2010-05-06 Mayor's Climate Protection Committee AgenCitizens Committee on U.S. Mayors Climate_ Protection Aximment
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:
Members: Carolyn Chapel, Wes Gallaugher, Hank Landau
Todd Cloutier, Bob Freeman, Jeremy Grisham, Brian Potter,
Cynthia Pruitt, Laura Spehar, Rebecca Wolfe
City Staff: Mayor Gary Haakenson, Steve Fisher, Sally Lider, Noel Miller,
Rob Chave, Jen Machuga, Jim Stevens, Linda Carl
Meetixjg
Mav 6, 2010
1. Reusable bag and poster contest update
jen
2. Earth Day event follow up
Todd
3. Miscellaneous
All
4. Next meeting date — 9 a.m. June 3
Meetlng Notes
April 1, 2010
1. Discussion on sustainability indicators
The sustainability element of the City's Comprehensive Plan has an implementation section
that includes goals and indicators. The Planning Board has specific areas they want to look at
and measure; the next step is to shorten that list. They've researched other cities, as well as
the UK and the EPA, and have found many commonalities. They would like to launch an
online survey site asking citizens to help prioritize their list; the community will be invited to
look at the top indicators and choose which ones they think are important, or to suggest
others. The PB will then report their findings to the Council, followed by setting strategic
planning goals. It would become an annual report to Council regarding an update on the
City's sustainability actions. Todd, who is also on the PB, recommended that volunteers from
this committee get involved on the PB's subcommittee; currently the PB subcommittee
consists of three people, including Todd. The agenda is posted on the City's website from the
PB meeting two weeks ago where they discussed the sustainability element. Please let Rob
know if you're interested in being on this subcommittee. Hank suggested soliciting opinions
from business owners as well. Todd indicated that the narrowed -down list will go to the
Chamber and other organizations (such as Sustainable Edmonds, the Floretum Garden Club,
and the Sierra Club) for their input and buy -in.
2. Reusable bag subcommittee report
Jen reported that the subcommittee met this week and that the student poster contest
deadline has been extended to April 20. The subcommittee is working on distributing a
mailer to local businesses regarding the plastic bag ban. Information on the ban will be in
the City newsletter, as well as on a newly created webpage on the City's website.
ClimateProtection/MeetingAgendaO506I O.doc
3. Earth Day event update, April 22
Todd met with Justus Stewart of ICLEI and discussed his presentation. Justus will focus on
local governments leading the way. Wes will present the CAP. The subcommittee is working
on details of the group discussions. PSE, PUD, Sustainable Edmonds, Backyard Wildlife, and
the Sierra Club will have tables with handouts set up in the back.
4. "Green Edmonds"
Recently the question has came up regarding the best way to pull our efforts together (e.g.,
CAP, reusable bags, sustainability element) under one umbrella and identifiable authority.
Strom presented a possible "Green Edmonds" logo and asked for this committee's
support/backing to give credibility to this branding effort. Strom hopes that it can be added
as a resolution to the Council agenda. Currently the Council is looking at Green Business
Partners and other environmental topics. Stephen Clifton, Community Services and
Economic Development Director, indicated that branding is one of his department's
priorities, and they're looking at branding the city as a whole.
The committee ga ve their approval of the proposed logo and suggested process
5. Floretum Garden Club p-patch project
Laura was ill and unable to give an update on this project. However, she sent the following
information via email:
LAURA SPEHAR's REPORT to the MAYOR'S CLIMATE PROTECTION COMMITTEE
ON THE FLORETUM COMMUNITY PEA PATCH GARDEN
Edmonds Floretum Garden Club will be operating and maintaining the Edmonds
Community Garden/Pea Patch on the property of Edmonds Christian Church, located at 23010 84tn
Ave. W. in Edmonds. The goal is to encourage organic gardening and sustainable living, and give
an opportunity for those people without sun or space a chance to grow vegetables and flowers.
Plot sizes will range from 24 sq.ft. ($20/yr) to 80 sq.ft. ($50/yr) with children's plots for free. A plot
will also be dedicated for food donations to one of our local food banks.
The next work party at the garden is scheduled for April 24t"... time unknown. At this work party
cardboard will be laid down and covered with wood chips to form the plots.
Betty Larman, President of Floretum, spoke to the Olympic Water & Sewer District members. She
has obtained their help by putting in a special metering device on the hoses that will shut off when
not in use. Betty also received a gift of 30 cubic feet of topsoil for the garden from Riverside
Topsoil. The Club has collected $150.00 for this project so far. The large cardboard donation is
being made by Home Depot off Aurora Ave. The club is looking for free wood chip donations.
Troop 367 Boy Scouts will be lending a hand in the cardboard/woodchips installation. Lastly, the
Club is planning to apply for a Master Gardener Foundation grant for this garden.
For more information contact Betty Larman, # 412-953-1093 or Roy Smith, # 206-419-2787.
6. Miscellaneous
Rebecca attended a conference in Fremont regarding clean water. Several agencies attended;
Rebecca represented the Sierra Club. The conference objective is clean, safe drinking water;
they are working with cities (such as Phoenix and Santa Fe) that are facing severe draughts.
The City of Everett is considering a bottling company's request for 5M gallons of water per
day. Several groups are asking the Everett City Council to consider the impacts before
moving forward.
Steve reported that Allied Waste is not going on strike.
ClimateProtection/MeetingAgenda05o610.doc 2
Carolyn mentioned Richard Bisbee's recent article in the Enterprise title "Gardening: A
delicious idea."
Cynthia mentioned a green business conference hosted by the City of Seattle later this month;
information is online.
Hank contact Fire District regarding the bicycle safety and skills training; they've offered free
helmets as a donation. Mountlake Terrace has a resolution regarding bike helmets on an
upcoming Council agenda; Strom is working to get a similar resolution on ours. The
Mountlake Terrace Public Works director is getting funds for "safe routes" near local
schools; MLT intends to ask for funds that may be used for a bike safety project. Gary
mentioned that Edmonds has in the past applied and received funds; he will check if we've
applied this year. Hank also mentioned that water can be taken from bluff areas, which
causes minimal environment degradation and which also reduces the danger of slides,
particularly October through May.
Jim mentioned Brian's email link to an article in the Seattle Times by Dr. John Wallace titled,
"Beyond climate change: Reframing the dialogue over environmental issues," which suggests
moving beyond the scope of global warming and reframing the discussion to address
environmental degradation and sustainability. Jim added that the general public tends to
change their behavior if they see the option as more palatable as well as potentially money -
saving. (http:ttseattletimes.nwsource.com/htmi/oRinion/2011453141 guest28wa11ace.htm1)
Stephen reported that the City has purchased computer software with EECGB money. The
software turns off computers after 11 p.m., saving the City energy and money. The City is
also purchasing more energy -efficient computer servers and vehicles, including two Priuses.
These vehicles get over twice the gas mileage as regular vehicles. Two local dealers are now
on the State's purchasing list so that we can purchase vehicles through them. The City
purchases all vehicles through the State, guaranteeing a cost savings. Eventually there will be
seven energy -efficient vehicles in the City fleet.
Strom reported that Climate Solutions (www.clinlatesolutions.org) is preparing a proposal to
bring to the City Council. Climate Solutions works with municipalities developing a 20-year
plan that includes smart grids, energy -efficient vehicles, etc. It's likely they will ask for $15K
to implement the plan. Strom hopes to have their proposal by Earth Day.
Steve reminded everyone of the City's Watershed Fun Fair on April 24.
ClimateProtection/MeetingAgenda050610.doc 3