On the agenda: Geneva meeting — Data center (Aug 17)

GGC Agenda for Mon, 8/17/26, Welcome Center conference room, 5:30pm
Present: ___
Join meeting via Zoom
https://hws.zoom.us/j/92156663764?pwd=UJJ7ExYP7DwblO0Ps2Et1zmjlqPfEb.1
Meeting ID: 921 5666 3764
Passcode: 743798

(Apologies for July, we were unable to get the Zoom running on another laptop. If
anyone is available to sponsor the Zoom connection on a regular basis, please LMK.)

A, Call to Order
Motion to approve July’s Minutes: __; 2nd: __

B, Correspondences & Special Guest Presentation
1, from Brady Fergusson of Climate Solutions Accelerator wrote (6/29/26)
Hi everyone,
I've been thinking about Geneva and our Color Your Community Green initiative
(https://www.climategfl.org/color-your-community-green) and I'm wondering if the
Geneva Green Committee would have interest in connecting with our CYCG network.
I've previously thought about trying to start a new CYCG team in Geneva, but I don't
know if that would make sense because you already have your Green Committee. I do
think it makes sense to connect teams working on climate action at the local level
across our region, which is what our CYCG network does. We have network meetings
on the third Friday of each month, 9-10:30am on Zoom. Would any member(s) of your
committee be interested in joining an upcoming meeting to see what we do and how it
may align with and support your work? We're meeting on 7/17, 8/21, and 9/18.
Thanks for considering it.
Regards,
Brady
JA: This is a cohort which has access to funding (by Climate Accelerator). Brady asked
if we want to affiliate with them. It would be good for networking, e.g., having pollinator
pathway programs w signage, energy drives, info, resources on website; they meet on

zoom. Let’s all explore the website and we’ll talk about it w Brady via zoom during the
meeting.
2, Jan Regan’s forwarded Jennifer Sutton’s request to submit a letter of support
for an updated tree inventory grant. PW submitted a letter on behalf of GGC.
C, Reports/Updates/Discussions
1, Nicole Tilotson and Ben Gummoe have a (permanent?) conflict with the third
Tue of ea month. Should we (permanently?) switch our regular meeting time to the third
Mon of ea month?
2, JA is tabling at the farmer’s markets with help from PK & MC to talk up the
GRRP, sign up GRRP volunteers, and host a compost drop off site (coordinated w
Growing Cycle). Want ppl to help table so it’s covered ea Saturday. AH made a chart to
compare costs for GRRP to commercial haulers. The City initially provided fliers and a
stack of countertop collection receptacles to give away. AH & MC can bring their punch
cards to show people. JA can print map to show GRRP location and put in plastic cover
to have on the table.
3, RC: GARDEN PROTECTION ACT (Senate Bill S879A/Assembly Bill A2122A):
https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S879/amendment/A and
https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A2122/amendment/A
Read bill text: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S879/ and
https://nyassembly.gov/leg/?term=2025&bn=A02122
See also https://westernnewyork.wildones.org/legislative-call-to-action-for-ny-nativefood-gardeners/
The GGC supports this. RC is drafting a letter/action item for it. Should have it by Sept.
4, PW & RC attended The $ludge War screening: thesludgewar.com
5, PW: Sub-committee ideas. All GGC members are asked to please sign up for
at least one Work Group and/or Policy Group, some of which can coordinate/merge:

GGC Work Topics:
Book group (can be in the lead up to Earth Day event)
Compost Workshop
Earth Day / Arbor Day Event (formerly known as Mission Zero)

Energy bills explained, off-peak pricing, solar credits, CCA, etc.
Film series (various ages, can be in the lead up to Earth Day event)
Policy Topics:
Balcony solar
Biochar / terra preta(?)
Castle Creek daylighting
ClimateSmart Communities
Closing SMI Landfill & Restricting Ontario Co LF to Ontario Co residents only
Color Geneva Green
Community Choice Aggregate
Crypto & Data center stoppage
Cyclist safety
Drinking water protection
Ecocia
Electric school buses (partner w Mothers Out Front?)
Energy audit & weatherization of homes, apartments
EV chargers
Garden Protection Act
Geneva City park/garden weeders (BID?)
GRRP customers, pick-ups, volunteers (divert recyclables, compostables from waste
stream)
Plastic packaging on produce at stores
Rain retention (barrels & gardens)
Renewable energy
Road salt alternatives
Solar panels on firehouse, police station, hospital, City Hall, library, bus garage,
parking lot cart return stalls
Solid waste hauler agreement
Sustainable prosperity through community-scale efficiency

6, Logo selection, winner of 19 submissions:

7, Parks Collective: JS will talk to Gabriella D’Angelo regarding tree-plantings w
themes (wind-tolerant, adapted to the South e.g. bald cypris for Gulvin Park marsh,
food trees for human foragers and other animals, American chestnuts, shade trees,
habitat (e.g. white oak), targeting specific parks, coordinate w Shade Tree Committee.
JA: State St has paw-paw, serviceberry, plumb, apple, but Norway maples shading too
much. AH (and Daisey Hoyt) have/will talk to Children’s Hours (property owners).
JS: Poison ivy in chipped wood pathways of Loomis Woods. Pathways look good
but need to clean up poison ivy. Maybe HWS students can help during their next Day of
Service. JA: Like to put the trees in parks and neighborhoods. City can only plant ~30/yr
due to time constraints, so Parks Collective is a good way to plant more. DPW can’t
spend more time planting, doesn’t like others to do it, either, but is okay with Parks
Collective doing so.
7, JS: Climate Steward program: CCE training ppl à Climate Steward

(like Master Gardener) 40 hrs training, 40 hrs/yr. finished training, will present
projects: Biochar-related issues. AH: will ask Dave Stern in Wayne County.
JH: Paul Brock, owns Silver Thread, looked into it.

8, Geneva Earth Day event previously known as MZ: RC: City might make us a
banner to go across Seneca St. Geneva Reads won’t join us this yr. Gabriella asked
Dove Block board to partner w MZ. Renee _?_ film festival. Beth Kinne is lobbying
Environmental Studies faculty for support. Climate Reality is interested in supporting us.
9, AH: Friends of Castle Creek and the Hildreth Hill Neighborhood Association
Castle Street Committee are having the first Castle Creek Festival at Brook St Park Aug
15th 12:00-6:00pm. GGC (AH & MC) tabling regarding GRRP. Printed GRRP ¼-sheet
hand-out info sheets and table banner reading “Geneva Green Committee” w new logo.
PW gave MC children’s coloring sheets. JA there w BluPrint, JS there w the Parks
Collective, PK there at his own (history?) table. Put all three together! JA: we have a
small compost tote at the Farmer’s Market we can use. AH: signs w multiple
receptacles. MC: I have a big garbage tote which can be used. AH: I can check out
some compostable plastic or the heavy paper leaf bags.

D, Announcements:
1, Friends of Castle Creek and the Hildreth Hill Neighborhood Association Castle
Street Committee are having the first Castle Creek Festival at Brook St Park Aug 15th
12:00-6:00pm
2, Finger Lakes Guardian rally August 24 at the FLX Visitors Center “Gazebo”
at 12:00pm to urge Governor Hochul to strengthen protections against massive AI data
centers.

E, Motion to adjourn: __, 2nd__

Respectfully submitted,
Pat Wallace, Chair & Secretary