435 Hamilton Street
Allentown, Pa. 18101
Allentown
Minutes - Final
Environmental Advisory Council
Monday, May 9, 2022
5:15 PM
Zoom
EAC members in attendance: Tinku Khanwalkar, Jennifer Swann, Dieter Kretschy, Maria Ocasio, Holly
Edinger, Jeremy Taylor
Non-EAC members present: Tina Amato, Jessica Armbruster, Julie Thomases, Susan Dalandan, Leo
Rooney
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•
Welcome and introduction
Review and approval of March minutes
o
Minutes approved
•
Remarks by Julie Thomases
o
Promise Neighborhood’s program tomorrow “Who Runs Our Streets” session has some
openings for the session tomorrow at 6:15-7:45pm
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Debrief on Quarterly Meeting with EAC Reps and City Staff
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Review how to best work with the city on our goals and the city staff’s work
o
Agreed that the city needs to change process so that EAC can review and provide comments
on initiatives of the city.
o
Environmental Sustainability Dashboard: what metrics should be on there? Air Quality?
Drinking water data?
o
Energy Efficiency is something they want to work with EAC- there was an old Energy Audit done
that might help provide priorities
o
Civilian Climate Corp- City wants to better understand the metrics/ measurables. Can EAC
help CCC come up with metrics that are important to the city’s goals.
o
Can EAC support goals on stormwater management process/ goals/ needs? Rain barrel
workshops or other ways to get the word out… to improve involvement. Can we work with PSU
Extension on this information?
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Tinku met with City Council Person Natalie Santos
o
She has many environmental goals for the city and may be a good representative for the EAC.
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EAC support of Earth Day Celebrations
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Good events (Muhlenberg College and City Arts Park) and spoke to many people- maybe over
150. Tinku followed up at Arbor Day event with message on Trees.
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New 2022 EAC goals- Assign EAC Lead Member- see attached spreadsheet
1. Drive Greater Transparency and Accountability on Environmental Matters
2. Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Allentown
3. Plan for a Sustainable and Resilient Allentown
4. Improve Community Health Outcomes
5. Increase Environmental Stewardship
6. Create Productive and Connected Landscapes
