Minutes of meeting on June 22, 2006
Attending: Alison Tracy, Thomas May, Cynthia McKeown, Perry Pandya, Joe Minott, Sean Jacobs, Ed Duffy, Lisa Magee
Attending via conference call: Bill Johnson, Steve Ours, Trish Koman, Melinda Dow
Introductions
Updates
Sean Jacobs (SJ) gave an update on accomplishments since the last Task Force meeting on April 17. He reported on meetings with elected officials representing southeast Philadelphia. The purpose of these meetings were to introduce the project, get there input/feedback and ask for suggestions for new stakeholders. A combination of Sean Jacobs, Joe Minott, Ed Duffy and EPA met with staff at the offices of: Sen. Vincent Fumo, Rep. Bill Keller and City Council members Frank DiCicco, Anna Verna and James Kenney. They were generally supportive of the project and most offered good suggestions for moving forward. Sean reported that Fumo’s office sent a representative to the May 10th workshop.
SJ also reported that a similar informational presentation was given at the April 19th Goods Movement Task Force meeting at DVRPC. Perry Pandya and Joe Minott (JM) presented. The meeting had a port theme and included a presentation from PRPA as well.
Sub Committee Reports
WATER: SJ and JM explained that internally the Council will be focusing on a draft water report for the review of the task force. SJ will solicit input from various water quality advocates/regulators, port operators, etc. to make the report as comprehensive as possible. The following topics will be covered in this report: What are the water pollutants and sources in and around port activities in Philadelphia?
What authority regulates and/or monitors water quality at the ports? Who has jurisdiction? What are port operators doing on their own? What laws are in place? What are the recommendations of the Task Force and how should these be prioritized?
AIR: SJ said this committee will be less active while the water report is being prepared. JM mentioned that the Council is still in the process of administering a National Clean Diesel grant of roughly $90,000 to be used on diesel port cargo handling equipment. SJ updated the group on progress with Greenwich Terminals (Packer). Right now the Council is waiting for Greenwich to return a non-binding commitment form. This will firm up their intent to implement a retro-fit project on a portion of their diesel fleet. Alison Tracy suggested that we share with Greenwich officials the complete list of companies that have signed on. This may help push them forward. Trish Koman offered some EPA resources that would compliment this strategy.
LAND-BROWNFIELDS: JM updated new stakeholders that EPA is offering $50,000 in technical support for Targeted Brownfields Assessments (TBA) attached to the Task Force grant. SJ reported on a meeting at EPA’s Philadelphia office where potential brownfields sites in the Tioga area were discussed. While the Task Force is focusing its activity on southeast philly, the TBA funds may be used in other areas as long as they are near port activity. Thomas May offered to provide a copy of a report that Urban Engineers prepared on a site directly across the road from the Tioga Marine Terminal. Ed Duffy gave a brief synopsis of undeveloped land in the area south of Packer towards the Navy Yard.
Outreach
SJ indicated more members of the maritime/port industry are starting to tune in to the work of the Task Force, largely due to the May 10th workshop. SJ has had positive exchanges with the Port of Bucks County and Weeks Marine. He also has a message into Kate McNamara, the newly appointed director of the Port of Philadelphia & Camden (DRPA office). SJ updated the group on progress with new stakeholders and community members. He’s starting to develop a relationship with United Communities of Southeast Philadelphia (UCSP). He thinks this group would be a good fit for community representation on the Task Force due to the fact that they seem less territorial than some of the other community groups in that area. UCSP has a host of programs addressing everything from environmental justice to truancy to career development. SJ recently discovered another group that may be a good candidate: Citizen’s Alliance for Better Neighborhoods which has an office at 11th & Wharton. Noone at the meeting had any knowledge of the group. SJ to pursue both groups.
Old Business
SJ reported on the May 10th Mid Atlantic Clean Ports Workshop. Feedback from the group was positive. SJ suggested that the next workshop should be shorter and more focused on one or two topics. Someone suggested holding a lunch meeting at one of the restaurants along Columbus Blvd. The group seemed to agree that a shorter program would attract more port operators who may not be able to commit a full day.
New Business
Trish Koman announced that San Diego will be the site of the next Clean Ports event sometime in January 2007.
Meeting
Adjourned