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HomeMy WebLinkAbout022719 Minutes Draft Jefferson County/City of Port Townsend Climate Action Committee Meeting Minutes Wednesday, March 27, 2019, 3:30 - 5:30 PM Pope Marine Building, Port Townsend, WA Members Present: Darren Wilson (PTPC), David Wilkinson, Eric Toews (Port of PT), Sonja Hammer, Chris O’Higgins (Jefferson Healthcare), Cindy Jayne, Deb Stinson (City of PT), Absent: John Bender (Jefferson Transit), Kate Dean (BOCC), Jeff Randall (PUD No. 1), Kate Chadwick Staff: Judy Surber, City of PT Guests: Shelley Jaye, Michael Palarski Scribes: Judy Surber and Cindy Jayne Topic Recommendation/Action Follow Up Items Call to order 3:38 PM. Did brief introductions. As there was no quorum, Cindy provided a brief overview of the Agenda and November Minutes. She noted Kate Chadwick was not present and therefore that item would be removed from the agenda. Meeting Scheduling was discussed. Council and BoCC have approved increasing from 4 to 6 meetings/year. Members expressed concern over 4th Wednesdays. First or third Wednesday’s same time, may be better. Judy to send Doodle Poll. Chris O’Higgins arrived. A quorum was now present. Judy to send Doodle Poll. Approval of Agenda & Minutes Motion to approve agenda as amended (removing report from Kate Chadwick) by Deborah Stinson, second by Eric Toews, approved. Motion to approve November 28, 2018 minutes by Deborah Stinson, second by Darren Wilson, approved. Elections of Chair and Vice Chair Cindy Jayne called for nominations for Chair. Deb Stinson nominated Cindy Jayne; seconded by Dave Wilkinson; motion approved. Cindy Jayne called for nominations for Vice Chair. Cindy Jayne nominated Jeff Randall provided he is still willing; seconded by Deb Stinson; motion approved. Public Comment No comments. Shelley Jaye was introduced. She may be interested in participating on the CAC. Old Business ICLEI Membership Software, Letters of Support for Inventory: City and County have agreed to jointly purchase the software. Judy had suggested the County purchase the software and send an invoice for the City’s half. There seems to be some hold up. Deb agreed to prompt Kate. Once the software is purchased, Deb noted a letter will go out to Department Heads requesting their cooperation in providing the data. Cindy noted several Local 2020 members who have volunteered to help collect and enter data. Members discussed the level of detail desired/practicable. There was consensus to strive for the same level of detail as last inventory to provide comparison, but including more detail not only for the city and county, as was done last time, but for all CAC organizations. Eric noted Port numbers are likely up because of increased economic activity at the boat yard. Darren noted the mill had to switch to oil as the cost of natural gas has gone up. There was consensus that some explanatory text should accompany the inventory. Cindy noted Laura will request PTSD participate in the inventory. Base Flood Elevation Question – Per the November minutes, Dave and Cindy had noted an anomaly in the FEMA information (1% base flood elevation level of 8.14 ft for downtown Port Townsend; while the mean higher high-water mark is 8.52 ft.) Judy put Cindy in touch with David Radabaugh, Ecology’s NFIP State Coordinator. Cindy is awaiting David’s response. Potential Meeting with Andy Haub from Olympia – Andy has offered to give a presentation in Jefferson County on Olympia’s efforts to address SLR. Judy is coordinating with the Peninsula American Planning Association (APA) to see if APA might host the presentation. Invitations should include CAC, Jefferson Emergency Management, and Public Works staff. The next APA meeting in Jefferson County is scheduled for October. Deb to contact Kate regarding the status of software purchase. Once the software is purchased send letter to Department Heads requesting their cooperation. Laura will request PTSD participate in the inventory. Cindy send Andy’s contact info to Judy. Judy continue to coordinate Andy Haub presentation at APA October meeting (may need larger room). IPCC Update minor correction – Cindy noted minor correction in PowerPoint presentation. Deb noted Council supports state and AWC climate change bills. Outreach Planning – Cindy shared book entitled “Drawdown” by Paul Hawken. A ‘drawdown’ ecochallenge to take personal action on solutions from the Drawdown book is starting in April, and open to participants world wide. Locally, QUUF, PTMSC, and Local 2020 are forming teams. Any organization can create a team for this 3-week competition. Cindy noted that Local 20/20 is in discussion with Finn River for possible future “Climate on Tap” monthly events. Deb noted a shift in Clallam County climate change opinion after the IPCC report was issued. Now, the County is holding community conversations targeting those who resist the reality of Climate Change. Eric noted. On March 13, Port Commissioners will consider a Resolution that sets policy for Climate adaptation measures. Cindy will send out Ecochallenge invitation to CAC members. Meeting Schedule Previously discussed. Vote on CAC Logo 3 logos were presented, members selected “Carbon cycle” logo, #14. CAC Goals Review of 2018 CAC Goals and Discuss 2019 – Cindy recapped goals and progress for 2018, and discussed which ones to carry over for 2019. Organizational Goals – Review 2017/18 Goals and Discuss Future Goals – Members provided input on progress to date. Eric noted. On March 13, Port Commissioners will consider a Resolution that sets policy for Climate adaptation measures. Cindy reminded Eric, Port needs to consent to 2017 data release from the PUD. Eric to email copy of Resolution to Judy/Cindy. Eric to contact PUD with Port’s consent to release 2017 data. If there are other updates, please forward to Cindy. Monitoring Key Carbon Footprint Parameters Results Cindy provided a PowerPoint presentation of the rough Community Wide and Organizational Data. Idea is to report this rough data on a more frequent basis than the full ICLEI inventory. Members expressed appreciation for data presented. Deb will check to see if the City of Port Townsend fuel data is available. Decision Support Tool Postponed as Kate was not in attendance. Opportunities to Sequester Carbon in Agricultural Soils Guest Michael Pilarski introduced himself as a farmer, author, permaculturist, event coordinator. He described the potential carbon sequestration of agricultural soils and various ecosystems. He shared information on 3 upcoming local events: 1) Global Earth Repair May 3-5 at Fort Worden 2) Medicinal Herbs 3) Hügelkultur Workshop 3-31 Q&A prompted discussion of 1) Explore adding biochar to City’s composting facility. 2) Tree planting programs. Energy Opportunities for Emissions Reductions Cindy provided a handout and reviewed 8 opportunities and asked for ideas on how to promote. Ideas included: outreach, PUD incentives, Home show. Cindy asked all to continue to brainstorm ideas on how to promote these opportunities. All - continue to brainstorm ideas for promoting the 8 opportunities. Will discuss further at the next CAC meeting. Upcoming Organizational Plans and Documents for Climate Review? Judy noted both City and County will need to: 1) Update their Flood Damage Prevention ordinances to incorporate updated FEMA FIRM maps by June 2019. 2) Update SMPs by June 2020 Cindy to send Judy Ecology Guidance on incorporation Climate Change into SMPs. Other Updates Discussion included: 1) District heating from Mill to Rainier Subarea 2) WSU Energy Office potential consultant on district heating opportunity 3) Hospital retained architect for Master Plan including LEED 4) City sewer outfall – kelp bed as sequestration Next Steps and Agenda Planning Next meeting: Possible agenda items include the continued discussion on Energy Efficiency Opportunities, Decision Support Tool, and outreach updates. Adjourn The meeting was adjourned at 5:29 p.m.