OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Golden CSAB Meeting: Water Conservation, Waste Contract Review, Board Elections – May 27, 2026

City Council & Boards — Wednesday, May 27, 2026
BodyGolden, Colorado
SessionCity Council & Boards
DateWednesday, May 27, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:55:49

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

If you would, what part of town you live in, and uh why you want to be on you you wanted to be on the sustainability board.

0:07

Yeah, sounds good.

0:08

Hi everybody, I'm Clayborn Clark.

0:10

I live in Mason Meadows, so kind of at the base of North Table.

0:15

I'm really excited about this opportunity.

0:18

I've practiced environmental law really with a focus on climate energy error for the last 25 plus years until 2019 when I started with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to start and lead their climate change program.

0:36

And that program was really started at the direction of the legislature to to help Colorado be on a path to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions in line with what the U.S.

0:47

had committed to under the Paris Accord.

0:49

So spent the last um few years writing laws, sort of making sources across Colorado's economy, reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, and then putting measures in place like our greenhouse gas reporting program for the state, our doing our statewide greenhouse gas inventory, putting the credit trading program that we have in place in Colorado for the trading of emission credits and building that platform and all the rules and laws that go along with that in place.

1:16

And so I'm very proud of that program, but I recently retired from that role just a couple of months ago.

1:21

So I will that, but I'm very excited about being here and sharing whatever I can, especially when it comes to sort of the climate and energy space.

1:30

Awesome.

1:31

Um I'm Todd Collins, and my background is largely recent backgrounds in the energy building, building energy consumption.

1:42

So it's really about reducing energy consumption with buildings.

1:45

I've been on other boards, uh planning commission as well as um board Colorado Green Builders Guild Board.

1:57

But I really focus on uh building energy consumption.

2:01

Um distant background was technology, but um the last 15 years I've been focused on buildings.

2:11

And I'm the chair tonight.

2:13

Um I'll let you take off.

2:15

Okay, I'm Julian Matheson, new member.

2:18

Um I've been in Golden for a year.

2:20

I live just south of town, 15th in Washington area ish.

2:24

I work for Amazon as a safety manager, and I've been with them for about five years, so we're always trying to innovate and uh improve our sustainability.

2:33

I think the biggest thing I've done over the last five years is uh related to the electric vehicle fleet that you've seen uh come to your homes.

2:41

The other thing is reducing waste and increasing donations.

2:44

So a lot of the boxes that come through the buildings uh they break, they're not packed well, leaking goods.

2:50

Um so we do a lot of donation, which helps with cost, but it also is uh sustainable.

2:55

So yeah.

2:57

Hi, I'm Carrie Atia.

2:59

I've been on the board for about a year, and my background is in bio-based fuels and chemicals, uh emissions reductions from power plant facilities and electric vehicles and charging infrastructure.

3:13

Uh my name is Martha Gerdis.

3:15

Um I'm I guess today is the beginning of my second term on the boards I've been on for almost four years already.

3:22

And my background, I'm a research geologist.

3:25

I worked for Chevron mostly for my entire career doing um oil and gas kind of stuff.

3:29

I think energy is really important.

3:31

Um, and I'm really excited that um alternatives to fossil fuels are now like economically really viable, and it's the time.

3:40

So that's kind of how I've been able to make this transition.

3:42

I'm retired, so I have time and energy to do this.

3:45

I love it.

3:47

Uh I'm Joe Ingo Cox.

3:49

Uh I've been on the board.

3:51

I started right at COVID, so my first meetings were all online.

3:55

So that was great.

3:57

Um, so that's six years.

4:00

Uh so I have two more years.

4:02

Uh and then uh my background, I until about a year and a half ago, I was working at uh EnroL, so National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

4:11

So emphasis on renewable energy and energy integration with uh traditional forms of energy.

4:17

Uh also a little bit of expertise in electric vehicles, and then I I'm still teaching classes online.

4:22

Uh so I'm no longer at NREL, but I teach classes online in waste minimization, so pollution prevention for industry and uh communications and energy.

4:33

So, real quick, I'm uh in the North Denver or North Golden neighborhoods in Kerry.

4:40

Uh North Golden.

4:41

Yeah.

4:42

South Golden.

4:43

I'm on the south side of North Table Mountain, so not far from Mason Meadows.

4:48

Okay, awesome.

4:50

Hi everybody, I'm Adrian Watts.

4:52

I'm also a new member.

4:53

I live in um just kind of off South Golden Road, right behind that King Super's over there.

4:58

Uh, new to the community.

5:00

I've been here for about like nine months or so.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Waste Management█████████████████████████████████████████████49%
Procedural██████████11%
Water And Wastewater Management███████8%
Public Engagement███████8%
Sustainability Board██████6%
Technology and Innovation█████5%
Community Engagement█████5%
Environmental Protection███3%
Parks and Recreation██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Community Sustainability Advisory Board (CSAB) Regular Meeting – May 27, 2026

The Community Sustainability Advisory Board (CSAB) of the City of Golden, Colorado, met in regular session at City Hall, 911 10th Street, Golden, CO, beginning at 6:04 p.m. on Wednesday, May 27, 2026. The meeting covered water conservation and drought enforcement updates, a review of the residential Pay-As-You-Throw (PAYT) waste program bidding results, annual Chair and Vice-Chair elections, and staff/board project updates. The meeting was adjourned at 9:08 p.m.

Welcome New Members & Oath of Office

  • Three new members were appointed to the Board: Adrienne Watts, Claybourne Clarke, and Jillian Matheson. Each introduced themselves and shared their sustainability backgrounds (e.g., environmental law and climate policy, building energy, and corporate sustainability/circularity).
  • The Board thanked outgoing members Travis Abbott and Alison Schwabe for their service. Travis Abbott attended in person with his son and expressed willingness to remain engaged as a resource.
  • New members took the oath of office, administered by staff.

Consent Calendar

  • Approval of Agenda: The agenda was amended to add two items to Staff Updates: Bike Walk Golden support and recruitment of a CSAB volunteer representative for the Special Events Review Committee. Motion by Jill Engel-Cox, second by Martha Gerdes. Approved 6:13 p.m.
  • Approval of Minutes (March 31, 2026): Jill Engel-Cox requested a revision to the Sustainability Awards section to identify the specific award recipients. Motion by Carrie Atiyeh, second by Martha Gerdes. Approved 6:19 p.m.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • No public comments were made during the scheduled public comment period, which closed at 6:19 p.m.
  • During the PAYT agenda item, representatives from two bidding haulers were invited to present and answer Board questions:
    • 5280 Waste Solutions // Compost Colorado: John Meier (Director of Sales), Noah Kaplan (President), and a composting representative highlighted their local, Colorado-based customer service model; a dedicated Program Coordinator for education and outreach; and their in-vessel composting operation in partnership with the National Western Center. They stated their vehicles are currently diesel and that they lack infrastructure for electric trucks, but are exploring options and grants.
    • Republic Services: Steve Gilmore (Municipal Manager) emphasized Republic's status as the largest composter in the United States, its investment of $7 million in a new organics transfer station at Foothills Landfill, the availability of all-electric collection trucks for a premium, and its track record of service continuity in Golden. He noted EV trucks cost roughly $1 million each versus roughly $430,000 for a conventional truck, and that contamination rates regionally run about 20–25%.

Discussion Items

Water Conservation Updates (Katie Duke, Water Efficiency Coordinator)

  • Katie Duke reported that drought restrictions have been in effect for three full weeks. City staff reviewed just over 500 accounts (including leaks) and issued warning letters to approximately 56% of those accounts (about 280 accounts). Warning letters are being sent before enforcement actions, consistent with the City's planned approach.
  • Ongoing programs remain available: free water-wise virtual seminars, the lawn replacement program through Resource Central (including a new commercial property lawn replacement option), the Garden in a Box program, and free Slow the Flow irrigation audits.
  • Preliminary water use data from the months before restrictions were higher than the five-year average, partly due to dry conditions requiring hand-watering and drip irrigation for trees.
  • Board members expressed strong interest in City-owned property water use, specifically parks, the cemetery, and the golf course, noting the golf course's water use is largely non-potable and that the City should demonstrate leadership by communicating what City facilities are doing to conserve. Members requested a future discussion with Parks Department staff (Kelsey Stansfield) and asked to review the golf course drought management plan. Katie Duke noted the drought plan is due for review next year (year three of the plan).

Residential Pay-As-You-Throw (PAYT) Waste Program Recommendation

  • Staff (Theresa Worsham, Sustainability Manager) presented the results of the public bidding process for the next five-year residential waste collection contract. The current contract with Republic Services expires August 31, 2026; the new contract would begin September 1, 2026, with City Council review scheduled for June 9, 2026.
  • Four bids were received: Apex Waste Company, 5280 Waste Solutions, Republic Services, and Waste Management. Apex was excluded from consideration for submitting a blank proposal and failing to respond to follow-up requests.
  • Pricing was compared on a net basis after applying anticipated State of Colorado Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Program reimbursements (established by HB22-1355 in 2022). When EPR reimbursement is applied, 5280 offered the lowest rates for most service categories. Example net monthly rates for 32-gallon trash service: 5280 $6.38, Republic $9.06, WM $12.63 (current Golden rate: $11.50, which includes cart maintenance fees).
  • The contract design holds rates steady for Years 1–2, allows a 3% increase in Years 3–4, and holds rates steady in Year 5. Staff does not recommend adopting Republic's alternative annual CPI-based increase option or WM's requested additional rate increases.
  • Staff recommended awarding the contract to 5280 Waste Solutions based on price, Colorado-based customer service, truck/equipment flexibility for alleys, and potential for greater waste diversion progress through compost infrastructure and education. Staff also noted that a new contract provision requires Colorado-based customer service.
  • Board deliberation: Members did not endorse either finalist hauler. Instead, the Board directed that its priorities be incorporated into the staff memo to City Council. Key Board priorities included:
    • Electric vehicles (EVs) as a visible demonstration of sustainability leadership; several members supported prioritizing EV collection trucks, noting that EPR reimbursements could help offset the premium, though at least one member (Jill Engel-Cox) stated they did not see a clear overall climate benefit and preferred focusing on diversion-related climate impacts.
    • Waste diversion: The Board emphasized the need to move beyond the stagnant ~35% diversion rate and called for the City to take a much stronger role in education and outreach in partnership with whichever hauler is selected.
    • EPR reimbursement uncertainty: Members flagged that EPR rates varied significantly among bidders and asked that this be highlighted for Council.
    • Cart maintenance fees: The Board requested that cart maintenance fees (estimated at roughly $3.50/month for three carts) be included in rate comparisons presented to Council.
    • Hauler experience and continuity: Members noted the City's history of small haulers being acquired (EDS bought by WM, Alpine bought by GFL) and asked that Council be made aware of the relative lack of a Front Range municipal track record for 5280 versus Republic's five-year record in Golden.

Board Elections

  • The Board held annual elections for Chair and Vice Chair for one-year terms (June 2026 through May 2027), as required by the Golden Municipal Code.
  • Chair: Todd Collins – elected unanimously.
  • Vice Chair: Carrie Atiyeh – elected unanimously.
  • The Board also confirmed Martha Gerdes as the CSAB representative to the Special Events Review Committee, with Jill Engel-Cox as alternate.

Current Projects & Staff Updates

  • Bike Walk Golden Grant: The Board agreed to provide a $1,000 grant to Bike Walk Golden for its community transportation map project, consistent with past grant amounts and the Board's sustainability goals.
  • Upcoming Events:
    • June 3, 2026: Business-focused battery backup workshop, 10 a.m.–1 p.m. at Gnarly's.
    • June 9, 2026: City Council review and contract award of the next residential waste hauling contract; electric trash truck demonstration event for downtown residents and businesses.
    • June 22 (morning) and June 23 (evening), 2026: Downtown walking events with city staff regarding the proposed Downtown Waste Collection District.
    • June 24, 2026: Bike to Work Day event at Vanover Park, 6–9 a.m.
  • Sustainability Rebates: As of the meeting, 36 applications totaling $32,012.75 had been awarded from a $100,000 annual budget, with several more pending.
  • Fleet Electrification: City Council approved several new EV purchases on April 14, 2026, including 2026 EV Blazers and EV Silverados replacing older gasoline vehicles across multiple departments. Two new public EV charging stations are now live at Splash and Beverly Heights Park, bringing the city-owned total to 24 charging spaces.
  • Other Updates: The Love My Air program's IGA with Jefferson County Public Health will be renewed in June; the final draft of the greenhouse gas inventory (2024 data) is expected in late May; and the annual Board retreat is planned for June 24.

Agenda Topics for June 24, 2026 Meeting

  • Greenhouse gas inventory review
  • Water update
  • Downtown waste district

Key Outcomes

  • Water Conservation: The Board requested that staff coordinate a future session with Parks Department staff to discuss drought management on City properties, including the golf course and parks, and to share the golf course drought management plan.
  • PAYT Contract: The Board declined to endorse a specific hauler and instead forwarded a list of sustainability-focused priorities and considerations to City Council for the June 9, 2026 contract award decision. The Board also requested that cart maintenance fees be included in Council rate comparisons.
  • Board Elections: Todd Collins elected Chair; Carrie Atiyeh elected Vice Chair (both unanimous, one-year terms).
  • Grant: $1,000 approved for Bike Walk Golden's transportation map.
  • Special Events Committee: Martha Gerdes confirmed as CSAB representative, with Jill Engel-Cox as alternate.
  • Next Regular Meeting: June 24, 2026.

Meeting Transcript

If you would, what part of town you live in, and uh why you want to be on you you wanted to be on the sustainability board. Yeah, sounds good. Hi everybody, I'm Clayborn Clark. I live in Mason Meadows, so kind of at the base of North Table. I'm really excited about this opportunity. I've practiced environmental law really with a focus on climate energy error for the last 25 plus years until 2019 when I started with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to start and lead their climate change program. And that program was really started at the direction of the legislature to to help Colorado be on a path to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions in line with what the U.S. had committed to under the Paris Accord. So spent the last um few years writing laws, sort of making sources across Colorado's economy, reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, and then putting measures in place like our greenhouse gas reporting program for the state, our doing our statewide greenhouse gas inventory, putting the credit trading program that we have in place in Colorado for the trading of emission credits and building that platform and all the rules and laws that go along with that in place. And so I'm very proud of that program, but I recently retired from that role just a couple of months ago. So I will that, but I'm very excited about being here and sharing whatever I can, especially when it comes to sort of the climate and energy space. Awesome. Um I'm Todd Collins, and my background is largely recent backgrounds in the energy building, building energy consumption. So it's really about reducing energy consumption with buildings. I've been on other boards, uh planning commission as well as um board Colorado Green Builders Guild Board. But I really focus on uh building energy consumption. Um distant background was technology, but um the last 15 years I've been focused on buildings. And I'm the chair tonight. Um I'll let you take off. Okay, I'm Julian Matheson, new member. Um I've been in Golden for a year. I live just south of town, 15th in Washington area ish. I work for Amazon as a safety manager, and I've been with them for about five years, so we're always trying to innovate and uh improve our sustainability. I think the biggest thing I've done over the last five years is uh related to the electric vehicle fleet that you've seen uh come to your homes. The other thing is reducing waste and increasing donations. So a lot of the boxes that come through the buildings uh they break, they're not packed well, leaking goods. Um so we do a lot of donation, which helps with cost, but it also is uh sustainable. So yeah. Hi, I'm Carrie Atia. I've been on the board for about a year, and my background is in bio-based fuels and chemicals, uh emissions reductions from power plant facilities and electric vehicles and charging infrastructure. Uh my name is Martha Gerdis. Um I'm I guess today is the beginning of my second term on the boards I've been on for almost four years already. And my background, I'm a research geologist. I worked for Chevron mostly for my entire career doing um oil and gas kind of stuff. I think energy is really important. Um, and I'm really excited that um alternatives to fossil fuels are now like economically really viable, and it's the time. So that's kind of how I've been able to make this transition. I'm retired, so I have time and energy to do this. I love it. Uh I'm Joe Ingo Cox. Uh I've been on the board. I started right at COVID, so my first meetings were all online. So that was great. Um, so that's six years. Uh so I have two more years. Uh and then uh my background, I until about a year and a half ago, I was working at uh EnroL, so National Renewable Energy Laboratory. So emphasis on renewable energy and energy integration with uh traditional forms of energy. Uh also a little bit of expertise in electric vehicles, and then I I'm still teaching classes online. Uh so I'm no longer at NREL, but I teach classes online in waste minimization, so pollution prevention for industry and uh communications and energy. So, real quick, I'm uh in the North Denver or North Golden neighborhoods in Kerry.

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