MINUTES for KSC MEETINGS

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Minutes for KSC Meeting

March 3, 2008 from 6:15 pm-8:30 pm at Thai Orchid Restaurant

 

In attendance: 

                       Members: Allan and Leslie Lowe, Ralph Opp, Art Martin, Dwight Long,                                                       Anita Ward, Art Martin & Rhonda Norris, Ken Johnston

                        Guests: Jerry Haugen, John and Peggy Federhart, Delacie Barney, Kim Twitchell

 

A) January 28, 2008 minutes:  Ralph approved; Dwight 2nd; passed by all.

            Art says the minutes are posted on KSC.org.

 

B) Treasurer’s Report: Bank balance: 3201.03: of which 740.81 is allocated to compost project, and 600.00 is allocated to Web maintenance, leaving 1860.22 as cash available for other expenses.

 

C) KSC Website development:

a) Jerry Haugen presented what he perceived were the options open to our web site.  All present tossed around options to be considered.

Action: Jerry Haugen is going to develop some trial ideas and post them on an anonymous site for us to check out.

 

D) Compost Demo Project and compost equipment sale:

Mountain Valley Gardens (MVG) will partner with us regarding composting and placing our demo site at their location.  When the time comes to move our “stuff” from Extension Service location to MVG site we’ll need a “working party”.

Composters will cost us about $45 to buy, and Waste Management may partner us to offset $10/composter, so we can sell them for about $30.ea.  Some time in August, MVG will allow composter sales on their site.

Action: Art & Delacie to help Dwight with organization.

 

E) Kiosk: Placement and “decorating” the kiosk was discussed.

Action: Art & Ronda will paint the kiosk.  Ralph, Dwight and Peggy will make a triangular “top” with the KSC logo.  Allan will print out 3 photo grade pictures of our logo in the best quality he can. (DONE)

 

F) Waste management: Leslie presented her version of a new “coloring book” for the First Grader Earth Awareness project.  After discussion, it was decided to go with the old “coloring book handout” for this year, then work on a new one for next year.

There are 19 compost bins still at Waste Management site, left over from the May 2005 sale.  We will work on trying to sell these in Spring 2008.  Need to get Lee Juillerat to do an article on this.

(On the agenda, but I don’t remember any discussion on this.)

Status: Dwight reported that Hazardous Waste Days would need a sizable grant to have this happen even once a year.  He further stated that there were no $$$ for this anywhere right now.

To make this happen would require added user fees (as done across the country).  Right now anyone can drop hazardous stuff at dump sites for a fee.

Action: none for now.

G) New Name for our group: It was decided after some discussion and a vote that we should be know simply as Klamath Sustainable Communities (KSC).  (As seen above, I already changed all references above to KSC, instead of KBCLF.)

 

H) Klamath Greenways:

Status: Dwight says not too much activity going on.  Todd Kepple is still giving tours.  Eve continues to work on 501 c3 status.  Dwight is working on access easements for Hogback trail.  Group is working to position themselves to take over Link River Trail when Pacific Power decommissions in the next 10 years.

 

I) Planning can be done in a democratic way.  (Art’s idea- from a previous meeting.)

Action: Art to ask Eve Oldenkamp at an open public meeting, maybe our Annual Meeting in May.

 

 J) New Business: No time for new business.

 

 

 

Next meeting: Annual Meeting on Monday, May 19th at 6:15- 8:30 pm at the Sugar Pine Café.

 

 

 

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Minutes  for KBCLF Meeting

January 28, 2008 from 6:15 pm-8:30 pm at Thai Orchid Restaurant

 

In attendance:

New: John and Peggy Federhart, Delacie Barney

Members: Allan and Leslie Lowe, Ralph Opp, Art Martin, Dwight Long, Anita Ward

 

A) October 22, 2007 minutes:  approved

 

B) Treasurer’s Report: computer currently down, but approx. $2300 unallocated, $740 allocated for compost demo project

 

C) KBCLF Website development:

a) KCEDA’s website, SustainableKlamath.org (Green on Green), should be linked to us when we finish updating our website www.klamathsustainablecommunities.org  

Action: Art Martin and Leslie continue to work on this.  Input appreciated when we have the basics completed, hopefully by February 1.  Art will be getting help from Jerry Haugen.

 

b)  “Green Directory” on a separate website to be funded by KCEDA, but funding is not available yet.  No specified timeline.

Action: Leslie is working with Jerry Haugen to set up all of our “green directory” forms.  We will need people to interview and input data when forms are on website.  Need to discuss use and promotion of site when funded.

 

D) Website management. 

Updating of website is proceeding.

Action: Art/Allan/Leslie work on all of this.   When website is updated with current material, Art will send out an email to everyone for input and changes.

 

E) Compost Demo Project:

Dwight checking with Mountain Valley Gardens to see if they will partner with us regarding composting, etc. and whether they will allow us to move our demo site to their location.  Dwight recommended that we scratch any more involvement of this project with the Agricultural Extension Service.

Action: Dwight says Mt. Valley is interested and talks continue regarding use of Washburn Way site in the Spring.  Will need chainsaw, transport vehicle, and helper when ready for the move. 

 

F) Kiosk and cartridge bag dispensers : Currently at OIT College Union in preparation for Winter Wings Festival.

Action: Art will put kiosk info on the website soon.  Dwight will place recently gathered and duplicated materials into the kiosk at OIT for Winter Wings Festival.  Some discussion regarding what materials would qualify for placement in our kiosk.  Suggestions include the Central Oregon Green Directory (thegreenspot.org) and “Green Living” (a journal for northern California and southern Oregon- there are 4 Klamath advertisers).

 

Action: We have new computer cartridge bags now and they are in kiosk, as well as at locations around town, including the County Library on Main, Govt. Bldg wall on Main, 500 Klamath City hall, Nightfire on Klamath, and Leslie’s office at 409 Pine. 

We are looking for more people to place the dispensers in various places around town and in outlying communities.  Let Leslie know if you want a cartridge bag dispenser.

 

Status of kiosk placement?? :Juanita absent; new member, Peggy Federhart, will help with scheduling:   As of last mtg, Juanita will call to check placement options at Lava Beds National Park, Herald & News (new bldg.), Sky Lakes Hospital, Crater Lake National Park, Klamath Tribes, Chiloquin Community Center, Library branches in area, OIT (February thru WWF period), KCC, and Ross Ragland Theater.  What about foyer of medical building in which Wenner has office?

 

G) Waste management:

 Dwight sent a letter to Klamath County Commissioners to support funding, along with the City, to have a “Master Recycler Education Position” . Ralph and Dwight met with Tom Crist, County Solid Waste Mgr. and Al Switzer.  County solid waste budget is running in “red” due to projects like hazardous waste day, etc.  Are looking at raising rates.  Group had a discussion about why Waste Mgmt doesn’t host or help fund a hazardous waste day.  Answer: It is very expensive and needs special funding.  Would need to be in contract with City and/or County. Also disc pick up of compostable materials.   Dwight will see when contract review next comes up so we might support an inclusion 2-4 times/year.  Our group will consider raising community support.

 

Ralph showed flyer for Office Depot boxes for $5, $10, $15 for electronic waste.  Materials must fit in box, but it isn’t by weight, but by volume.  Tingley Lane Transfer station also takes electronic waste, but not sure if it is charged by volume or weight.

 

Action: Leslie, Ralph, and Dwight will work with Tom Crist, County DEQ, (883-5121 x3145) to plan more Hazardous Waste Day events, yard waste days, electronic recycling, etc.

 

H) Klamath Greenways:

Status: Dwight says not too much activity going on.  Todd Kepple is still giving tours.  Eve continues to work on 501 c3 status.  Dwight is working on access easements for Hogback trail.  Group is working to position themselves to take over Link River Trail when Pacific Power decommissions in the next 10 years.

 

I) Planning can be done in a democratic way.  (Art’s idea- from a previous meeting.)

Action: Art says:  Put on Feb. agenda.

 

 J) New Business:

 

a) Prepare for Recycle drawing for all first graders

Action:  Dwight, Leslie, and Peggy will meet to work on revamping this project and have it ready for Earthday in April.

 

b) Sell compost equipment again in late May?

Action:  Ralph will check with Waste Mgmt to see how many bins are still at their facility on Greensprings.  Committee to work on project: Art, Delacie, John and Peggy (gone end of March through April), Leslie

 

c) Sage Community School in Chiloquin – Do we want to sponsor a project there?

            Leslie has contact info.

Action:  Art suggested that, if we have the compost bin sale, we should donate one to Sage school and then provide an ed program when we deliver it.  Art, Peggy and John, and Delacie will work on this idea.

 

d) Join Chamber of Commerce????  Give them a presentation???

Action:  Too early to pay money to join, but we should look at doing more partnering.  Art, Leslie, and Dwight will work on giving them a presentation.

 

e) Quantum Thinking – phone conf.; brief discussion, but this one wasn’t worth the time on the phone, even though it didn’t cost anything but time.  Interesting concept though:  have a conference on the phone and anyone can join the dialogue; there is a company that ties everyone together.

 

f) Schedule a speaker? David Kramer of EcoQuest, or other;  Group would like another public speaker, but no one willing to organize it at this time; 

Action: We will discuss at next meeting and continue to accumulate ideas.

 

g) Come up with a new name for our group other than “Klamath Sustainable Communities/KBCLF”?

Discussion included names such as: Sustainable Klamath (which is the website name for KCEDA); Klamath Sustainable Community (singular); Klamath Basin Sustainable Communities; change KBCLF documents so that they say Klamath Sustainable Communities (and go back to the original name); Klamath coolers—the coalition for a livable environment.

 

Add a tagline like “Working together for a sustainable future.”

Action:  Discuss at next meeting and continue to accumulate ideas.

 

h) Oregon Primary date – Do we want to work with LWV of Klamath county to see if we can get it moved to Feb. 5 for next major election?

Discussion resulted in idea that this is something we should support LWV, but shouldn’t take on ourselves.

 

i) Art and Rhonda are looking at opening a small eco-friendly business devoted to offering sustainable cleaning materials, etc. at 249 East Main.  Are in the very beginning stages.  Could be a new location for our meetings?  Might have a little coffee/tea shop?

 

j) Earthday- who will organize for April 2008?????????  Unanswered question.

 

k) OIT has own “sustainability” group to promote on campus.  Meetings are public.  1-29-08 is a meeting at noon.

 

 

Next meeting: Monday, March 3 at 6:15- 8:15 pm

 

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