Sierra Club Annual Meeting

1. Sierra Club Annual Meeting Wendell Young Cincinnati City Council

2. Introduction

3. What are the impacts of the recent County cuts to Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater Cincinnati’s budget on important Consent Decree schedule and water quality targets?

4. What Happened The Hamilton County Commissioners cut the operating budget appropriated for Metropolitan Sewer District by 10% for 2012. This is a significant cut for MSD.

5. How MSD is Managing the Budget Cut MSD is looking at their operating budget for ways to make some cost reductions. The impact of this cut on the operation of existing facilities is still being analyzed by MSD. When this analysis is understood, MSD and the City Manager will communicate the impacts to the County Commissioners to ensure they clearly see what and where these effects will be. MSD and the City Manager are working to create a process for adjusting these appropriations in order to avoid a negative impact on existing facilities.

6. Affect on Consent Decree? Because the County did not cut any of MSD’s capital budget, and they did approve the rate increase, MSD has the ability to move forward meeting all the requirements of the consent decree. The water quality benefits that will come from the completion of those projects will not be affected, as MSD will still be able to meet the milestone dates and standards that are required under the consent decree.

7. Lick Run Update MSD is still seeking public input on the Lick Run Alternative project before drafting and presenting the master plan. They will also answer any questions at these meetings. Lick Run Community Design Workshop #36:30-9:00p.m., Thursday, February 23, 2012Orion Academy, 1798 Queen City Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45214 (South Fairmount) http://www.projectgroundwork.org/lickrun/

8. How can a region-wide mass transit discussion be started that addresses performance criteria, routes, costs & savings, health implications, other urban/community goals – and that engages decision makers and community/interest groups?

9. Regional Mass Transit Discussion • Need a comprehensive approach and a careful balance of concerns • Due diligence must be done before beginning a project, to make its completion and smooth and efficient as possible • Who will be affected, who should be involved, all aspects that need to be considered, etc. • All parties must be part of the conversation from the outset • The decision-making body must facilitate this, and create a structure for clear communication between everyone involved, and to the public-at-large

10. Public input is essential • Must be engaged beyond just public hearings • Must be at the table, as part of the idea-generating process • People who understand the day-to-day specifics of a place, concept, or community have a perspective that decision-makers often lack, but that they absolutely must listen to • Allow for the community to present a plan, see how it would work, how it could be incorporated with other plans • If you want a plan that works for everyone, and that everyone will work to make a reality, you must really hear their perspective

11. How to begin this process? • Educate the public about current projects and other possible projects • Ask them to collaborate and come forward with recommendations • If people know their ideas will be taken seriously, they will contribute like this – but, they must be assured their voice will be hear • Encourage a variety of approaches

12. Examples • Madisonville – Red Bank Corridor • Community did not want the proposed Phase I of the Eastern Corridor project, which would build Red Bank Road as a highway through their community • They educated themselves about different processes, possibilities, and approaches of urban planning • Gave them the toolbox needed to fully participate • Active engagement from community, with a structure for engagement – Citizens Advisory Committee • Representation included community councils, businesses, schools, landowners, interested citizens • Give a strong, coherent voice that allows them to be a key player • Found governmental support, became a key part of process

13. Taxicab Advisory Commission • After a few committee meetings and hearings, recognized it needed a more thoroughly researched, thoughtful and comprehensive approach • Called together a task force to research and make recommendations on a range of policy topics for taxicabs • Found several individuals committed to the project to act as co-chairs – a necessary leadership structure • Invited a broad coalition to participate in the process so that all perspectives could be heard and fully considered • This group will bring recommendations to Council, and Council can then act upon their findings • An efficient and thorough method for public input

14. Prior to the 2011 election, it was often difficult to muster the votes necessary to address environmental issues. What is your expectation of the new Council’s performance on environmental matters?

15. Other City Initiatives • Opt-Out Aggregation • A motion is being submitted that will ask the Administration to take seriously the ability of potential providers to use renewable energy sources and to require disclosure about a provider’s use of fracking • The motion also asks for best efforts of inclusion for Small Business Enterprises, and to begin developing programs to help residential and small commercial consumers with energy efficiency measures • Downspout disconnection • An Ordinance to allow downspout disconnection is currently in the Livable Communities Committee

16. Questions