Members in attendance: Tinku Khanwalkar (chairperson), Dieter Kretschy, Jon Stanley, Jennifer
Swann, David Melman
Guests: Matt Tuerk, Jeremy Taylor (jeremy@somaxhtc.com), Julie Thomases (resident), Susan
Dalandan (Lehigh Valley Food Policy Council), Grace Kennedy (Lehigh Valley Food Policy Council),
Jessica Armbruster (City of Allentown Education Manager), Ann Saurman (Manager, City of Allentown
Bureau of Recycling and Solid Waste), Leo Rooney (Heirloom Strategies), Lacey Pasco (Muhlenberg
student), Kyle Ropsky (Muhlenberg student)
Welcome and Introductions: See above
Approval of November Minutes: Passes
Review and Approval of EAC Report on 2021 Accomplishments: Passes
Discussion of 2022 Goals:
•
Drive greater transparency and accountability in the City on environmental matters
o
o
Work with City staff on a dashboard on climate actions and other sustainability metrics
Continue to lead disclosures to CDP on GHG metrics – Tinku noted that last year’s disclosures
are available on EAC’s website
o
Continue to lead disclosures to ACEEE on energy efficiency metrics – Last year’s is available
on EAC website
•
Drive action to address environmental justice in Allentown
Continue to work with PNLV to establish a civilian climate corps in Allentown that will focus on
o
clean and safe neighborhoods (to include building community to address litter and plastics in
waterways, implement stream buffers and community gardens, engage in tree plantings, etc.) –
overview of initiative was provided by Leo Rooney and Tinku Khanwalkar
o
Research and make recommendations on improving access to open space in marginalized
neighborhoods
o
Research and make recommendations on ways to address food justice while reducing the
City’s carbon footprint – Tinku explained that EAC’s research in 2021 demonstrated that excess food in
Allentown is largely already being donated, so we may look into using waste food for pig feed
o
Research and make recommendations on ways to address tree equity in Allentown
•
Promote Environmental Education and Awareness in Allentown
Develop and implement a sustainable business recognition program in Allentown – the
o
suggestion was made to find additional ways to raise environmental awareness among businesses in
Allentown
o
Assist in implementing programs for children and youth to learn about the social and
environmental impacts of litter and how to reduce trash – Susan Dalandan suggested providing
environmental programming as part of the summer meals campaign; Jessica Armbruster described
her litter education program that she runs as part of the Summer in the Parks program
o
o
Create and foster more social media engagement
Partner with more community organizations on environmental initiatives – Lacey Pasco
suggested that the EAC participate in Muhlenberg’s Earth Day on April 22nd; Ann Saurman will involve
the EAC in the City’s Earth Day programming on April 23rd
o
o
o
Continue to lead networking events with other EACs
Raise awareness on poison hemlock and mile-a-minute weed
Plan and implement a roadshow on choosing green electricity – Tinku noted that 100%
renewable electricity can be cheaper than others and it is very easy to switch by going to
papowerswitch.com
