Clean Up Day Report, July Meeting cancled

Greetings - due to a schedule conflict with my responsibilities in Lansing, I am going to cancel the July Sustainability Committee meeting.

Here is a summary report on the activity at our Clean Up Day on June 21, 2014:
*109 car/truck/trailer loads (and 109 appreciative residents)
*25 compacted cubic yards of rubbish (equivalent to about 50 loose cubic yards of couches, junk, etc.)
* approximately 30 cubic yards of electronic waste (large and small TV's, computer monitors, CPUs, phones, vacuum sweepers, microwave ovens, etc)
*2 cubic yards of polystyrene ("styrofoam")
* 3 cubic yards of scrap metal

Thank you Mike, Laura, Woody, Russ, Margie and Peter for attending the event. Your volunteer efforts are greatly appreciated!

There were several requests from residents to hold another clean up event next year.  Lets discuss that at our next meeting.

We will meet in August on the second Tuesday to discuss next years event and other items that may come before us.

Best regards,

Phil Mikus
Trustee
Charter Township of Union
2010 S. Lincoln Road
Mt Pleasant, MI 48858

March 11 2014 Minutes

UNION TOWNSHIP SUSTAINABILITY COMMMITTEE REPORT

3/11/14

Meeting began at about 4:05 pm

Members present: Laura Coffee, Mike Lyon, Steve Lawrence, Phil Mikus

Others present: Russ Alwood, Peter Gallinat, Tim Lannen

1. June Clean Up Event June 21
1. Request to add polystyrene (“Styrofoam”). Phil will check with Isabella County MRF.
2. Tires – committee agreed to NOT include tires at the event since the County Conservation District is holding a tire collection event on the same day.
3. Set up the day before - Steve said his staff can help set up traffic control signs/cones
4. Remove roll off containers on Monday - This could be a problem with CMU. Steve will check into this
5. Address list for mailing promotional material - Laura will need by the end of April
2. Well Head Protection Program.  The recently approved Union Township Well Head Protection Program was presented and discussed.
3. Building a Greener Community
1.  CMU has a food composting program, services provided by Morgan Farm, Sears MI
2. Front yard gardening option.  Rules and regulations of the township can be written to allow for front yard gardening
3.  Energy Efficiency.  How can our ordinances and building requirements encourage energy efficient building standards
1. Create a statement that welcomes energy efficiency
2. Information flyers on why it’s a benefit to the community
3. Encourage heat pump technology

Meeting adjourned at 5pm.

February 11, 2014

1. Waste List check list (as handed out at the meeting). 2. Volunteer target: 20 adults, over the age of 18, minors will not be allowed to volunteer 3. Volunteer Orientation: a meeting will be held the week before the event, on June 14, 2014, at the township hall, 10 am 4. Security - Brian will check into the cost of a contract with Sheriff department for an officer assigned to the site 5.Waste Acceptance list on line. Mikus will provide a list from DEQ. Most lists describe what not to accept. See this link: http://www.michigan.gov/documents/deq/deq-oppca-bannedlandfillmaterials_286106_7.pdf 6. Mikus will check on the schedule of special/hazardous waste days schedule by the County. 7. Question came up of how many deposit containers may be in trash. The answer is: More than a de minimis amount of open, empty, or otherwise used beverage containers as defined in the Initiated Law of 1976, as amended (Deposit Law) is prohibited.(https://www.michigan.gov/deq/0,4561,7-135-3312_4123-96663--,00.html) 8. Brian will double check the calendar of events for conflicts on our date. 9. Mailing list for our event will include rental inspection list, and recycle route list. The number of units may be 2,529, plus apartment. KCI may be the mailing service contractor.

2014 Spring Clean Up Day Work Flow (draft)

Here is an outline of material flow procedures for the Clean up day
Hours - 8am to 1pm. Expect lines forming before 8am, and a line still at 2pm. Establish
a cut off at the end of the day, they must be in line by 1pm so we can close at 2pm.
Residency verification - compare photo ID with tax roll address to verify residency
Trips per household - establish a limit of one load per household, other wise we may
have people bringing in material from their friends and family of other
municipalities/townships.
Conditions- No "shovel offs". All loose trash material must be bagged or contained in a
box for easy unloading, and to keep the line moving
Equipment needed at the site-
A loader for packing down the material in the roll off, and to lift material over the side
when the doors of the container are closed
Container loading procedure: Materials are carried into the front of the container,
stacked and piled. The loader equipment compacts the material as needed. When the
container is near full, the door is closed. The loader equipment is used to lift material
over the top of the container to completely fill it.
Scrap Metal Bids:
Roll off container(s) delivered the morning of the event or the day before and removed
the day of the event to prevent theft.
Require a rebate for the value of the scrap to be paid to the township to offset the
transportation expenses.
E-waste - may be part of the scrap metal bid. Vendor to provide a container or box truck
for collection of material.
Tires - limit to passenger car/pick up truck tires, not tractor tires or large
equipment/truck tires.
Volunteer Leader/Staff training prior to the event will be necessary.

Sustainability Committee Meeting Report for January 14, 2014

Meeting began at 4:05 pm at the Union Township Hall.

Present: Phil Mikus, Laura Coffee, Rob Bidner, Peter Gallinat, Woody Woodruff, Russ Alwood, Margie Henry.

The report of the November meeting was reviewed.

Coffee reported that the estimated cost of mailing notices for the Clean Up event will be approximately $2500; which would include two 2-sided mailings; the first being a post card, the second a more detailed description of the event/rules/etc.  Alwood recommended we get the notice two months in advance to MACTV; Bidner reported he could get friends to post and distribute the notice in area apartments. We may be able to piggyback the event notice on other Township mailings.

The initial budget request of $10,000 may need to be increased for the additional publicity/promotion expenses needed to properly get the word out.

Bidner reported he will contact Central Michigan office of volunteers to have a notice of opportunity posted.

Gallinat reported he will be attending a grant writing workshop in January.

Mikus reported he will prepare an draft outline of the event and submit it to Manager Smith.

Lawrence reported in an email message that we have received formal okay to use CMU parking lot 63 for the township clean up day.

Meeting adjourned at 5:00 pm.

Submitted by Phil Mikus

Union Township Sustainability Committee Report for Sept 17, 2013

Tuesday, Sept 17, 2013 at 4pm in the Township Hall.

Present: Phil Mikus, Laura Coffee, Rob Bidner, Steve Lawrence

Also present: Margie Henry, Brian Smith, Wm “Woody” Woodruff,  Peter Gallinat


1.    Recycling Depot for Bluegrass/Isabella area.     Phil reported Walmart declined to be a host for a site, and township water department sites are not eligible due to our Well Head Protection plan;  the Isabella County MRF has set up a drop off site at County Place Apartments, on Crawford just south of Broomfield, and Mr. Moogenburg from the MRF office said it can be used by any of the public.  The search for another site in the Bluegrass/Isabella Road area will continue.

2.                  Wind Turbine Update. Woody reported the new owner of the SkyStream franchise has gotten us connected with another service technician, and a new diagnostic protocol to determine the status of the unit at the township hall will be employed.

3.                   Clean Up Day. Progress continued on planning for the first annual community clean up day, tentatively set for June 21, 2014, in lot #63 on the Campus of Central Michigan University (south of the football stadium).

1.                  Hours tentatively set for 8am to 1pm

2.                  Materials:

1.                  Junk/Trash,

2.                  Metals,

3.                  Tires

3.                  Committee structure was re-organized and volunteers assigned to committees as follows:

1.                  Layout & Safety – Steve Lawrence

2.                  Insurance, Risk Management  Bidding & Funding/Grants – Brian Smith, Woody Woodruff, Peter Gallinat

3.                  Promotion/Advertising/Resource Info – Laura Coffee

4.                  Volunteers & Refreshments – Phil Mikus, Rob Bidner

           

            Further discussion centered on;

1.                  the possible need for sheriff traffic control at the entrance off West Campus Drive;

2.                   possibly adding e-waste (computers, anything with a cord) through the metals vendor or through Habitat for Humanity, and the need to certify the proper handling of e-waste by whomever is selected.

3.                  establishing guidelines on what will be accepted and what will not and including a “things not to bring” list for all advertising;

4.                  a big task for Mike Lyon since he missed the meeting.

            Next meeting, second Tuesday of the month, October 8, 2013, 4pm in the Jameson Hall, 5142 Budd Street, off Pickard, one block east of Isabella Road. http://goo.gl/maps/V5ssY

Sustainability Committee Meeting Report 11-12-2013

Present: Russ Alwood, Margie Henry, Brian Smith, Mike Lyon, Peter Gallinat, Laura Coffee, Stephen Lawrence late. Alwood reported it only cost $245 to reset the broken Wind Turbine. Smith reported that Township Liability Insurance covered the community clean up day Group decided to have the Union Township Community Clean up day on June 21, 2014 Gallinat reported that the deadline for the tire grant was changed for the new funding year and has elapsed. Will look into other funding avenues Coffee reported that she just needs a population numbers to estimate the cost of a mailing for the Clean up day. Group decided to have no meeting for December. Meet back January 14, 2014. Meeting adjourned at 4:35pm

August 13, 2013 Report

Sustainability Committee Meeting Report 8-13-13


4pm

Committee Members Present: Mike Lyon, Rob Bidner, Phil Mikus. Absent: Laura Coffee, Steve

Lawrence, Tom Rohrer.

Also: Woody Woodruff, Russ Alwood, Margie Henry

1. Community Clean Up Day

a. Tentative date selected: June 21, 2013

b. Tentative site: CMU lot 63/64

c. Tentative Materials to collect: Tires, Rubbish/Trash, Metals

d. Tentative hours: 8am to 1pm

e. Committees to be formed and defined

e.i. Layout

e.ii. Insurance

e.iii. Safety

e.iv. Promotion/Advertising/Resource Info

e.v. Bidding

e.vi. Volunteers

e.vii. Refreshments

Committees will be defined and assigned; time line will be finalized at the September 17th

meeting.

Tentative Time Line: (some tasks are Manager/Staff function, others committee volunteers)

Sept 17 – define and assign committees, finalize timeline

Oct - Finalize agreement with University, establish budget including printing/mailing

Nov -

Dec -

Jan – complete tire grant application

Feb – submit tire grant application

Mar – Issue RFP s; design promotion materials

Apr – review bids and select vendors

May – volunteer meeting

June – bake the cookies and hold the event

2. SkyStream Wind Generator – it was learned this week that XZERES Company has purchased the

Sky Stream Line. A phone call and email was made to Therese Unholtz, Customer Service

Manager for XZERES, 9025 SW Hillman Ct #3126 Wilsonville, OR 97070

(877) 404-9438. Committee recommends the Township move to wait to hear back from XZERES

before a decision is made on the next step regarding repair/sale/other.

Meeting adjourned at 5:05pm

Submitted by Phil Mikus, committee chair.

February 12, 2013 Union Township Sustainability Committee Meeting

Union Township Sustainability Committee Meeting


Meeting called to order at 4:05pm 2/12/13



1. Sam Fiani recommended this committee invite a member of the CMU Student Government Association (SGA) Sustainability Committee to join the Union Township Sustainability Committee as a means to developing more recycling partnerships between the township and the University. Recommendation approved by voice vote of committee members present.

2. Sam reported on the January 17, 2013 Isabella County MRF Board meeting she attended.

     a. 556 petition signatures asking for more apartment recycling options were presented to the board

     b. MRF board asked for creative ideas on how to provide the service

3. This committee asked Woody to ask Rick McGuirk for creative recycling idea input when he meets Rick at the next Planning Commission meeting.

4. MRF board meeting schedule changed to quarterly; next meeting in April

5. Burning Ban Law

       a. The new Michigan outdoor burning law went into effect in Oct 2012.

       b. Does not restrict BBQ or cooking food outside

      c. Does ban burning trash, specifically plastic, rubber, foam, treated wood, electronics, chemicals and hazardous materials.

4. Committee recommended the Township post in the lobby informational brochures on the new law; Mike L. will research availability of brochures from the State of Michigan.

5. Community Garden

     a. Phil M. reported the harvest last season was successful; and that the deer repellant sprays worked once it was applied.

     b. Brian S. said staff will prepare a spray schedule and follow up after rain fall to re-apply.

     c. Laura C. stated that human hair cuttings also make good deer repellant.

     d. An invitation to participate in this coming season’s garden will be created and distributed, and posted on our website.

6. Other

Laura reported the Food Co-op will be hosting a plant & herb swap this June.



Meeting adjourned at 5pm

1/8/2013 MINUTES

Meeting called to order at 4:00 pm by Phil Mikus on 1/8/2013 at the Union Township Hall

1. Apartment Recycling
1. CMU Sustainability is circulating petitions to MRF to provide apartment recycling service
2. Encourage supporters to attend next MRF meeting
2. New Burning Laws
1. Bans burning volatile household items such as plastics, paint, treated lumber, etc
2. Enforcement at state level is low to non existent
3. Penalty- warning, $75 ticket, then $150 each violation
4. State DEQ has local model ordinance, Woodruff will download, evaluate and report back
5. Current enforcement for nuisance burning complaints utilizes MPFD
3. Other DEQ info
1. Environmental Mapper http://www.mcgi.state.mi.us/environmentalmapper/
2. We may want to rescind our grass and leaf ordinance to comply with county landfill agreement
4. On 12/17/12 The Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe scheduled a half-day working session with local partners to discuss the Tribe's 319 Nonpoint Source Management Program Plan and get your input on appropriate Best Management Practices for the Chippewa River and tributaries.  Woodruff attended and will participate in future meetings.
5. Meeting adjourned at 4:43

Agenda for May 8, 2012

Hello Team - The next meeting of the Citizens Task Force on Sustainability will be Tuesday, May 8, 2012 at 4pm in the township hall board room. Please send in a reply to all with any agenda items you have for the meeting.

One item I would like us to discuss is a proposal to establish an annual awards program, tentatively called the Union Township Environmental Leadership Award. The basis of selecting a recipient will be completion of the Green Self Assessment Check List we discussed at our April Meeting.

See the new Task Force web page at http://uniontownshipmi.com/BoardsandCommissions/CitizensTaskForceonSustainability.aspx

Hope to see you all next Tuesday.

All good things,
Phil Mikus
Chair, Citizens Task Force on Sustainability
Trustee,  Charter Township of Union

Minutes of Citizens Task Force on Sustainability, Tuesday April 10, 2012

Minutes of Citizens Task Force on Sustainability, Tuesday April 10, 2012 at 4pm in the Township Hall

Present: Mike Lyon, Sarvit Chardowery, Phil Mikus
Also Present: Brian Smith, Wm. “Woody” Woodruff, Samantha “Sam” Fiani


1. Community Garden Project – Brian reported fencing will be installed soon. Some discussion on future garden sites in years to come after this pilot project is fully evaluated.


2. Multi Family Recycling – Phil reported Billy’s, who hauls some apartment rubbish, sorts trash to pull out recyclables. A rep of Billy’s may be able to attend future meetings of the Board to answer questions.


3. Oberlin Project – tabled, Tom Rohrer was unable to attend the meeting. A planned green designed community. oberlinproject.org.


4. The Green Self Assessment Check List – discussion on completing the checklist for our facilities and encouraging other entities to review other facilities.

Green_Venues_Self-Assessment_Checklist_-_Fillable_Form_304171_7.pdf

Agenda for April 10, 2012

Sustainablity Committee meeting, Tuesday April 10, 2012 at 4pm in the Township Hall

1. Community Garden Project - update
2. Multi Family Recycling
3. Oberlin Project - Tom Rohrer
4. The Green Self Assessment Check List See http://www.michigan.gov/documents/dleg/Green_Venues_Self-Assessment_Checklist_-_Fillable_Form_304171_7.pdf

Agenda 2/14/12, 4 PM

Agenda for February 14, 2012

With spring on the horizon there are a few topics that we would like input from the Sustainability Committee on:

1. Community Garden Project - update
2. Multi Family Recycling
3. Sidewalks on Bluegrass Road
4. Oberlin Project http://oberlinproject.org/ (http://chronicle.com/article/A-College-Town-Imagines-a-New/129650/ ) - Tom Rohrer

Phil Mikus, chair
Sustainability Committee

Charter Township of Union
Citizens Task Force on Sustainability
January 10, 2012

Agenda:
Greetings All,
At our last meeting in September, we decided to convert to a quarterly meeting schedule and retain the ability to meet at special times within the quarter if issues warrant convening the committee. With that said, our next scheduled meeting will be January 10, 2012 at [4 pm] in the township hall (weather permitting, of course!).

One topic I would like to discuss at that time is the establishment of a larger community garden space. The garden spots at the Jameson Park this past growing season was a good pilot project which demonstrated that there is interest for a community garden in our Township.

I recently became aware of a unique project conducted by the East Lansing Food Co-op that
could serve as a model for our community to replicate. The basis of the idea was to partner with a private property owner who owns an undeveloped lot next to a strip mall. The private owner also owns the strip mall. Rain water from the roof of the strip mall was captured in rain barrels for use on the garden plots. I will be working with Township staff and the Mt Pleasant Area Food Co-op in the next several months to see how we can move forward with implementing a similar plan in Union Township and will report to the committee in January (with e-mail updates as warranted).

All good things,

Phil Mikus
Sustainable Committee chair
Trustee

Meeting Minutes, 1/10/12
Present: Supervisor Barker, Mike Lyon, Sarvjit Chowdhary, Tom Rohrer, Woody Woodruff, Sara Christianson (Green Tree Co-op).
I. Community Garden
a. Last year included
i. poor tilth
ii. animal damage
iii. Rain Barrels were installed
b. Suggestions for coming year
i. Soil amendments (peat)
ii. Garden Tour of city and township plots
iii. Additional frost proof water spigot
iv. Fencing
v. Handicapped accessible garden
vi. Increase education and awareness
vii. Coordinated plot sign-up with City, Township and Green Tree and web based
c. Discussed Public Private Partnership such as East Lansing to provide plots near retail to utilize roof water and place the gardens in prominent locations to encourage use.

II. Environmental concerns with Fracking
a. New exploratory well on M 20 west of Lincoln Rd is for oil, not gas
b. State dept of wells has exclusive jurisdiction on permits
c. Suggested writing to Director Hal Fitch with concerns over this Fracking practice
d. Lyon informed us of the Environmental Mapper found on the State’s website (use Search feature form the DNR page at Michigan.gov)
e. The township is working on a Well Head Protection program at this time that will also help map the local aquifers

CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF UNION, SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE REPORT

CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF UNION, SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE REPORT
APRIL 8, 2011 7am
Members present: Mike Lyons, Savich Chowdhary, Phil Mikus, Also present: Brian Smith, Woody Woodruff, Brent Ebright, John Barker
• Received a report of the Multi Family Pilot Project progress, from Brent Ebright, Isabella County MRF Manager.
o An apartment complex on Deerfield Road may be the pilot location, with a projected start date of no later than September 1, 2011, Funds for the roll off containers from 2% money.
o Roll offs may also be used for ball field special events, such as tournaments
• Reviewed the status of the Brine Agreement with Isabella County Road Commission.
o Mikus reported Mi Chloride Sales does not use oil well brine for Isabella County, according to its owner. MCS uses brine from a mile deep well in east Gratiot County.
o Lyons asked why ICRC has a permit to apply oil well brine.
• Reviewed the Committee goals developed at the February meeting (posted below). Discussion on certain items followed:
o Re: item iii – refer to Parks and Recreation Committee
o Re: item v – the upcoming multi-family pilot will be a good subject for an Intern project.
o RE: item vi – recommendation is to refer that to a contractor when funding is available and approved by Board of Trustees
o Item added: implement at least one community garden this coming season
• Discussed the pros and cons of converting diesel fuel fleet vehicles to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). Barker stated that this kind of thing could be a joint project with maybe the city, county, tribe and university.
• Adjourn @ 8:10pm
Committee Goals for 2011, as presented by committee members at Feb 8, 2011 meeting:
• Establish a speaker series or promote Great Lakes Sustainability Institute program
• Install a proper sign in front of the three wind generators at the township hall
• Create a recycling collection program for township sports fields
• Provide a “Sustainability Information Kiosk” in the lobby of the township hall
• Prepare a report on the impact the curbside recycling program is having on waste diversion
• Create and implement a written “sustainability plan” for all township facilities, include energy use, recycling collection for example.
• Discuss with County Recycling Manager the possible ways to add businesses and commercial sites on the recycling collection routes
“The mission of the Union Township Sustainability Committee shall be to provide recommendations and advice to the Union Township Board of Trustees on activities that will assure the environmental, fiscal and social sustainability of the Township.”
Charter Township of Union Sustainability Committee

Feb 8, 2011 Meeting Notes

Charter Township of Union Sustainability Committee
Meeting Summary
February 8, 2010 7am.
Present: David Burdett, Sarvjit Chowdhary, Tom Rohrer, Mike Lyon, Phil Mikus, Brian Smith, Wm. “Woody” Woodruff

1. Multi Family Recycling options. Tabled to March meeting when County Recycling Manager can be present.

2. Planned renovations to the Jameson Hall kitchen. John Barker last month distributed a report via email.

3. Introduction of and discussion on a Community Food Plot location for Union Township. Discussion at today’s meeting centered on the following criteria:
a) prefer a donated site at least five acres in size
b) revenue to cover costs to operate should come from user fees . User fees give a sense of ownership that would lead to “stick to it-ness”, i.e., proper weed control and clean up
c) a source of water would be ideal
d) other policies such as land prep, plot size, maintenance, application form with a liability waiver statement & other liability issues will be established by township staff
e) collaboration with Mt Pleasant Food Project and CMU Community Garden was recommended as a way to establish a “Best Model”
f) CMU has a composting project utilizing food prep scrap, composting “tons a month”, Tom Rohrer reported.

4. Introduction of and discussion on a workshop about Sustainable Food Choices – Brian stated John Barker may have such plans in mind.

5. Energy Project Report – the impact of weather on the energy generation is being studied by township staff. Individual generator data logging is not working as well as vendor thought it would. Woody is working on solutions such as an 18 channel meter to read total current flow.

6. Web Site Intern Update – Brian is working with PR Central, a volunteer group from CMU, for possible creative content. David referred Brian to University Communication, as that group is working on similar issues. Sarvjit gave Brian the name of a professor friend in the MIS department at CMU as another resource.

7. Other Business
a. Brine use on township roads – Phil asked what the Brine Management Plan is for the Road Commission. Committee consensus was to recommend the Township review the Road Commissions Brine Management Plan before signing a proposed Brine Contract.
b. Woody reported on the latest issues about energy use and indoor plant growing regarding the Medical Marijuana law.
c. Committee Goals for 2011:
i. Establish a speaker series or promote Great Lakes Sustainability Institute program
ii. Install a proper sign in front of the three wind generators at the township hall
iii. Create a recycling collection program for township sports fields
iv. Provide a “Sustainablity Information Kiosk” in the lobby of the township hall
v. Prepare a report on the impact the curbside recycling program is having on waste diversion
vi. Create and implement a written “sustainability plan” for all township facilities, include energy use, recycling collection for example.
vii. Discuss with County Recycling Manager the possible ways to add businesses and commercial sites on the recycling collection routes

Meeting adjourned in a timely fashion, approximately 8am.

Submitted by Phil Mikus.

Climate Change Checklist

On December 14th, we will be considering the Climate Change Check List as guide for actions the township could take to reduce Climate Change. Many of the initiatives listed have already begun as a result of our Energy Efficiency Grant. The check list is from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, See http://www.michigan.gov/documents/deq/deq-ess-climatechange-checksheet_243492_7.pdf

November 2010 Charter Township of Union Sustainability Committee Meeting Report

CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF UNION SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE

NOVEMBER 9, 2010 MEETING MINUTES


Committee Members Present: Mike Lyon, Tom Rohrer, David Burdett, Sarvjit Chowdhary , Phil Mikus
Also present: Brian Smith, Township Manager; Woody Woodruff, Township Zoning Official

Meeting called to order at 7:05am by Committee Chair Phil Mikus

Mr. Woodruff described the draft Township Master Plan section by section.

Mr. Rohrer recommended the Board promote the slowing of the conversion of farm land to residential use and promote infill methods to preserve existing farm land. He also stated that Bluegrass Road is an excellent target for infill planning which would create “a nice community”.

Mr. Burdett recommended the Board continue the productive collaboration discussions it has had with local units of government and local institutions.

Mr. Lyon recommended the Board promote incentives for home owners to get tax credits for geothermal heating as an alternative to the use of fossil fuels or other alternate energy sources.

Mr. Chowdhary recommended the Board consider the “immediate need” to install sidewalks along Bluegrass, Isabella and Deerfield Roads.

The Charter Township of Union Sustainability Committee conditionally recommends the Board adopt the 2010 Master Plan as presented and that the Board consider the recommendations as set forth above.

Meeting adjourned at 8:15am

Respectfully submitted,
Phil Mikus
Sustainability Committee Chair



“The mission of the Union Township Sustainability Committee shall be to provide recommendations and advice to the Union Township Board of Trustees on activities that will assure the environmental, fiscal and social sustainability of the Township.”

October 2010 Charter Township of Union Sustainability Committee Meeting Report

Tuesday Oct 12, 2010, 7 am at the Township Hall

Present: Phil Mikus, Casey Collings, David Moscadelli, Sarvjit Chowdhary, Tom Rohrer
Also present: Brian Smith, Woody Woodruff

1. Energy Grant update- Woodruff reported the two Sky Stream wind turbines have generated 6.8 KW to date; and the WindSpire is back ordered due to an inverter redesign by the manufacturer. Rohrer reported CMLife had an article about the project; that he has video with sound recording available to use as comparison to local road noise if needed.
a. Brittany the CMU intern will be assigned to assist in development of the project educational sign planned for the wind turbine site on Lincoln Road.
2. Energy Audit – Smith reported that Township Staff have evaluated the report and will be first proceeding with the “low hanging fruit” of improved insulation and lighting, thathas the greatest economical payback of all options presented.
3. Non Motorized Vehicle Study – Woodruff reported the RFP has been released for the grant funded $50,000 study. The grant from the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe has a county-wide focus; Union Township is the fiduciary agent for the Pathways study group.
a. Preliminary concepts talked about amongst the local representatives of the Pathways group includes a slow grade 127 overpass for Remus Road, with motorized, non-motorized & ADA qualities, would link Tribal Territory, MMCC, Union Township and Mt Pleasant with parks and other pathways, when funding is available.
b. Smith reported Township land at Deerfield Road and Mission Road as possible future location of a non-motorized (bicycle) staging area and rest stop when regional pathways connect Fred Meijer tract in Gratiot County to Pere Marquette tracts in Clare County through Isabella County.
4. The Great Lakes Institute for Sustainable Systems at Central Michigan University - Rohrer distributed brochures about the new Institute of which he is the director. The link is to the web site is: http://www.cmich.edu/Sustainability_Institute.htm
The Institute promotes academic programs, research, community outreach, and campus operations that are dedicated to the advancement of sustainable systems. Partners to assist in the development of the Institute are being sought.


The meeting adjourned at a reasonable time.