What is your job as environmental specialist for the city of Branson?
We are defining that. I think this job is about to grow. My predecessor was wonderful at bringing the recycling center in. ... It's a facility that's functioning really well. Larry Van Gilder, who is my supervisor, actually has a bigger vision for (the recycling center). For my job, we think we're going to grow it into (a resource to) provide direction for a sustainability focus. ... I don't make policy. I'll be taking my direction from the Board of Aldermen and the city administrator.
What is your goal for the city of Branson?
We're going to be moving toward sustainability, which according to the book, "How Green is Your City," ... is defined as "meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the quality of life for future generations." Some of the needs of this generation are - and sustainability can play into this - economic health. People need jobs. Also, social health, a way for people to ... feel like they're part of the community. And then you need to be protecting your natural resources, not just preserving them. You can conserve them and still be using them. People love Branson because of its natural resources.
How will you move the city toward sustainability?
You can start small, with little things that anyone can do. That's going to be the challenge that I throw out to everyone who's employed by the city. We'll start by being a good example ourselves. ... I want to open it up so that every employee feels that they can make a difference. I know that everyone has some little small change in mind (to) save money and resources and is a good use of public funds. An example is that Branson has a beautiful city hall (with) lots of western-facing windows, so it's a very light and bright place, but the lighting stays on all day. One of the engineers said (that) with a sensor switch ... the lights will go off when there's still sunlight coming in.
How can sustainability help save money?
We saw lots of examples at the first Green Cities conference (in Portland, Ore.). The city of Portland recycles its demolition projects. When it's tearing up a street, tearing out a sidewalk or knocking down a building, (the city) hauls all that rubble to a recycling facility where it crushes it and sifts it out into different grades ... and that's what they use for their roads, sidewalks and storm-water management practices for infiltrating the storm water rather than running it out on impervious services. After they paid for the costs of recycling, they saved $1.8 million in one year.
Tell us about sustainable development.
One alternative is low-impact development. There are ways to develop 40 acres that maximize the use of your land and maximize your profits without scraping everything off the very first thing. There's a famous engineering consulting firm, Cahill & Associates. Tom Cahill does work all over the nation, and he came and did a seminar in Columbia (where Menezes worked previously). He said one of the best, most cost-effective practices you can implement to control your storm water is a tree. ... With low-impact, you think about making your development needs fit the site.
Do you plan to reach out to tourists?
Yes, and I think people will really be on board with that. I've never met a single person who says, "I don't really care about water quality." It's like education; you understand at an intrinsic level that (the environment) is important. I believe Branson has about 8 million visitors a year, so that's a huge influence. One of the reasons they come is that it's such a beautiful place. It's very serene (and) relaxing, and I think if they're presented with the opportunity to maintain that, they will.
Tell us about your family.
I have a daughter, Ashley, who's graduating from Mizzou (this spring), and she's been admitted to the veterinary school there. I have a brother who's a police officer in Springfield and a sister who was a teacher in Marshfield her entire career.
This installment of Springfield Business Journal’s Architects & Engineers Project Report showcases 26 endeavors by area design and engineering professionals.
