NWDA Air Quality Committee Minutes 5.13.13
5.13.13
Minutes, NWDA Air Quality Committee Meeting
Present: Bob L, Myriam Alaux, Jorjan Parker, Evan Farnham, Sharon Genasci
Sharon gave an update on the Con-way Construction Clean Diesel GNA (Good Neighbor Agreement) negotiations, which are ongoing. The next meeting at Jill Long’s (Con-way lawyer) office will be on June 3rd. Bob L pointed out a typo in the draft, which was changed. The need for a baseline diesel particulate level for the Con-way area was discussed along with other matters concerning the GNA negotiations. It is hoped a good GNA for clean diesel in the Con-way master plan area will be the result.
Bob L and Sharon gave an update on the NAC (Neighborhood Advisory Committee, ESCO GNA) meeting on April 26, 2013. Bob L changed the odor complaint format for our website (www.portlandair.org) to allow complaints to be sent to ESCO, when ESCO is listed as the source. The complaints all go to DEQ as well, as to our committee. The reason for the change is because our format, which has more information than DEQ formatted complaints, will go to ESCO directly, to aid the company in their investigation into the reason for the strong odor. Sharon
pointed out there were a number of complaints about ESCO odors (ten since the last NAC meeting) which she brought to the NAC meeting, including one on Easter Sunday morning.
There was some discussion about new lawn signs, but they were put on hold
for the moment.
Sharon announced that PSR (Physicians for Social Responsibility) have drafted a letter of support for our campaign for clean diesel in the Con-way area.
Submitted by Sharon Genasci, Chair, NWDA AQC
NWDA Air Quality Committee Minutes 4.8.13
4.8.13
Minutes, NWDA Air Quality Committee meeting
Present: Kathy Sharp, Bob L, Myriam Alaux, Evan Farnham, Jorjan Parker, Bill Welch, Sharon Genasci
Bob & Sharon began the meeting with an update on the website and odor complaints. The usual season’s odor complaints are coming in on www.portlandair.org. Several complaints came in last week documenting strong fuel smells, similar to those we had problems with a couple of years ago. The odors seem now to have stopped, though we will carry out our own investigations if they begin again. We also had several complaints about ESCO odors from neighbors. Neighbors living near the plant are saying that the odors continue about the same as before the GNA agreement was signed. One neighbor complained of strong ESCO odors on Easter Sunday. In the past ESCO told us they did not operate on Sundays.
Kathy & Sharon gave an update on the NWDA Con-way construction clean diesel GNA committee meetings. The next meeting with Con-way and developers is scheduled for April 22nd. Sharon and Kathy told the group that Attorney, David Paul, has agreed to work with the committee pro bono, pending agreement by the NWDA Board. He will offer more balance to the committee, since Jill Long, lawyer for Con-way represents Con-way at all meetings.
The AQC then put together a motion to the NWDA Board for the next meeting on the 15th of April as follows:
“A motion to recommend the inclusion of David Paul in the NWDA Con-way Clean Diesel Construction GNA Committee as the NWDA legal counsel.”
The group voted unanimously in favor of the motion.
Finally, Sharon reminded the group of the upcoming NAC (Neighborhood Advisory Committee) meeting on April 26th at 9:00 am at Friendly House. These are the quarterly meetings organized under the GNA with ESCO. The meetings offer a public opportunity for neighbors with questions or complaints to speak with ESCO employees during the public part of the meeting.
The Annual public tour of ESCO is scheduled for 10:00 am to 12:30 pm on April 30th. There are still a couple of spots open for neighbors who would like to attend.
For those interested:
Send an email to abaldwin@lclark.edu indicating the name, email address and phone number of each person who wishes to sign up.
Sharon Genasci, Chair, NWDA Air Quality Committee
NWDA Air Quality Committee Minutes
3.11.13
Minutes, NWDA Air Quality Committee Meeting
Present: Bill Welch, Bob L., Kathy Sharp, Myriam Alaux, Jorjan Parker, Evan Farnham, Sharon Genasci
We first had an update on the status of the Con-way Construction Clean Diesel GNA work from Kathy and Sharon. A meeting is planned for next Tuesday at Jill Long’s office (She is the Con-way lawyer). Craig Boretz, CEO, Con-way, Jill Long, Tom DiChiara, CE John, Don Forrest, New Seasons, Kevin Downing, ODEQ, Kathy Sharp, NWDA Board and Sharon Genasci, NWDA AQC Chair will be there to discuss the NWDA proposal for clean diesel in the Con-way master plan area construction.
By way of preparation, Kathy, Kevin and Sharon held a conference call with Ramesh Ramen from New York. He was a project manager running a clean diesel project for the twin towers area construction after September 11th. He was very encouraging about the use of clean diesel in New York, where it has been policy for many years. He offered assistance to help contractors in the Con-way area to learn more about the program and its importance.
Sharon explained a motion to add the words, “and all parties connected to Con-way
development in the master plan area” to the existing NWDA Board motion (10.15.12) to help clarify that negotiations for a clean diesel GNA will of necessity involve contacting all parties involved in the Con-way development. The new motion reads,
“The NWDA AQC asks the Board to affirm the intent and content of the Clean Diesel Draft Discussion Points for a Con-way clean diesel GNA (Good Neighbor Agreement). The NWDA/AQC representatives will use the Discussion Points as a guide in negotiating with Con-way and all parties connected to Con-way development in the master plan area, but the Board acknowledges that the give and take between the parties may ultimately result in a GNA that differs in some respects from the Discussion Points.”
This motion passed the committee unanimously, and will go to the NWDA Board.
Bob L spoke about the website issues. He was asked by the committee to make some changes to the odor complaint form to adjust to the new practice decided at the last GNA Advisory Committee to send all Esco odor complaints to Esco, so they can investigate what was happening at the plant at the time of the complaint.
Kathy talked about the Conduct of Construction piece she is working on to
add such issues as dust and noise to the Con-way GNA after the clean diesel part is agreed.
Submitted by Sharon Genasci, Chair, NWDA Air Quality Committee
NWDA Air Quality Committee Minutes
2.11.13
Minutes, NWDA Air Quality Committee Meeting
Present: Kathy Sharp, Jen Menhard, Myriam Alaux, Bob L, Evan Farnham, Jorjan Parker, Sharon Genasci
First item of business was the AQC work plan, which Sharon had revised and sent out to the group. There was discussion and further revision. The group voted unanimously in favor of the final revised version of the AQC work plan. This will be prepared and turned in to NWDA for the Board to consider.
Finally, Kathy and Sharon briefed the group on the progress of the Con-way construction clean diesel GNA meetings we have had with Jill Long, Con-way lawyer, including a telephone conference call with Ramesh Ramen a Clean Diesel Project Manager in New York, Tom Di Chiarra, C.E. John Construction, Sam Rodriguez, Mill Creek Residential, Kevin Downing DEQ, Jill Long, Juliet Hyams, Kathy Sharp and Sharon Genasci from NWDA. Ramesh has extensive experience working with clean diesel in the 9.11. reconstruction area.
In January Juliet Hyams submitted her resignation from the clean diesel group, due to a conflict of interest. This resulted in the cancellation of a meeting between our clean diesel group, Kevin Downing and New Seasons Grocery, which is the first tenant going into the Con-way master plan area. They expressed an interest in learning more about clean diesel in the construction of their new grocery.
At the next Board meeting the Board will select a new point person for the clean diesel group from the Board. The AQC voted unanimously in favor of a motion to appoint Kathy Sharp as the new point person.
Sharon Genasci, Chair NWDA Air Quality Committee
NWDA Air Quality Committee Minutes 2.11.13
2.11.13
Minutes, NWDA Air Quality Committee Meeting
Present: Kathy Sharp, Jen Menhard, Myriam Alaux, Bob L, Evan Farnham, Jorjan Parker, Sharon Genasci
First item of business was the AQC work plan, which Sharon had revised and sent out to the group. There was discussion and further revision. The group voted unanimously in favor of the final revised version of the AQC work plan. This will be prepared and turned in to NWDA for the Board to consider.
Finally, Kathy and Sharon briefed the group on the progress of the Con-way construction clean diesel GNA meetings we have had with Jill Long, Con-way lawyer, including a telephone conference call with Ramesh Ramen a Clean Diesel Project Manager in New York, Tom Di Chiarra, C.E. John Construction Sam Rodriguez, Mill Creek Residential, Kevin Downing DEQ, Jill Long, Juliet Hyams, Kathy Sharp and Sharon Genasci from NWDA. Ramesh has extensive experience working with clean diesel in the 9.11. reconstruction area.
In January Juliet Hyams submitted her resignation from the clean diesel group, due to a conflict of interest. This resulted in the cancellation of a meeting between our clean diesel group, Kevin Downing and New Seasons Grocery, which is the first tenant going into the Con-way master plan area. They expressed an interest in learning more about clean diesel in the construction of their new grocery.
At the next Board meeting the Board will select a new point person for the clean diesel group from the Board. The AQC voted unanimously in favor of a motion to appoint Kathy Sharp as the new point person.
Sharon Genasci, Chair NWDA Air Quality Committee
Minutes, NWDA Air Quality Committee
1.14.13
Meeting, NWDA Air Quality Committee
Present: Kathy Sharp, Bob L, Kevin Downing (DEQ) and Sharon Genasci
We met at Silver Cloud Inn in the breakfast room, and the primary subject for the meeting was the effort towards a good neighbor agreement with Conway to use clean diesel specifications in their construction contracts for the Conway master plan area over the next ten years. Conway projects will include housing for six thousand new residents, workspace for three thousand new workers a public square and a park etc.
The project will continue for around ten years, bringing quantities of diesel particulate pollution into our already compromised airshed, unless there is agreement specified in the contracts (as in New York and California for example) to use construction equipment that is retrofitted to a good standard. We are working with the NWDA Transportation Committee to devise a route through the neighborhood as well, that will protect residents as much as possible from fumes and dust.
Juliet Hyams, Kathy Sharp, Kevin Downing (DEQ) and Sharon Genasci have been meeting with Conway’s lawyer, Jill Long for some months in hopes of reaching agreement on an effective clean diesel good neighbor agreement between Conway and the neighborhood.
One of the next steps proposed by AQC is a meeting at Beth Temple Israel or some other venue to show the EPA documentary, “Breathing Clean by Building Green”. The goal is to offer neighbors most impacted by the construction and developers and contractors interested in the Conway area, the opportunity to see the advantages to everyone in adopting clean diesel in the construction work.
We also discussed the need to upgrade the AQC website, which is out of date, and Sharon reminded everyone of the ESCO public tour to validate new controls installed at ESCO under the GNA with ESCO. The tour is scheduled for January 17th at 9 am. Kathy Sharp hopes to arrange to represent NWDA on the tour.
Finally, a meeting of the NAC (neighborhood advisory committee, established under the ESCO GNA) is scheduled for January 25th at 9-11 am at Friendly House. The public is welcome to attend.
Sharon Genasci, Chair, NWDA AQC
NWDA Air Quality Committee Minutes, 11.12.12
November 12, 2012
Minutes, NWDA Air Quality Committee Meeting
Present: Kathleen Sharp, Joy Strand, Bob L, Myriam Alaux & Sharon Genasci
Kathy and Sharon briefed the group on the progress of the Con-way construction clean diesel good neighbor agreement they are pursuing with Juliet Hyams from the
NWDA Board, Jill Long, the lawyer from Con-way and consultant, Kevin Downing from DEQ.
Kevin has arranged a telephone conference for our December 3rd Con-way meeting with Ramesh Raman, a project manager for MTA (Metropolitan Transport Authority) who worked with clean diesel specifications for many New York projects over the years, including the world trade center/lower Manhattan project. He is willing to talk with us about his experience establishing specifications for clean diesel on each project.
We suggested to Con-way that several local developers and contractors who are interested in working on the Con-way master plan development should be invited to the meeting, so they can learn from the New York experience.
Sharon reported to the committee that the Board voted at the last meeting to move the funds raised by our committee under our former name, Health & Environment Committee to our new name, NWDA Air Quality Committee.
Sharon told the group about the Planning Committee discussion about potential building requirements in the Con-way area, to specify protection against air pollution for buildings next to I 405. The committee decided not to take that on, though it is a worthy and important task.
Bob L spoke about the website, odor complaints and ESCO’s decision not to make their investigative findings (the log) available on the website. This is disappointing, since the Good Neighbor Agreement included an ESCO agreement to investigate the sources of odors described in odor complaints, using wind, speed and direction, and to maintain a log with this information available to NAC representatives at the plant. However, they do not allow NAC representatives to photocopy the log, or to see the log digitally. The group feels that this violates the core idea of the agreement.
Sharon Genasci, Chair, NWDA Air Quality Committee
Minutes, NWDA Air Quality Committee for 10.8.12
10.8.12
Minutes, NWDA Air Quality Committee
Present: Kathleen Sharp, Bob L, Bill Welch, Kevin Downing (DEQ), Myriam Alaux, Joe Keller, Evan Farnham, Jorjan Parker, Sharon Genasci
We met to discuss mainly our Con-Way Clean Diesel Draft Discussion Points for a Con-Way/NWDA GNA. We also discussed the two motions we want to present to the next NWDA meeting that will utilize our Discussion Points and put forward our plan for a Clean Diesel Good Neighbor Agreement.
Bill Welch reminded us of the urgency to get Board approval of our motions before Con-Way has signed contracts for the construction of the 20 acres in the northeast part of the neighborhood that is the Con-Way Master Plan area. If the contracts are signed before we can present to Con-Way our GNA for clean diesel in all construction, then we will have missed an important opportunity for the neighborhood for cleaner air.
Kevin Downing was most helpful in briefing the committee on technical details relating to a clean diesel program. All the committee is united in hoping that we will reach agreement first with the NWDA Board, and then with Con-way to create an exciting Clean Diesel initiative for NW Portland.
Kathy moved and Jorjan seconded that both the motions and the discussion points paper for a Clean Diesel Con-Way GNA be adopted by the AQC Committee
and passed to the NWDA Board for approval at the October 15th meeting.
This motion passed unanimously.
Myriam then moved and Bob L seconded that the same documents as above be voted on separately (Bob L had suggested there might be a problem with voting on all the documents together). So each motion and the Clean Diesel Discussion Points paper were then voted on separately, again with unanimous agreement.
Sharon then announced that the committee funds (over $2,000.00) which were raised while we called ourselves the Health & Environment Committee, are still being held under that name. We decided we would like to have the funds moved to
the Air Quality Committee, which we are now called. The Committee then voted unanimously to move the funds. Sharon will ask Mary Ann Pastene to include this motion on the agenda for the next meeting.
Finally, The Committee voted in favor of Draft 1 of our new proposed work plan.
Sharon Genasci, Chair, NWDA Air Quality Committee
NWDA Air Quality Committee Minutes, 9.10.12
Minutes, NWDA Air Quality Committee
9.10.12
Present: Kathy Sharp, Bob L, Myriam Alaux, Adam Starr, Jorjan Parker, Evan Farnham, Allan Classen (Examiner) and Sharon Genasci
We started the meeting by discussing Adam’s situation as a father of a small child, recently moved to Portland from San Francisco, and surprised by the serious industrial odors at his address on NW 24th Place.
This situation has come up many times over the years, so the group then talked about the lack of disclosure about the industrial odors in NW PDX when people buy property in the area.
Kathy and Sharon briefed the group on the clean diesel initiatives regarding the Conway area master plan project. Kathy explained that the NWDA Board at its last meeting did not include our initiative for clean diesel in the motion for inclusion in the Master Plan agreement with the neighborhood, even though the Planning Committee had voted in favor of inclusion. The explanation at the Board meeting was that Con-way did not feel it was appropriate in the Master Plan, though they are not unfavorable to the clean diesel initiative. They recommended a Good Neighbor Agreement approach.
Sharon brought a draft of a GNA for clean diesel to the meeting. It was composed with help from DEQ’s Kevin Downing, who has worked for clean diesel for many years.
The Committee voted unanimously for the GNA draft, after adding certain aspects that they felt should be included.
Bob L gave an update on the website and odor complaints, and gave the Committee a copy of all (164) odor complaints from 4.20.11 to 9.7.12.
He felt that certain parts of the GNA regarding odor complaints are still not working properly. One is that our committee still does not have a proper ESCO email address to send our ESCO complaints to. And ESCO has not yet put the log of their investigations into the sources in the plant of the odor complaints on their website.
The group also would like to know what remedies ESCO is taking to correct the problems reflected in the odor complaints.
Sharon handed round a new draft of the AQ Committee’s 2012 Work Plan for review and comments.
Sharon Genasci, Chair, NWDA AQ Committee
AQC Minutes – 7/9/12
Minutes, NWDA Air Quality Committee – 7.9.12
Present: Kathleen Sharp, Bob L, Nancy Jackson, Neighbors for Clean Air,
Allisa Keny-Guyer (Rep, House District 46) Sharon Genasci
We started the meeting with a discussion of the odor complaints – how they are working under the GNA. Two bugs that we saw are still the need for a password, and that ESCO only investigates odor complaints on their own website.
Our own odor form (i.e. the AQC preferred form available at http://www.portlandair.org/odorcomplaint), which we developed years ago, we think is the most useful for gathering information about the odor events. However, another unresolved problem is that DEQ alters information on our form before sending it on to ESCO, so some of this information gets lost. Another problem is the question of sharing.
We agreed during GNA negotiations that all complaints should be shared among all participating groups. We find that we get our own complaints and those from ESCO, but not those originating from NCA.
Finally, ESCO under the GNA only allows NAC representatives to go to the ESCO plant to view the odor complaints log. Sharon Genasci went recently to view the log, and ESCO kindly allowed the log in its entirety (15 complaints) to be sent to NAC representatives. It includes investigations of production within the plant during the time of the odor event, and consideration of wind speed and direction at the time. People who do not put down the time on their complaints lose the effectiveness of the investigation, because ESCO cannot determine which part of the plant was operating during the event.
Currently, we have asked ESCO if they are willing to put the log results of their odor complaints research on the NWDA website (or the ESCO GNA website with a link to ours).
Sharon shared a draft of her report to the Board about the NAC inspection on June 28th of the Attachment A improvements under the GNA.
Alissa spoke about her support for our work. She has an advanced degree in Public
Health. She had some suggestions about communicating with appropriate legislative committees about air quality problems in the neighborhood.
Kathy and Sharon plan to do tabling on July 26th at Couch Park.
Sharon Genasci
