Conservation Advisory Council, Regular Meeting

1. 0:05Sorry to see Ivy with you know the what Ivy Thank you for Here
2. 1:33we go. My vote all in favor. We actually cannot because I don't think we have qu. But we don't really >> Yeah, we don't. >> We don't. >> Don't we have to Don't you have to have a quorum to vote for us to be members yet? >> I know. We're not gonna I don't know. Don't become members. I don't know how to get around that. >> We're on. We're on. We're on. Here we go. All right. Call to order. All in. I We're I'm calling it. We're in session. >> We're in order. >> We're on. Boom. Done. >> Thank you. >> Uh accepting the minutes. Anyone have any comments? >> No. >> Minutes. Last one. Right. Okay. So, membership, this is what's going on, folks. Is um Nathan is uh no longer with us. We both sad. >> Um but he has moved on to uh greener pastures hopefully at the plant board. So, that's great. >> Good.
3. 2:35>> Good for Nathan. >> Nathan's great. Uh Nora has also stepped down due to her time for Lance. >> Uh IB has said that she um withdrawing her membership application. >> I'm going to talk to her next time on the wild. >> So um um so we have one, two people, three who have to renew because you you're expired. >> So that you're expired. So that will go through the common council. this next meeting. >> Okay. >> Okay. Fine. And we have Emily who still wants to be a part of us. >> Yay. Emily. >> Yay. All right. So, we're going to say yes. And I said yes. And then we'll put uh what? You sent me an email, right? You sent me an email with dear. So, what happens is this is what happens is that um uh I will send that to Margaret Morris who is the president of the common council. That goes to front of the council. they actually vote on it to make you a member of the uh CAC and then you get an then you have to go in an
4. 3:39oath and uh you get an email uh an official city of Hudson email address and then you're official then you get to sit on the side >> you have to sign the book too >> oh yeah >> it's very important if you don't sign the book you're not official revote >> you must have signed the book >> yes within a month you have a month after we pass the uh resolution >> the book's just behind behind the counter. Uh you have a month after that and you have to sign otherwise we have to redo the whole process. So just sign the oath. It takes not even the I did the oath. Would I have signed with? >> Yes. When you cover >> um which which means now that we still we currently then have how many are we? I don't know. >> There's one. >> We have like two openings >> because Nathan and Norath we already had one open. >> We already had one. So 1 2 3 5 six or six seven we had we could be nine. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. So
5. 4:40>> the word media folks. >> So anyway um so yes so I will send I will push the I will sponsor a resolution move it forward and then by next by this month you'll get an email and it will be official. >> Okay. Thank you very much. Y excited to have you. >> Do you think you have to revote on us as well? >> We have to Yes. Everyone's membership goes up for so you could get voted down. >> So already member people have to do to renew >> nothing. I will take care of it. >> Yeah. We we told them so. >> Would it be wise then as Danielle just suggested I could repost on Instagram about membership again? Why >> does that do we get people that way? >> Yeah, I think so. I think >> great sure. You never know. You never know. Um okay, so that's where we are with memberships.
6. 5:42Uh the minutes are great. Um um okay. And then all I just wanted to say so our next meeting then our next your first official meeting will be March Tuesday March 3rd with the first Tuesday of every month 6 o'clock right via yada yada and uh we also have the climate smart subcommittee meeting which will be which our next day is now I want to say >> the 11th >> Wednesday the 11th at 6 p.m. return room. Yeah. >> So I will not be there but I will send >> nor will I. >> Okay. So then but we I will send you updates. I will send updates >> and we did get a response from Hannah by the way. >> Yes. Yeah. I have to go through >> responses because I have some follow-ups. >> So what we have to do is as we go through the the website we have to take down >> take down the old stuff and we can even read some maybe. >> Yeah. >> But >> depending on Yeah. depending on if anything's expired or just needs to be resigned. >> Resigned. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> But some some of them could just be reports and as long as they're within a
7. 6:44certain time frame, it's acceptable, >> right? It's great to see anything I take down from the website. >> Yes. The ones I'm taking down, I'll put into a share. >> Yeah. Because it could still be reused like our like I know the charges I'm reusing the same information, but Yeah. >> All right. All right. Cool. So, that's that. Um, now I'd like to introduce Ron W. Say >> uh from the planning board uh who's a new member of the planning board. So we had enough we I guess we manifested last year a uh a uh oh Josh a a uh like like a liaison between you know the planning board and the CAC because we're here doing our stuff planning board's doing this and like never the 20 met uh which is unfortunate because you know we're building stuff on you know on endangered bass species and things like that that
8. 7:46we should have a some it'd be nice if someone listens to us as the advisory council that we are. But now we have new planning board members. So, uh, I just wanted to make an introduction with Ron and the rest of the group and maybe we could each go around the the table and talk about our own interests and some of our experiences yourself as well, Emily. So that, you know, the planning board so we could just like, you know, plug people in if necessary so we know where people's uh, you know, expertise are and we could put people in if the planning board needs to, you know, you know, use us in any way. But I'll I'll see the floor to you. >> Thank you and thanks Rich for the invitation. Um so I had my first meeting a couple of weeks ago. I'm brand new as chairman and uh had been a pretty steep learning curve. But uh one of the first things that was suggested is that we connect with with you all and it really create a a connection so that we have
9. 8:50you know certain projects I can think of a few the last year that I think we would have benefited from some objective data and some objective points of view especially in the environmental issue like I'm going to mention. So, um, Rich was kind enough to me tonight and, um, um, and I think one of the things, one of the things we're thinking about, we're doing this with Phil and the HPC, uh, also an important group for us to, to coordinate with. So, and planning boards will appoint uh someone to be a lazison to HPC and and Bill's doing the same with us so that we have a kind of a regular point of contact and we can kind of keep an eye on each other's radar to kind of see when things might, you know, might be benefited by by working together or collaborating or at least getting advice, >> right? >> And I think that the objective is to create better decisions and better outcomes from the community. So, um, and I can tell already you guys are more fun than the play. It's big disappointment.
10. 9:58And while our grass may appear green, the soil underneath is suspect. So, yeah, I'd love to just mention a thing or two about my own background. I'm president founder of an organization called the National Design Alliance. Uh we are a nonprofit and we work with cities on issues of design. Um we're funded by a foundation in New York City. So our work is done proono in cities and prior to that for almost for about 15 years I was president of the American Architectural Foundation in DC. Interestingly enough, I'm not an architect, which is my friends have said that I'm a I'm going to end up patch or vice vers. But I've seen design as an important tool for engaging the community. Design thinking design is a is a creative way to wrap our heads around different kinds of challenges and it's a different way for us to engage uh with ourselves and with with our community. So um so I
11. 11:02bring a lot of interest to this kind of work and a lot of passion uh and look forward to uh creating exciting outcomes for our community and for our for the folks that live here. So >> great thank you for coming and thank you for making the effort and for you know reaching out. So we appreciate it. It's great. I'll confess Linda took me aside and said, "This is a group you are." >> Yay. Thank you, Linda. >> Great. Um, all right. So, you want to go and you want to start? We spoke briefly before but uh Samo and um I my focus is on basically trees and uh landscape archite architecture design um and environmental concerns. My background was this MFA for prep but I was also double major in college as a biology and fine arts
12. 12:06student. So um I've always loved working in things related to environment and u co-director of BCBR for >> yeah a long time so cooperate on the design aspect of things. >> Uh Danielle Deette I am a certified ecological restoration practitioner. So um I for 10 years I was working on restoring um you know oyster reef habitat fish passages and some dam removal projects and things like that and within the New York City region. Um now I'm working more in environmental policy on improving uh permitting to accelerate and advance restoration projects. So very focused still on eological restoration. Um but yeah interested in restoration conservation working on
13. 13:11all of those things. What else? I think that's enough. I'll say thanks. >> Hi Andrew Gity. I am on uh the tree subcommittee the saplings with these two here who deal with the street tree plantings. Uh we have concerns around sidewalk implementation that's coming up here in town if you're if you're related at all to that. Um and also uh the bulb exchange program we've been doing and uh running Instagram for the group and um trying to get a Hudson green keepers program going which would be like a tree steward program community based since we don't have a parks department. Um my background agriculturally is and and reading wise is more of a home gardener but I worked for National Geographic learning on educational materials and designwise previously I was an interior designer for Brooklyn developer. So did that for
14. 14:13about six years. So dealt with issues around code and building policies and all of that in uh in the city primarily. >> Okay. Oh, can you hear me? Rich Volo. I'm the fourth board council member here on the city of Hudson. I've been on and off the council. Um, but I was on the CAC before years ago and I got the the grants for the electric car chargers in the back there. So, which we're now in the process of redoing that one and getting we got another grant in for more electric car chargers. So, that's going to happen in the near future. And then we got the the grant for the electric um for the light bulbs. uh the grant for um some electric lawn equipment that they use up at the cemetery. We're getting, you know, we we have this climate smart group here which separate subcommittee. We have two subcommittees. We have the saplings which do street trees. We get a budget every year of like I don't know $13,000 that we put towards street trees and we have a list of people who want street trees. Um and everything everyone has to be vetted and has to be make sure
15. 15:16everything's okay. We put we put the trees in the ground. Um and then um the other subcommittee is with the climate smart communities which is new because we need to reup our certification. So we're a bronze level climate smart and then that also enables us to get grant money and things like that. So in Canada keeps us busy. So um there's that. So that's what basically. Yeah. And my own experience I don't have a best environmental experience but um I did lobby for the bottle bill in ' 84. I did on that. >> It's still It's still only five cents still. >> Um I'm Joshua Cohen and I um I'm thrilled that you're here. I I've done some work recently with the Socrates planning board and um was admiring the relationship between their CAC and their planning board in
16. 16:19that every almost every decision sort of was passed off to the CAC to weigh in on that piece of it that related to environmental work. And it seemed to to work really well in that case. And I was realizing that it hasn't happened that way in in my experience here in Hudson. I'm really thrilled that that you're here sort of making the introductions and also with Nathan coming from here to there. I think that's really going to be valuable. Um so thank you. Um I uh my day job is um I run a nonprofit park in so called Spiral House Park which is why I was in front of the so planning board to get our special use permit. So I've done a lot of work in that role um to to work with code to work with uh permit site planning working with Labella engineers um on that process um but we are a art park that has an environmental mission and so it's we're sort of at the intersection of arts and nature and to inspire people through the arts as a way
17. 17:21to connect to nature and to uh connect and think about land stewardship. So that's sort of our mission as an organization. Um my background is uh I'm a climate guy. I I studied uh environmental science and policy at Colombia. Um for my masters, I also uh before uh I was at the park, I was uh running something called the Hudson Valley Climate Action Network to bring together different uh stakeholders who' worked on climate in some capacity from businesses to organizations to individuals. um to mun to local governments. Um just before that I was in Albany working with environmental advocates. So doing uh campaign planning on uh the the big climate law that passed in New York State um a few years back as well as the green amendment that we heard a presentation on recently, the environmental rights amendment um were two of the big campaigns that I I sort of spearheaded um from our advocacy side um working with the state legislature
18. 18:25and monitoring the state legislator as a watchdog group. Um, I as well I've done compost outreach and education uh at Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Um, working with community community gardeners. So, green space uh advocacy is something that I care deeply about and um was trying to bring some of that into the into Hudson. I was on the comprehensive planning committee um that last year and thinking about connectivity of different green spaces in Hudson. um something I want to continue to talk to the new mayor about and um see what we can do here in I have an art background as well. So nice to meet you. >> Great to meet you. >> I'm Michael O'Hara. I um lobby uh the New York State Legislature and government uh governor's office for action on climate >> for the last oh six years or so. And I've also been lobbying at the national
19. 19:28level for action on climate with House of Representatives and senators and so forth for the last 14 years. I have a strong interest in urban design uh as well as fundamentally uh climate and uh how uh we work with the environment in this region. Uh I was for a while the operations director of a regional environmental uh organization called sustainable Hudson Valley. Uh, and we gave workshops for municipal officials on how to make their communities more sustainable and was at one time the commissioner of public works for the city of Hudson. >> What year? What when was that? >> That was that was ages ago. That that would have been uh 2006 and seven. Not double.
20. 20:31>> No. And uh and our newest member Emily. >> Hello. >> Hi. I'm a newbie here and um also the Hudson and my background mostly in environmental policy and kind of related science and policy. Um I most of my experience has been in California where I recently moved from but there I worked in state government. um first focused on agricultural and pest management policy and then on recycling and waste management and waste reduction policy um and now I'm working for the New York City Department of Environmental Protection on air quality policy um so do a lot of uh policy design and development research and um policy analysis and implementation that Definitely very >> very nice to meet you. May I just make
21. 21:34another comment or two? I'm I'm I love the kind of words you use about beauty and design and trees and and environment and and u these are all good things to talk about and think about. Um, one of the things I hope we can do with the planning board is it seems to me that by nature it's been very reactive and I'm hopeful that we can obviously we have to be reactive as we consider projects but like to also get out in front and be proactive on certain kinds of issues and um the work that I describe. We usually go in to a city when it's still kind of in the ideation stage and usually they're trying to overcome a problem that they've been dealing with maybe for decades. So we come in and try to bring different ways of thinking about how do we attack how do we attack that problem? What are some creative ways that we might be able to to figure out a different strategy? So, you know, I like being on the front end of of thinking about how we can creatively uh
22. 22:38approach our challenges differently and and and and through different approaches maybe find more uh more success. And I also want to put a footnote. I said I'm not an architect. So, how do I go into cities? And so, we put together teams of architects, landscape architects, urban planners, transportation specialists, energy specialists. So we assemble teams based on the particular projects that the cities are dealing with. So it's I didn't want to leave the impression that I was playing George Castanza. I did not get that impression. I thought that uh I haven't talked to Nathan about this and he may not feel that he has the time to do it. But, you know, I I would like to see if Nathan would be the liazison to your group just because it would be such a natural and he may want to have a reprieve from time to time and have more fun. But if if if you found that it might be useful to have someone on your side so they could just be points of contact. I think the attention I think
23. 23:42that tension that we have is just be enough aware of what each other's doing so that we can identify opportunities as they as they come up. And like for instance, one of the things I would like to see the planning board do is is also is help plan the city, you know, as opposed to just like you said being reactionary to things to projects that come along. One of the things that we try which is on our agenda which is going nowhere um is you know the city code regarding sidewalks you know like how do we even I mean granted now we have a new we got a new code enforcer soon but you know what one of the goals that Margaret Morris wants to do as president is relook at our code and our and zoning and things like that. So, especially things like sidewalks, like are we going to end up just with like concrete sidewalks again? Uh, you know, as we now have new sidewalk fee and as they're being redone. So, it'd be great to actually work with the planning board to help us plan and you know, make a green greener spaces and there's grant
24. 24:45money out there for bicycle pads and racks and all this other stuff that's that's available. So, yeah, it'd be great to, like you said, not just be reactionary. And I would love to talk over coffee anytime just for brainstorming or learning more about you individuals and your organization and your account. But uh but thanks for the opportunity to have a first contact. Certainly. >> Yeah. >> Thank you for coming. >> Yeah. Thank you. >> M. >> And do you have a you're now on the city uh email account? >> Yeah. City email account. >> It's it's uh Ron Bogle. one word RN B O G L E and U city. >> Yeah. All right. We we'll we'll we can find you now. >> It's easy to remember. It's like >> I'll let you get on with your business. >> All right. Thank you very much. Thanks for coming. We appreciate it. Thank you. Thank you.
25. 25:47>> All right, folks. So, there we go. So, that was good. Um Okay. Next item. Earth Law Center. So, you've started putting together a list of questions, >> right? >> Yeah. >> Or list of ideas. >> List of ideas. Yeah. So, where do where are we what do what do we want to do? >> I think we just needed to see if anybody had any other ideas to add and then we can send that to them and see like we want we could put them in a priority list and say these are our top three, but these are other things that we've been thinking about. What >> what what would our top three to five be? Um, >> I'm going to vote for tree orchids. >> Yeah, I feel like the tree or I'm trying to remember, too. I thought that there potentially was another one. Anyway, I think we could, if anybody feels strongly to prioritize, you could go in there and bold, >> okay, >> what you like. And then if there's three, great. Three bolden ones, great. If there's seven, then >> we'll just uh figure it out. Um, >> and we could send that off and finish it before the week.
26. 26:49>> Yeah. >> Um, what I'll do is I'll get whatever tree once we send to the reading committee from Nathan or from Margaret and I'll forward that and you put we'll put it all together and yeah, we could just send them the whole thing and maybe have another >> they seem very open to having another call with us and maybe we can review the list with them. Yeah. >> And they can tell us what's doable, what's not. >> Yeah. Because some of them could be really simple or could be incorporated into other things. So they could kind of be umbrella potentially. >> We can advise them to another meeting or have them be a Zoom or something like that. Maybe we just get them on Zoom for next month. How's that sound? >> Yeah. >> They are having a event. Did you see that? >> Is it this weekend? I mean, >> yeah, Friday. >> Friday. Friday. Uh this this week we're having an event here in Hudson. Oh. >> Um that has to do with um environmental law. And so I you go to their website to sign up for it.
27. 27:50>> Did we get that? Did we get >> I thought she shared it. Yeah. But I might >> this this Friday >> and they'll break >> and it's um I'm trying to remember the name of the organization but you know the Lutheran church on North uh 6th Street >> corner of Colombia Street uh that is now um kind of a multifunctional meeting that um is the host, you know, the the venue for this this field. >> Oh, great. And that's this coming Friday. Yes. >> Do you have a time off hand? >> I'll go look. >> Okay, great. Um light bulb exchange. So, all hands are paid. Light bulbs are We still We still have a lot to give away. >> We have a lot to give away. Uh, rolling brochure is finally uh in the in the loop and doing some giveaway. I've
28. 28:55restocked some things here. I just reached out to Operation Unite, Pikes Nest, and the housing authority. Um, I'm waiting to hear back from them about participating in the program. Um, and we'll go from there. >> All right. Yeah. >> Um, am I am I booking a a farmer's market? >> We should. Yeah, we should. Regardless, >> give away light bulbs and everything else. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Finally get our our logo merchandise going. >> Oh, our our slogan by the way >> is um conservation advisory council keep Hudson shady >> andor >> what's the other one? >> Filling holes and planting trees. >> That's yours. >> I sorry. filling holes and planting seeds. >> Oh, I am not going on record. Just like that for the record, Linda. Linda, >> you don't like that one. >> Not go in the minutes to be family friendly.
29. 29:59Family friendly. >> Um, all right. Fair enough. So, yeah. Okay. So, I will book um with the farmers market for I think they show outside the first weekend. the first uh Earth weekend actually. So, I want to say maybe the 18th or maybe the 25th. Does anyone want a table on the 25th? When is that? February. >> April. >> April. >> Oh my gosh. >> Who knows? I'll put it on my calendar. >> Well, I might be there for >> I'll say yes. Right. >> Yeah. >> All right. Well, >> you have some CAC materials at your booth. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> There you go. >> Cross. >> Say yes for me. And if it >> I'll direct people to you. Um, okay. So, EV car grants. Okay. So, I have another meeting with Haley uh tomorrow actually. So, where are we with this? Is that um I said I don't I guess we haven't really changed that much since last month. We got more information from we have four potential vendors. I have to select them uh within the next by the next month. Choose one
30. 31:03of the four. The initial plan was to have the the three stations, six ports by the Amtrak station and another one and the fast charger down by the dog park, but I don't know if we can get both because federal tax credits have expired. Thank you very much, federal government. >> We're not, you know, for December, last December. So, all well, want more. Um but we still have about 75 grand to spend which we can get either or. It also depends upon how much uh if we have to we get on the list for National Grid because they have money too to do the work um to do what they have to do to do their dig program. So there's money there but and see if we can get that. So there's a still few question marks out there but she's been walking me through the process and we have the bids and uh we just like to select them. I will bring them out next meeting at the show time. So that's nice. Yay. Um Arbor Day. So spring fall the invoices went out for the fall. Everyone's
31. 32:05>> It was finally paid. Yeah, it just went out Friday of last week. So um we're all set on that. I have the list of people for spring plantings. Great. and I will probably follow up with them in the coming month in the next couple of weeks. Get that going. I I think we might have enough to again this year to do two plant things, >> right? >> I'm not sure we have a substantial number to do this spring. >> How many trees? >> I mean, it's like 10 or 11, but we'll have to but we have to see if those will all be viable spots, >> right? >> That' be great. And maybe we'll have a different we'll have a different BEA this year. So that means a board of estimates and appropriations. So there's a there's a treasurer, the common council president, and the mayor. >> So we'll have a new mayor, a new common council president um >> who might give us more money for more street trees next year. And and if it is the case, we could certainly be, you know, towards Ron's point, become more
32. 33:09proactive and choose some places where we want to reach out and say, "Do you want street trading? Um, are you willing to take care of it? We'll give you one." >> Right. Right. Yeah. Yeah. Or any Yeah. I know it's it's hard for it's hard. I mean, streets are trying to, but the staff are having a conversation about that. >> Maybe less fruity. like in those like baskets or something like that. >> Oh, still like connected I would say to >> potentially in the but not trees that will root down. >> Oh >> yeah. I guess it just depends on how deep >> the wiring whatever infrastructure they are underneath the ground. >> Right. Right. >> DPW is a meanable. >> Yeah. >> Timeless to talk about. >> Yeah. It has to be deep enough because there are some street trees >> that that have already been there for years. >> Yeah. So, it has to be >> No, the issue is that the the root itself has now grown around electrical.
33. 34:12>> Yeah. >> Yeah. So, so you can't take it out without disrupting. >> Yeah. It's I mean I don't know how do other cities get around it or they don't >> they don't have the conduit in the location. >> Yeah. electricity like uh New York City has everything running up above in here >> and we have everything underneath >> on Warren at least. >> Yeah. Or or depending on the depth. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> All right. Uh the tree ordinance. I'm going to grab that from Nathan and then send it to the Earth Law Center and see if we can move that forward there. >> Wait, sorry. Oh, the tree. Oh, okay. >> Yeah, because I think he sent it's illegal, but they haven't made it. It's on oats. legal just meeting again. Yes, this um community choice aggregation community solar. >> Mhm. >> Uh well the we can take the community choice aggregation off >> right shifted away from that for the time being. >> Um community solar I know Nathan spoke to
34. 35:16Joe Ferris about it. Um I'm supposed to actually talk to him as a followup this Wednesday. So I was supposed to talk to him this week but it got pushed back. So, I was just going to pitch it and suggest that the city just say yes and print a letter to residents to put in the next water bill is my recommendation. >> Call it a day. >> Does he just have to sign it or did they have to go through >> because it's option, right? So, >> it's already been presented to the mayor's office previously. >> Yeah. >> Um and they were on board. >> The city's not spending any money. There's nothing that needs to happen other than this. >> Yeah, >> in terms of >> I know this is just so I'm I'm thinking that the mayor's letter to the citizenry would say this seems okay and you are welcome to participate in this but it's not a city project. >> Right. Right. >> Yeah. I don't know if we wanted mentioned CAC in the mayor's letter that
35. 36:20this organization has been vetted by the CAC. >> There you go. Okay. >> Yeah. >> And you know, this is it's an optin program. You know, maybe there's a little QR code. I don't know. Some people do. And then if people want to do it, that's great. And they save about 10% off of the electric bill. >> Yeah. Great. >> So, yeah. That we've done some due diligence where it's not just, you know, some by that. >> Yeah. Where where where where do we have the organizational information about the the vendor? >> It's in the SharePoint folder and I can send it around if you want. Um the power markets uh put together the whole uh proposal and one like third of that proposal for that community. >> Mhm. Okay. >> And the city of Kingston works with them. Maybe we can put something like that in the letter as well, you know, just >> Yeah. So that >> right now we're doing um Okay, great. Tree Grant with the D.
36. 37:22>> Oh, okay. Um well, I've been talking with um Mike DeMarco, which I think he's really lovely >> yesterday and today. And so um going to finish out that document. >> Thank you. for him which will be fine. And he just sent to me this afternoon. I have to forward it to you guys to everybody actually a document about um basically how to to create a bullet uh request for proposal document that has you know contingencies for contractors whatever so we don't get in a hole ever. it's been vetted by many many people and you know anyway and he can help us in future submitting. >> That's what we need. >> So um that's really good. >> Um I went to the relief meeting >> so we're signed up for that now which is a climate smart. >> Yes.
37. 38:22>> Good thing um and uh I have some information about grants that we can pursue, >> right? which will be great and you know some for >> but by the way for new people new person this is we planted 44 trees along Harry Howard we got a grant from the DEC so we did this was it like was it a year before last a year and a half ago so we're still filling out the paperwork uh for the the grant work so that's what was doing >> paperwork for another person just that we have to be on top of um in April which is coming up fast will be uh Earth Day as well as our day and we have to get the um new um tags for trees done and we have to to also to fulfill our obligations for this grant. We also have to do promotional initiatives and and partner with um firemen. But I think um
38. 39:28actually and and the photo contests, that's the other outlier thing. Did we know about this? I did not know about this much, but there has to be a four seasons photo thing >> to engage the populace and get them all loving treats. So, this is something that we might be able to do with the fireman's home, like post posters there because they get a lot of tra and people go there and they might want to take pictures of the trees, the kids. So, we'll promote this in April hopefully. >> Wait, you mean the four seasons? Is that what you said? >> Yeah. Four seasons of the trees that planted. That's part of the >> So, you mean just a series of photos for each season? >> Yes. Correct. >> Contest. >> A contest I believe that we have to have. >> You got to get more than two people interested. >> So, that's part of the the finishing up of this >> stuff. I have no idea this question. >> Yeah, it's one one idea that I feel like the library is really good at doing
39. 40:30contests with kids, right? >> And they have that uh library of local kiosk that has lots of information about ecology and trees there. So maybe they could be they could set up some >> and those trees are not far. No, >> they're not that far. Just just >> perfect. So maybe we should all the better >> just next sapling meeting or whatever we should we have to because we got to get we got to get it done. >> All right. Let's discuss because I have uh I've I've dealt with Emily before at the library because she's one of the bulb distributors. So I can talk. >> Excellent. Actually contest winners can win some free life bulbs. >> Just whatever child could give out light bulbs. >> They do. Do they already? So, one of the other grants they have is the school seedling program grant and um they're DC's annual tree and shrub seedling sale. >> So, hey, we can get involved in any of these things for the upcoming
40. 41:32>> is that the DEC, >> huh? Yeah. >> Yeah. >> And so, what kind of grants is it? >> Uh seedlings are sold in Well, this is just you you got to buy them. The one is not a grant, but the other one, the school seedling program application is closes March 27th. I don't know the specifics of that. I just know that I thought we should probably go for if we're going to do something along the lines of uh Arbor Day >> with um >> the sense up to it's up to you folks. I mean it sounds like this grant is a lot of work already as it is. >> Yeah. >> Yeah, >> it is. It is. But um anyway, so those are some things that we could or could not participate in. If it's too much, whatever. But the other thing that I wanted to make you aware of is that um Bruce Sunni
41. 42:36um I've been meeting with uh had a meeting last week with them with also sustainable Hudson Valley >> and she brought in um the Rotarians >> who are applying for a grant for both Hudson and Pipsy. >> We don't have to do anything. Rotary club Rotary Club the global Rotary Club. >> Yes. Yes. The Rotary Club >> because they they did a huge if you've ever been to Newberg they did a huge project along the coast there planting things whatever. So I think they're going to do a comparable thing. If you're asking me ask me specifics about the grant I honest to God I can't date you but I think it's going to be similar to that >> for you know uh preservation of what what is existing is I believe the thrust of the grant but they're it's a big one there's their grants are huge >> so it will be decent money for Hudson and Pikipsy so that's nice >> we don't have to do anything until the
42. 43:40and then we'll work with them to >> obviously do this stuff. But >> we don't have to apply for >> it'll just >> great. >> So that's >> one you know what brought the Rotarians to be interested in Hudson specifically. >> Yeah. >> Probably because we're working with sustainable Hudson Valley um and Sunni. It's Pikipsy and Hudson because that's the thing that picked up from Josh. Gotcha. you know so um we're already working together as >> so it's associated with that >> yes so it's associated with that so um and they have already built a relationship with the sustainable Hudson Valley person whose name is Melissa Everett so um you know it's it's lovely >> just hot when I went to the meeting like great wonderful >> that's great so what what is it grant for that grant money for or >> like I I can't give you a specific I think it's for prevention of >> you know environmental problems whatever
43. 44:43I don't know I will get the specifics from Melissa because it was just we had like two minutes to discuss all this stuff and that was a surprise to me >> that um they were going to do it >> you know and it's not of course it has to be accepted by the Rotary Glo you know Rotarians globally but they've typically both this fellow um approved approved everyone they applied for. So they have a very good track record. So I'm hopeful that we'll get it. >> So that would be >> that sounds great >> now that it's on record. >> But that was that was really nice to hear. >> That's great. >> And um >> so funny to tell you about good luck with the Rotary Club before. any relationship. >> I'm sorry. And going back to the seed grant, do you think we should apply for that? >> Yeah, I do. >> Yeah. >> Seedling program. >> Yes. I mean any of these like >> Oh, yeah.
44. 45:45>> I'm sorry. >> We also the open space conservation grant too, right? >> Okay. So, >> space is it called? What is it called? >> We were talking about that a bit. wondering what the applic where we would apply that grant. >> It would be a good >> this is yeah the open space conservation grant is extended to April. >> Do you know if that's an if they do that annually? >> I wonder too if there's like opportunity to align a bit with the planning committee like that could be a good exercise. >> Yeah. I don't know >> to like brainstorm around ideas of what we could do there and >> and that buys open space. Is that what that reminds us? Yeah, it basically gives if you're awarded you receive the funding, you need to buy a par like some type of parcel to convert to open space >> or or a park. >> I think it's for it could be a park or for conservation. >> So, what should we do? So, should we apply for both of these grants is what
45. 46:47you're saying? >> I've been meaning to look into the open space just to see if we could like either through an MOU or partner with like other land conservies to be able to like manage the space depending on what we want to do with it, >> right? >> Um, >> yeah. So, somebody would have to we' have to I think figure that part out first, right? >> But could be um if it's annual, it would be nice if we have the opportunity next year to get to go after it. We could take this year to work with planning committee to figure it out. >> Yeah. >> Or not. Well, we should probably focus on that. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. But the seedling sale is nice. I mean, it just if we have money in the kitty to buy things, you know, speaking of trying to make the sidewalk areas nicer, whatever. But they since they have this um you know seedling shrub sale going on I
46. 47:53think >> they just need to follow up with DPW before and figure out and figure out a plan if we're try and do something like that. Um, it might be something we could do much like we've been talking about with the green keepers on a limited basis like see if we can get a few people to on more street shops to help engage with that. >> So, okay. So, let me see. So, this so is a sale. So, there's So, is there money that they're giving us or is just that this >> No, this is just they're just come out of our budget to come out of our budget. >> Yeah. They have uh seedlings in bundles of 25 or more. Several miss species packets available. See their bare bare root minimum five inches tall, one to three years old. And um and I guess they're probably giving them less than cost, right? >> So >> why not if we have spaces to put them >> and it and it's just the seedlings themselves, right? >> Yes. You know who might do this project?
47. 48:56We could bounce this off of is the Hudson Development Corp. >> Yeah. >> They might because they might purchase the seedlings as part of like you know >> the better of Hudson. Um so you know Bridg is on that or Chris Jones >> and well you don't hear but Phil for Foreman. >> Oh Bill Foreman. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> I think we can >> Yes. >> talk about it with that. Maybe it could be the first project or whatever we cooperate with them >> because as opposed to coming out of our budget, I mean that could be because they're just a regular nonprofit, right? So they might be able I don't know if it if it's open to nonprofits, but that might be a good because they were even thinking about doing other projects as well. So maybe that would be a good time. >> Do you want me to just call Phil and say, "Hey." >> Yeah. Email >> from the DC. Because he's writer right there. I was like, "So, go for this one. Partner with you." >> And Jess, who works there, the executive director? I think Jess
48. 49:57>> just won, >> right? >> Well, I don't know, but who you know? >> Right. >> Yeah. I mean, for them. >> Is there a timeline for it? This one closes May 13th, the sale. Okay. >> So, that's a little bit of time. Yeah. >> Okay. But that might >> I mean, bounce off of them and see what they say. account. We'll talk about our next meeting and then we have to decide if we're going to take something out of our own budget. Great. All right. What else? Anything else? And then the open space grants >> we Yeah. >> Well, who is that through? Is that >> DC? Yeah. Oh, sorry. I think DEC but through the state. >> Yep. >> Okay. >> All right. Next. Okay. Here we go. Where are we? Um Columbia County Columbia County. Um you
49. 51:01are now our representative for the Columbia Academy by March. >> Yeah. I have I been blessed or whatever. >> I saw your email today. >> Yeah. And we have this followup resolution that will go through hopefully in February this month. >> Okay. >> So, >> well, it won't be at any meeting coming up, right? Or >> I don't think you can until your official, but you can you can listen in through the YouTube link or whatever. I think I forward you to the upcoming link. I think you did. And I think it got lost in my outlook, but now I know. >> There's another one this Thursday morning at 10:00. >> Thank you. >> If you're I don't know what the agenda is. >> I thought I saw a flash by and then I was looking like, do you know why? Okay. Okay. >> I told um Dave Newman, the the chair that you were you were taking over for us.
50. 52:04>> One your way. >> So, he's looking forward to meeting you. >> Thank you. Thank you for joining me. Thank you. >> Yes. >> Um the park part. Okay. So, I don't know if anyone's been by, but they're they are now shoveling the snow as opposed to snow blowing the snow. >> So, we have this park with waffle stone, right? And it was just like we call it's we refer to as an park because they never filled in the waffle stone. So, it was just anyway. So, Sam went out and got Russo to donate tons of time. I don't know. And >> gravel. Then we all went there and we shoveled and swept the gravel into waffle stone. And then the first snow came and the DPW guys like snow blew the gravel out of the waffle stone. >> Very exciting. >> But we did tell them and they and it's not all of it. I mean it's like it's a portion. I mean it's still >> when the snow melts it'll be there.
51. 53:06>> Right. Right. I mean, it's still like 80% add a different tax. So, anyway, but um I think when the snow melts in the fall, we'll just have to like maybe revisit it. >> Yeah. >> See, and then fill in the gap, so to speak, literally. >> Um and I need to get a >> we'll have another filling party. >> We'll have a filling party. >> We fill in the holes and reed wild flowers. >> Thank you. >> Yeah, I haven't written the letter yet. I'm sorry. But >> should we make it official with like on the CAC letter here? What should we do? >> Should we verify tagged and everything? >> Oh, good. Oh, good. >> The letter head press release for this. >> I mean, gives us something. >> What? >> I think the thank you letter is a sign. Yeah.
52. 54:12>> CC letter. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> I mean, yes. >> Fair enough. >> What' you say? >> You know, Chamber of Commerce scissors. do this, governor. >> Um, I still have this on my agenda. Should I still have this on my agenda? On the agenda, climate action plan for Hudson or No, >> I don't think so, but I'm gonna bring it up with uh Joe and I talk to him tomorrow. Hey, that back up. >> How would that happen into existing plans? >> I don't know. It's a good question. There's some climate elements in the comprehensive plan. Um but the city of Hudson had committed previously to join the 10,000 cities or whatever it was that >> international organization to then create a climate action plan for Hudson and Michael Hoffman who is the former aid was sort of spearheading that when
53. 55:14he left >> the city fell that fell. >> That's not part of C40 or is it part of C40? >> Is that different because that's different? >> Right. It is different. Okay. I just there's so many >> about climate. >> Yes. >> I lose track. >> But there's a county climate action plan that's being developed. >> Yeah. >> Right. >> Right. And what it appeared to be a good idea when the county first started on that is that the towns could kind of take part in the discussion about the county, >> right? uh and that would lead to the development of the plans for each town because you know each of them has their own particulars right but a whole lot of what we develop on the county level will apply by by definition to all these closely >> affiliated towns right >> with similar geography and topology and so forth >> right
54. 56:15>> so once it's okay do we have to update the website with climate action plan. >> We should for the CSC. >> Yeah. >> Right. And that that goes to like the website updates that we have to do, >> which I'm not >> climate, right? Maybe that's something. >> Well, that's that's that's the other reason why we were talking about it was because it it it gets us points on >> on the CS. >> Right. Okay. Great. All right. So, Right. >> But nothing's happened with that yet is what we >> Right. >> Yeah. I think it needs it there needs to be like less by the mayor or something. >> I think we're much further like >> I don't think we're >> I don't think it's I think it's barely started. >> Yeah, it doesn't exist. Yeah. >> So, but the comprehensive plan does have some elements. Yeah. >> For that for the climate action plan >> in the county level. >> Yeah. >> Um >> it's in process. >> Yes. >> I don't know that a timeline. >> That makes sense. >> Sam's going to report back. >> Yeah. Sam >> on the after the next after the next
55. 57:19meeting >> from the Sunni or no >> what's that or just separate from the Sunni I mean that would be we we want to report back from that too but >> oh no I'm just I just was wondering because they're >> all what they're doing you know they're getting the data to formulate >> right >> you know response to that so >> great said that's about these. >> Okay, we'll leave that with you, Josh. Um, any the K Foundation grants? >> No, >> no, >> no. Because I I was >> other likely to bear fruit. >> I'm I'm moving that to close then. >> Hudson Green keepers. >> Uh, I have contacted Columbia Extension and I'm waiting to hear back from them. I have not heard back from that. I'm hoping they will point some advice our way. That was the recommendation from Joshua Del Rio who is the urban forester. I am doing a training with him
56. 58:23in March >> on city tree pruning in part just to get my face in front of him so that I can talk to him further about it. He said there might be some synergy with other communities that are very interested in doing this kind of program as well. So, um there there could be some opportunity there too. So, slow. >> Okay. Fair. Um city sidewalks. I know I just brought that up at the time. I mean, I don't have any movement on this because the sidewalk committee doesn't exist anymore. >> Well, this could also be the I think this could be one of the priorities aside from the tree ordinance, but Earth >> Yeah, that's a good idea. Earth legal. >> Yeah. It's not only tree materials. It's those it's water retention. It's green infrastructure. >> Green infrastructure ties to the street trees to the green keepers, right? >> Yeah. You can tie around street. >> And that's what I meant. Like these things could like slot under and be an umbrella. So, we could probably build out something a little bit more comprehensive. I'll take a look at the list and I'll
57. 59:24>> Yeah. Although city sidewalks, we should probably pump up the priority list because we're getting like now there's a there's a sidewalk fee and they're going to be be redoing the sidewalks. Yeah. >> We get Yeah. two or three top priorities for >> Earth because otherwise we're going to end up with whatever's in the code right now. >> Yeah. I think it's just cement. >> Yeah. >> Whatever. I know. That's all we got. Um anyway. Okay. So, I'll put that we'll ask them. >> We're good. Yeah. >> City sidewalks. >> Yep. >> City sidewalks. Um and then passive capacity in New York state law. So we came in in the common council. Did it get to know? >> I don't think it's too late. >> It's never too late. >> Is it? >> But it's going to come back year after year. >> Chips. >> I thought this happened last year. >> The plastic band. But >> sorry, it didn't it didn't pass. But it was in 2025, right? >> It's been many years.
58. 1:00:26>> Yeah, but the most recent it was this past year. >> It went through in December. So, >> but the resolution I mean the resolution is on the books and that that's what that's what we >> But did the resolution go to Dart's office? >> I told her it that it passed. Oh, >> so it it made its way to I don't know if the actual resolution is she's aware. >> All right. I don't know. >> She said it doesn't matter. It doesn't just >> That's what she said. >> A lot of these resolutions are just they're nice. >> Okay. Um, anything else? New business. >> Seven. Just one. Just by the way, the the event on Friday is at 6 >> called the rise of earth law, nature centric laws for this planet. It's at 21 north 6th
59. 1:01:29put on by earth law center and the Hudson harmonic. >> Might also want to share it with the planning committee to see if any >> Oh yes. So >> forward. >> Yeah. Is there like a flyer to post on Instagram? Maybe. Is it worth it? >> I had I haven't seen it. See, I I remember the email, but there wasn't any sort of press package. >> 21 North 6. What is that building? >> Well, that's the that's the former Lutheran church. >> Oh, the church >> opposite the parking lot where we have the summer farmers market. >> Oh, yeah. Okay. >> Yep. Yep. >> Yeah. Yeah. You're right. This space. >> Okay, great. That's this Friday. >> Anything else? >> Thank you. >> Welcome. Welcome. >> And please gonna be on the advisory board for um the city check. >> Be nice. >> Great. >> Yay. >> Yay. Diving right in. >> Yeah.
60. 1:02:31>> Looking forward to your starting next month. >> Yeah. >> You're most welcome to come to the climate smart community. >> Yes. If you want. That's >> it's on February 11th >> Wednesday 6 every two weeks or so. >> All right. Motion to adjurnn. >> So moved. >> Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I couldn't

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