Committee Report - E&E - 5-27-14 — File 197169

May 27, 2014 Environment and Energy Special Committee Page 1 of 2 Printed 6/12/2014 REPORT OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY SPECIAL COMMITTEE Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Katjana Ballantyne Chair Present Rebekah L. Gewirtz Vice Chair Present Mark Niedergang Ward Five Alderman Absent Others present: Matt Buckley, Hayes Morrison, Omar Boukili Approval of the Minutes of September 25, 2013 RESULT: APPROVED 195591 - That the Director of Transportation and Infrastructure conduct a tree survey of Powderhouse Boulevard and produce a tree planting schedule that will maintain the current tree canopy.: Ms. Morrison spoke about the city's 5-year tree plan. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 196628 - That the City Solicitor provide this Board with information regarding plastic bag reduction techniques utilized in other MA municipalities, as well as whether the city can place a deposit fee on such bags or regulate their use to contain free advertisers.: Mr. Buckley spoke about ordinances in other communities and said that he believes that such an ordinance in Somerville would be defensible. He noted, however, that placing a deposit fee on plastic bags would be problematic. Members discussed the legislative process involved and the timeline and Mr. Boukili requested that the item be kept in committee until a new Environmental Programs Manager is hired. Alderman Gewirtz suggested modeling Somerville's ordinance after Brookline's and recommended a threshhold of 5,000 (or more) square feet. Members made various recommendations and requested that the Law Department prepare a draft ordinance for the committee's review.

Committee Meeting May 27, 2014 Environment and Energy Special Committee Page 2 of 2 Printed 6/12/2014 RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 197029 - That the Director of Sustainability and Environment update this Board on steps being taken to educate businesses and enforcement regarding the city’s polystyrene ban.: Mr. Boukili requested that the item be kept in committee until a new director begins employment at the end of June. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 197061 - Assistant City Solicitor Responding to #196628 re: Plastic Bag Reduction.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED