The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About2014-02-26 Approved CAC MinutesJefferson County/City of Port Townsend Climate Action Committee Meeting Minutes February 26, 2014 Cotton Building Port Townsend, WA Members Present: John Austin, Stanley Willard, Laura Tucker, Ewan Shortess, Cindy Jayne, Deborah Stinson, Barney Burke, Brian Goldstein, Tammi Rubert, Scott Walker, Pinky Feria- Mingo Eric Toews (for Steve Tucker) Absent: Michael Tweiten, Valerie Johnstone, Steve Tucker Staff: Judy Surber, City of Port Townsend Guests: Marie Dressler, Margaret Lee, Bill Nance, Gerald Braude, Rick Jahnke, George Yount, Jeff Gallant Scribe: Brian Goldstein Topic Recommendation/Action Call to order 3:30 p.m. Approval of Agenda & Minutes CAC Chair, Cindy Jayne, started the meeting. Brian Goldstein agreed to take minutes. Two items were added to the agenda: 1. Announcement of June ocean health forum 2. Richard Dandridge resignation from CAC Barney moved to approve the agenda. Ewan seconded. The agenda was approved unanimously. Deborah had a clarification statement for the November 20, 2013 minutes. John motioned to approve the minutes with this clarification, Barney seconded. The minutes were approved unanimously. CAC Membership Opening Richard Dandridge has resigned from the CAC. The remaining members thank Richard for his contributions over the years. Action item: If you know of someone who is interested in being a member, have them fill out an application form and send it in for consideration. (Application: http://cityofpt.us/boardscommissions.htm#CAC ) Public Comment The public was greeted and given the opportunity to comment. There were no public comments at this time. Update on CAC Update to City & County Councils Brian presented a synopsis of the presentations that he and Cindy gave to the City and County Councils. Three asks were made of the Councils: 1. Additional staff time to support CAC (not possible at this time) 2. Increase CAC meeting frequency to accomplish more 3. Extend the CAC sundown date, scheduled for Dec 2014 Action item: Cindy, Brian, Deborah, Judy and John will meet to put together a CAC work plan and discuss these items. CAC and Comprehensive Plan Reviews Cindy reported on the planned City/County joint comprehensive plan review meetings. On March 19, the meeting will focus on Transportation and Climate Change. Brian, Cindy and Judy will attend this meeting. All CAC members and public are invited. Meeting will be held in City of PT Council Chambers, 1:30 pm – 4:30 pm. CAC Outreach Subcommittee Report – Laura Tucker A number of outreach events were summarized by Laura:  Article in the Jan 15, 2014 Leader on Climate Change  Jeffersoncan.org has blogs, calendar - asking for contributions to calendar  Home & Garden show on March 1 will include energy rebates, energy audits, and updates on solar and LED lighting.  Several SFS articles appeared in the Leader, the group was presented with the EPA Presidential Youth award, fund raising for their DC trip continues, with a March 27 farewell party planned. See the jeffersoncan.org website or the Leader for the calendar of events.  MSC grant for climate change education could be leveraged in the schools Action Items: 1. Everyone with a Facebook account is encouraged to go to https://www.facebook.com/jeffersonwacan and click on the Like button. 2. Judy reminded everyone to keep a copy of all publications that are linked to CAC so we have a record of CAC accomplishments Jefferson Transit – Challenges, Successes by Tammi Rupert and Leesa Monroe Tammi (General Manager) and Leesa (Mobility Coordinator) presented an overview of the Jefferson Transit system, challenges and successes. A lot of great information (bus schedules, public meeting minutes, budgets, etc) can be found on their website. http://jeffersontransit.com/ Items of general interest:  You can take the bus to all parts of the Olympic Peninsula  Buses connect with WA state ferries  For only $6.25 you can take public transit to Seatac  75% of operating budget is from sales tax, 5% from rider fares, 20% from other sources  ECHO consists of volunteers that provide transportation outside of County transit abilities; 1000's of trips annually, e.g. doctor visits for elderly patients  Schools could do more to teach young folks how to ride the bus What can CAC members do to help? 1. Ride the bus! Once you figure out the schedule and routes, it really is a good way to get around. 2. Write the state legislature to fund transportation package that includes mass transit. 3. It was also noted that there may be opportunities for Jefferson Transit to partner with the L2020 Climate Outreach group for additional outreach. Action item: Tammi will provide sample state legislature request and send to Judy for CAC distribution. Reducing Our Transportation Carbon Footprint – Collaboration Opportunities between Local 2020 T-Lab and CAC – Scott Walker Scott presented many ideas of reducing transportation carbon footprint:  The T-lab's mission is to use transportation planning and land use policy to create the playing field where the healthy, smart, and safe transportation mode choice is the first and easy choice.  Electric vehicles are a minor course change due to our current methods of generating and distributing electricity [Author note: Jefferson County PUD buys power from BPA, which is approximately 87% hydroelectric, 13% nuclear]  40% of public land within an urban area is public right of way, most of which is used for moving and storing cars; 10-20% of private land is devoted to cars  Here is the key: o 60% of all trips taken by car are under 1 mile. o 35% of all trips taken by car are under 3 miles. We must capture most of those to reduce most GHG emissions in Jefferson County. If we basically capture only a little of those, we won't reach 1/2 our goal of 80% below 1990 levels  If we're serious about addressing GHG, we have to shift mode choice behavior. If we change the rules which create a built environment requiring a reliance on the car, we can change behavior.  There are 4 parts to reducing our transportation footprint: 1. Investment in "active transportation"; create "complete streets policies, fully implement the city Non-motorized plan, and develop one for the county. 2. Create an incentive program, such as Smart Trips. 3. Create a 1st class transit system to serve the needs of most everyone for most all times; Needed revenue to come from local gas tax, parking revenue, and significant fare increases. 4. Remove the incentive for driving due to excessive and free parking; use some of the generated funds for 1,2,3 above. CAC’s possible role:  Support faster implementation of our active transportation facilities.  Support the creation of a Smart Trips program,  Support significant transit funding and improvements,  Develop and advocate for Comp Plan language supporting active transportation, transit, and parking policy changes. Overall, Scott believes the goal of CAC must be to motivate the city and county to devote staff and resources to implement our recommendations. Scott noted that Teresa Verraes, Chamber of Commerce, is willing to put together a forum to gather ideas. CAC encourages Scott to work with the Chamber to get their support of a plan.  Judy mentioned City’s “complete streets” program, which has a variety of parking standards. Action Items:  Scott to summarize what he is asking CAC to endorse (see follow up email from Scott, also summarized above)  Cindy will schedule a meeting with Deborah, John, T-Lab representative, and optionally Jefferson Transit representative to discuss what it would take to get a Smart Trips program going in Jefferson County, including leveraging the WSDOT resources. Next Steps & Agenda Planning Next meeting agenda items:  Review CAC work plan  Update on adaptation and outreach  Update on CAC projects  Possible topic: PUD discussion on energy efficiency for buildings  Possible topic: Presentation by Bob Binschadler, studies glaciers  Other suggested topics for next meeting should be emailed to Cindy. Action Items:  Cindy, Laura and Judy will meet to discuss collaboration with Jefferson Marine Resources Committee and the Northwest Straits Commission to conduct a public forum on ocean acidification in June.  Other suggested topics for next meeting should be emailed to Cindy. Public Comment Several members of the public made comments, summarized here:  This is a critical time to address climate change, we need dramatic action; educate the public by events such as closing down one of the streets to traffic one day a month  How is transit ridership changing? [This is documented on the transit web site, under the board meeting minutes]. Land use planning is key, need disincentive for parking, and transit funding should be increased.  The majority of the County’s population lives outside of the City limits. There is a great need for transit in rural areas to transport people to services. Adjourn The meeting was adjourned at 5:40 p.m. Next Meeting Next meeting is scheduled for May 28th, 2014, 3:30-5:30 pm