Agenda Packet - 2024-09-16AGENDA
Sustainability Advisory Board
16 September 2024
6:30 – 8:30 pm
Willow A Room, Lake Oswego Maintenance Center, 17601 Pilkington Rd
Staff Contact: Amanda Watson, awatson@lakeoswego.city
503-635-0291 380 A AVENUE PO BOX 369 LAKE OSWEGO, OR 97034 WWW.LAKEOSWEGO.CITY
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Jay Hamachek, Co-Chair ∙ Whitney Street, Co-Chair ∙ Kara Orvieto Ashley ∙ Robin Palao Bastardes Buzz Chandler ∙ Lisa Helfer ∙ Mark Puhlman ∙ Luna Flores ∙ Mason Klein
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. ROLL CALL
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
July 15, 2024 Meeting Minutes
4. PUBLIC COMMENT
The purpose of Public Comment is to allow community members to present information or raise an
issue regarding items not on the agenda or regarding agenda items that do not include a public hearing.
A time limit of three minutes per individual shall apply. Public Comment will not exceed thirty minutes
in total. If you are unable to attend the meeting and prefer to provide public comment in writing, please
email the comment to the staff contact listed above at least 24 hours before the meeting.
5. CITY COUNCIL UPDATE (10 min, Information)
6. YOUTH MEMBER UPDATES (10 min, Information)
7. STAFF UPDATES ON ONGOING PROJECTS (20 min, Information, Discussion)
a. Expanded Recycling Services
b. EV Charging Strategy
c. Integrating Climate into the CIP
8. 2024 GOALS: Community Education on Climate Action, Energy Efficiency & Clean Energy
(30 min, Discussion)
Debrief of September 7 Farmers Market tabling and discussion on next steps for this goal.
9. SOUTH SHORE FIRE STATION TASK FORCE (10 min, Decision)
Appoint an SAB representative to the task force.
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503-635-0291 380 A AVENUE PO BOX 369 LAKE OSWEGO, OR 97034 WWW.LAKEOSWEGO.CITY
10. BOARD UPDATES (10 min, Information)
11. ADJOURNMENT
Next Meeting: October 21, 2024, 6:30 – 8:30 pm
ATTACHMENTS: July 15 Draft Meeting Minutes
City of Lake Oswego Sustainability Advisory Board Minutes
July 15, 2024
Page 1 of 4
CITY OF LAKE OSWEGO
Sustainability Advisory Board Minutes
July 15, 2024
DRAFT
Call to Order / Roll Call
Whitney Street called the July 2024 meeting of the Sustainability Advisory Board to order at 6:35 pm.
Members Present: Buzz Chandler, Jay Hamachek, Lisa Helfer, Kara Orvieto, Robin
Palao, Whitney Street, Mason Klein, Matthew Coleman
(Alternate), Isabela Hollingshead (Alternate)
Members Excused/Absent: Mark Puhlman, Luna Flores, Councilor Trudy Corrigan
Staff: Amanda Watson
Public: Travis Comfort (Republic Services), Cindy Rogers (Republic
Services)
Approval of Minutes
Buzz made a motion to approve the June 2024 meeting minutes, Jay seconded, minutes approved
unanimously.
Public Comment
None. Members of the public attending provided comments during the Expanded Recycling Services
agenda item.
Regular Business
A. Welcome New Members
Amanda welcomed the newly appointed members and alternates - Lisa Helfer, Mason Klein, Isabela
Hollingshead, and Matthew Coleman. Going around the table, each member then gave a brief
introduction of themselves.
B. City Council Update
None; Councilor Corrigan was absent.
C. Expanded Recycling Services
Amanda reviewed the progress made to-date - Introduction received in May, presentations given in June
by both Republic Services and Ridwell, and public comments also given in June. She then provided an
outline of the next action steps - the SAB to deliberate tonight regarding the recommendations to give to
the City Council, and Amanda will then present those recommendations before the Council on July 30th
during a study session. She reminded members that the recommendations must pass by a majority vote
and that she would write up the recommendations with the assistance of the Co-Chairs.
• A slide was shown again with the various policy options: do not implement expanded recycling
services at this time; work with Republic Services to implement Recycle+ as an optional service
within the context of the current franchise agreement; adopt an ordinance to permit or license
the collection of certain difficult to recycle materials by companies.
City of Lake Oswego Sustainability Advisory Board Minutes
July 15, 2024
Page 2 of 4
• Jay explained that the City held an exclusive franchise with Republic Services for solid waste
removal, including recyclables; however, Ridwell was operating without a license within the City.
• Kara spoke of the tremendous support seen from community members in favor of having Ridwell
readily available in Lake Oswego; adding that she hasn't heard any dissenting comments. She
didn't see that there would be any impact on the City's budget.
• Buzz said that there was a good balance between Ridwell and Republic Services because Ridwell
accepted items that Republic Services didn’t, and that both were supporting each other, even
though there might be some competition. He thought that they should consider how they were
on the cusp of seeing major changes in plastic and paper recycling under the DEQ’s EPR. Looking
forward, they could see a solid waste marketplace open to various providers - paper and plastics
now and compostable products in the next two years.
• Amanda relayed that they are solving for the conflict caused by Ridwell providing services outside
of the current laws under the franchise agreement with Republic Services. Another ordinance
would need to be passed under the 3rd Policy Option (shown on the monitor). This is the option
recommended by City staff.
• Lisa asked if there were any other companies interested in providing these services and what
steps they would need to take. Amanda said that the only other similar company she is aware of
is James Recycling, but they do not provide door-to-door collection, so it's a little different. They
do charge a fee for items dropped off at their centers. There would be licensing fees and reporting
requirements for any new company.
• Whitney recommended choosing the 3rd option because it would offer more opportunities for
recycling the most items; it makes sense from a sustainability lens and the public wants that
option.
• Jay pointed to Ridwell’s claim that they would not pick up items added by Republic Services to
their own list.
• Robin thought that Ridwell and Republic Services were not in competition because they each
collected different items. Given the framework of the City, he thought they should be better
prepared to face recycling needs.
• Members discussed: Republic Services’ Recycle+ opt-in program, pricing structures, alternative
responsible options, aligning with the SAB’s goals, a 3-year pilot program in terms of regulatory
certainty, permanent recycling collection depots, public education programs being the key to
success, the DEQ’s EPR laws, Ridwell's passion for their program, 5-year check-ins with new
companies, Ordinance 2901 Section 5.B.vi., not penalizing Republic Services, upcoming changes
to the acceptable recyclable materials list, potential drawbacks, licensing terms, and the
differences between standard garbage pick-up services and recycling pick-up services.
Vote: Kara introduced an amended motion to recommend the City Council adopt an ordinance to permit
or license the collection of certain reusable / difficult to recycle materials by companies to provide options
for expanded recycling services to residents. Whitney seconded. All Board members voted aye, none
against; motion passed unanimously.
After the vote, an unnamed audience member requested an explanation of the EPR program. Travis said
that each producer has to pay into a fund for products made that are recyclable. Amanda described how
funds were disbursed - improvements to recycling processing facilities, expansion of services, new
equipment, and education programs. The big push for public education will come closer to the start of
the program in July 2025. Buzz shared information about the collapse of the recycling program in 2018-
2019, and how Oregon is now leading several other states in restoring the program. Travis further
described how the monies would flow to the communities and said that there is still time for the public
City of Lake Oswego Sustainability Advisory Board Minutes
July 15, 2024
Page 3 of 4
to submit comments to the State about the new law. Cindy shared that the haulers could not add items
to the list of recyclable materials, only the State could do that, and that the list will be updated every three
years. The haulers have to abide by DEQ’s regulations.
Another unnamed audience member asked if there is any mechanism to require all drink cups to be made
from the same materials. Buzz said that this would have to go through legislation. Travis indicated that
this is the goal of the new law - to put the financial burden on the producer; pointing to Coke already
introducing 100% recycled bottles. Cindy added that the ultimate goal is to change producer behavior, so
they'll create more recyclable packaging. Isabela felt that the more that companies were thinking about
using recyclable materials, the less they were supporting the expansion of fossil fuels. Cindy shared that
one of the guidelines they have to follow is to pay a living wage. Amanda explained that the SAB could
later recommend how the funds received could be used.
D. Recycling/Waste Reduction Contest
Whitney described how she and Amanda talked about doing an Instagram or other type of campaign
where the City staff, with Amanda as the referee, does a "no trash" week - being given a bag for the week
to place all produced garbage in, and the person with the least amount of garbage would be the
winner. This would be accompanied by an educational program. She would like to see this done during
November - the SAB could start it and then challenge the City.
• Jay recommended tying it into the school district.
• Matthew shared that, when he lived in Berkley, the Soccer Mom’s Club held a similar event but
with garbage cans and if their can had no recyclable items, they would win $100.
• Amanda said she would be happy to become involved.
• Lisa said that she liked the social media component.
• Kara suggested publicizing it at the September 7th farmers market and inviting the public to post
how small their trash bag was. Whitney countered with starting with staff, then challenge the
public. Amanda indicated that the next meeting will be on September 16 and that she will send
out a sign-up sheet to cover shifts at the farmers market table. Members discussed different
handouts to have available at the farmers market table - electric landscaping equipment, and
water savings devices.
E. Staff & Board Updates
• EV Charging Strategies: Amanda will provide the additional information requested by the City
Council at their meeting on July 30th. This includes impacts of requiring developers to provide
additional or new EV charging stations with new development. The next decision for this topic
will involve budgeting, locations for installing new charging stations, and ownership of the
charging stations. Jay pointed to more EV charging stations being needed at the public parks.
• Amanda outlined upcoming sustainability projects: Republic Services annual rate review,
development of a Sustainable Buildings Policy, and the budget (including developing a climate and
sustainability lens for the Capital Improvement Plan).
• Lisa asked if there were any community events, such as roundtables or education, for home
businesses. Amanda said that the SAB had a connection with the Lake Oswego Chamber of
Commerce and that Clackamas County had a sustainability program for small businesses.
• Amanda updated members about the following upcoming events: there is no August meeting,
September 7th is the farmers market, July 24th is the Citywide Parking Reform community forum
via Zoom, and August 9th, at 11:30 a.m., is the Lake Oswego Sustainability Network's tour of the
Willamette Resources Inc. Recycling Center.
City of Lake Oswego Sustainability Advisory Board Minutes
July 15, 2024
Page 4 of 4
• Jay requested to have a work session set up with the City Council to discuss submitting Goal
recommendations prior to when they’re set. Amanda replied that the process changed, and now,
the Boards and Commissions Summit is where the end-of-year memo is reviewed; encouraging
him by saying that the recommendations made are impactful. She said that she will speak to the
City Manager about it.
• Members briefly discussed updates on the Stormwater Treatment Plant. A new RFP is being
written up now, but it could be 2025 before the contractor selection.
• Kara asked for updates about the Stafford Road/McVey roundabout. Buzz said that he attended
the roundtable meeting, and that Clackamas County needs to take about 9,000 square-feet from
the edge of the road. An amendment would need to be made on the City’s Charter Chapter X to
remove this section of roadway. Amanda added the City is considering introducing a ballot
measure that would put to voters the decision of whether to withdraw the property needed for
the road project from Chapter X. The City Council will hear the community polling about this topic
at their next meeting. Buzz relayed that there could be a natural area improvement along the
creek near Johnson Road. He expressed concern over all of the traffic backing up at that location,
wasting carbon into the atmosphere.
• Buzz inquired whether there is any more information about the culvert replacements on Highway
43 at Tryon Creek. Amanda replied that she would look into this.
Meeting adjourned at 8:15 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Amanda Watson
Sustainability Program Manager