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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-11-30 Approved CAC Minutes Jefferson County/City of Port Townsend Climate Action Committee Meeting Minutes November 30, 2015 Cotton Building Port Townsend, WA Members Present: Kathleen Kler, Cindy Jayne, Deborah Stinson, Barney Burke, Tammi Rubert, Eric Toews, Kevin Scott Absent: Laura Tucker, Brian Goldstein, Scott Walker Staff: Judy Surber, City of Port Townsend Guests: Matt Ready, Judy Alexander, Melody Eisler, David Wilkinson, Rick Jahnke Scribe: Judy Surber Topic Recommendation/Action Call to order 3:30 p.m. Approval of Agenda & Minutes Motion to approve the agenda by Barney Burke, second by Kathleen Kler; approved unanimously. Motion to approve August 26, 2015 minutes by Deborah Stinson with two minor edits as suggested by Cindy Jayne, second by Barney Burke, approved unanimously. Action item: Final minutes with minor revisions; send to County for posting. Public Comment Judy Alexander announced the beginning of COP21Climate talks in Paris and suggested that members check Laura Tucker’s blog for updates. She noted that Naomi Kline is also in attendance. Membership Update and Related Resolution Judy Surber presented a draft Resolution Amending and Restating the Composition, Terms of Office, and Procedural Rules for the Climate Action Committee. In accordance with CAC rules, the draft had been circulated to members giving them a minimum of five days notice of proposed changes. Members recommended minor revisions to Sections 2.1 and 2.2, add Climate Preparation to Section 2.3; add Jefferson County PUD and Local Agriculture/Forestry in place of Food Security to 3.2; renumbering of 3.6, and that 7.1 be revised from 2/3 majority to “simple” majority. Motion: Kathleen Kler motioned to recommend BoCC and Council approve the Resolution as revised; second by Barney Burke, approved unanimously. There are several membership applications pending appointment and two additional vacancies. Anna Bausher will be advertising per County procedure. Action: 1) Staff to forward the revised resolution to BoCC and Council for action. 2) Anna Bausher will be advertising per County procedure. 2016 Community Read Melody Eisler (City of Port Townsend Library Director) and Judy Alexandar (from Local 20/20) announced the upcoming community read. Via a survey (paper and electronic via the City’s “SpeakUp” site), the community selected Naomi Kline’s “This Changes Everything”. It is hoped that the author will come to speak. She has indicated, if she is in the area, she will waive her fee, as she is excited about what the community is doing here. Melody is coordinating with Cindy Jayne and Judy Alexander on associated community programs with the hope of inspiring people to act. She shared a discussion guide and Yes Magazines synopsis of the book. The book has also been made into a movie and recently showed in Bainbridge. Cindy noted she also has the “Years of Living Dangerously” video series and will be hosting a viewing. Other CAC members are encouraged to participate by leading a discussion group, etc. Members asked about coordination with other efforts - Cindy is coordinating the community read with the Taming Bigfoot outreach. The Library has a printed copy of the Climate Preparedness Plan. Members suggested promotional ideas and associated public events, panel discussions including CAC representatives, report outs on local efforts, sea level rise “blue line markers”, and Blue Earth photo exhibit. Action Item: If you are interested in leading/participation in a Discussion group, see Cindy or Judy A. Taming Bigfoot Carbon Challenge Cindy described the Campaign. Applications are being accepted now. Groups will be formed and kick off in January. The competition ends on Earth Day (April). A number of endorsements, sponsors and prizes as shown on the website. Kathleen Kler and Barney Burke will be participating. Cindy is forming a team. Cindy responded to questions regarding the competition and scoring. Deb will announce at Chamber. Quimper Unitarian and Local 20/20 are forming teams. An article will be in the local papers. It was suggested that business and local governments be encouraged to participate in a future round. CAC members are encouraged to participate as this fits well into the outreach activities that are part of our core mission. Action Item: If interested, applications are due 12/15 Planning for Update Cindy asked for input on next report to the BoCC/Council. Members to City/County Council on CAC recommended that it be timed after Bigfoot competition results are available. Presentation highlights to include Accomplishments, EV grant, Drought forum, mill, Climate Preparedness Plan, Community Read. Need to ask how we will tackle the next inventory update – will software need to be acquired via ICLEI? What staff support is needed and it is available? Judy will look into that aspect. Cindy will look into volunteer support. Hazard Mitigation Plan, Need to emphasis the importance of the CAC – inventory, eligibility for grants, Climate Preparedness plan was initiated by CAC, etc. Action Item: For next meeting: Judy to investigate inventory software needs. Cindy to think about volunteers to conduct the inventory. How and when. If you have additional input, email Cindy. Adaptation Planning Update Cindy Jayne gave an update on the Climate Adaptation Plan and associated presentations. Members should have received links to the document. KPTZ audio recorded the Port Hadlock meeting and aired on 11/9/15. Upcoming presentations: 1/16/16 Sierra Club, 1-3pm Dungeness River Center 2/1/16 Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce Member discussion/Action Items: 1) Discussed the idea of a presentation of the adaptation project to Jefferson Transit, which was discussed at the August meeting. Interest is in more of a CAC presentation about what the CAC is doing in general, including not just adaptation but also the broader effort to reduce greenhouse gases. Given it is more of a CAC presentation, not the NOPRCD adaptation presentation, Judy and Anna should be included in the planning. 2) Links to Comp Plan efforts 3) Hazard Mitigation Plan – Deb suggested Ken Clow, Ken Horvath and Cindy work together. 4) Eric suggested capital facilities planning include a cost/benefit analyses that considers climate risk. Consider developing a checklist. He proposes to work with Cindy and Kevin on a draft for the next meeting. 5) Should City and County adopt the Climate Adaptation Plan? Pros include improve grant eligibility, BAS, legitimizes efforts, seal level rise info. Cindy and Judy to consider the suggestion in April report. Public comment John Austin thanked CAC members for their efforts. He suggests getting the Leader more involved. He applauded the Taming Bigfoot campaign. Judy Surber reminded the group that we had discussed creating seasonal tips for reducing your carbon footprint. Next Steps & Agenda Planning Next meeting would be February 24, 2016, which will include elections. Action Items: 1) Planning for the Inventory update (Judy and Cindy). 2) Cindy to work on outline of CAC “what we do” to be used as handout during community read and for report to BoCC/Council. 3) Members to consider upcoming elections. Let staff know if you are willing to run for Chair/Vice Chair. (Cindy is willing to continue as Chair). 4) Update from Laura on her experiences in Paris during the climate talks. Thank & Celebrate Members that Retired in 2015 John Austin, Val Johnstone, Brian Goldstein, Jack Pokorny, Stanley Willard, Michael Tweiten Adjourn The meeting was adjourned at 5:21 p.m.