2018-01-04 Mayor's Climate Protection Committee MinuCitizens 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
Climate Protection Committee CPC
January 4, 2018 — Meeting Notes
In Attendance: Hank Landau, Dawna Lahti, Janice Freeman, Steve Fisher, Cynthia Pruitt, Jen
Machuga, Rob Chave, Diane Buckshnis
Approval of Minutes: Minutes from the last meeting on Novemberz, 2017 were approved.
Membership update: There was a short discussion on contacting members who have not been
attending recent meetings and the status of their interest in continuing with the committee. Those
in attendance expressed their thanks for the contributions of Sandra Distelhorst and Larry Pierce
who both regrettably resigned from the committee recently.
Taming Bigfoot Edmonds (TBE): The competition is officially underway with the first Team Rally
meeting tonight at the Edmonds Senior Center. There are about 20 teams that have formed, with
a few that need some help with final formation. It is likely 3 separate high school teams will be
competing. The TBE Steering Committee is hoping for a good turnout at the Rally and a training on
the app/website is being offered prior to the 7:oo Rally start time.
2o18 Meeting Schedule: Discussed at last meeting and agreed upon again was the motion to
return to having CPC meet monthly on the first Thursday.
Update on Resolution 1389: Diane reported that one of the things coming out of the initial
directions outlined in Resolution 1389 was to hire a consultant to help with a greenhouse gas
inventory effort. The City had rejoined ICLEI which is the organization that supplies the specialized
software designed to calculate emissions and also has a structured protocol to follow.
Rob mentioned that the City's older inventories were not comparable enough to be useful since
the latest software had evolved to be more complicated and comprehensive. This is likely demand
more time and effort for data -gathering and proper input, even to establish a newer baseline.
Hank reiterated the need to evaluate data on a per capita basis or find another way.
Update Climate Action Plan: The committee had previously identified that the Climate Action Plan
(CAP) be reviewed for possible updating in light of potential directions from Resolution 1389. But
there was no interest in forming a subcommittee per se, so it was agreed to devote the bulk of the
next CPC meeting to delving into the particulars and decide a course of action then. Hank
mentioned the New Energy Cities report from 2010 that consultants devised for the City and it was
clarified that it was a stand-alone report in which some elements could be looked at for relevance
to CAP goal -setting.
Report to Council on toil Accomplishments: It was agreed that some members would draft a
brief presentation of the CPC accomplishments of 2017 to be brought to Council sometime during
February or March. Members identified most of the actions from last year including:
• Several members contributed much to the formation and operation of TBE;
• Started collaboration with the Tree Board;
• Sustainable Heroes recognized efforts of Students Saving Salmon;
• Provided support and feedback to some of the presentations by Western students as part
of the Sustainable Cities Partnership;
• Made our first committee report to Council.
Steve said he would get the presentation onto the Council agenda.
Subcommittee Reports: Zero Waste. Steve reminded members that there had been interest in
reviving this topic and the committee could possibly support one area that the City is considering —
ultimately establishing an ordinance that requires restaurants and related food take-out services to
provide only certified compostable food service products. Currently research is being done on the
proper pathway for Edmonds, in collaboration with the City of Seattle and the Zero Waste
Washington organization, who both are spearheading efforts to make such ordinances
streamlined, effective and harmonious.
The discussion also brought in continued interest in how the City may still address construction
waste diversion and the recent serious issue of China's Green Sword restrictions of exported
recyclable materials.
Sustainable Heroes, as a subcommittee, is on sabbatical. EnviroStars. Steve brought up the fact
that the City has become a member of EnviroStars which will take over the place -holder efforts of
the former Green Business Pledge. The City's role comes at the tail -end of an online application
process when an Edmonds business completes any set of criteria that has a level of recognition, as
established by EnviroStars. Two businesses are on the verge of getting EnviroStars recognition —
Walnut Street Coffee and The Refinery Salon and City staff will award these businesses their
recognition and arrange for publicity.
Future Agenda Items: The next CPC meeting will have the election for Chairperson, there will be
an effort to recruit new members, time will be made to look at the gas -powered leaf blower
restriction efforts and the educational outreach by the Edmonds Neighborhood Association Action
Coalition, and as previously stated, an update to the CAP.
Announcements: For 2o18 the Council is providing some funding to Students Saving Salmon to
continue their water -testing activities. Hanks asked the members to consider bringing in Port of
Edmonds commission members to promote the CPCs agenda and receive feedback, etc.
Adjourn: The meeting adjourned at io:oo am
Next meeting: March 1, 2o18