2007-06-07 Mayor's Climate Protection Committee AgenCitizens Commiftee on U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agn2ement
Mission:
1. Encourage citizens to be a part of the solution
2. Encourage City staff and citizens to conserve current resources
3. Work with the City Council to implement ideas
4. Effectively address the future impacts of climate change
Committee Members:
Citizens: Steve Bernheim, Carolyn Chapel, Wes Gallaugher, Wayne Grotheer,
Hank Landau, Ben Hines
Planning Board: Janice Freeman
City Staff: Mayor Gary Haakenson, Steve Fisher, Sally Lider, Noel Miller, Linda
Carl
Meeting e� nda
June 7 2007
1.
Staff GHG Committee report
Steve F.
2.
Proposed business assistance program & green certification
program.
Steve B. & David K.
3.
Sustainable cities prqgram
Steve B.
4.
Miscellaneous
All
5.
Confirm next month's meeting date
All
Meett'ng
May 3, 2007
Present: Steve Bernheim, Wayne Grotheer, Ben Hines Carolyn Chapel, Hank Landau,
Mayor Gary Haakenson, Steve Fisher, Sally Lider, Noel Miller, Linda Carl
Absent: Wes Gallaugher
Also attending: Nick Brossoit, Edmonds School District; Janice and Bob Freeman
1. Staff GHG committee report
Steve F. and staff continue to gather and input data for the base year (1999) and interim year
(2006). He met with Amy Shatzkin (ICLEI) yesterday to discuss the data and software program.
Hank asked Amy if the school district can use the software program; he is waiting to hear back.
2. Recap of Climate Solutions presentation at EdCC
Carolyn attended a presentation by Climate Solutions (climatesolutions.org). K.C. Golden, the
speaker, indicated that our current lifestyle is unsustainable with or without climate change. But
change must start at the local levels. He mentioned the mayors' initiative as being instrumental
in keeping the Kyoto Protocol from disbanding; almost 500 mayors have signed on so far. Most
citizens know about the "science" of climate change; however, few are actually changing their
habits. The key is to do something that sends a visible message to citizens.
Noel mentioned that all City diesel -powered vehicles are now using biodiesel fuel, including aid
vehicles. It's basically a break-even proposition for the City regarding the cost of switching from
gas to biodiesel.
ClimateProtection/MectingNotes050 307.doc
Steve B. is writing an article for The Beacon regarding the transportation committee, which he's
a member of. Gary suggested a press release about the climate protection committee to the local
papers.
3. Proposed business assistance program
Hank spoke to Jan Vance at the Chamber of Commerce to see if they have any plans to
implement such a program, which they do not. Hank distributed a checklist for implementation.
The goal would be to meet with business owners, answer their questions, perform audits, and
give incentives. Volunteers on this committee could potentially train others to work with the
businesses, perhaps on a weekly basis. The first step is to identify resources, such as the Low -
Carbon Diet Book or other documents geared toward small businesses. He suggested developing
a questionnaire to determine who is interested. We may need to approach sponsors, such as the
City and the Chamber to field phone requests, provide some copying services, and give
acknowledgements and awards. Hank suggested kicking off the program at a Chamber
luncheon, possibly in September, with follow-up information in the Chamber newsletter. The
cost for this program should be fairly minimal.
Steve F. suggested asking PUD to be a co-sponsor.
Gary will think about the public -relations issues and the presentation to the Chamber, as well as
raising awareness in the community. He asked everyone to bring ideas to the next meeting on
how to get the Chamber members and business community involved. When we're ready, we
should consider a report to the City Council from this committee.
Miscellaneous
Janice Freeman is the chair of the Edmonds Planning Board and will begin attending our
committee meetings as a representative from that board. Janice mentioned that the Planning
Board will be studying these issues as they relate to building codes. She suggested that energy -
saving tips from PUD could be printed in the City newsletter.
Nick Brossoit, Edmonds School District Superintendent, discussed how the school district is
already addressing conservation issues. Many teachers incorporate conservation and recycling
programs in their curriculum. As a consumer, the district looks at these issues when building
new schools or remodeling older ones, as well as when purchasing new vehicles. Currently in
California the technology is available for diesel school busses where emissions are cleaner than
outside (intake) air. Nick indicated that the challenge for the district is bridging the gap between
the sense of enormity and the small steps that have an effect. He suggested combining the
district's and City's purchasing power to get volume discounts, such as for energy -saving light
bulbs. At this point switching busses to biodiesel remains too expensive.
There was also discussion about encouraging high-school students to drive less to school;
however, because of their other after -school obligations, many have to bring their cars to school.
Schools do charge a parking fee as a revenue source. The funds the school district has are
stretched to offer current services, so cost is always a concern. Where possible, they continue to
do their part. For instance, the HVAC systems must meet certain codes; however their facilities
manager is going beyond code requirements to substantially reduce utility costs. Nick suggested
inviting Ed Peters from the school district to this committee. He is working on making district
buildings "green."
Gary asked Noel to check on bulk purchasing of light bulbs and reselling them to citizens. Ben
brought in a recent electric bill that shows his cost savings after switching to energy -efficient
light bulbs. Hank mentioned that light energy vs. heating energy of energy -saving light bulbs is
different from the advertised savings of energy.
CliIlia teProteclion/Ice, l ingNolesO50307.doc