Community Services and Environment Commission votes for green projects

“I think it’s a good idea to have it go California wide, US wide. You are the seed people. It has the potential to go worldwide.”
Community Services and Environment Commissioner Carole Latorre summed up the general point of the CSEC meeting Wednesday night when she spoke those words to Alexandra and Melissa Carlson, who were presenting their Green Schools Recognition Program to the Commission. The Sonoma Valley High School seniors are working on a program to designate schools as “Green,” using a number of variables. They are also trying to recognize the local high school as a green school because of adopted projects such as recycling programs, tree plantings and environmental speakers. The Carlsons are hoping to have the Sonoma City Council adopt the program at its April 15 meeting. “It’s a way of recognizing schools who have gone through or are going through the process of becoming green,” said Melissa Carlson.
The next green topic was local water. During a discussion on community health and recreation, Melinka Bates, the city’s Director of Public Works, explained that water in public parks will be cut this summer. “It’s not pretty but it’s something we have to do. We’ve chosen to keep the Plaza green and sections of Depot Park, but there will be a 30% cut in other city parks. We are meeting with all the top water users in Sonoma to discuss lowering consumption by 25%.” Bates also explained a goal of moving the Farmers Market to the streets surrounding the Plaza in July and August. The commission, city council and city merchants are all anxious to get that going.
Four event applications were approved by the Commission, including the Fourth of July Celebration, whose theme this year is “Celebrating our Communities’ Traditions.” A pasta dinner for 1,000 runners for the Wine Country Half-Marathon was approved to take place in the Field of Dreams. An International Puzzle Party was approved for an August 9 lunch at Depot Park where 300 members of the organization will create and celebrate puzzles. And The Native Suns of the Golden West Flag Day Celebration, which will take place June 14, has not only sent an invitation to the Governor but extended it also to his wife Maria Shriver, although neither had yet responded.
There was a discussion about funding recycling programs at the Sonoma City Party and other events, which led to commissioner Lisa Micheli to comment, “I have concerns about recycling vendors – can we find a way for them to submit qualifications?” A program run by Todd Kneeland was mentioned numerous times, as was the work of Green Mary and a need to coordinate city recycling programs. Sustainability was also discussed with issues such as groundwater recharge projects, the Get Wet program and a senior project by Lee Jasperse on rising sea levels.
Associate Planner Wendy Atkins presented an update of the City of Sonoma Bicycle Improvements and an overview of the Public Art Ordinance and Policy. “I’m pleased to announce we’ve made progress,” she began. The master bike plan was approved in October, there is a $14,000 grant which will pay for bike racks in the plaza, and $135,000 in grant money which will be used for bike routes in Sonoma. She also explained that she is working to connect bike routes in the city with the county.
Atkins then explained the approval of the Public Art Ordinance and Policy, which led to chairman Nickolai Mathison asking, “How did they get 25 grand when we can’t get 5?” It was explained by Planning Director David Goodison, tongue-in-cheek, that they have better lobbyists. Interestingly, the first public art project will be the bike racks on the Plaza, with ideas to be solicited in the near future.