.
Martin asked on the overall percentage of reduction of greenhouse gases, what are some of the
other people who are involved are they doing that by vehicle class or as an overall goal. Kadar
responded he has seen as an overall goal. As the City gets further into this, more will be
reviewed.
It is important to have a department team approach instead of a mandate policy.
Gregory consider incentives reduce fuel and keep the savings.
45.40
Recommendations and then to CC work session.
.
C. COE16-007 - ACM Update:
1. Bee Keeper Ordinance Discussion
2. Matrix
.
2. CONCLUDING ITEMS
A. 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
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.
Committee Members Toured of Rayzor Ranch.
Briggs Are Urban Gardens allowed in the front yard. Howard Martin will check into this and
bring back information.
Afbe.energy.gov
The meeting was adjourned by consensus at 2:52 p.m.