Members in attendance: Tinku Khanwalkar (chairperson), Dieter Kretschy, Holly Edinger, Jon Stanley,
David Melman, Jennifer Swann
Guest: Kyle Ropski (kropski@muhlenberg.edu), Jacob Kidd (jkidd@muhlenberg.edu), Julie Thomases,
Lacey Pasco, Jeremy Taylor (jeremy@somaxhtc.com), Joseph Hoffman
Welcome and Introductions
October Meeting Discussion: Move to the 3rd Monday (10/18) due to the Chairperson’s travel. We will
have a new Zoom Link not linked to Lehigh University.
Review and Approval of August Minutes (approved)
Old Business
·
2021 Goals Report
1. Waste Minimization/Food Waste – Holly Edinger
a. New Muhlenberg Intern: Jacob Kidd
b. Focused on diversion of food to those in need
c. Could talk to Dieter about solid waste management as well
d. Lacey’s contact is involved in the Muhlenberg food waste recovery
2. Micro-mobility – Jennifer Swann/Tinku Khanwalkar
a. Approval of Micro-Mobility Report
b. Will be posted to EAC Website
3. Climate Action Inventory: Tinku will meet with city staff on action to focus on the actions and a score
card/ dashboard. Look to have continued support from new administration come the new year.
4. (Reinstated) Addressing EJ through Litter Programs: Citizen Climate Core in development/
discussion- Could this be used to bring the topic of litter/ plastic to the community? Funding is available
to support this work from Wm. Penn Foundation. Working with the ASD Foundation and Lehigh U. on a
proposal.
5. Park Spark Project – Jennifer; No update.
6. Litter/Invasive Plant Removal Events
a. 401 Cleveland- city found that the owner does not exist any longer
b. Dieter will talk with his contact about a cleanup event (possibly at 401 Cleveland) in October
c. Big Brothers Big Sisters- Tinku talked to them about that but, as part of MLK day and twice a
year. Jon Stanley will coordinate this and Lacey will help with poster design.
d. Parks- no meeting with Parks Dept. until 9/29
e. Poison Hemlock contest on social media- dropped to focus on other initiatives.
7. Rain Gardens (Muhlenberg -- Sadie): No update since Sadie is not on campus.
8. Community Garden at Muhlenberg: Have a lot of volunteers this year! and they could maybe help
with park or cleanup event.
9. Create a public repository of sustainability data including Greenhouse Gas Inventory, Climate Action
Inventory, Community Sustainability Certification, CDP Responses, etc. (Lacey). We need to figure out
how to build an online repository. Lacey can look into this.
10. Build social media following (promote Allentown Vision 2030, education about our trash and
recycling programs, invasive species, build-out to include internships. Talk to city about better posting
