HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-09-13 Idle Free Working Group MinutesBozeman Climate Partners
Idle-Free Bozeman
Meeting Minutes
May 9, 2013, 2pm to 3:30pm
Bozeman City Hall, 121 N. Rouse Ave. (City Commission Room)
Members Attending:
Elin Hert, Carson Taylor (Commission Liaison), Natalie Meyer (Staff Liaison)
A. Call to Order
B. Changes to the Agenda
C. Approval of Minutes- Approval of 4/11/13 minutes delayed until next meeting.
D. Public Comment –
a. Hert suggested that we distribute the Idle Free flyers during Bike to Work week morning
coffee spots. Hert, Taylor, & Meyer divided up the schedule for outreach.
b. Taylor inquired when we last completed the idling monitoring. He wonders if it has been
more than one year and would like the group to complete another round of monitoring.
Meyer said she would check into the monitoring results.
E. Elementary School Outreach
a. Walk to School Day
i. Meyer reports that Taylor Lonsdale with Safe Routes to School would like to coordinate
with us during National Walk to School day in the Fall (1st Wednesday in Oct.). He will
include us when they have the district-wide coordinating meeting in September.
b. Newsletter
i. Hert wrote a nice newsletter piece focused on children in pick-up/drop-off zones. This
can be used for school newsletters in the fall and we will submit to daycares and camps
this summer.
ii. Camps discussed: Agape, Equinox, MOSS, YMCA, Bozeman Recreation
c. PAC presentations
i. Meyer contacted Whittier, Hawthorne, and Emily Dickinson about continuing with
presentations in the fall. Hawthorne responded immediately and suggested that we
make contact again in September. Others have not yet responded.
ii. Taylor contacted Marilyn King and she gave us permission to submit the Idle Free flyer
in the Friday folder in the fall. This will be our most widespread blanket outreach, to
date. Meyer will check on print quantity needed.
d. Driver’s education classes
i. Taylor contacted the driver’s education coordinator, Mike Clayton. There are two
classes during the summer and one during each session of the school year.
ii. Meyer found an “Eco-driver” driver’s education tool through Ford Motor Company that
includes a section on idling. Website can be found at www.drivingskillsforlife.com. This
may be a simple way to convey the idling message (and other smart driving tips) to
students. Taylor will share the information with Mike Clayton.
F. Outreach Plan
a. Radio & Commercial PSAs
i. Last meeting we reviewed an idling commercial that was produced in Kentucky. Group
had agreed it would be an appealing commercial. Meyer made contact with the
organization that produced it, but has not heard a response. Taylor suggested that we
write to them and let them know that we plan to use the commercial and will assume
that we have permission if we do not hear anything within two weeks. Meyer thought
this a good idea, but we would like to be able to edit the commercial to incorporate the
Bozeman branding and slightly modify the message.
ii. Taylor would like to make contact with the producer of WBUR in Boston to request that
the Car Talk guys produce a simple radio message about idling that can be used
throughout the country. Meyer said that they have written commentary about it on the
web, which she will forward to Taylor to use as an example.
b. Swim Center & Bogert Pool
i. Hert and Taylor commented that the idling signs should be posted at Bogert and signs
should be low enough to be visible. Meyer still needs to work on the Aquatics
Superintendent about posting the DEQ signs and posters at both facilities.
c. Articles
i. Elin volunteered to submit an article to MT Parent
d. Neighborhood Associations
i. Meyer will give a very short presentation at the INC meeting about idling and other
sustainability programs this evening.
ii. Taylor wondered if Meyer would inquire about enforcement of the unattended vehicle
law.
e. Upcoming Events
i. Compost Bin Sale
1. Meyer will have the flyers handy
ii. Farmer’s Market Tabling
1. Will have a table for the Energy Smackdown once a month throughout the
summer at the Farmer’s Market. We will have idling flyers available.
iii. Greendrinks
1. Taylor arranged to have the City host Greendrinks on Wednesday, August 28th to
share information on Bozeman’s Community Climate Action Plan. The Bozeman
Library Foundation will co-host the event at the Library. Presentations are
typically short, but we would like to include information on Idle Free Bozeman,
and other sustainability initiatives. We should have a planning meeting in July.
Taylor suggested July 11th, 2-4pm. Meyer will extend the invitation to the other
groups involved with the Community CAP.
f. FYI/Discussion
i. As a follow up to Knighton’s comments about Streamline during the last meeting,
Meyer contacted David Kack at WTI. David believes he needs to have a conversation
with Dennis at Karst to find out if there is any reason why the buses must idle and if
there is any possibility of developing a no idle policy.
ii. Meyer spoke with new Parks & Recreation Director about collaboration opportunities
between Parks and Sustainability. One immediate opportunity we have is to include
our sustainability information in the Bozeman Recreation Flyer. The next deadline to
submit is in July.
iii. Ryon Stover had a conversation with the owner of MT Ale Works and he is going to try
to get a no idling sign posted near the delivery and solid waste zone near the entry.