2012-11-01 Mayor's Climate Protection Committee AgenCitizens Committee on U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement
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: Richard Bisbee, Jeannie Blair, Carolyn Chapel, Howard Chermak, Bob,
Freeman, Wes Gallaugher, Hank Landau, Todd Cloutier, Linda Lyshall,
Cynthia Pruitt, Rebecca Wolfe, Valerie Stewart
City Staff: Mayor Dave Earling, Rob Chave, Stephen Clifton, Steve Fisher, Carolyn
LaFave, Jen Machuga, Strom Peterson, Jim Stevens, Phil Williams
Meeting Agenda
November 1, 2012 @a 9 am
1.
Approval of October 4, 2012 meeting minutes
2.
CPC Student Rep. process update
Steve Fisher & Carolyn LaFave
3.
PUD / PSE presentation update
Carolyn LaFave
4.
Subcommittee Reports
a. Promoting Energy Efficiency
b. Outreach & Reporting
c. Development of Incentives
Jim Stevens
Cynthia Pruitt & Rebecca Wolfe
Jen Machuga
5.
Update on "common themes & next steps"
6.
Next meeting date — December 6, 2012 [7a 9 am
Meeting Minutes October 4, 2012
Attendees: Rob Chave, Val Stewart, Cynthia Pruitt, Steve Fisher, Richard Bisbee, Carolyn Chapel, Janice
Freeman, Robert Freeman, Hank Landau, and Jen Machuga.
1. Approval of September 6, 2012 meeting minutes
Bob Freeman moved to approve the September 6, 2012 meeting minutes. This was seconded by Cynthia
Pruitt and passed unanimously. Later in the meeting, Hank Landau questioned Jen Machuga if the
minutes were correct under the incentives subcommittee report heading, where the minutes state that
Engineering is working on a display about impervious walkways. Jen confirmed that she meant to use the
term pervious, not impervious.
2. PUD presentation discussion
Rob Chave explained that the committee should identify the main points and questions that we want PUD
to discuss when they are invited to come to one of our meetings. Carolyn Chapel said that she'd like to
hear about rebates and incentives being offered by PUD. What incentives have been successful? What
challenges have they faced with their incentives programs in the past? What is their status with new
energy sources? Bob said that he'd be interested in hearing whether PUD has worked cooperatively with
CPC- MeetingAgenda110112.doc. 1 Revised 10/25/12
other governmental agencies on incentive programs. Cynthia said that she would be interested in asking
PUD what sort of indicator/measure could be used to monitor the city's progress with increasing energy
efficiency? Janice Freeman said that she would like to hear about solar energy and to hear what other
utility districts are doing. Steve Fisher would also like to hear about solar energy. Val Stewart suggested
having someone from PSE come to the meeting in addition to PUD. Rob said that the ideas for discussion
items will be collated and sent to PUD when they are invited to meet with the committee.
3. Subcommittee Reports
a. Promoting Energy Efficiency
Bob stated that the energy efficiency subcommittee has three recommended actions:
1) Introduce and promote the Energy Star Challenge to local businesses as a way to recognize
leaders in increasing energy efficiency in our business community. This measure needs the prior
approval of the mayor before it is implemented.
2) Foster communication throughout the City on energy efficiency success stories, whether they be
residential or commercial. This communication would be via the City's web site and through the
Beacon, My Edmonds News, Edmonds Patch, City Newsletter, etc.
3) Investigate and recommend programs for financing energy efficiency improvements that would
put the City into the role of managing a revolving fund that would keep the money going to and
coming from the users without the City contributing any resources (except perhaps for some staff
time, although even that seems doubtful right now).
Bob mentioned that financing is one of the most difficult challenges to completing energy efficiency
projects. The subcommittee is meeting with local business owners for input, and has so far met with
Strom Peterson (Cheesemonger's Table) and Kim and Brick Wahl (Reliable Floors).
b. Outreach & Reporting
Cynthia discussed the advantage of focusing on the positive and what has already been achieved in order
to get the "buzz" going. The subcommittee has come up with three focuses:
1) Games and contests— considerations include a student poster contest, energy challenge with
another city (possibly with our sister city), and a contest with Sustainable Works.
2) E4 (Envision an Energy Efficient Edmonds) — could be included with next Earth Day event.
3) Education — considering creating a display with a tool kit that could go up in City Hall.
The subcommittee would also like to include tips for energy savings in each of the quarterly City
newsletters.
c. Development of Incentives
Jen discussed the main goals of the incentives subcommittee, which include:
1) Creating a display — located at the Development Services Department and then could be spread to
other locations.
2) Providing information on the city's website — needs to be user friendly and should include links to
local utilities and other groups offering incentives.
3) Recognizing green businesses — we can use Kirkland as an example, and could also partner this
with a shop local program.
The subcommittee also discussed the potential for businesses to sponsor green initiatives/projects in turn
for business advertising. Rob mentioned potential no -cost measures, such as fast -track permitting for
certain "green" projects, and including PUD/PSE in the city's pre -application meeting process so that they
can discuss available incentives with applicants.
CPC- MeetingAgenda110112.doc. 2 Revised 10/25/12
4. Subcommittee common themes & next steps
Rob said that one of the common themes he saw was the desire to establish recognition programs for
accomplishments in energy efficiency. This could be done through awards programs and/or information
on the web. Hank mentioned that we could work with local churches, many of whom have green teams.
The group liked the idea of doing a community forum and inviting local groups together around Earth Day.
Carolyn suggested writing up success stories. Rob said this could be done through a newsletter like what
is done by the Historic Preservation Commission. Cynthia mentioned that one of the Outreach and
Reporting Subcommittee's goals was to put information in a newsletter. Hank said we could assign a
dollar value to the energy savings and could give businesses "green dollars" as a way to acknowledge that
there is a monetary impact to their actions.
Rob suggested that one or two people from each subcommittee get together to determine the major
goals of the larger group and to identify tasks, who will work on the tasks, and the timing. The
representatives from each subcommittee can also identify the secondary goals so that we don't lose track
of them. We will need to identify the steps that need to be done and get volunteers to sign up for the
tasks. The nominees for representing each subcommittee were Richard Bisbee, Steve Fisher, Bob
Freeman, Jim Stevens, and Jen Machuga.
S. Student representative discussion
The group generally thought that it would be helpful to have a student representative. Students may not
be available during the committee's monthly meeting, but maybe the student representative could
participate with some of the subcommittee work. Steve Fisher said that he would coordinate with
Carolyn LaFave on it.
6. Miscellaneous
Richard Bisbee handed out an information sheet on what individuals can do to stop the coal exports. The
120-day comment period ends on January 21't. Richard will carpool with anyone who would like to go to
the hearing in Seattle.
Steve Fisher stated that Public Works is converting some vehicles to propane, which will save the city
money and will be cleaner burning. Rob Chave said this is a good example of an article that could be
written for a newsletter, especially with information on the upfront costs and timing for especially with
information on the upfront costs and timing for payoff.
CPC- MeetingAgenda110112.doc. 3 Revised 10/25/12