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MINUTES COMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENT AUGUST 26, 1997
PRESENT : Chair Carsky, Leg. LaMotte Leg. Latimer.
Mr. Hansen, Mr. Shangala ALSO PRESENT: Ms. Wernick, Mrs. Keating Ms. Dolgen-Metz, Ms. Bahl Ms. Bess, Health Dept.
Chair Carsky called the meeting to order at 2:30 P.M. The Committee discussed the IPM Legislation. Chair Carsky asked what the progression is from this point.
Ms. Metz stated that she did not feel that the Board had to vote on the rules and regulations of the IPM Committee.
While waiting for additional members to attend, Chair Carsky asked Ms. Metz about the 27 acres at Lasdon. She did not know about that particular situation and would check on the status of it within the department.
Chair Carsky introduced the members at the table and stated that the IPM Committee worked very hard on their report.
Ms. Wiernik filled in the committee on what has transpired over the last year. They looked at their charge in the legislation and made in-roads into about half of them. They evaluated what is being done in other departments. They developed a form for emergency exemptions for people who must spray before the required 48 hour posting. The waiver will be given out on a case by case basis approved by the IPM Committee. There was a discussion on having the waiver last for a year, but the Committee felt that they would start first with a case by case basis.
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Mr. Shangala stated that this was a pioneering law and we are the first to enact one. It can be a model for the private sector as well as the rest of the country.
They have had extensive dealings with the Parks Department. After the Committee developed the forms, they asked the Parks Departments what could be done next and it was felt educating the public. In March they hosted a Golf Course Seminar at the County Center. 48 interested parties attended and it was a good starting point.
There is a new way to water golf courses with fungi rather than with pesticides. San Francisco is going cold turkey in 2000.
The IPM Committee has requested support staff and a Budget of at least $10,000. for 1998. Chair Carsky stated that we have never done anything like this before and we may have to reassign this committee to a specific department. They are concerned on where it will be placed because the committee does not want to lose its’ autonomy.
Leg. LaMotte sees this as a beginning for the school year. She feels that school children should be bring things home to help educate them at a young age and the IPM Committee agreed.
Leg. Latimer asked what the next step is for the Committee and Chair Carsky stated that we must meet with the Administration to determine where this committee should be placed.
Ms. Wiernik wants to know who will pay for the signs and how they will be distributed.
Leg. Latimer asked if we know the dollar figure for printing the signs and Ms. Wiernik did not. Leg. Latimer suggested that we may be able to go to the private sector to underwrite a one-time printing job of the signs.
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Leg. Latimer suggested that absent the department, cost out the printing job for the first cycle and by the time we need it again, we should have the committee settled in a department. We need to find out the in-house printing cost before we go any further.
Leg. LaMotte stated that the Parks Department has already done something similar with Tic Signs and they may be able to assist us.
Ms. Wiernik has some recommendations to the law - they need more people on the committee and would like Health and DEF as ex-officio members of the Committee and will only including them when relevant. Ms. Wiernik asked about terminating a member after three absences without excuse. It was also suggested to increase the membership to seven members. Ms. Metz will re-draft the legislation.
Mr. Hansen stated that the handwriting is on the wall and pesticides will not be the way of the future.
To recap the meeting, the Committee will talk to the Administration about where IPM will fall into. We must get a figure for printing the signs and the County Attorney will redraft the legislation to add the additions that the Committee would like to see incorporated into the law.
Ms. Metz stated that State Law exempts Golf courses.
Chair Carsky again thanked the Committee for all their hard work.
There being no further items for discussion, on motion of Leg. LaMotte, seconded by Chair Carsky, the meeting adjourned.
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