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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCAC_Minutes_Draft_042419 Jefferson County/City of Port Townsend Climate Action Committee Meeting Minutes Wednesday, April 24, 2019, 3:30 - 5:30 PM Jefferson County Public Health - Pacific Room 615 Sheridan Street, Port Townsend, WA Members Present: Darren Wilson (PTPC), David Wilkinson, Eric Toews (Port of PT), Cindy Jayne, Deb Stinson (City of PT), Kate Chadwick, Laura Tucker (Jefferson County), John Bender (Jefferson Transit) Absent: Kate Dean (BOCC), Jeff Randall (PUD No. 1), Sonja Hammer, Chris O’Higgins (Jefferson Healthcare) Staff: Judy Surber, City of PT, Laura Tucker (Jefferson County) Guests: Charles Law Scribes: Judy Surber and Cindy Jayne Topic Recommendation/Action Follow Up Items Call to order Approval of Agenda & Minutes Motion to approve agenda by Deborah Stinson, second by Eric Toews, approved. Motion to approve February 27, 2019 minutes as amended (correct meeting date) by Eric Toews, second by Dave Wilkinson, approved. Public Comment No comments. Old Business ICLEI Membership Software, Letters of Support for Inventory: Cindy noted the software has been purchased, there is a great team of volunteers working on the inventory, entering the 2005 data into the software, and determining exactly what data is needed. ICLEI is providing good support. Would like to finalize letter requesting participation in the inventory. Discussed draft letter, and minor edits were suggested. Agreed that it would be signed by the Mayor, Kate Dean, and Cindy as Chair. Once the data requests are finalized, it was agreed that Cindy will send Cindy to update the letter and send out to the requests and the authorizing letter to the following people via email: Philip Morley (County), David Timmons (City), Eric Toews (Port), John Bender (Jefferson Transit), Darren Wilson (PTPC), Kevin Streett (PUD), Chris O’Higgins (Jefferson Healthcare). Q&A ensued regarding data forms and commute survey. Agreed that it is desirable to have all organizations do the commute survey. Laura Tucker offered to draft it up and send it to the other organizations. Cindy also noted that the ICLEI tool has several tools for evaluating emissions reduction strategies. Cindy recommends continuing our membership past the survey to take advantage of these tools. Cindy also noted that Port Angeles and possibly Clallam County are considering doing greenhouse gas inventory rollup, and Cindy is communicating with them to share knowledge. Kate Chadwick noted that the inventory team may want to notify other organizations in town that might utilize the inventory for grants (for example, Jefferson Land Trust) that the inventory work is starting, and what data is being gathered. Base Flood Elevation Question –Cindy noted David Radabaugh, Ecology’s NFIP State Coordinator, responded to our questions and clarified the NAVD88 reference. Potential Meeting with Andy Haub from Olympia – Judy noted that Andy Haub will speak to the local APA chapter meeting scheduled for Thursday Oct. 17 at the Cotton Bldg regarding sea level rise planning. Deb Stinson and Kate Dean for signature. Laura Tucker to draft up commute survey. Cindy to discuss further with inventory team. Outreach Planning Climate on Tap Series: Laura noted the monthly series kicked off on Earth Day – about 25 in attendance. Number one request was “how to talk to people about Climate Change”. Others requests included shopping for change, divesting. Hoping for coverage in local papers. Next meeting is May 6 – Transportation. Format is a discussion group. Sponsored by Local 20/20 and Jefferson County Health and Finnriver Cidery. Other: Cindy suggested compiling an up to date summary of CAC accomplishments. Laura will draft as part of outreach effort. Summaries can be pulled from Laura will draft CAC accomplishments summary the Organizational goals and PowerPoint presentation updates to councils for previous summaries. Finalize CAC Logo Cindy presented two updated logo options based on feedback from last meeting. Agreed to add a border to option 2. Cindy moved to approve option 2 with a border around it, seconded by Deb – Approved unanimously. Cindy will request the volunteer graphic designer add a border to the logo. Decision Support Tool Proposal Kate Chadwick noted that last November she presented on the Decision Support Tool. She provided the brief summary and goals including cost savings. Noted the tool must be one that can be implemented with limited resources. Draft is a simple checklist. She gave an overview of Feedback she has heard to date including: extend it to planning projects as well as capital projects; consider test run. Proposal is to have CAC approve the tool and encourage each entity to use it. Q&A How does it compare to SEPA? A: it would apply to smaller projects too. Should the tool consider the GHG impacts of the project/plan? If alternatives are considered it seems prudent. Could provide BMP references as well. For smaller projects, a simple yes/no may be adequate. Individual entities will likely set a threshold where the checklist would be implemented. Or it could be used on a comprehensive list of capital projects. Kate will incorporate feedback and bring the next draft forward for CAC review and action (Propose City/County joint resolution? Outreach?). All - If you have additional feedback – forward to Kate. Goals CAC Goals: Discussed 2019 CAC Goals and Next Steps – Cindy recapped proposed goals. Added Goal 6 – Complete and approve decision making support tool. Added to Goal 5 – based on inventory data, identify potential emission reduction strategies. Members discussed pros and cons of updating the Climate Action Plan. Given limited resources, prioritize on return on our investment. LT moved to adopt. ET clarification on Item #6 – tool is of universal applicability? Yes. Seconded by Deb. Motion passed unanimously Organizational goals: Eric shared draft goals from Port – up for adoption at next Port meeting. Deb will provide City’s. Cindy asked that all organizations send her their organizational goals. All – send Cindy updates to your organizational goals for 2019/20, and status. Upcoming Organizational Plans and Documents for Chair rearranged agenda given time constraints. Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance – Judy gave overview of proposed changes to Chapter 16.08 per FEMA. Motion (per agenda) – Moved by Laura Tucker Climate Review? seconded by Kate Chadwick. Deborah, Eric and John abstain. Motion passed. Public Comment Asked if elevating above BFE applies to Tiny homes. It was noted, it would apply and the City only allows stick built tiny homes. Envirostar and GHG Reduction Opportunities Laura provided a PowerPoint presentation on rebranding of Enviro Stars. Now any business may apply. She walked us through the online checklist. There are core (required) and elective measures. There are now eight categories (formerly focus was limited to stormwater and hazardous waste). Business can qualify for Tier 1-3. Advertising benefits. Website has a Dashboard so you can monitor your status. Jefferson County Public Health provides oversight at a cost of approx. $5,000/yr. There are currently 23 EnviroStar businesses in Jefferson County. It is a Nationwide program. Reports can be generated at the state or local level. Including kWh and GHG saved. Would be great to roll it out as a challenge. Energy Opportunities for Emissions Reductions Not discussed due to time constraints, will consider at next meeting. Other Updates The Mayor noted that City was asked by Jefferson Transit to support a grant proposal for low and no emission vehicles to replace conventional diesel buses. She asked if the CAC would support and other entities on the CAC would support. John explained Transit’s desire to test an electric bus. Motion to add CAC support to Council’s letter – Dave Wilkinson moved. Laura seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Cindy noted that Port Angeles approached NODC noting that they are interested in incorporating adaptation into their Comprehensive Plans, and noted NODC wants to reach out to other North Olympic Peninsula municipalities to see if there is interest in submitting a joint application, as there may be funding from the Washington Dept. of Commerce. It was noted that Clallam County is hosting Thomas Jefferson Dinners – a forum to have discussions on difficult issues. Will be doing one on climate change. Next Steps and Agenda Planning Next meeting – June 26, 3:30 – 5:30. Possible agenda items include:  ICLEI tools -discuss how we may want to use planning mode after inventory  Report on Inventory  Talking points for the CAC  Update on decision tool  How to roll out once inventory complete, and potential updates to Climate Action Plan  CAC support of EnviroStar Program  Continue Energy Efficiency opportunities discussion Deb and Kate to consider next steps. Adjourn The meeting was adjourned at 5:34 p.m.