2015-05-07 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
Members: Wes Gallaugher, Hank Landau, Graham Marmion, Cynthia Pruitt,
Josh Thompson, Barbara Tipton
Council Rep: Kristiana Johnson
City Staff: Mayor Dave Earling, Shane Hope, Rob Chave, Steve Fisher, Jen Machuga, Jim Stevens
Meeting Agenda
May 7, 2015 @ 8:45 am
SUBJECT
ACTION/DISC./BRIEF.
TIME
Who
1. Check in & approval of minutes
Action
5 Minutes
Cynthia
2. Co-chair election
Action
5 Minutes
Cynthia
3. Comprehensive Plan
Briefing
5 Minutes
Shane
4. City's Solar Campaign
Briefing
5 Minutes
Rob
5. Mid -year review of committee's work
Discussion
20 Minutes
Cynthia
6. Subcommittee/Top Priority Projects reports
a. Green Resource Room
b. Zero Waste
c. Green Buildings & Sustainable
Development (including Sustainable
Heroes and Green Business Pledge)
Informational
20 Minutes
All
7. Announcements
Informational
to Minutes
All
Meeting Minutes March 5, 2015
Attendees: Mayor Earling, Cynthia Pruitt, Hank Landau, Jim Stevens, Jen Machuga, Mike Cawrse, Steve
Fisher, Kristiana Johnson, Mike Nelson, Rob Chave
Meeting called to order at 8:45 am
1. Rain Gardens
a. Mike Cawrse, Stormwater Engineering Technician, discussed the City's rain garden
program. He explained that not only are rain gardens attractive landscaping features, but
they also help reduce the amount of stormwater entering into the City system. Low
Impact Development (LID) will soon be a requirement under the City's NPDES permit. The
City's rain garden program started in 2013 with a workshop. Mike mentioned that Val
Stewart has been a great supporter of the City's program and volunteered to be a rain
garden steward. Supporters of the City's rain garden program had hoped for six
properties in close proximity to one another to offer to be part of a pilot program where a
cluster of rain gardens would be established; however, the City did not get any response.
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Mike explained that they are now thinking of ways to change the program in order to get
a better response from citizens. They are talking about having events at PCC, canvasing,
etc. They are also looking for ideas for incentives to offer to citizens for establishing rain
gardens since a rain garden can easily cost a homeowner $5,000. Any incentives would
be focused on non -required systems. The group was supportive of the City's rain garden
program and discussed ideas for incentives such as a reduction in stormwater fees and
utilizing the green resource center as a way to educate homeowners and builders on the
benefits of rain gardens. Mayor Earling suggested that the committee start telling the
stories of the City's rain garden program, successful rain gardens in Edmonds, etc. The
group discussed getting the word out through My Edmonds News and the Beacon. Also,
Steve Fisher mentioned that the Watershed Fun Fair is a great venue for getting the word
out. Mike Nelson noted that it is important to educate people on the connection
between rain gardens and climate change, as rain gardens help to minimize the effects of
extreme weather events which are the effect of climate change. Mike Cawrse also
mentioned he is working on a rain garden education program in the schools.
Approval of minutes:
a. The minutes from the January 8, 2015 meeting were approved with the following changes
made by Jim Stevens:
i. Under Election of Officers/Meeting Format/Member Responsibilities— Howard
Chermak and Rebecca Wolfe have also resigned.
ii. Under Subcommittee reports — Sustainable Heroes: Jim reported that he and
Mike are arranging for another interview.
Mike Nelson made a motion to approve the minutes, which was seconded by Hank
Landau. The minutes were approved with Mike Nelson and Kristiana Johnson abstaining
from the vote.
Comprehensive Plan
a. Rob Chave reported that there was a well -attended open house on the Comprehensive
Plan update on February 25t". He said that each element of the Comprehensive Plan is
making its way through the Planning Board and City Council for review. The City is on
schedule to be completed with the update process this summer.
4. Report on Solarize South County
a. Steve Fisher reported that the Solarize South County program is finished. There were a
total of 24 contracts with 23 installations completed and one installation remaining.
Fifteen of the installations were in Edmonds and two in Woodway. Steve Fisher and Hank
Landau had solar systems installed at their homes, and both were very happy with the
program and with the quality of work done at their homes. For those who signed
contracts as part of the program, A&R Solar will give them a monetary incentive for
encouraging others to sign up. Hank contacted Northwest SEED to see if the program
could be extended, but they cannot extend it. A&R Solar may still be willing to honor the
prices offered through the program.
5. Co -Chair
Cynthia Pruitt asked members to think about being co-chair with her since Mike Nelson
had to step down as co-chair due to his recent appointment to City Council.
6. Subcommittee/Top Priority Projects Reports
a. Green Resource Room: Jim Stevens reported that almost all materials have been
purchased and the plans have been nearly completed. The green resource center will be
open to the public, so anyone can utilize the resources. A pervious pavement display has
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been purchased. Jim commented that staff tried to use as green of materials as possible
within the constraints of the budget.
b. Zero Waste: Steve Fisher provided everyone with a copy of the draft solid waste portion
of the Utilities Element of the Comprehensive Plan. Zero waste is discussed within Goal
D. Steve noted that this element has not been approved yet, but pointed out that some
Council members are interested in a resolution for a zero waste policy. The committee
could provide comments in support of the policy when it goes to City Council for review.
Steve also discussed the materials management concept, which looks at the full life cycle
of materials. This concept has become more of a focus when looking at greenhouse gas
emissions. Steve explained that as a City, we sign onto the County's solid waste
Comprehensive Plan since we don't have our own. The County's plan does not discuss
zero waste and is currently being reviewed by the Department of Ecology.
c. Green Buildings: Jim Stevens provided the group with a table that he prepared showing all
action items and goals related to green building from the Climate Action Plan and noted
what progress we have made to date.
d. Sustainability Heroes: Jim Stevens reported that the subcommittee met with Jeremy Davis
from Landau Associates. The interview was published on My Edmonds News as well as in
the City's newsletter.
7. Announcements
a. Cynthia said she likes the idea of getting stories out every month and will contact Barbara
Tipton to see if she would be interested in assisting. Cynthia also suggested having a 15
minute stand-up meeting every other month (the months opposite our regularly scheduled
meetings) to check in with the group on our progress.
b. The group also discussed the need to increase membership on the committee. Hank thought
of a person at Edmonds Methodist he would approach.
c. Hank reported on the Cascade Bicycle Club's education program for children.
NEXT MEETING: May 7, 2015
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