SC 11-16-2017CITY OF CUPERTINO SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION
Environmental Education Center 22221 McClellan Road
Thursday November 16, 2017 4:00 p.m.
MINUTES
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
The meeting convened at 4:05 p.m. by Commissioner Weber. (Commissioner
Ramanathan took over Chair duties when she arrived.)
Commissioners Present: Anna Weber, Gary Latshaw, Vignesh Swaminathan, and Meera
Ramanathan (arrived@ 4:17)
Commissioners Absent: Angela Chen
Staff: Gilee Corral, Sustainability Program Coordinator; Cheri Donnelly, Environmental
Programs Manager; Katy Nomura, Management Analyst
Guests: John Supp, Account Representative for Silicon Valley Clean Energy; Joan Chin,
resident.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Action Item: Draft minutes of October 19, 2017 meeting approved. Motion by
Commissioner Weber, 2nd by Commissioner Latshaw. Motion passed with 3 ayes,
0 nays, Swaminathan abstaining, and Chen absent.
POSTPONEMENTS
None.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
None.
OLD BUSINESS
2. Set date for tour of Sunnyvale's Recycling Center SMaRT Station and Special
Meeting
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The Commission set the tour date for Friday, December 8th. The Commissioners will
meet at a common location (such as the Environmental Education Center) at 10:15 and
carpool to the SMaRT Station.
NEW BUSINESS
3. Subject: Silicon Valley Clean Energy presentation on current status of
enrollment and portfolio of electricity sources
John Supp, Account Representative for Silicon Valley Clean Energy (SVCE), gave a
presentation on SVCE' s energy portfolio and the status of enrollment.
Summary points:
• SVCE' s territory is 225,000 residents and 25,000 commercial customers.
• Of the 21,041 accounts in Cupertino, 1.8% have opted out of SVCE and 1.4% have
opted up to GreenPrime.
• By 2025, 1 % of load for utilities has to be matched with energy storage. SVCE
plans to exceed this requirement.
• Commissioner Ramanathan asked about Renewable Energy Credits (RECs)
within SVCE' s portfolio. Supp explained that SVCE is setting the limit for
unbundled RECs around 12%.
• The Commission discussed SVCE' s current energy portfolio and plans for the
future. SVCE' s goal is to reduce or eliminate biomass from its portfolio.
Commissioner Latshaw informed the group of a presentation on biomass at the
Redwood City Library on Monday, November 20th.
• SVCE will launch public programs likely next year; part of the focus of programs
will be to encourage electrification/ fuel switching from natural gas to electricity.
• Gilee Corral encouraged the Cupertino residents present to apply for SVCE' s
Customer Advisory Group; applications are due on November 17th.
4. Subject: Update on Recology Amendment & Zero Waste discussion with
Environmental Services
Cheri Donnelly, Environmental Programs Manager, led a discussion of a draft Zero
Waste policy, to be discussed for adoption by City Council on December 19th. She
handed out a copy of the draft policy for discussion and went through each numbered
item with the Commission. Donnelly noted that although Environmental Services had
discussed moving to a 90% diversion goal, in light of the China ban on recyclables, this
goal will remain at 75% while staff waits to see how the ban plays out.
Commissioner suggestions for adjustments to the draft Zero Waste policy:
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• Commissioner Ramanathan suggested adjusting the word "litter" in the first
paragraph, as "litter" is often misconstrued as "waste."
• Commissioner Swaminathan suggested adding the construction diversion rate to
the policy.
• Commissioner Latshaw suggested a qualifying word, such as "proper" or
"effective," to be added to "backyard composting."
Action Item: A motion was made by Commissioner Ramanathan, and seconded by
Commissioner Swaminathan, to support the draft Zero Waste policy with the suggested
changes as stated above. The motion passed 4-0-1 with Commissioner Chen absent.
STAFF AND COMMISSION REPORTS
Commission Reports:
• Commissioner Latshaw reported on progress of the Sustainable Speaker Series
Committee: he approached a staff member of the NASA Ames Center to speak
on the sustainability features of their base and is discussing possible
arrangements with her. The Commission briefly discussed showing a movie as
part of the series. Commissioner Latshaw will put together a list of possible films
and the Commission will add this as an item of discussion for the January 18th
meeting.
• Commissioner Swaminathan reported on his meeting with the Bicycle
Commission, Mayor Vaidhyanathan, and City staff. The Bicycle Commission
wishes to partner with the Sustainability Commission to promote Bike to Shop
Day in May. Commissioner Swaminathan will work on ideas for collaboration
and discuss this with the Commission in a few months.
• Commissioner Weber reported on progress of the Sustainable Schools
Subcommittee: the Committee met with Kevin Jenkins from CUSD to discuss
next steps. He will connect the Committee with a teacher in Kennedy Middle
School who is interested in developing a "passion project" around recycling and
composting.
Staff Updates:
Corral gave a brief update:
• Misty Mersich, Sustainability Manager, will return from maternity leave the
week of November 20 1h .
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• Communications staff will be invited to attend the December 21 st meeting to
discuss the Crest Awards program and involvement of the Commissioners in the
selection process for the Sustainable Person of the Year Award.
• Staff have launched a compost educational campaign via social media.
ADJOURNMENT-6:15 p.m. Action Item: A motion was made by Commissioner
Latshaw and seconded by Commissioner Swaminathan to adjourn the meeting. The
motion passed 4-0-1 with Commissioner Chen absent.
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