CC - 03-24-09 - SpecialMinutes of the
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
March 24, 2009
The special meeting of the Rosemead City Council was called to order by Mayor Tran at 6:00 p.m.
in the Rosemead City Council Chamber located at 8838 East Valley Boulevard, Rosemead,
California.
FLAG SALUTE: Mayor Pro Tem Nunez
INVOCATION: Mayor Tran
ROLL CALL OF OFFICERS PRESENT: Mayor Tran, Mayor Pro Tem Nunez, Council Member
Clark, and Council Member Low.
ABSENT: Council Member Taylor
OFFICIALS PRESENT: City Manager Chi, Agency Attorney Montes, Assistant City Manager
Saeki, Assistant City Manager Hawkesworth, Director of Finance Brisco, Director of Parks and
Recreation Montgomery-Scott, Economic Development Administrator Ramirez, Deputy Public
Works Director Marcarello, and City Clerk Molleda.
1. PUBLIC COMMENT FROM THE AUDIENCE
None
2. PRESENTATION
* Lazy Environmentalist
Josh Dorfman - author of the Lazy Environmentalist - presented to the City Council, new ways in
which the City may become more environmentally friendly and increase the rate of recycled trash.
Mr. Dorfman explained there are many ways to adapt to greener practices within the city, home,
and/or work place. By implementing programs to become greener, and reduce gas omissions by
20 percent by the year 2012. This can be achieved by replacing simple signs such as illuminating
"Exit" signs and using LED street lights, which reduce significant cost on tax payer's money.
Implementing a program such as the Recycle Bank provided by Consolidated Waste Management
creates incentives and rewards to residents. Also, simple practices to help reduce gas omissions,
increase energy efficiency, and save money.
Rosemead City 'Council Special Meeting
Minutes of March 24, 2009
Page I of 3
Mayor Tran - expressed support of the Recycle Bank program and hopes that the city may
become environmentally friendly.
Mayor Pro Tern Nunez - asked if there are ways to incorporate green practices with charitable
organizations.
Council Member Clark - asked Josh Dorfman to explain in detail how the Recycle Bank worked.
Mr. Dorfman - explained that depending on the weight of the bin from each neighborhood, which
would be only recycled trash, that neighborhood would benefit from the rewards which retailers
would offer. Retailers who agree to be part of the program would provide incentives like discount
vouchers. Mr. Dorfman also stated that there are approximately 230 communities in the nation
participating in the Recycle Bank program.
Janet Chin - asked Mr. Dorfman what was the message residents may take with them and would
being green in the future become obsolete?
Jerry Mastor - expressed concern with people who take recyclables from the trash in the street
and felt it would defeat the purpose of the Recycle Bank program.
Maricela Valsuares - asked Council if there were green practices already being implemented in
the city, also asked for bike ways.
Jorge Soriano - asked City Council if the budget would be affected if the Recycle Bank program
was implemented.
Brian Lewin - is in support of the city's implementation of more green guidelines in the newly
updated General Plan. Mr. Lewin hopes to see more green buildings become more
environmentally friendly.
Mayor Tran - explained that the Recycle Bank would allow the city to raise the trash diversion from
23 percent to 50 percent. Also, asked Council to allow him to support the Climate Protection
Agreement.
Council Member Clark - express concern since the agreement was not agendized properly and
clarified that Council was in support of implementing more green practices for future projects.
Agency Attorney Montes - explained that in accordance with the Brown Act, the agreement
should be agendized to provide the opportunity for revision and conversation if there was to be a
motion to be taken.
Mayor Tran - thanked author of the Lazy Environmentalist, Josh Dorfman for providing the tools
needed towards becoming a greener city.
Rosemead City Council Special Meeting
Minutes ofMarch 24, 2009
Page 2 of 3
3. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 6:38 p.m. The next regular City Council meeting is scheduled
to take place on March 24, 2009 at 7:00 p.m.
Margare lark
Mayor
ATTE T:
9
Ioria Molleda, City Clerk
Rosemead City Council Special Meeting
Minutes of March 24, 2009
Page 3 of 3
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) SS.
CITY OF ROSEMEAD 1
I, Gloria Molleda, City Clerk of the City of Rosemead, do hereby certify that the
minutes from the special meeting of March 24, 2009, were duly and regularly approved
and adopted by the Rosemead City Council on the 9~h of June 2009, by the following
vote to wit:
Yes: Armenta, Clark, Low, Ly
No: None
Abstain: Taylor
Absent: None
J16-ok 0" -
Glona Molleda
City Clerk