Document VKj0dEz6BaOnQL4oebQRRGzkj

M4Y 0 4 1QQ> Community Advisory Panel Core Team Meeting Minutes April 13, 1994 Monsanto Conference Room Scheduled: 4:00-5:30 p.m. Participants: Sister Marie Charles Buford, CCBF Sherman George, CCBF Richard Mirltay, Lyon School John Silva, Carondelet Family Care Center Ron Cooley, Monsanto Eric Brimer, Monsanto Meeting Agenda Welcome/Introductions Brief Plant History Background CAP Monsanto Expectations CAP Topics Define Potential CAP Members Next Steps/Adjoum Introductions: Sr. Marie Charles Buford, Executive Director, Carondelet Community Betterment Federation Sister Marie Charles said Carondelet was chartered in 1851, but has existed since the 1700s. Sister Marie Charles is part of the Sisters of St. Joseph order. Her order originates from Leon, France. There are 700 Sisters of St. Joseph in the United States. She also talked about the history of the CCBF which was founded in 1971. Sister began working part-time for the CCBF when it was founded and became a full-time employee in 1977. Monsanto helps fund the CCBF's House Repair program. Sherman George, Deputy Fire Chief for City of St Louis and President of CCBF As President, Sherman is working hard to stabilize and improve neighborhood. He has only been to our plant once in an emergency response capacity and was pleased by our actions. He has worked with our facility in the past on support. Richard Mirkay, Principal of Lyon School Richard has been Principal for Lyon School, a magnet school, for the past 12 years. Prior to his current position, he was acting principal at Mann School. He has been with the City Board of Education for 26 years. Richard also talked about Lyon School's teaching policy. The school uses a basic instruction approach and a non-dictatorial style which works well. Richard expressed some uncertainty in the community's attitude towards the magnet school. John Silva, Chief Executive Officer of the Family Care Center of Carondelet John said the Family Care Center began in the 1960s due to a need for community health. DSW 136878 STLCOPCB4036838 The center currently employs over 125 people, including 10 physicians, four full-time providers. The Family Care Center is now operating a second site in Carondelet. The organization has found an overwhelming need to provide dental services in south St. Louis. John came from Boston at the end of 1990. He is the President of the National Community Health Centers and is involved with the Health Care Reform Task Force. John calls the local environment dynamic. Ron Cooley, Plant Manager Ron has worked for Monsanto for 20 years in a number of diverse assignments in manufacturing. He has been in St. Louis for 1 1/2 years. During his introduction, Ron mentioned that Monsanto's "Privilege to Operate" is held in the Carondelet Community. Monsanto is sensitive to community concerns and has exited those communities where they did not perceive value to the operations being present. We perceive good business and good neighborhood relationships. Eric Brimer, Environmental, Safety and Health Superintendent Eric has worked for Monsanto for 13 years in different operations assignments. He has been at Carondelet plant for 1 year. However, he has lived in St. Louis before. The Carondelet community has a sense of longevity and Monsanto can continue to participate in it. Following these introductions, Ron gave a brief plant history and touched on plant highlights. Background CAP: During the flood, community sentiment was perceived as varied. When we built the wall, did people feel we were protecting our business or were we increasing the threat to the neighborhood? Almost daily, we had conversations regarding the community perceptions. Some of issues we struggled with were starting operations while some local residences were flooded. Also, would placing additional truck traffic on neighborhood streets with normal major streets blocked, elevate concerns? We didn't have a good way to gather information. We believe a C.A.P. can provide a conduit for understanding community issues concerning our plant. Monsanto wants to form a diverse panel. Community panels are not a new concept for Monsanto. They date back to the 1970s when power companies formed them. Monsanto learned from the power company and it's associated plants' experiences. Monsanto Expectations: Establish dialogue to better inform community Learn from the community Demonstrate Carondelet plant is an asset to community Commitment to participate Independent viewpoint The following conversation ensued The main reason community panels (CAPs) are formed is due to the negative perception of the chemical industry, especially the past performance of parts of the industry, and to provide DSW 136879 STLCOPCB4036839 an opportunity to educate people about the industry. CAPs develop trust and credibility and create dialogue between the community and the manufacturing site. We value a balanced perspective, a perspective with several views on a subject. We are looking for people to challenge and ask. The core team will help us choose others. Any and all of the core team can participate in the community advisory panel, but it's their choice. Sr. Marie Charles asked whether we would focus on the community in relation to the plant or operations in relation to the community. Ron Cooley replied that we would prioritize issues based on getting an understanding of the concerns. John Silva thinks there are unique opportunities for the plant and community. We should take a look at joint ventures and possibly incorporate with another plant. His examples on joint issues were crime, education and health. He asked about time and resources involved with the community panel and our willingness to address these together.. Ron Cooley said this concept gives Monsanto something to explore. This pushes the edge of a CAP'S charter; Monsanto will contact associate facilities and explore with those panels. However, our primary objective is to understand community issues concerning the plant. The Community Advisory Panel will bring people into the plant to show what is actually occurring. A time investment is required from the group. The panel doesn't want "lip service". They want to understand what we do, so they can get community issues regarding the plant understood and resolved. The CAP will be exposed to our training, operations, emergency preparedness capabilities, and get to communicate with our union leadership. We are making a commitment to listen and respond. Sherman George suggested we identify people in the immediate area willing to participate. People who live and work in the community should be involved. He also suggested the plant sponsor a "family day" as an outreach method. The event would be held annually. He said people would feel safe if they are at our plant. Ron said there has been surprisingly little response from neighbors about this type of event. Sherman asked if we had considered door to door distribution versus mailings. He also said "don't meet to meet." You always want to accomplish something. Sr. Marie Charles commented that she was groping with people before the flood. She is no longer groping, but neighbors do have questions. Sister said the flood brought people together quickly. People have stamina and commitment to this neighborhood. Sherman George feels people view Monsanto-Carondelet as a "chemical" company. He cautioned us to be truthful with our neighbors. Possible CAP Topics are listed as follows: Agree on CAP expectations and CAP guidelines Environmental Issues DSW 136880 STLCOPCB4036840 Public Education/Outreach Plant Information Community Safety Transportation Concerns Listed below was a suggested CAP structure. The core team agreed these perspectives would reflect: Emergency Responders (2 members) Educators (2 members) Local Business members (2 members) Health Care Representative Near-by Resident Social Activist Environmentalist Retiree Selecting people with a balanced perspective who will assess a situation or issue based on facts is a requirement for membership on the advisory panel. Next Steps at End of Meeting * Monsanto will provide meeting minutes. * Core team will meet within next month. A date will be determined later which will meet everyones' scheduling needs. Monsanto will contact people with a list of dates. * Core members will bring 4-5 names of potential candidates for us to discuss and agree upon. The meeting adjourned by 5:40 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 23 at Monsanto Carondelet's Office Building from 4:00 -5:30 P.M. DSW 136881 STLCOPCB4036841