Subcommittee reports:

Green Building Ordinances: Tom Chartier reported on the group’s progress in drafting green building ordinances for Hoboken starting with a focus on redevelopment zones. It would establish a Green Building Compliance Officer, a role for someone currently in the planning/building departments of City Hall. That person’s job would be to educate the various city departments (fire, building, sewerage) to help them understand the various changes in green building materials and standards and how to promote their use. To earn approval in a redevelopment zone, a developer would have to follow these guidelines, which are based on LEED Silver (or equivalent in similar rating system) for larger buildings, or LEED basic (or equivalent) for smaller ones.

The group recommends allowing the option of self-certification instead of USGBC certification to reduce resistance and cost. The builders would have to document the steps they’re taking to meet LEED requirements, and the Compliance Officer would check for completeness.

Regardless of certification method and system, there would be follow up check-ups before final Certificate of Occupancy (or final building inspection – whatever is required in Hoboken) is issued, to make sure the builders are making progress (or financial penalty for builders that don’t want to meet certification, fines based on square footage and points missing for LEED Silver certification of the equivalent). Some elements specific to Hoboken are encouraged, such as bike racks, water retention solutions, etc.

Members of the Subcommittee met with City Community Planning Director Brandy Forbes, who provided some input, and the group is now floating the draft ordinance around for comment before presenting it to City Council. Currently, there’s no zoning officer, so that’s holding up the review. [note, Ann Holtzman has since been appointed zoning officer.] Also, there is no designated Redevelopment Counsel for the city. When those positions are filled, the group will ask them to review the proposal.

Director Forbes had asked about how the fines would be accounted for if a builder opted to pay instead of complying. Tom recommended establishing a fund from these fines for other green projects – but the group would need to check into legal restrictions on this use of funds. Other towns that have tried these ordinances and failed have largely failed because there was no effective penalty for noncompliance.

Discussion: Paul suggested that building department is ultimately responsible for approving construction permits, not sure that planning dept./board are strong enough. Pat Samperi recommended setting up some kind of incentive or selling point for builders – use a carrot, not just a stick. Tom responded that the goal is for the compliance officer to educate builders and other city departments about the benefits of using certain green aspects. Jason asked whether, from a regulatory perspective, the equal protection principle may not allow the city to attach an extra burden on builders that goes above and beyond state building regulations. He also asked if the vertical integration (?) of the plan makes it easier to challenge in court; meanwhile, city undertakes so many projects in so many different areas of responsibility, how will this ordinance affect projects in multiple zones overseen by different agencies? Jason also recommended that instead of using a penalty, the city should start by assessing a fee for all builders in redevelopment zones, then refunding it in pieces as builders meet certain thresholds, established by the building, plumbing, electric, fire departments – the four building inspectors in Hoboken.

Other Green Building ordinances: The subcommittee is also researching ordinances for non-redevelopment zones, using a combination of requirements and incentives. Ideas include property tax abatements (like NYC has for green roofs and solar power installations) to encourage builders/building owners to install them. Not sure where the money would come from, but could use reductions of application fees. Incentives and requirements for energy efficiency – the city could grant variances in exchange for builders who meet LEED certification standards. Not just compact fluorescent lightbulbs, but combustion and leakage testing, insulation, etc.

Sustainable Jersey & NJ Clean Energy Community Partners program:
JD and Melissa explained that Sustainable Jersey is a certification and incentive program that rewards municipalities in New Jersey that go green, save money, and take steps to sustain their quality of life over the long term. Sustainable Jersey designates certain “actions” that municipalities can implement to receive the certification, along with cash incentives to help communities fund their marketing and community outreach/education programs. These actions address issues such as global warming, pollution, biodiversity, buying locally, community outreach, green building, and sustainable agriculture.

Hoboken has not yet enrolled, but QLC is already enrolled as a Community Partner in the companion NJ Clean Energy program, which also awards grants for completing certain steps. The community needs to pass an ordinance, appointing a designated champion and a green team and then the programs offer support and guidance for accomplishing the programs. Visit sustainablejersey.com and NJCleanEnergy.org for more information. CGH should propose to City Council and the Mayor that they choose someone to spearhead the program and designate CGH as the supporting Green Team.

Energy Audit: Brad gave an update on the status of the Energy Audit implementation. Concord Engineering recommends using Direct Install program of BPU – cost is a little higher than projected, since the plan is to replace fixtures, not just bulbs. City Hall project is underway. Firehouses and police HQ will come next, then the Boys & Girls Club building. Stimulus money will be used to replace HVAC system at the Multiservice center. The City’s newly hired Environmental Services Director comes with experience of Sustainable Jersey program in Plainfield.

Recycling: Jason Tecza reported that because of the change in leadership in the city’s Environmental Services department, the Recycling subcommittee hasn’t made much progress in finding out details on Hoboken’s recycling. For starters, the city’s recycling poster is outdated – needs updating. There’s very little education of homeowners and landlords, virtually no enforcement – the city needs to step up. Need penalties and enforcement. Recycling is only picked up one day a week. He estimates that the city is only picking up 8 – 10% of separated garbage. Other complication is that private businesses use private haulers. There are fines for garbage pails sitting out at the wrong time of day, but it’s easy to protest mixed-disposal fines, as it’s hard to prove that passers-by didn’t simply add recyclables to regular trashcans as they pass your building.

Jason gave an overview of typical “Pay as you Throw” programs: Many cities use special cans, bags or stickers to designate recycling refuse. Fees are based on size of cans, number of garbage bags or stickers affixed to bags. There are 7,000 PAYT cities in the U.S. Economics are compelling. Cities like Worcester, Ma., cut their solid waste disposal costs by $1.2 million in garbage and increased recycling rate from 3 – 36%. Need to treat waste removal as a utility, not as a public service. Some cities require homeowners to contract for garbage pick-up, which changes behavior. You could split it out from general municipal taxes. For starters, you can reduce the number of days that garbage is picked up and step up number of days that recycling is picked up. Composting can be a business – works in BPC in NYC.

Tom has been talking to Eagle recycling (mostly building materials) and the owner is interested in participating in community education about different types of plastic and where the money is. Cardboard and plastic values fluctuate. Plastics numbered 3 – 7 are not accepted in municipal recycling. JD – need to phase in change: education, then new voluntary options, then enforcement. City garbage contract is up for renewal in the next six months – we could intervene and offer suggestions for making it more cost-effective.

Outreach:

Spring Arts & Music Festival – May 2, we’ll have two tables; invite reps from the Sustainable Jersey program with NJ Clean Energy sign-up forms and lightbulbs to hand out at one table, and our group can use the other. Let’s aim to get some recycling separating bins installed someplace prominent and use the event to talk it up. Get a high-profile resident to help with a photo-op. Composting demo? Or get high school kids to help us at the booth to encourage people to sort garbage.

Green Expo: Tom Chartier mentioned Ecoventions and the Meadowlands accelerator program – groups who can help us put on a program to talk to businesses about how to go green. One for business owners, another for homeowners. Need to set some dates and get some volunteers to help plan. Need contacts with Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club or Jaycees. Email JD if you’re interested in being on a planning committee.

Green Drinks: The last Green Drinks event, was a special Green Drinks and Eats held on Thurs., Feb. 18, hosted by “The Skinny Chef” Jennifer Iserloh and husband Ulli at their home. The event was well attended and lots of fun! Stay tuned for the next event – back at a local establishment.

Old Business:

Municipal Energy Audit: Concord Engineering (contractor conducting municipal audit) is almost done with energy audit; the auditor told JD that the company will send it off next week for evaluation. The City has applied to the state for a share of the federal “Stimulus Bill” funds to help carry out some of the recommendations for energy savings.

QLC website overhaul: JD reported on the progress of transitioning QLC and CGH material to a new, improved design that will allow (and require) regular updates.

Green Drinks: Jason Tecza reminded all that the next Green Drinks event will take place at Maxwell’s on Tuesday the 18th, 6 – 8 pm

Outreach – OLG Funfest: JD reported on the QLC & CGH booth at the Our Lady of Grace Funfest in June. We signed up a lot of people for raffle for $50 gift certificates, but the first three names we pulled never responded to emails, so next time we’ll ask for phone numbers. Certificates will be reused.

New Business:

LEED ordinance: Subcommittee was recently resurrected after going on hiatus prior to during election cycle. Goal is to research and propose environmental requirements for redevelopment zones & new development. Rich Hofbauer is now heading subcommittee. Looking into some other sources for LEED ideas – Neighborhood program just introduced by USGBC – might be a good fit for Hoboken.
• John Branciforte reported on Zoning Board of Adjustment – might be a good idea to ask City Council to pass an ordinance to encourage ZBA to use LEED Certification Silver/Gold as a “positive criteria” in evaluating variance requests. John says ZBA has no guidance from Council re: the wishes of the community.
• Another attendee (Tom) reported on a program in NYC: Battery Park City Authority is a good model; they wrote their own guidelines for developers –part of the requirements for getting a plan approved. One incentive could be waiving planning/zoning application fees if building meets LEED criteria – that might even be a good incentive for home remodeling & smaller developments.
• Jason Tecza raised question of passing a law requiring developers to meet the criteria of a privately operated entity (USGBC) – makes it vulnerable to being overturned in court. Jason also mentioned that city needs a zoning watchdog. Jason and Joel Gephart volunteered to watchdog the board. Jason also asked if perhaps a resolution better than an ordinance (nonbinding)?
• Rich Hofbauer: wants to incorporate LEED guidelines into Master Plan, ideally, but may be too late. There will be legal & consensus challenges (developers’ complaints about the cost burden of LEED are a smokescreen). For state or city-owned land, LEED can be required. Need to build a strong plan that can’t be undone by future mayors and councils. We as a committee need to better understand how ZBA and building codes work here in Hoboken. LEED criteria for residential development still have a long way to go – still a little vague & will evolve. Should yield benefits for owners & residents. Mentioned an affordable housing project in the Bronx that is already winning accolades for green aspects.
• Jesse Halliburton raised issue about people who are upside down on their mortgages – can they be given some sort of incentive, like property tax abatement, for energy-saving home improvement? Rich H (background in mortgage industry) mentioned that NY State is offering financing incentives for reducing energy consumption through home improvements – involving the energy utility by reducing utility rates over the life of the loan (stays with the home through ownership changes). JD asked him to take on responsibility for researching this as a future forum topic. And contact PSE&G to see what programs they offer for funding replacement with energy efficient furnaces, boilers, etc.
• Eduardo Gonzales – Could the city bond for money for a program like that, with a credit on property taxes or participating banks with low-cost loans for anyone who takes advantage of the program. Helen said that’s what they used in the 1970s for home improvement loans (at the state level).
• JD asked Rich what else the subcommittee needs. Rich: help with research, for example, into the LEED neighborhood development pilot program – Helen says that SW Parks group already looked into this & might have some information to share. We should encourage people to contact CGH if they’re interested in helping.
• John Branciforte: mentioned another resource for researching the issues. The Citizen Action Group – nonpartisan group that sponsors voter training sessions in how to get involved & get things done through local government channels – could use LEED ordinances and zoning as a topic for training citizens in how to navigate public information channels. John is planning one on the redevelopment process.

Hoboken Housing Authority & Save The Youth: HHA is responsible for overseeing public housing buildings & residents who qualify for HUD section 8 housing vouchers. Carmelo Garcia, head of commission, is already making some green changes: Showerheads, light fixtures, etc. He is also involved in the Save the Youth Academy program (because lots of kids in HHA are in the STY program), an after-school program that focuses on giving the kids life skills & activities. Also seniors in the HHA senior buildings. Garcia and the board are looking for help creating an education program for green issues: recycling, basic energy conservation, creating videos for PSAs, etc. Need to find volunteer video producers to help teach skills. They’re open to suggestion, need a curriculum. Maybe field trips to farms that supply the green market. Age groups: 5 – 9, 10 – 13, 14 – 18, seniors. Helen is applying to PSE&G for a grant to help develop this program.

Another attendee asked if we’ve done much research into available grant monies for educational outreach programs. Helen said a lot of money has dried up. “TEACH” program from NJ DOE (Helen said we tried to get a program started in the schools through this program, but school administration wasn’t interested. Synagogue did a program last year teaching the kids how to perform a home energy audit.)

JD suggested that CGH form a subcommittee on Community/Youth Outreach. JD volunteered to serve as chair, Pat Samperi, John Branciforte. Jason suggested expanding it to include local schools – maybe Youth Outreach? With new schools superintendent, Carmelo Garcia relationship, new majority on the board of education…there’s a better chance this year at getting a program started with the schools. Jesse suggested maybe even ask property owners who aren’t going to develop land soon if they would donate it for youth farming program for short-term. However, Amy (environmental engineer) said we might need to test for toxins in that kind of land.

Fall Arts & Music Festival – an opportunity to raise awareness of our efforts. JD proposed doing another raffle, a white board for collecting ideas for reducing Hoboken’s carbon footprint, recycle bin? We can ask Stevens students to help (and kids from the STY program?). From 11 am – 6 pm. Contact JD if you can volunteer, or offer ideas. He’ll send out an email looking for volunteers. Helen got the email from Gerri for vendors (Carly also has one).

Other business:

After some lively discussion about the need for the city to improve its labeling for recycling, cans for collection, composting center, etc., the committee agreed to form a Recycling Subcommittee. Education doesn’t help until you make it easy to separate refuse for collection. Carly mentioned that in Japan, there were collection cans with four different slots. JD – you need to tie it to finances – how much can city save on garbage collection? Rich – we need to find out how the city is currently collecting garbage…there are programs in the city. Jason, Melissa, Carly volunteered to work on this subcommittee. Helen said she’d bring someone from the city to meet with us.

Steve Fahmie proposed a subcommittee for “Street Tree” audit & replacement. Could get the kids involved in that. Or set up a page where people can report distressed trees in their neighborhood.

JD spoke with an entrepreneur in JC about a program to teach small businesses how to be more environmentally conscious. We could play a role in engaging local business owners. Will put on the agenda for next meeting.

Helen announced that QLC is hosting a meeting next Wed. Aug. 19th @ St. Matthews rec center on Beth Mason’s proposed plan for upper NW corner neighborhood. Also looking to schedule something for Western Edge group, and Hudson rail yards development.

Old business:

Municipal Energy Audit: JD has been in touch with a representative from Concord Engineering, the auditing firm chosen to conduct the city’s energy audit (which began a month ago, to see if they’ll include CGH in the recommendation process. 75% of the costs of the audit is covered by Board of Public Utilities. JD followed up with Jim Ronga about the $161,000 in stimulus money allocated to Hoboken that is dedicated for energy efficiency improvements. Director Ronga said that as far as he knows, this money has been set aside to implement recommendations resulting from the energy audit.

CGH Website: JD has been talking with Paul Neshamkin about improving the QLC website. Paul wants to get a meeting together with someone from CGH & QLC & a web design person. Put CGH logo higher up and keep news & events more prominent. Add links to the resources page. JD will set up a meeting & circulate the date to anyone who’s interested.

Short film to raise awareness: Cesar & Randy, film makers & comedians, were due to attend this meeting. Idea is to raise awareness of the committee and its mission by creating a funny film set in Hoboken on green/recycling/energy savings issues.

Green Drinks update: Julie/JD. The first event had good attendance, in part due to members of local political campaigns, probably 30 people or so. No formal agenda or sales pitch. National organization encourages local groups to set up their own series. Next event is June 16 @ Dubliner 5:30 – 7:30 pm. May negotiate some drink specials for the next event, but bar manager wanted to see turnout before offering additional drink specials.

June 7th Fun Fest in Church Square Park: Will raffle off Gustorganics restaurant gift certificate & give out flyers with the question, “How would you make Hoboken Greener?” with our website & facebook page as a place to send ideas. Will also bring the big poster board pad to engage people in writing ideas on how they would make Hoboken greener.

Need volunteers. Helen will send an appeal to the QLC list.

New Business:

Green Jobs event: Joan mentioned that tomorrow there is a forum sponsored by Move On.org: 9:30 am – 12:30 pm @ Stevens’ Babbio Center. Tour of photovoltaic system on campus.

LEED Ordinance draft – what is status? Need to revisit & get it underway. Beth Mason had introduced one for municipal buildings. The one we drafted was for redevelopment zones. Helen wants it to cover rehabilitation & new construction under normal development.