435 Hamilton Street

Allentown, Pa. 18101

Allentown

Minutes - Final

Environmental Advisory Council

Monday, May 8, 2023

5:15 PM

5th Floor Conferece Room or Via Zoom

Old Business

1. Approval of March and April minutes.

2. City request for the AEAC assistance on grant application under Municipal Assistant

Plan (MAP).

3. Status updates on goals from leads

a. Plastic bags

b. Energy Equity

c. City-owned assets

d. BirdTown evaluation

4. LV EAC Network event on June 7 (Event update).

5. Working with LCV and Delaware River on water equity.

1. March and April minutes were unanimously approved

2. City request for the AEAC assistance on grant application under

Municipal Assistant Plan (MAP) was discussed. A motion was made (by

Tinku) and seconded (by Jennifer) to table the proposal until the city

hires a grants manager. The motion was unanimously approved, Tinku

has offered to discover who is the new grant manager and Maria will

determine who on the EAC will be assigned the role of maintaining

contacts with the City.

3. Status updates on goals from leads

Plastic bags - Julie will reach out to the Greater Lehigh Valley

Chamber to get a focus group discussion on plastic bags

Energy Equity - Gabriella Sampaio, Lacey and James Wynn

have been working on a report that describes energy efficiency

improvements and renewable energy for city owned assets and

residents. The mayor has suggested that the EAC get in touch

with North Penn legal services with respect to any

recommended programs or ordinances. Tinklu suggested that

she has the needed expertise. The following questions were

asked:

i. What is the time table? Tinku explained that by May 19th

Lacey will complete her portion of the report. The report

will be shared among the members and discussed at the

June meeting for approval. Kyle should be more involved

because whatever ordinances the city passes will have to

be reviewed by the council.

ii. What is the feasibility/purpose of the report? Tinku

explained that it is help the City to move forward on

energy efficiency and renewable energy.

Recommendations are in the report. Further discussion

will be held when we have the report to look over at the

June meeting

BirdTown evaluation. Tinku has worked with Brabara Malt

(Lehigh Valley Audubon Society representative) to develop a

report and recommendations on Allentown's status as a

BirdTown. The report has been sent to Mandy Tolino, Director

of the Parks and Recreation Department and will go to the

Lehigh Valley Audubon Socitey for their review and input prior to

the June AEAC meeting at which it is to be reviewed and

approved by the AEAC prior to official submission to the City.

4. LV EAC Network event on June 7 (Event update) - good opportunity to

network - topics are focused on energy efficiency and renewable energy.

Speakers include someone from the Department of Energy at the

federal level, Department of Environmental Protection at the state level,

and Holly who will talk about local efforts. The event will be held at the

steel stacks on June 7th 6-8:30 and also via Zoom. Tinku will circulate

the flier with the AEAC members.

5. Working with LCV and Delaware River on water equity. Guide book and

tool kits is being created for us to guide us in the city of allentown. This

will be on the agenda fior the June meeting.

New Business

1.) Review and approval of revised 2023 EAC goals

2.) Review and approval of revised By-laws

3.) The Seed Farm is creating a community garden in May. They want to talk to us.

4.) Decide upon lead for research on tree equity.

5.) New member

Review and approval of revised 2023 EAC goals. Two new goals item

5 and 7 were added. Motion was made to accept it by Tinku, seconded

by Jennifer and unanimously passed.

Review and approval of revised By-laws. Tinku made a motion to

approve revisions to the bylaws that she has made to reflect the

modifications to the City’s authorizing ordinance for the AEAC .

Seconded by Jennifer. Deiter suggested we table the bylaws until the

next meeting so he could have a chance to read them. Tinku withdrew

her motion and agreed to make the motion again in June.

The Seed Farm is creating a community garden in May. They want to

talk to us about collaboration. Pilot program will start in the middle of May

to see how the funding goes. Penn State may be brought in as a

collaborator. EAC could use that as an educational and promotional

opportunity. Could be a tool for us to increase our presence. Item is

tabled until the next meeting. Maria will host an event with this for work.

When she does then she will ask for everyone to be there.

We need to decide upon a lead for research on tree equity.

a.) Could have an intern work on this

b.) Maria suggested that we table this until she talks to the mayor.

c.) Interns usually come from Muhlenberg during the spring and fall

semesters.

New member

d.) Tim O’Brien - has been proposed to the mayor

e.) Kyle is helping us out as the liaison to the city council

Last city council passed the solar/energy efficiency resolution that could

perhaps be publicized in press coverage of the June 7th event.

15-5890

AEAC Meeting Notes 4-10-2023

AEAC Meeting Minutes 4-10-2023

Notes from March 2023 EAC Meeting

By Laws CITY OF ALLENTOWN ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY

COUNCIL April 2023

Allentown EAC 2023 Revised Goals 321

Draft Report of Allentown EAC on Allentown BirdTown Evaluation-April 28

Attachments: AEAC Meeting Notes 4-10-2023

AEAC Meeting Minutes 4-10-2023

Notes from March 2023 EAC Meeting

By Laws CITY OF ALLENTOWN ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY

COUNCIL April 2023

Allentown EAC 2023 Revised Goals 321

Draft Report of Allentown EAC on Allentown BirdTown Evaluation-April