March Meeting Notes - Volunteers Needed!

Community Garden Update: The community garden has received City and School Board approval to move forward. The next step is the communication plan, finalizing opening day and funding. Funding is needed for deer fencing and a few other necessities. If anyone wishes to donate to the Community Garden, a check written to the City of Bay Village with "Community Garden" in the memo portion, can be sent to Maureen Nakonek at City Hall. The team is also going to start to solicit donations from Merchants and other interested parties, as the grants are proving difficult to obtain. Two public meetings to BV residents on the community garden are scheduled for Monday evenings, April 19th and May 10th at the Lake Erie Nature & Science Center (LENSC) beginning at 7:30.

Environmental Update: The Green Team is planning to sponsor a Garlic Mustard Pull to be scheduled for late April, early May. Upcoming work shops:

• Rain Garden Seminar - Wednesday, March 24 from 6-7:30 PM at the LENSC. Call 440-871-2900 to register by phone (Fee: $5)
• Rain Barrel Workshop - Saturday, April 24 from 9-11 AM at the LENSC. Call the number above to register by phone (Fee: $80)
• Rain Barrel Workshop - Wednesday, May 5 from 6-7:30 PM at Bay High School. Call 216-534-6580, ext 22 to register by phone (Fee: $60)

Wast Management Update: The 2009 recycling report is now available. Overall the recycling increased from 2008 to 2009 due primarily to the very successful leave pick up program. Recycling of other items, such as newspaper and cans & plastic are down 5-15%, but there are several factors. First, overall consumption is down (fewer newspapers being sold). Also, there are increasingly other revues to recycle these products, diverting recycling to other places that are not included in the report. This analysis is supported by the fact that the total waste was relatively flat (increased less than 1%.) Our goal in 2010 is to see the waste decreased by 10%.

Lori Sprosty and Brenda O’Reilly met with Maureen Nakonek and Dan Galli from the City. The group is partnering to increase recycling in city buildings. The majority of the waste stream is easy to recycle—paper, and bottles & cans. Although a lot of paper is being recycled, more paper bins are needed. After the meeting, Dan Galli provided additional paper recycle bins in all city buildings (effective 3/10/10) . The Mayor has applied for a grant that would provide for 12-20 recycle bins for bottle and cans, if approved.

The city is looking at Automated Trash Pickup. Dwight Clark indicated prior to the meeting the more information will be available over the course of the next few months.

There is a shredding day planned at the Lake Erie Nature and Science Center—Saturday, April 10, 9 AM-Noon. Suggested donation is $5. Paper is shredded, then recycled, so this is a GREAT way to dispose of your confidential papers.

Transportation Update: The Green Team has been invited to participate in the Bike to School Safety Fair (April 29 6-9 PM at BMS) Ted Volvos agreed to contact the group to see what type of participation would be appropriate—perhaps a GT booth with transportation materials? More to come on this next month. There was also discussion of the desire to request bike racks throughout the City & re-sign the existing bike paths that are in the city. No definitive action on this, but there is interest in looking at these initiatives in the future. We would need a sub team to volunteer to take the lead on these.

Communications Update: Habitat for Humanity has asked the BVGT for volunteers to help with a collection to be held at the Bay Police Station on April 15-17^th. 9:am-6:pm. New and usable construction/renovation materials, tools (power/hand), sinks, cabinets, vanities, plumbing and electrical fixtures, windows, doors, appliances, furniture are all welcome. Items should be complete, usable and in working order. Lori Sprosty will be sending out a volunteer schedule for sign-up. If you’ve ever wondered how you can get involved with Habitat for Humanity, here’s your chance even if just for an hour. Call city hall for more information to get involved if you are not on the BVGT email list. Thank you!

Make a difference, get involved!
Join us at our next meeting Tuesday, April 11th at 6:30 PM-city hall.