WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.520 All right, good afternoon. 00:00:07.520 --> 00:00:14.020 This is the February 25th, 2026 meeting of the Sustainability Framework Advisory Committee 00:00:14.020 --> 00:00:17.840 at 1 p.m. in the City Council Session Room. 00:00:17.840 --> 00:00:27.500 Our first item today is to consider approval of the December 12th, 2025 minutes. 00:00:27.500 --> 00:00:35.440 Do we have any discussion or motions on the acceptance of December's minutes? 00:00:35.440 --> 00:00:42.000 I won't appear, but I will motion to approve. 00:00:42.000 --> 00:00:46.960 We have a motion to approve by Ms. Peripter, the second, Dr. Meyer. 00:00:46.960 --> 00:00:48.680 All in favor of approval? 00:00:48.680 --> 00:00:49.680 Aye. 00:00:49.680 --> 00:00:50.680 Aye. 00:00:50.680 --> 00:00:51.680 Everybody? 00:00:51.680 --> 00:00:52.680 Approves. 00:00:52.680 --> 00:00:59.200 Our next item is to receive a report, hold a discussion, and give staff direction on 00:00:59.200 --> 00:01:05.600 the adoption of the Sustainability Framework Advisory Committee 2026 meeting schedule. 00:01:05.600 --> 00:01:08.520 I don't think we have a presentation for this. 00:01:08.520 --> 00:01:10.720 You have the schedule in your backup. 00:01:10.720 --> 00:01:11.720 Yeah. 00:01:11.720 --> 00:01:17.420 If you want to just review that and if anybody has any conflicts that they already know about 00:01:17.420 --> 00:01:20.560 that we want to make folks aware of, we can do that. 00:01:20.560 --> 00:01:26.440 It's a monthly meeting, fourth Wednesday at 1 p.m. in this room generally. 00:01:26.440 --> 00:01:34.320 So for me, Wednesday 1 p.m. is fine, except that in summer usually I leave end of May 00:01:34.320 --> 00:01:40.520 and come back at the end of June, so it looks like I'm going to miss those two meetings. 00:01:40.520 --> 00:01:41.520 Okay. 00:01:41.520 --> 00:01:49.600 I'll have to miss the one in March, but the rest of them are okay. 00:01:49.600 --> 00:01:56.800 Unless something unforeseen comes up, I'm good for all of them. 00:01:56.800 --> 00:02:05.080 Do we need to move to adopt the schedule or do we need to modify anything? 00:02:05.080 --> 00:02:06.080 Do we need to vote on the schedule? 00:02:06.080 --> 00:02:07.080 We need to vote on the schedule. 00:02:07.080 --> 00:02:08.080 Okay. 00:02:08.080 --> 00:02:12.760 Is everyone good for the proposed meeting schedule? 00:02:12.760 --> 00:02:15.560 I move to adopt the meeting schedule. 00:02:15.560 --> 00:02:16.560 To adopt it? 00:02:16.560 --> 00:02:17.560 Yeah. 00:02:17.560 --> 00:02:18.560 Am I second? 00:02:18.560 --> 00:02:19.560 All right. 00:02:19.560 --> 00:02:20.560 Do we have a second? 00:02:20.560 --> 00:02:21.560 Second? 00:02:21.560 --> 00:02:22.560 Do we have a second? 00:02:22.560 --> 00:02:23.560 Okay. 00:02:23.560 --> 00:02:24.560 All in favor of adopting the schedule? 00:02:24.560 --> 00:02:25.560 Aye. 00:02:25.560 --> 00:02:26.560 All opposed? 00:02:26.560 --> 00:02:27.560 No. 00:02:27.560 --> 00:02:28.560 Okay. 00:02:28.560 --> 00:02:35.400 So we now have a new schedule. 00:02:35.400 --> 00:02:42.680 Our next item is to receive a report and hold a discussion regarding fiscal year 2025-2026, 00:02:42.680 --> 00:02:49.920 quarter one, incentive programs, activity, and updates. 00:02:49.920 --> 00:02:54.160 All right. 00:02:54.160 --> 00:03:05.560 Catherine Hornet, sustainability manager, just to have a brief update on some of our 00:03:05.560 --> 00:03:12.400 framework fund incentives for the first quarter of the fiscal year. 00:03:12.400 --> 00:03:17.800 I'm going to compare where we are in first quarter to the previous year total results 00:03:17.800 --> 00:03:19.800 and then look at that Q1. 00:03:19.800 --> 00:03:26.320 I have a little bit of an update since we're almost two months into Q2 and then discuss 00:03:26.320 --> 00:03:29.320 some future considerations and next steps. 00:03:29.320 --> 00:03:37.280 So just a reminder, we have the annual funding of $150,000 for EVs, $100,000 for e-bikes, 00:03:37.280 --> 00:03:42.560 and $50,000 for lawn equipment last fiscal year. 00:03:42.560 --> 00:03:47.960 EV and e-bike stayed within the funding amount and the lawn equipment went over. 00:03:47.960 --> 00:03:53.440 We pulled a little bit from the EV and e-bike to help cover that because those weren't fully 00:03:53.440 --> 00:03:54.440 spent. 00:03:54.440 --> 00:04:01.240 And those were all about six months' worth of fully active program, so about half a year, 00:04:01.240 --> 00:04:09.080 maybe a little bit more, to get to those percentages. 00:04:09.080 --> 00:04:16.080 So at the end of Q1, EVs were trending quite a bit lower than last year. 00:04:16.080 --> 00:04:17.080 The incentives have played out. 00:04:17.080 --> 00:04:24.920 We saw a little bit of an uptick in rebates right at the end of the fiscal year, right 00:04:24.920 --> 00:04:27.920 before those incentives ran out. 00:04:27.920 --> 00:04:32.000 So I was a little bit concerned going into the end of the first quarter with only 17 00:04:32.000 --> 00:04:33.000 applications for EVs. 00:04:33.000 --> 00:04:34.000 We're up to 35 now. 00:04:34.000 --> 00:04:37.000 So we've had more than doubling that amount in the last two months. 00:04:37.000 --> 00:04:38.000 So that's good news. 00:04:38.000 --> 00:04:39.000 It is. 00:04:39.000 --> 00:04:40.000 Thinking back at e-bikes, we've spent about another $10,000. 00:04:40.000 --> 00:04:52.000 So that kind of keeps us on track for the fiscal year and going into ending quarter 00:04:52.000 --> 00:04:53.000 two. 00:04:53.000 --> 00:04:58.000 Electric blood equipment, we know that's going to pick up. 00:04:58.000 --> 00:05:01.000 Folks are already getting ready for spring and starting good purchase equipment. 00:05:01.000 --> 00:05:02.000 So we'll see more uptick there soon. 00:05:02.000 --> 00:05:13.000 So I just wanted to give you a little bit of an update on that, just what we were looking 00:05:13.000 --> 00:05:14.000 like. 00:05:14.000 --> 00:05:24.000 And then some future considerations, if we have extra money in the EV program, seen a 00:05:24.000 --> 00:05:29.000 few different models for low income e-bike that we want to see if we might be able to 00:05:29.000 --> 00:05:30.000 replicate here. 00:05:30.000 --> 00:05:35.000 Either a voucher or a step up rebate for low income. 00:05:35.000 --> 00:05:42.000 I've talked to several cities who are self-certifying income, not using a third party nearby income. 00:05:42.000 --> 00:05:46.000 So that was a barrier that we were afraid to have to deal with kind of. 00:05:46.000 --> 00:05:51.000 It was not something that we have the time to take on in our office. 00:05:51.000 --> 00:05:59.000 So we want to explore that option and then also talk to some folks down south of us who 00:05:59.000 --> 00:06:02.000 are looking to provide vouchers for low income. 00:06:02.000 --> 00:06:05.000 So there may be some opportunities there as well. 00:06:05.000 --> 00:06:14.000 So I wanted to get some feedback on considering those two options and then just any additional 00:06:14.000 --> 00:06:18.000 feedback that you might have about the incentive program, if you've heard anything from the 00:06:18.000 --> 00:06:19.000 community. 00:06:19.000 --> 00:06:24.000 Of course we'll continue to monitor and report the program results and then review those 00:06:24.000 --> 00:06:28.000 future considerations with the city departments that we need to talk with to see if that's 00:06:28.000 --> 00:06:29.000 feasible. 00:06:29.000 --> 00:06:35.000 Is there a complication to doing vouchers, some of which you have to go verify that they 00:06:35.000 --> 00:06:38.000 spend it on the right thing? 00:06:38.000 --> 00:06:41.000 There are some different models. 00:06:41.000 --> 00:06:49.000 Dallas has worked something out with some of their vendors that have multiple stores where 00:06:49.000 --> 00:06:53.000 they have a barcode basically that is tied to that program. 00:06:53.000 --> 00:06:58.000 So the stores are just then billing the city of Dallas at the end of it. 00:06:58.000 --> 00:07:01.000 So there's some ways that Dallas is making it work. 00:07:01.000 --> 00:07:04.000 I just need to see if that's something that we can do here. 00:07:04.000 --> 00:07:07.000 You said Dallas' voucher program was for the law and code, right? 00:07:07.000 --> 00:07:09.000 That's what they're exploring right now. 00:07:09.000 --> 00:07:15.000 It's not in place yet. 00:07:15.000 --> 00:07:19.000 I did have a question over the e-bike program and the 10K update. 00:07:19.000 --> 00:07:25.000 That's about 20 applicants by average that it went up by since the end of Q1? 00:07:25.000 --> 00:07:26.000 Before e-bike? 00:07:26.000 --> 00:07:29.000 No, it's more than that. 00:07:29.000 --> 00:07:30.000 Okay, excellent. 00:07:30.000 --> 00:07:38.000 I did hope we could discuss that voucher program and how maybe we want to preliminarily tailor 00:07:38.000 --> 00:07:42.000 what I'm assuming a pilot program might look like for us. 00:07:42.000 --> 00:07:45.000 I'm sorry, I'm having a really hard time hearing you. 00:07:45.000 --> 00:07:48.000 I'm sorry, I never speak up well enough. 00:07:48.000 --> 00:07:55.000 I know there was some discussion about when we last brought this up about if we modify 00:07:55.000 --> 00:08:01.000 the base level of the rebate or the percentage that we're covering for the low-income program. 00:08:01.000 --> 00:08:05.000 For me, if we were able to offer some form of upfront voucher, 00:08:05.000 --> 00:08:13.000 that satisfies the same concern for me that the low-income program is interested in or looking at. 00:08:13.000 --> 00:08:18.000 So if, say, for example, city of Dallas is able to work with specific vendors, 00:08:18.000 --> 00:08:24.000 in our case for the bike program, maybe it's -- I don't know how it would work with digital vendors, 00:08:24.000 --> 00:08:31.000 but we do obviously have a number, six or seven bike shops around town that maybe a similar program developed. 00:08:31.000 --> 00:08:37.000 But the upfront of the rebate, at the end of the day, you know, if I'm instead getting the rebate back 00:08:37.000 --> 00:08:42.000 and I only spent out of pocket, you know, and I'm getting an average of $500 back, 00:08:42.000 --> 00:08:47.000 and our voucher program means at the end of the day I'm only spending maybe $500 as our average rebate, 00:08:47.000 --> 00:08:51.000 I think that's a fair and balanced program. 00:08:51.000 --> 00:08:57.000 And I know there was consideration about, you know, having to take a low-income program to legal. 00:08:57.000 --> 00:09:05.000 In my mind, it seems maybe smoother to work through a voucher system than trying to identify -- 00:09:05.000 --> 00:09:11.000 or, you know, are we having now retreating people who are utilizing this program in two separate categories, 00:09:11.000 --> 00:09:15.000 two separate types of voucher programs or rebate programs? 00:09:15.000 --> 00:09:21.000 It might reduce it a little better if we just look at a voucher for people who qualify. 00:09:21.000 --> 00:09:25.000 And I understand that takes a lot of work on the backend for you guys, 00:09:25.000 --> 00:09:32.000 but I think for me consolidating that down into one program through an upfront voucher payment 00:09:32.000 --> 00:09:36.000 makes the most sense to try to satisfy that concern about -- 00:09:36.000 --> 00:09:42.000 we've had lots of discussion around the cost of e-bikes and the different model and price points that, to me, 00:09:42.000 --> 00:09:53.000 get there through some sort of up-fronting of the rebate value for people who qualify. 00:09:53.000 --> 00:10:00.000 Are there other city programs that are doing the income verification already? 00:10:00.000 --> 00:10:08.000 In Denton, Community Development. 00:10:08.000 --> 00:10:13.000 Has the city ever had a rental program? 00:10:13.000 --> 00:10:18.000 I know at some point they had rental bikes in town. 00:10:18.000 --> 00:10:21.000 Is that -- am I remembering correctly? 00:10:21.000 --> 00:10:26.000 There was a third party that had bikes that were paid for use. 00:10:26.000 --> 00:10:32.000 There's been validity to having a rental e-bike program. 00:10:32.000 --> 00:10:40.000 I was in Washington a while back, and they have what they call a scooter program, I think, that is basically e-bikes. 00:10:40.000 --> 00:10:45.000 Would that be something that could be feasible in the future? 00:10:45.000 --> 00:10:48.000 I don't know that the city would be able to stand that up. 00:10:48.000 --> 00:10:51.000 It would probably be a third party. 00:10:51.000 --> 00:10:54.000 That's what I see in most of the cities that I travel to. 00:10:54.000 --> 00:10:59.000 It's one or two third party vendors that provide that service. 00:10:59.000 --> 00:11:04.000 The city would have to be involved with that on some level, 00:11:04.000 --> 00:11:09.000 and I'm not sure who all we would need to breath into that. 00:11:09.000 --> 00:11:11.000 We could ask. 00:11:11.000 --> 00:11:18.000 Is there any licensing progress or process with the city where a person buys a e-bike, 00:11:18.000 --> 00:11:22.000 since it can be, I assume, ridden on the streets? 00:11:22.000 --> 00:11:24.000 Not that I'm aware of, no. 00:11:24.000 --> 00:11:28.000 So there's no registration with the city then? 00:11:28.000 --> 00:11:29.000 Not that I'm aware of. 00:11:29.000 --> 00:11:31.000 Okay, yeah, I was just curious. 00:11:31.000 --> 00:11:35.000 There might be. 00:11:35.000 --> 00:11:41.000 I definitely would want to look into the upfront voucher program. 00:11:41.000 --> 00:11:47.000 I think that would be a really good thing. 00:11:47.000 --> 00:11:50.000 Any other comments, questions? 00:11:50.000 --> 00:11:53.000 No? Thank you. 00:11:58.000 --> 00:12:02.000 Let's see. 00:12:02.000 --> 00:12:10.000 Our next item is to receive a report and hold a discussion regarding a summary of sustainability, 00:12:10.000 --> 00:12:17.000 education, outreach, and social media metrics for fiscal year 2024-2025. 00:12:17.000 --> 00:12:20.000 And Karen Berner's going to start this one off, 00:12:20.000 --> 00:12:24.000 and we've got a couple of new faces for you to meet today. 00:12:24.000 --> 00:12:39.000 Great. 00:12:39.000 --> 00:12:40.000 Hi, everybody. 00:12:40.000 --> 00:12:42.000 I'm Karen Berner, sustainability engagement specialist, 00:12:42.000 --> 00:12:47.000 and we're just going to do a quick recap of last fiscal year's education 00:12:47.000 --> 00:12:49.000 and outreach from our department. 00:12:49.000 --> 00:12:53.000 What we're going to go focus on is the background of sustainability education, 00:12:53.000 --> 00:12:57.000 recycling education, dense sustainable schools, sustainability education, 00:12:57.000 --> 00:13:01.000 outreach and events, social media, and upcoming outreach and events, 00:13:01.000 --> 00:13:03.000 and then questions and comments. 00:13:03.000 --> 00:13:08.000 For a very short background, sustainability education was launched in 2007 00:13:08.000 --> 00:13:13.000 with Denton ISD field trips out to Clear Creek Natural Heritage Center, 00:13:13.000 --> 00:13:16.000 and it has evolved and expanded over the last 19 years. 00:13:16.000 --> 00:13:19.000 We are not over the field trips to Clear Creek anymore, 00:13:19.000 --> 00:13:23.000 but everything we do is based off of that start. 00:13:23.000 --> 00:13:26.000 And then Denton Sustainable Schools was established in 2004 00:13:26.000 --> 00:13:30.000 with the full program relaunch in the fall of 2022, 00:13:30.000 --> 00:13:36.000 and recycling education was expanded to what it is today in January of 2021. 00:13:36.000 --> 00:13:39.000 We're going to go over just a little bit of our education outreach, 00:13:39.000 --> 00:13:41.000 what we do, and kind of a summary of each program, 00:13:41.000 --> 00:13:53.000 and to start that off, I'm going to bring up Florrie. 00:13:53.000 --> 00:13:55.000 Hey Karen, my name is Florrie Garcia. 00:13:55.000 --> 00:13:57.000 I am the engagement coordinator, 00:13:57.000 --> 00:14:01.000 and I mainly focus on residential and multi-family recycling education. 00:14:01.000 --> 00:14:05.000 One of my top priorities is to find different ways to reduce contamination 00:14:05.000 --> 00:14:12.000 within the city while also promoting and bringing awareness to landfills diversion. 00:14:12.000 --> 00:14:17.000 And a few ways to go about that is by providing prep recycling facility tours. 00:14:17.000 --> 00:14:21.000 These are open to the public, and they're able to come and view the bigger picture 00:14:21.000 --> 00:14:25.000 of what happens to the recyclables after they're collected from the curb. 00:14:25.000 --> 00:14:29.000 And yes, we do recycle. Their items do get recycled. 00:14:29.000 --> 00:14:36.000 We also provide recycling classes, presentations, and over the past year, 00:14:36.000 --> 00:14:40.000 we have also updated signage throughout city of Denver buildings. 00:14:40.000 --> 00:14:43.000 We have a lot of employees that may not live in the city, 00:14:43.000 --> 00:14:48.000 so these are a quick reminder on how to recycle and what you should be recycling 00:14:48.000 --> 00:14:53.000 and what should be going in the trash throughout the city of Denver buildings. 00:14:53.000 --> 00:14:56.000 For outreach, I attend quite a few apartment events, 00:14:56.000 --> 00:15:00.000 so this can look like a residential appreciation week, 00:15:00.000 --> 00:15:05.000 a Christmas party, or just a kickoff for summer or spring. 00:15:05.000 --> 00:15:11.000 I am able to have a tabling event where I can provide more recycling information 00:15:11.000 --> 00:15:15.000 and also provide these reusable bags that have a handle at the bottom. 00:15:15.000 --> 00:15:19.000 That way they're able to dump their recyclables directly into the container 00:15:19.000 --> 00:15:27.000 versus using a plastic bag, as plastic bags continue to be a number one contaminant in our recycling program. 00:15:27.000 --> 00:15:31.000 We also get information from the solid waste and recycling team. 00:15:31.000 --> 00:15:37.000 Whenever we have a few apartments that are receiving a lot of contamination and recycling, 00:15:37.000 --> 00:15:43.000 I am able to work directly with the property managers and provide them recycling information, 00:15:43.000 --> 00:15:48.000 the tote bags, and also I try to make it as easy as possible for them. 00:15:48.000 --> 00:15:54.000 I type up an email, a template that they can go ahead and send via email plus to the residents. 00:15:54.000 --> 00:16:00.000 For campus collaborations, we work together with UNT, TLEU, 00:16:00.000 --> 00:16:05.000 and this can look like providing them educational materials based on their grant guidelines. 00:16:05.000 --> 00:16:12.000 So for UNT, maybe having it green and a lot of items that are mainly seen at college campuses, 00:16:12.000 --> 00:16:16.000 and the same for TLEU, Maroon, and The Owl. 00:16:16.000 --> 00:16:19.000 We also hold our annual Texas Recycle the Day event. 00:16:19.000 --> 00:16:25.000 So this is an event where community members are able to come and drop off their unwanted items, 00:16:25.000 --> 00:16:30.000 and we are able to dispose of them properly through either home care or book collection. 00:16:30.000 --> 00:16:37.000 We also invite Donate to Impact, where they're able to take some of items like toys and small household items. 00:16:37.000 --> 00:16:43.000 And we also invite the Cedar Waste Textiles Initiative from UNT. 00:16:43.000 --> 00:16:49.000 They're able to collect the clothing and take it back to UNT so that clothing can be reused at their campus. 00:16:49.000 --> 00:17:01.000 With our marketing strategy, we have a few ads around the city of Denton. 00:17:01.000 --> 00:17:05.000 We do targeted advertising through Den River Chronicle. 00:17:05.000 --> 00:17:09.000 So we get more information from our solid waste team. 00:17:09.000 --> 00:17:13.000 They let us know where the areas of high contamination are within the city. 00:17:13.000 --> 00:17:19.000 So through these ads, we're able to target those areas so that can look like while they're browsing on the web 00:17:19.000 --> 00:17:26.000 or they're playing a game, they're able to see that message or that quick video that does not let them go forward 00:17:26.000 --> 00:17:29.000 until they at least watch a few seconds of it. 00:17:29.000 --> 00:17:34.000 So we take advantage of that so that when they're able to get our educational message as well. 00:17:34.000 --> 00:17:39.000 We have a Carpetizing ad and Golden Triangle Mall ad. These are pretty similar. 00:17:39.000 --> 00:17:42.000 The Carpetizing ad, you can see the picture on there. 00:17:42.000 --> 00:17:47.000 They have a unique QR code where we're able to get more information about how many times it was scanned, 00:17:47.000 --> 00:17:55.000 the location that it was scanned, and just overall know that there's people who want a little more on how to recycle it. 00:17:55.000 --> 00:18:01.000 With UNT Athletics, we have a halftime video ad. 00:18:01.000 --> 00:18:05.000 This gets played during the football games and the basketball games. 00:18:05.000 --> 00:18:11.000 So we try to be a little relatable to the college students so that way they're able to see it's fun 00:18:11.000 --> 00:18:14.000 and hopefully they're able to grasp the message. 00:18:14.000 --> 00:18:20.000 So tailored towards UNT students but also community members who attend those high attendance events. 00:18:20.000 --> 00:18:26.000 The same with North Texas Daily. This is in collaboration with ISD. 00:18:26.000 --> 00:18:34.000 So this can look like getting a few students from different ISD schools and mascots coming together for that video. 00:18:34.000 --> 00:18:39.000 And we are able to play it during the online broadcasting of the football games 00:18:39.000 --> 00:18:43.000 throughout the entire football season at Denton ISD. 00:18:43.000 --> 00:18:51.000 With Spanish Radio, it's something very similar as well, but we wanted to target the Spanish-speaking population 00:18:51.000 --> 00:18:57.000 so that way they're also receiving the message in their language and targeting the morning commute 00:18:57.000 --> 00:19:02.000 and afterward commute where they're listening the most to the radio. 00:19:02.000 --> 00:19:08.000 We have similar ads through newsletters and magazines as well. 00:19:08.000 --> 00:19:13.000 And as for future initiatives, we do plan to keep some of these strategies forward. 00:19:13.000 --> 00:19:22.000 And also we are wanting to work closer with TWA U. So we are going to have our message tailored to TWA U students 00:19:22.000 --> 00:19:25.000 through their digital billboard ads on campus. 00:19:25.000 --> 00:19:34.000 So that way they're able to see the message as well and students as well as the teachers, professors. 00:19:34.000 --> 00:19:38.000 And right here I have the overall recycling contamination rate. 00:19:38.000 --> 00:19:44.000 So this is just to give you an idea of how that rate has looked over the past three fiscal years. 00:19:44.000 --> 00:19:55.000 So the green line represents year 2022-23, orange year 2023-24, and the blue this past fiscal year. 00:19:55.000 --> 00:20:01.000 So we have seen the trend over the years that we like that trend where it's going. 00:20:01.000 --> 00:20:04.000 It's definitely decreasing from the beginning. 00:20:04.000 --> 00:20:09.000 The highest that we saw over the past three fiscal years were at 50%. 00:20:09.000 --> 00:20:14.000 And in the previous last year, we saw a record low of 8%. 00:20:14.000 --> 00:20:17.000 And of course these numbers fluctuate. 00:20:17.000 --> 00:20:29.000 But in collaboration with Solid Waste and Recycling team, we are working together to keep this number as slow as possible. 00:20:29.000 --> 00:20:34.000 And I'm going to pass it over to Heather, she'll be able to tell you more about our done sustainable schools work. 00:20:34.000 --> 00:20:37.000 Could I ask a question on your subject? 00:20:37.000 --> 00:20:39.000 That's great. 00:20:39.000 --> 00:20:46.000 Do you have any idea of what percentage of apartment buildings are in the recycling program? 00:20:46.000 --> 00:20:50.000 So they are required to have a diversion plan in place. 00:20:50.000 --> 00:21:00.000 Yes, so whether that's having containers at the property or them having the information where they can take their recyclables to be dropped off at two locations here in the city. 00:21:00.000 --> 00:21:02.000 So they are required to have a plan. 00:21:02.000 --> 00:21:04.000 Oh, that's great. Thank you. 00:21:04.000 --> 00:21:07.000 I have a few questions too. 00:21:07.000 --> 00:21:15.000 Since I'm at TWU, I would like you very, very much, and I think I stated this in previous meetings, 00:21:15.000 --> 00:21:22.000 that you really need to increase the collaboration with TWU, maybe at the level that you have it with UNT. 00:21:22.000 --> 00:21:30.000 We have a sustainability committee and they will be absolutely happy to work with you. 00:21:30.000 --> 00:21:37.000 And I'm thinking you have the video that you show at UNT, we have basketball. 00:21:37.000 --> 00:21:42.000 And you can show that video in our arena as well. 00:21:42.000 --> 00:21:45.000 Yes, yes. 00:21:45.000 --> 00:21:48.000 And this is a mystery to us. 00:21:48.000 --> 00:21:53.000 There is a clothing container on campus. 00:21:53.000 --> 00:22:00.000 And we cannot figure out if it's a collaboration with you or with whom. 00:22:00.000 --> 00:22:03.000 And I think they plan to put more than one. 00:22:03.000 --> 00:22:10.000 The problem that we had this winter is that apparently they were overflown, nobody came to pick them up. 00:22:10.000 --> 00:22:17.000 And we had people, homeless people, unfortunately, coming to campus and digging those clothes out 00:22:17.000 --> 00:22:20.000 and picking up what they want and throw them away. 00:22:20.000 --> 00:22:26.000 So I really want you to collaborate with our sustainability committee. 00:22:26.000 --> 00:22:29.000 I can give you some names, all right? 00:22:29.000 --> 00:22:33.000 And I can get your contact and give it to them. 00:22:33.000 --> 00:22:36.000 And let's do a good job on our campuses. 00:22:36.000 --> 00:22:42.000 Yeah, and just to add to that, the first part of your question, we have made contact with the sustainability committee. 00:22:42.000 --> 00:22:45.000 So Karen was able to attend one of the meetings. 00:22:45.000 --> 00:22:54.000 We did have clothing during the move-out time replaced UNT's bins to collect clothing at UNT. 00:22:54.000 --> 00:22:58.000 At the 2WU, but they took it back to UNT. 00:22:58.000 --> 00:23:03.000 But our goal would be to do something similar at 2WU where they keep the textiles 00:23:03.000 --> 00:23:07.000 and they have like a clothing store within their own students. 00:23:07.000 --> 00:23:11.000 So definitely, I would love to learn more and collaborate with them. 00:23:11.000 --> 00:23:12.000 Okay, thank you. 00:23:12.000 --> 00:23:13.000 You're welcome. 00:23:13.000 --> 00:23:15.000 And we can touch base about the container. 00:23:15.000 --> 00:23:19.000 I think I know the vendor, so we can touch base that for you. 00:23:19.000 --> 00:23:20.000 Okay. 00:23:20.000 --> 00:23:26.000 Hello, my name is Heather Hinton-Lucker. 00:23:26.000 --> 00:23:30.000 I'm the school engagement coordinator for the Sustainable Schools Program. 00:23:30.000 --> 00:23:36.000 So the team kept the program working strong October 24 through May of 2025. 00:23:36.000 --> 00:23:39.000 Whenever I joined, I was able to learn more about the program 00:23:39.000 --> 00:23:43.000 and continue the community and school engagement efforts for the program. 00:23:43.000 --> 00:23:50.000 So for the '24-'25 school year, we had a total of nine schools enrolled in the program. 00:23:50.000 --> 00:23:52.000 Seven from Denton ISD, two from private schools. 00:23:52.000 --> 00:23:57.000 The resources that we provide through the program include sustainability education. 00:23:57.000 --> 00:24:03.000 And what that looks like is presentations on trash and recycling and conservation, 00:24:03.000 --> 00:24:07.000 STEM nights, we participate in their fall festivals, career days, 00:24:07.000 --> 00:24:14.000 their walk-and-roll to school day, and summer camps as well. 00:24:14.000 --> 00:24:18.000 And then we also provide the opportunities for schools to participate 00:24:18.000 --> 00:24:21.000 in two of our challenges that we have. 00:24:21.000 --> 00:24:23.000 And so we have our recycling audit challenge, 00:24:23.000 --> 00:24:25.000 and then we have our sustainable activity challenge. 00:24:25.000 --> 00:24:29.000 And what that looks like is that we have the recycling audit challenge 00:24:29.000 --> 00:24:35.000 is where the students go and they do an audit of the recycling carts 00:24:35.000 --> 00:24:37.000 on their campus or dumpster. 00:24:37.000 --> 00:24:41.000 So for example, you see the students here at Hodge Elementary in the picture, 00:24:41.000 --> 00:24:45.000 and they're doing audits and they're auditing for contamination 00:24:45.000 --> 00:24:47.000 in the recycling carts in the hallway. 00:24:47.000 --> 00:24:50.000 It's easy for them to get to. It's fun. 00:24:50.000 --> 00:24:53.000 It's usually an after-school program or an after-school club 00:24:53.000 --> 00:24:56.000 who participates in that. 00:24:56.000 --> 00:24:59.000 And then at our high schools, it's usually a student council 00:24:59.000 --> 00:25:03.000 or an environmentally-based club that does audits 00:25:03.000 --> 00:25:06.000 of the recycling dumpsters at their school. 00:25:06.000 --> 00:25:10.000 It's right outside the cafeteria usually, and it's easy for them to get to as well. 00:25:10.000 --> 00:25:15.000 And then what they do is they submit a form online on the DSS website, 00:25:15.000 --> 00:25:20.000 and they submit their contamination, what they saw. 00:25:20.000 --> 00:25:25.000 And so last year we had a 20-30 audit submitted. 00:25:25.000 --> 00:25:27.000 And so that was nice. 00:25:27.000 --> 00:25:30.000 We have some schools that are more active on the recycling audits. 00:25:30.000 --> 00:25:34.000 And then we have our sustainable activity challenges 00:25:34.000 --> 00:25:36.000 that the schools can participate in as well. 00:25:36.000 --> 00:25:41.000 And what that looks like is it's students who are engaging in lessons 00:25:41.000 --> 00:25:46.000 that are focused on alternative energy, water conservation, resource management, 00:25:46.000 --> 00:25:50.000 any kind of activity that's connected to sustainability. 00:25:50.000 --> 00:25:52.000 And it's the same as the recycling audits. 00:25:52.000 --> 00:25:56.000 They submit those challenges on the DSS website. 00:25:56.000 --> 00:25:59.000 And there's a form to be filled out, and they submit those. 00:25:59.000 --> 00:26:02.000 And we had 13 of those submitted last year. 00:26:02.000 --> 00:26:06.000 And so how it works is that the school who submits the most challenges 00:26:06.000 --> 00:26:11.000 receives an environmentally-based prize at the end of the year. 00:26:11.000 --> 00:26:17.000 And what that looks like is, for example, the more popular prizes are gardening supplies, 00:26:17.000 --> 00:26:21.000 raised garden beds, or STEM kits. 00:26:21.000 --> 00:26:25.000 And then all the schools who are participating in the Sustainable Schools Program 00:26:25.000 --> 00:26:27.000 have access to our STEM kits to check out. 00:26:27.000 --> 00:26:32.000 So they can check out a STEM kit, borrow it, and then we pick it up and they bring it back. 00:26:32.000 --> 00:26:35.000 And we have over 15 STEM kits available. 00:26:35.000 --> 00:26:42.000 And those STEM kits are focused on solar, wind energy, circuits, coping, watershed, and landfill kits. 00:26:42.000 --> 00:26:49.000 And you can see the landfill kit in the photograph with the green shirt. 00:26:49.000 --> 00:26:53.000 And so you can see where we're at Explorium at one of their summer camps 00:26:53.000 --> 00:26:56.000 doing a demo of the landfill kit. 00:26:56.000 --> 00:27:01.000 And then we also provide tours of the prior recycling facility, the home chemical collections, 00:27:01.000 --> 00:27:05.000 dino dirt, water production, and water reclamation. 00:27:05.000 --> 00:27:10.000 So just providing opportunities not just for the schools, but for the communities or scouts 00:27:10.000 --> 00:27:16.000 to come and participate and learn more about sustainability in the city. 00:27:16.000 --> 00:27:21.000 And so then so for this current school year, the 25-26 school year, 00:27:21.000 --> 00:27:27.000 we actually have 11 NYSD schools enrolled and one private school enrolled. 00:27:27.000 --> 00:27:32.000 And so far it's been a great year and I look forward to coming back to report back on that. 00:27:32.000 --> 00:27:37.000 And next we have Karen Warner again to talk about sustainability. 00:27:37.000 --> 00:27:38.000 Can I ask you a question? 00:27:38.000 --> 00:27:41.000 Yes. 00:27:41.000 --> 00:27:46.000 How does a school get into the program? 00:27:46.000 --> 00:27:50.000 Yeah, so you go to the Sustainable Schools website and there's an enrollment form. 00:27:50.000 --> 00:27:54.000 They submit that and then I reach out to them and I coordinate our first meeting 00:27:54.000 --> 00:27:58.000 just to see how they want to participate. 00:27:58.000 --> 00:28:09.000 I think we talked about this before, but I think there's something like 40 schools in DISD. 00:28:09.000 --> 00:28:19.000 My question would be what initiatives could be discussed and possibly used to bolster that number? 00:28:19.000 --> 00:28:25.000 Yeah, it seems like they all should be involved in it. 00:28:25.000 --> 00:28:29.000 And if there are barriers that need to be overcome, how we can overcome them? 00:28:29.000 --> 00:28:36.000 Because I think the program could and should definitely expand. 00:28:36.000 --> 00:28:44.000 Yeah, I agree and that's something that I want to look into for this upcoming school year, 00:28:44.000 --> 00:28:47.000 for the 26-27 school year. 00:28:47.000 --> 00:28:49.000 Thank you. Anybody else? Yes. 00:28:49.000 --> 00:28:52.000 Yeah, I have the same question, but I have an idea. 00:28:52.000 --> 00:29:01.000 So at TW we have a STEM program and we go to schools, to DISD schools, 00:29:01.000 --> 00:29:05.000 and we do different activities, sustainability activities, 00:29:05.000 --> 00:29:11.000 and it would be good to advertise this when we go to those schools, 00:29:11.000 --> 00:29:18.000 to advertise the fact that they can sign up for the sustainability. 00:29:18.000 --> 00:29:20.000 Yeah, I think that's a good point. 00:29:20.000 --> 00:29:25.000 And actually I've worked along with Elaina Pressley this past year. 00:29:25.000 --> 00:29:31.000 She's a professor at TW, with the sustainability science. 00:29:31.000 --> 00:29:35.000 So she is working with Newton-Razor with their STEM club. 00:29:35.000 --> 00:29:38.000 And so I'm going to be collaborating with her with their STEM club. 00:29:38.000 --> 00:29:44.000 And I think UNT has also some programs. 00:29:44.000 --> 00:29:49.000 So my idea is if we collaborate and if we spread the word together, 00:29:49.000 --> 00:29:53.000 we are more successful in getting more schools to sign up. 00:29:53.000 --> 00:29:55.000 And that's something that Elaina and I have spoken about, 00:29:55.000 --> 00:29:59.000 with just kind of collaborating and combining resources. 00:29:59.000 --> 00:30:02.000 And I can do that with other groups, like with UNT, 00:30:02.000 --> 00:30:07.000 and maybe even this upcoming year, reaching out directly to who's in charge of STEM clubs, 00:30:07.000 --> 00:30:13.000 because it's just about reaching out to the right person at the school. 00:30:13.000 --> 00:30:14.000 I just had a question. 00:30:14.000 --> 00:30:17.000 I know we typically approach this program on a school-to-school basis 00:30:17.000 --> 00:30:21.000 because of their capacity and their capacity to work with them. 00:30:21.000 --> 00:30:24.000 On a district level, what does those conversations look like? 00:30:24.000 --> 00:30:28.000 Do you speak with the science program coordinator or curriculum coordinators 00:30:28.000 --> 00:30:33.000 about scaling yourself up to be able to infuse some of these lessons 00:30:33.000 --> 00:30:35.000 in their traditional curriculums? 00:30:35.000 --> 00:30:39.000 So I did reach out to the science curriculum coordinator 00:30:39.000 --> 00:30:42.000 at the beginning of this whole year, and she shared my information. 00:30:42.000 --> 00:30:44.000 So that was helpful. 00:30:44.000 --> 00:30:49.000 We're able to get a couple new schools engaged in the program. 00:30:49.000 --> 00:30:52.000 And so I'm going to see what I can do to maybe strengthen that relationship 00:30:52.000 --> 00:30:56.000 a little bit more now that I've had more experience in the program, 00:30:56.000 --> 00:31:01.000 and I'm just starting to build my rapport with them. 00:31:01.000 --> 00:31:03.000 That's encouraging. 00:31:03.000 --> 00:31:07.000 The schools that are participating, is it pretty evenly distributed 00:31:07.000 --> 00:31:11.000 amongst elementary and middle school and high school, or is it more... 00:31:11.000 --> 00:31:13.000 It's mostly elementary schools. 00:31:13.000 --> 00:31:18.000 I have two high schools, and I don't have any middle schools participating yet. 00:31:18.000 --> 00:31:22.000 And I would like to, and I have reached out to our middle schools, 00:31:22.000 --> 00:31:27.000 but I'm going to have to take the summer to think about what my approach is going to be 00:31:27.000 --> 00:31:33.000 and try to see how I can meet them better at providing the kind of resources that they need. 00:31:33.000 --> 00:31:38.000 From my experience, going directly to the schools is better than talking to the ISD. 00:31:38.000 --> 00:31:40.000 It is, yes. 00:31:40.000 --> 00:31:47.000 Yes, and I took the opportunity over the summer just to go do their dumpster audits. 00:31:47.000 --> 00:31:51.000 I did take time to introduce myself, walk in as long as there was somebody here 00:31:51.000 --> 00:31:56.000 to introduce myself to, and like you say, being in person is definitely helpful. 00:31:56.000 --> 00:31:58.000 Great job. Thank you very much. 00:31:58.000 --> 00:32:06.000 Hello again. Karen Berner, sustainability engagement specialist. 00:32:06.000 --> 00:32:12.000 In addition to recycling, we cover a whole lot of sustainability topics like 00:32:12.000 --> 00:32:16.000 water and energy conservation, wildlife and native planting, air quality, 00:32:16.000 --> 00:32:21.000 transportation and local food, and we do this through classes and requested presentations. 00:32:21.000 --> 00:32:25.000 We also do a lot of outreach events, and these are typically where we set up a table 00:32:25.000 --> 00:32:31.000 and have a little bit of information on everything out so that we can meet the community. 00:32:31.000 --> 00:32:36.000 We have pop-up events where we set up a table just at a rec center or a library 00:32:36.000 --> 00:32:41.000 or somewhere in the community and just catch people as they're going through their daily lives 00:32:41.000 --> 00:32:45.000 to try to get those new eyes on our outreach material. 00:32:45.000 --> 00:32:50.000 We have university collaborations, so we do a lot of tabling at UNT events, 00:32:50.000 --> 00:32:56.000 and then our new fostering relationship with the sustainability committee at TWU, 00:32:56.000 --> 00:33:02.000 and then we also go to community events such as Arts and Autos we were at last year 00:33:02.000 --> 00:33:06.000 on Electric Avenue, just reaching out to more people. 00:33:06.000 --> 00:33:08.000 Some highlights from this past year. 00:33:08.000 --> 00:33:14.000 There was a Texwana presentation about the recycling market strategy and campus collaborations. 00:33:14.000 --> 00:33:20.000 Our Dentons Sustainable Schools was awarded the TCEQ Texas Environmental Excellence Award 00:33:20.000 --> 00:33:25.000 and was recognized by STAR with a 2024 Excellence in Environmental Awareness Education, 00:33:25.000 --> 00:33:32.000 and in 2025 was when we officially got our Bird City, Texas designation. 00:33:32.000 --> 00:33:37.000 So the social media pages for the City of Denton Sustainability as well as Solid Waste and Recycling 00:33:37.000 --> 00:33:42.000 is run through us, and we try to use it to increase awareness 00:33:42.000 --> 00:33:46.000 and give a little more information to our followers. 00:33:46.000 --> 00:33:49.000 And I just have a couple of examples up here for what we use it for. 00:33:49.000 --> 00:33:51.000 So this is the sustainability page. 00:33:51.000 --> 00:33:55.000 We like to give out useful information like this first one we talk about bird migration 00:33:55.000 --> 00:33:58.000 and what people can do to help birds as they migrate, 00:33:58.000 --> 00:34:02.000 and this also helps us with our certifications like Bird City, Texas. 00:34:02.000 --> 00:34:07.000 In the middle there is an advertisement for our free fan giveaway in the summer, 00:34:07.000 --> 00:34:12.000 which we try to do to reduce energy costs so people can keep their ACs at a higher temperature 00:34:12.000 --> 00:34:14.000 and use a fan to cool off instead. 00:34:14.000 --> 00:34:17.000 So we use that to make people aware that we're doing this giveaway 00:34:17.000 --> 00:34:20.000 and how they can access their free fan. 00:34:20.000 --> 00:34:24.000 And then also try to inform people. 00:34:24.000 --> 00:34:28.000 We do have on our website the Air Quality Index flag, 00:34:28.000 --> 00:34:31.000 and people will see it on the news or hear it on the radio, 00:34:31.000 --> 00:34:33.000 but some people don't know what the colors mean. 00:34:33.000 --> 00:34:39.000 So we're trying to do posts like this to give people more context to what they hear around. 00:34:39.000 --> 00:34:45.000 And in the caption we explain to more about what each color means and why they're significant. 00:34:45.000 --> 00:34:47.000 A couple other on the sustainability page. 00:34:47.000 --> 00:34:49.000 We do a lot of water conservation as well. 00:34:49.000 --> 00:34:51.000 So we talk about native ground covers, 00:34:51.000 --> 00:34:55.000 basically switching the water heavy turf lawns for drought resistant ground covers. 00:34:55.000 --> 00:34:58.000 We also use it to promote our classes. 00:34:58.000 --> 00:35:00.000 This one is our Get Site to Site Like a Deadlight class. 00:35:00.000 --> 00:35:04.000 It tells you where and when it is and then a brief description of what it's going to be. 00:35:04.000 --> 00:35:08.000 So this is learning about Denton's alternative transportation options 00:35:08.000 --> 00:35:14.000 so people can be encouraged and confident to use it on their daily commute. 00:35:14.000 --> 00:35:22.000 And then we also recognize national or worldwide days or weeks that are sustainability events. 00:35:22.000 --> 00:35:23.000 So this was Fix a Leak Week. 00:35:23.000 --> 00:35:29.000 We made a post that was like, "Do a leak check for 10 minutes. Help with water conservation." 00:35:29.000 --> 00:35:34.000 On our recycling social media pages, we do a lot of information. 00:35:34.000 --> 00:35:37.000 So like this first one, community event, arts and autos. 00:35:37.000 --> 00:35:39.000 We knew we were going to have the clear streams there 00:35:39.000 --> 00:35:42.000 and we wanted to make sure people were using them and using them appropriately. 00:35:42.000 --> 00:35:45.000 So we posted about it on the social media pages. 00:35:45.000 --> 00:35:47.000 We do service delays. 00:35:47.000 --> 00:35:50.000 We do planned delays like Barton Luther King Jr. Day, 00:35:50.000 --> 00:35:53.000 but also emergency delays like with the weather we just had. 00:35:53.000 --> 00:36:01.000 And then also just general information like using reusable water bottles instead of the single-use ones. 00:36:01.000 --> 00:36:03.000 And now we'll run into a year-end breakdown. 00:36:03.000 --> 00:36:07.000 These are just a couple metrics from the past fiscal year. 00:36:07.000 --> 00:36:13.000 Our total attendance across all our education outreach events was 13,950. 00:36:13.000 --> 00:36:17.000 You can see a large amount of that was from our tabling events, 00:36:17.000 --> 00:36:22.000 catching the community as they're out and doing events and at the universities. 00:36:22.000 --> 00:36:24.000 Our next biggest are the presentation. 00:36:24.000 --> 00:36:30.000 These are our sit-down classes where residents come in to learn about a specific topic 00:36:30.000 --> 00:36:35.000 that either our staff or an expert presenter comes in and teaches. 00:36:35.000 --> 00:36:37.000 And then our third biggest there was activities. 00:36:37.000 --> 00:36:40.000 These are hands-on events that residents can attend. 00:36:40.000 --> 00:36:42.000 So examples would be like World Migratory Bird Day 00:36:42.000 --> 00:36:49.000 or our DIY rainwater harvesting class where they make their own rain barrels. 00:36:49.000 --> 00:36:51.000 And to put it in a little bit of context, 00:36:51.000 --> 00:36:59.000 this is a nearly 30% increase from the fiscal year before where the attendance was 10,748. 00:36:59.000 --> 00:37:03.000 And we try to make sure our classes are spread out throughout Denton 00:37:03.000 --> 00:37:11.000 so that people who might have time or travel restrictions can still attend at least some of the classes. 00:37:11.000 --> 00:37:16.000 So you can see the size of the bubble here is attendance, orange is sustainability, 00:37:16.000 --> 00:37:20.000 purple is recycling, and blue is Denton Sustainable Schools. 00:37:20.000 --> 00:37:24.000 So we try to spread out throughout Denton as much as possible 00:37:24.000 --> 00:37:28.000 to just get in front of as many people as possible. 00:37:28.000 --> 00:37:30.000 Some of our upcoming events. 00:37:30.000 --> 00:37:33.000 On March 5th we have the turf lawn alternative. 00:37:33.000 --> 00:37:35.000 On March 18th container gardening. 00:37:35.000 --> 00:37:37.000 March 28th seed starting. 00:37:37.000 --> 00:37:40.000 April 4th get site to site like a Dentonite. 00:37:40.000 --> 00:37:42.000 May 6th sprinkler spruce up. 00:37:42.000 --> 00:37:44.000 May 9th is World Migratory Bird Day. 00:37:44.000 --> 00:37:47.000 May 21st is creating a backyard prairie. 00:37:47.000 --> 00:37:50.000 That's all I got, if you have any questions or comments. 00:37:50.000 --> 00:37:52.000 Anybody? Yes. 00:37:52.000 --> 00:37:58.000 So Karen, you need to put on upcoming events a table at the Texas Wildflower Day. 00:37:58.000 --> 00:38:01.000 Yes, we did that last year, we'd love to do it again. 00:38:01.000 --> 00:38:05.000 That's April 24th, I'll send you a message. 00:38:05.000 --> 00:38:07.000 Yes, thank you. 00:38:07.000 --> 00:38:11.000 I have a question about the meeting. 00:38:11.000 --> 00:38:16.000 So I don't quite grasp what you do with this. 00:38:16.000 --> 00:38:20.000 So you have meetings, four meetings you had. 00:38:20.000 --> 00:38:25.000 So those are meetings that you as an office participate 00:38:25.000 --> 00:38:29.000 or is that a meeting with a community? 00:38:29.000 --> 00:38:33.000 Those are most of the time meetings either with schools. 00:38:33.000 --> 00:38:37.000 So when Heather goes out and meets just like one science teacher 00:38:37.000 --> 00:38:40.000 or the principal of the school will label that as a meeting. 00:38:40.000 --> 00:38:44.000 Or if Floria goes out and meets with the multi-family complex, 00:38:44.000 --> 00:38:48.000 like one or two people from there, we label that as meetings as well. 00:38:48.000 --> 00:38:54.000 Oh, and I forgot to ask when Texas Recycling Day is? 00:38:54.000 --> 00:38:59.000 It's in November and it's usually the second Saturday? 00:38:59.000 --> 00:39:02.000 The second week of November. 00:39:02.000 --> 00:39:07.000 Typically it's the 15th of November, so that's Saturday around that day. 00:39:07.000 --> 00:39:11.000 That's good to know. Yeah, thank you. 00:39:11.000 --> 00:39:16.000 I had a question about the Lights Out program. 00:39:16.000 --> 00:39:22.000 And the idea being to turn off non-essential. 00:39:22.000 --> 00:39:29.000 Is there any way that the auto dealers out on 35 could at least dim their lights? 00:39:29.000 --> 00:39:32.000 We have had several comments about that. 00:39:32.000 --> 00:39:35.000 And with Lights Out it's kind of a slow progress 00:39:35.000 --> 00:39:38.000 working towards the whole community involving themselves in it. 00:39:38.000 --> 00:39:41.000 So right now we're really hitting residential hard. 00:39:41.000 --> 00:39:44.000 We already have municipal electric dimming residential lights 00:39:44.000 --> 00:39:46.000 during peak migration seasons. 00:39:46.000 --> 00:39:49.000 And what we're pushing forward, especially with our green business program, 00:39:49.000 --> 00:39:52.000 that's just redamping up, that's a part of it. 00:39:52.000 --> 00:39:55.000 It's listed on our action items for them. 00:39:55.000 --> 00:39:58.000 So it's a slow process, but we're working on it. 00:39:58.000 --> 00:40:00.000 Great, thank you. 00:40:00.000 --> 00:40:03.000 What sort of engagement do you guys usually do 00:40:03.000 --> 00:40:08.000 if an HOA approaches you or do you target HOAs for some of your engagement programs? 00:40:08.000 --> 00:40:11.000 I'm thinking specifically your sprinkler or some of your landscaping programs 00:40:11.000 --> 00:40:14.000 that would be really appropriate for that kind of audience. 00:40:14.000 --> 00:40:20.000 Yeah, we have reached out to HOAs in the past to limited success. 00:40:20.000 --> 00:40:25.000 And a lot of community members come up and say that they wish they could do this, 00:40:25.000 --> 00:40:27.000 but their HOA doesn't allow it. 00:40:27.000 --> 00:40:32.000 And we'll say give us their information or give my information to them. 00:40:32.000 --> 00:40:36.000 And generally we find it hard to get in front of those people, 00:40:36.000 --> 00:40:38.000 but it's something we are always open to. 00:40:38.000 --> 00:40:41.000 There, people definitely can request a presentation, 00:40:41.000 --> 00:40:45.000 and we will keep trying as much as we can for that. 00:40:45.000 --> 00:40:50.000 But right now there's no targeted advertisement for that. 00:40:50.000 --> 00:40:53.000 On the social media, this is going to make me feel old, 00:40:53.000 --> 00:40:58.000 but are people able to see those announcements even if they don't follow the page? 00:40:58.000 --> 00:41:00.000 I mean, do they get promoted? 00:41:00.000 --> 00:41:09.000 Sometimes, so there's a little bit of -- if we -- we can pay to advertise, 00:41:09.000 --> 00:41:15.000 and it will reach more people, however much we pay is however much it will get put in front of people. 00:41:15.000 --> 00:41:19.000 If we don't pay, there are a handful of people that don't follow that might -- 00:41:19.000 --> 00:41:25.000 it might pop up as a suggested, but generally it's the people who follow us who will see that. 00:41:25.000 --> 00:41:32.000 Any other questions, comments? 00:41:32.000 --> 00:41:46.000 Thank you very much. 00:41:46.000 --> 00:41:50.000 So we're up to staff reports now. 00:41:50.000 --> 00:42:02.000 Yes, you have a few memos in your backup that I can answer questions on most likely. 00:42:02.000 --> 00:42:04.000 We have the waterways incentive program, 00:42:04.000 --> 00:42:11.000 just a little bit of the results of that mid-January time frame. 00:42:11.000 --> 00:42:20.000 The TARP buyback program has been paused briefly for some redamps, some lessons learned from the pilot, 00:42:20.000 --> 00:42:29.000 and should relaunch again here in March. 00:42:29.000 --> 00:42:33.000 I don't know if anyone noticed that we had some sustainability incentives advertising 00:42:33.000 --> 00:42:37.000 with the most recent city newsletter that was emailed out, 00:42:37.000 --> 00:42:49.000 so we've seen some uptick there, and also the Denton, you know, newsletter. 00:42:49.000 --> 00:42:51.000 And then we have the memo from Caitlin. 00:42:51.000 --> 00:42:53.000 She couldn't be here today. 00:42:53.000 --> 00:43:00.000 We were getting an Air North Texas partner award, so she's a cog doing that. 00:43:00.000 --> 00:43:02.000 We'll show that off next time. 00:43:02.000 --> 00:43:11.000 She included the emissions reductions estimates for rate sets for last fiscal year, 00:43:11.000 --> 00:43:14.000 very similar to how it was presented for the prior year. 00:43:14.000 --> 00:43:18.000 If you have any questions about that, you can bring more information back, 00:43:18.000 --> 00:43:21.000 or I can try to answer them now. 00:43:21.000 --> 00:43:24.000 I have a question about this third buyback rebate. 00:43:24.000 --> 00:43:32.000 It looks like you've had 125 applications and only 14 were eligible, 00:43:32.000 --> 00:43:39.000 so that's a lot of work for you to go through 125 applications. 00:43:39.000 --> 00:43:44.000 And these are going to the water department. 00:43:44.000 --> 00:43:48.000 We don't necessarily see that original application. 00:43:48.000 --> 00:43:54.000 A lot of times, from what I can kind of see on the back end, it was more of an inquiry, 00:43:54.000 --> 00:43:58.000 like how would I do that, and then maybe they decided not to. 00:43:58.000 --> 00:44:02.000 A lot of folks never even followed up to schedule the first meeting. 00:44:02.000 --> 00:44:07.000 So that's one of the revamps that we're working on, 00:44:07.000 --> 00:44:12.000 trying to only get folks who are really going to complete it coming in 00:44:12.000 --> 00:44:14.000 and doing the inquiries and the pre-inspections. 00:44:14.000 --> 00:44:19.000 I appreciate that she included a list of reasons why those applications were rejected. 00:44:19.000 --> 00:44:29.000 I think it's helpful to frame how we tailor those programs. 00:44:29.000 --> 00:44:37.000 But then maybe in the table you should make another column with just inquiries or questions. 00:44:37.000 --> 00:44:38.000 Which one are you talking about? 00:44:38.000 --> 00:44:45.000 Waterwise. 00:44:45.000 --> 00:44:53.000 I'll make that suggestion. 00:44:53.000 --> 00:45:00.000 The information on the emissions reductions is certainly good. 00:45:00.000 --> 00:45:13.000 Thank you. 00:45:13.000 --> 00:45:18.000 And then we have the memo from our senior engineer, Mike Linder, 00:45:18.000 --> 00:45:28.000 about the flood risk planning, just some background about what goes on over on their side. 00:45:28.000 --> 00:45:31.000 And then lastly we have the matrix. 00:45:31.000 --> 00:45:40.000 Any comments on the flood risk planning? 00:45:40.000 --> 00:45:48.000 Anybody have any material for the matrix or discussion of the matrix? 00:45:48.000 --> 00:45:52.000 I have one, and it was in relation to the waterwise memo. 00:45:52.000 --> 00:45:55.000 And I understand we're looking at some revamps on that program. 00:45:55.000 --> 00:45:59.000 I think you're saying maybe on the March timeline for the revamp, 00:45:59.000 --> 00:46:03.000 having that come back to us for where we're shifting, 00:46:03.000 --> 00:46:06.000 and if we need to look at tuning up that program again, 00:46:06.000 --> 00:46:14.000 or how the success is being implemented maybe after a month or two of testing out how that revamp works, 00:46:14.000 --> 00:46:17.000 that would be really nice to hear from them again. 00:46:17.000 --> 00:46:22.000 And just to be clear, the water department is just going to relaunch the program. 00:46:22.000 --> 00:46:28.000 It's not going to come back here for additional feedback there. 00:46:28.000 --> 00:46:29.000 Oh, okay. 00:46:29.000 --> 00:46:32.000 Then I suppose I am asking if there are modifications, 00:46:32.000 --> 00:46:34.000 was that what your reference was in the memo, 00:46:34.000 --> 00:46:38.000 that they were looking at revamping the program or fine tuning? 00:46:38.000 --> 00:46:39.000 Fine tuning. 00:46:39.000 --> 00:46:40.000 Okay. 00:46:40.000 --> 00:46:41.000 Lesson learned. 00:46:41.000 --> 00:46:42.000 Right. 00:46:42.000 --> 00:46:44.000 I guess that was my effort there, 00:46:44.000 --> 00:46:49.000 was I'd like to hear from them again about what their lessons learned on their implementation, 00:46:49.000 --> 00:46:56.000 if we could see that in the late summer after a couple months of publication. 00:46:56.000 --> 00:47:12.000 I think I propose for DME to come back and clarify some things that were not quite clear to us at their presentation, 00:47:12.000 --> 00:47:16.000 and I don't see it here anymore. 00:47:16.000 --> 00:47:20.000 I can look back through the metrics. 00:47:20.000 --> 00:47:22.000 I was going to make that point too. 00:47:22.000 --> 00:47:24.000 It seems that the metrics that we got. 00:47:24.000 --> 00:47:26.000 You raised some issue, I raised some issue. 00:47:26.000 --> 00:47:31.000 We consolidated them in one presentation. 00:47:31.000 --> 00:47:36.000 The December 2025 matrix is much fuller. 00:47:36.000 --> 00:47:40.000 Well, a lot of stuff was removed in the January 2026, 00:47:40.000 --> 00:47:44.000 and one of which was what you were just talking about. 00:47:44.000 --> 00:47:56.000 That was one of my questions is what was the justification or reason for paring down the matrix 00:47:56.000 --> 00:48:03.000 and removing some items that really haven't even been discussed yet. 00:48:03.000 --> 00:48:04.000 And this is from December. 00:48:04.000 --> 00:48:12.000 My memory is that there was a memo that addressed those items that were removed from the matrix. 00:48:12.000 --> 00:48:18.000 It may have been that DME will come back in the future, but DME was not clear. 00:48:18.000 --> 00:48:19.000 Yeah, there was. 00:48:19.000 --> 00:48:21.000 Right now the report. 00:48:21.000 --> 00:48:25.000 Yes, it was in that memo, and I believe that was at the December meeting. 00:48:25.000 --> 00:48:29.000 I'm not sure if it touched on our raised issues. 00:48:29.000 --> 00:48:30.000 Right. 00:48:30.000 --> 00:48:33.000 We can check on that. 00:48:33.000 --> 00:48:43.000 Also, Dr. Meyer, Mayor, sorry, had asked for an update on the wildlife corridor survey 00:48:43.000 --> 00:48:47.000 in reference to how the survey relates to ecosystem protection. 00:48:47.000 --> 00:48:49.000 And I don't think that was that addressed. 00:48:49.000 --> 00:48:53.000 That was a very nice report. 00:48:53.000 --> 00:48:54.000 Okay. 00:48:54.000 --> 00:48:56.000 Yeah. 00:48:56.000 --> 00:49:00.000 All right. 00:49:00.000 --> 00:49:03.000 That makes sense. 00:49:03.000 --> 00:49:08.000 I have one other thing for the matrix. 00:49:08.000 --> 00:49:24.000 Given our problem with having a full board, full committee, I would request a presentation. 00:49:24.000 --> 00:49:31.000 Well, first of all, I went through city charter and the handbook for committees and all that, 00:49:31.000 --> 00:49:33.000 and I couldn't find the answer to my question. 00:49:33.000 --> 00:49:44.000 So that's why I'm asking that the city secretary explain to us the procedure 00:49:44.000 --> 00:49:54.000 for having applicants to our committee voted on and placed on the committee, 00:49:54.000 --> 00:50:02.000 where the link is broken, because we have two people who have applied, as you know, 00:50:02.000 --> 00:50:08.000 and who are ready to roll, but it's crickets, basically. 00:50:08.000 --> 00:50:14.000 Nobody seems to have an answer as to why these people have not been presented to council 00:50:14.000 --> 00:50:19.000 for voting on joining the committee. 00:50:19.000 --> 00:50:25.000 And in light of the staff report about the Sustainability Framework Advisory Committee 00:50:25.000 --> 00:50:34.000 and the January 16th Friday staff report, I think it's very crucial that we get this worked out 00:50:34.000 --> 00:50:39.000 so it's not a problem that continues either with this committee 00:50:39.000 --> 00:50:44.000 or any other citizen-populated committees. 00:50:44.000 --> 00:50:52.000 So with that in mind, I would ask that the city secretary come in and explain to us 00:50:52.000 --> 00:50:56.000 if there is a problem, what is it, and what we can do about it 00:50:56.000 --> 00:51:06.000 so that these appointments can be expedited rather than forgotten, it seems. 00:51:06.000 --> 00:51:13.000 Okay? Any observations about that? 00:51:13.000 --> 00:51:16.000 It would be nice not to barely make quorum every time. 00:51:16.000 --> 00:51:22.000 Yeah, exactly. So that's my two cents. 00:51:22.000 --> 00:51:24.000 Okay. 00:51:24.000 --> 00:51:28.000 Anybody else have anything for the matrix? 00:51:28.000 --> 00:51:35.000 Well, I guess that means we need a request for a motion to adjourn. 00:51:35.000 --> 00:51:37.000 Second? 00:51:37.000 --> 00:51:40.000 All in favor of adjourning? 00:51:40.000 --> 00:51:42.000 Meeting adjourned. Thank you.