Apr 16 - McClatchy-Tribune Regional News - Eric Michael Stitt The Beach Reporter, Manhattan Beach, Calif.


The Hermosa Beach City Council interviewed applicants to serve on the city's new Green Task Force this week, bringing the committee one step to closer to fruition.

For two years the now-defunct Green Building Committee gave city officials advice on how to use green materials for construction projects and reduce the city's carbon footprint, but since it was an unofficial committee, members felt their efforts were often overlooked.

So last year, Dency Nelson, a resident and chair of the discontinued GBC, asked City Manager Steve Burrell if they could have a city-recognized committee that tackles all green issues within Hermosa Beach. Burrell agreed it was a good idea and the motion to create the Green Task Force was approved last fall.

The new task force will continue the GBC's work and cover much more by addressing other environmental issues such as water conservation and quality, lighting, air quality and recycling.

Burrell said the city's move to create an official green committee was very necessary.

"This makes it more formal and gives it more recognition," Burrell said.

Nelson said he was proud of the GBC, but it was time for Hermosa Beach to step up and develop a city-run group that's almost at commission level. He's also happy to see nine applicants interested in running the new committee.

"This needs to be more focused and formal," Nelson said. "I'm very grateful for some enthusiastic residents who want to be part of the task force. These folks bring some real expertise to the task force."

Five people will make up the new GTF with a sixth person coming from the School District. All nine of the applicants each bring some type of experience dealing with environmental issues. All were interviewed by the City Council earlier this week and will officially be appointed later this month.

Mike Miller, who applied for the GTF, is a real estate property manager and certified green building professional. He said the new task force was a great idea because the city will benefit from the changes that will be made in the future and it will shine a spotlight on Hermosa Beach.

"I think it's important because it's going to impact the future of our city and we'll become a role model for other cities in our nation," Miller said. "The Green Task Force will give advice to the City Council on green options for the city, and ways to save energy and improve overall life in Hermosa."

Resident Lisa Ryder Moore also applied to be a member. She has experience working with recycling programs and is an environmental consultant. Moore is glad the city will now get a closer look at what can be done to help improve the environment.

"The task force is great because it really focuses our goals of reducing the city's carbon footprint, reducing energy use (and) making it a greener city," she said.

The other applicants are residents Christian Campisi, a solar energy consultant; Philip Friedl, a real estate development executive; Ann Hempelmann, an environmental engineer; Steve Hunt, an environmental developer; Kris Kimble, a CEO of The Green Hive; David Pedersen, a consulting director for Resources Global Professionals; and Brian Schoening, an aerospace engineer.

The GTF will meet either monthly or every other month and report to the council, just like other commissions, Burrell said. The new members will be announced at the April 28 City Council meeting, he said.

Copyright © 2008The McClatchy Company