Steering Committee Meeting
May 26, 2005
Hamilton County Environmental Services
8 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.

Meeting Minutes

Those present:

Dave Etienne, Cincinnati Regional Chamber/ROC
Steve Krebs, Lykins Oil
Kim Lahman, Tri-State Clean Fuels Network
Ron Lykins, Lykins Oil
Hart Moore, Griffin Industries
Steve Proffitt, Mid-Valley Supply
Jim Schwab, City of Cincinnati
Sarah Woller, OKI

I. Introductions/Announcements:
OKI will be conducting a radio promotion giving away a Honda Hybrid beginning in June. Kenton County schools made the final cut for a Clean School Buses proposal that will be awarded next week to fund the retrofitting of buses with particulate filters. The Ashland Marathon biodiesel terminal site in Covington is scheduled to go into operation within six months. Biodiesel sales have increased by 10 percent at a state station in Northern Kentucky. Steve Proffitt will be presenting on E85 conversions at the final two Ready to Roll seminars scheduled for June. An invitation was extended to attend the Regional Ozone Coalition meeting scheduled for June 8 at the Cincinnati Airport. A tour of the new runway is on the agenda. The paperwork is into the City’s Purchasing department for bids to go out by the end of June for the construction of the refueling facility on Gest Street. It will offer E85, regular and biodiesel.

II. Membership:
The membership packet was reviewed and the following is a summary of the recommendations given. Develop at least three samples of the commitment letter from which people can choose, one of which should be designed for the general public and interested parties. Clear communication should be given for people to select items that pertain to them. A simplified member commitment inventory should be developed for individuals. A platinum level should be added to the membership dues invoice form to provide an opportunity for an ultimate “life” membership. Membership is based on the month of enrollment effective for a one year period. Kim will research the most effective and efficient methods for members to receive annual reminders. Membership benefits listed in the cover letter should be modified to incorporate exclusive grant accessibility and grant writing assistance to Clean Cities members, technical assistance for infrastructure and implementation, link to business site and special pricing for products and services. A separate page listing sponsors and their contact information could be included in the packet.

The brochure text and design is in progress and will be forwarded to steering committee for review and comments when completed.

The draft logo was reviewed; the following comments were made: include hills as a distinctive geographical feature for this region; use a bridge rather than a skyline; create a slogan possibly using the bridge theme and include in the logo; decrease nozzle size to make less dominant; remove wheat; and change the color of the water drop to green.

A potential stakeholders list will be circulated for all to build upon and to coordinate recruiting efforts

III. Goals:
The goals derived from the Department of Energy grant application, were presented as:

To provide education and outreach on current American fuels, vehicle and energy-saving transportation technologies;
To develop infrastructure to support the use of new, clean and renewable fuels; and
To build capacity and strengthen sustainability of the Tri-State Clean Fuels Network.

The goals and objectives will be sent to the steering committee for review and comments. Action items will be identified at the next meeting

IV. Stakeholder meeting:
TSCFN could pursue Ashland Marathon Oil presenting on the installation of their refueling facility in Covington for a quarterly meeting in the fall. Usually fuels and vehicles are featured at the meetings. Kim will check to see if the Ready to Roll seminar can be counted as a required stakeholder meeting.

The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 21, 2005, from 8:30 to 10 a.m., at the Hamilton County Department of Environmental Services.