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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_081021 Jefferson County/City of Port Townsend Climate Action Committee Meeting Minutes Tuesday, August 10, 2021, 3:00 - 5:00 PM ONLINE due to COVID Hosted by Jefferson County Public Health Members Present: Kate Chadwick, Dave Wilkinson, Cindy Jayne, Laura Tucker (Jefferson County Public Health), Diane McDade, Miranda Nash and Nicole Gauthier (Jefferson Transit), Jeff Randall (PUD No. 1), Cara Loriz, Kate Dean (BOCC), David Seabrook Absent: Pamela Adams (City Council), Shelley Jaye, Eric Toews (Port of PT), Kevin Scott (Port Townsend Paper Corporation), Chris O’Higgins (JHC) Staff: Judy Surber (City of PT), Laura Tucker (Jefferson County) Guests: Wendy Clark-Getzin, County Public Works, Steve King City Public Works Director, Patricia Jones, Jacob Ramsey (A Taxi Cab Company) Scribe: Judy Surber Topic Recommendation/Action Follow Up Items Call to order Laura Tucker introduced herself as the facilitator for today’s meeting. Laura called the meeting to order at 3:02 PM. A quorum was present. Approval of Agenda & Minutes Laura Tucker requested amendments/approval of the agenda. Jeff Randall moved to approve. Second by Cara Loriz. Motion passed. Laura Tucker asked for approval of June 8, Minutes. Jeff Randall moved to approve with edits from Wendy as shown. Second by Dave Wilkinson. Motion passed. Laura to finalize June 8th minutes and post to County website. Public Comment None. Draft Forest and Tree Greenhouse Cindy Jayne provided an overview of the GHG Forest Modeling and thanked volunteers who contributed. Gas Inventory Report Modeled carbon sequestration of forests and trees in Jefferson County including Olympic National Forest and City of PT etc. Three five-year intervals were assessed (2001-06; 2006-2010; 2011-2016) Sequestration varies based on health of forest (e.g. lower sequestration in 2006-2010 due to insect damage), and other disturbances. Modeling focused on County minus National Park/Wilderness lands. Over the 3 periods, sequestration has lowered slightly. Report also includes Policy opportunities/Next Steps included advocating for national and state policies to encourage climate smart forestry practices; encourage Forest Stewardship Councils standards, periodically update inventory, protection of forested landscapes, etc. Q&A and discussion ensued. Kate Dean noted financial interests and fire hazard issues. Jeff Randall noted City’s Tree Conservation Ordinance. Steve King noted progressive Tree Right- of-way ordinance discourages tree removal. Judy Surber suggested revisit tree planting lists to encourage trees known for carbon sequestration. Kate Chadwick noted report is two parts, modeling, and policy recommendations – may want to separate. She asked, what are next steps for this report? She suggested prioritizing actions. Cindy responded, review with the CAC and update Council and BOCC, based on input determine next steps. Kate Dean noted, some items could be incorporated into County workplan. Diane McDade suggested release report to public. Cindy agreed, once CAC approves, perhaps at the October meeting. She will also request ICLEI approval prior to CAC approval. Updates to City and County Councils Cindy Jayne reviewed topics for Council and BOCC presentations including the GHG Redux report and the two working groups (EV working group and VMT group); outreach plan. Forest modeling later. Kate Dean suggested add in some of the GHG reduction strategies related to buildings/ Judy suggested noting the previously approved Climate Decision tool. Kate Chadwick and Dave Wilkinson agreed to summarize IPCC report for inclusion in presentations to Council/BoCC. Kate Chadwick noted IPCC just released sixth comprehensive report. It is only updated every 5-7 years. Laura Tucker: UN will meet to discuss climate change in Glasgow, November 2021. Dave Wilkinson noted advances in science give more surety that extreme events are linked to climate change. Judy Surber recommended some info on local impacts (e.g., recent shellfish losses) and consider an emotional appeal (connect with poets/artists). David Seabrook moved to approve authorizing Diane, Cindy, Kate, Pam, Judy and Laura to complete the presentations. Dave Wilkinson seconded; motion approved. Diane, Cindy, Kate, Pam, Judy, and Laura to complete Council/BOCC presentations. Outreach to Public Diane McDade – agrees with making it relevant locally. She outlined outreach strategies including press release, KPTZ interview, possibly host community discussion. Diane McDade moved to approve authorizing Diane, Cindy, Kate, Pam, Judy ad Laura to prepare and release press release announcing the Council/BoCC briefings; and further to prepare draft outlines of additional outreach for post briefings to be reviewed by the CAC at the October meeting. Second by Cara. Motion passed. Kate Dean and Judy Surber confirmed late September target for presentations. Diane, Cindy, Kate, Pam, Judy ad Laura to prepare and release press release and prep outline of post briefing outreach events. Laura volunteered to assist with outreach event. VMT Redux Working Group Update Wendy Clark-Getzin of Jefferson County Public Works led the workgroup discussion on July 23. They introduced themselves and explored items they could review. Discussed providing information to CAC that would be valuable for future grant applications. Two areas of focus: commuters and tourists. Identified the Victoria transportation policy Institute as a good resource. They assigned homework and agreed to meet again in September. They need more City/County and Fort Worden coordination. EV Working Group Update Steve King led this workgroup discussion on July 7th. Good cross-section of participants. They are reaching out to school district and solar company. The group discussed the impacts and brainstormed ideas including EV chargers and level 3 chargers, partnering with RTPO and WSDOT – get ready for potential funding sources. Next meeting is tomorrow. Access and affordability, EV fleet conversions, transit use, etc. will be discussed. Jeff added next step may be to identify partners and locations to install EV chargers. A flat rate could be considered similar to rate for Street lights. Kate Dean noted Jefferson Park and Ride capital improvements planned – EV chargers would be great addition. Diane asked that Steve and Wendy work with her to include workgroup info in outreach. Old Business: • ICLEI150 Cities Race to Zero - Cindy noted, with input from Kate Dean, it was decided not to pursue due to the reporting requirements • Community-wide and Organizational Goals – Cindy noted the need to identify specific time frames - she requested organizations provide to her 2 weeks before our December meeting. • Parking Recommendations - As follow up to Scott Walker June presentation the proposal is to have VMT workgroup provide recommendations. • NODC Grant Update – Judy asked when to engage with NODC? Kate Dean anticipates Karen, and the consultant (once retained), will reach out to the 4 municipalities that expressed interest in participating. Upcoming Organizational Plans and Documents for Climate Review? Cindy noted Local 20/20 Climate Prep group provided input on City’s Mill agreement regarding climate. City SMP and CAO - Judy noted still in process. Local 20/20 previously provided input on SLR. Kate Dean – County SMP – Dave Wilkinson participated. Public Comment Jake Ramsey – New owner of A TaxiCab Company – noted his company’s usage of hybrid vehicles and interest in acquiring EVs. and his interest in the EV workgroup. Other Updates Wendy noted Peninsula Regional Transportation Planning Organization (PRTPO) is reviewing and revitalizing the organization. CAC could be a resource. Kate Dean is on the Board. Cindy suggested Kate’s Chadwick’s Tool could be used by PRTPO. Next Steps and Agenda Planning Next Meeting of October 12, 2021 (Tuesday); possible Agenda items: Forest Modeling; workgroup updates; feedback from Council/BOCC presentations; outreach. Adjourn The meeting was adjourned at 4:55 p.m. Commented [C1]: I didn’t think he said this, but I assumed he might be interested, so asked him after the meeting.