February 13, 2007 page 3
During…. PUBLIC COMMENT
Jeffrey McConnell, 21758 Walnut Avenue, challenges the City to do their part to help compact global warming. He requested that the Council proclaim the last week in April as Global Warming Awareness week to coincide with Arbor Day and Earth Day. He is asking that they help educate and have Grand Terrace residents plant a tree and intensify the recycling program and install solar panels, and join alternative energy programs to help out. The General Plan is being updated this year and this is the golden opportunity to incorporate plans and ideas and lay the ground works so that one day over time through the natural course of business we will evolve into a sustainable energy efficient community. Second goal is to incorporate solar power as a key element in our city=s infrastructure. For new construction require some form of solar power, waterless landscape and or plant yards with indigenous vegetation that will survive the long dry hot summers and winters, too. Loma Linda City Hall has built car ports in their parking lot loaded with solar panels as well as Riverside. He encouraged the City to get involved and make a difference.
Then Later in the Meeting:
City Council Minutes February 13, 2007 Page 4
During Council Member Reports:
5B. Council Reports
Mayor Pro Tem Garcia, supports Jeff’s ideas and would like to see what the City can do.
Dear Gramps:
Perhaps the City of Grand Terrace could take a position regarding the AES Power Plant that is not supportive to its Development, write letters of Protest of the Concept of the Power Plant, and insure that every effort is taken to protect the citizens and area residents as their duty as public servants requires.
IF our Youth Teams Sold Florescent Light Bulbs and Alternative Energy Items, not Fireworks, the need for the Power Plant could be reduced. IF we had a City with Codes that encouraged the use of Alternative Energy, and Sound Green Practices, we would not need a Peaker Plant.
IF….. We look for the City Council Members to step up and take active roles in protecting the community and area residents from the added pollution that the AES Power Plant will bring.
THE PRESUMPTION WAS THE POWER PLANT WAS NOT GOING TO BE REACTIVATED AT THE TIME OF THE SALE OF THE GT RDA LAND TO THE CJUSC FOR THE PURPOSE OF HS#3 TO BE LOCATED THERE. Now we have a Planed High School, and a Proposed Power Plant, and a Rail Road Track that are all adjacent to one another. Are the City Council Members doing anything to fix this problem or are they doing what ever they can to Get the “Best Land Deal” out of AES and CJUSD and Citizens and Students Be Damn? After reading the documents neither of the Regulatory Agencys for Power Plants or School Building seem to have gotten the full picture of the locations of both projects being so close to each other.
Just wondering where they (The City Council Members as Individuals and as a Group), stand and what they are doing about it. Jeff’s 3 minutes at the podium was interesting, but perhaps he can lead up an action more than just words.
Dear Gramps:
Something I did not see in the minutes posted was Mr. McConnel's praise for Al Gore's movie " An Inconvenient Truth" and Council member Garcia's statement she had seen the movie with her son, and agreed with it's contents.
If this is their feelings then they should look closely at the reports of the environmental damage that the AES power plant will visit upon Grand Terrace and let their voices be heard in defense of the citizens of Grand Terrace.
