2018-05-03 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)
May 3, 2018 - Meeting Minutes
In Attendance: Steve Fisher, Cynthia Pruitt, David Schaefer, Josh Thompson, Hank Landau,
Larry Pierce, Janice Freeman, Carmen Rumbaut, Josh Plescia, Councilmember Diane
Buckshnis, Councilmember Dave Teitzel, Mayor Dave Earling
Call to Order: The meeting is called to order at 8:45 AM and introductions were made since a
new member, David Schaefer, was joining for the first time. Also Carmen Rumbaut came to
sit in and observe.
Approval of Minutes: Minutes from the April 5 meeting were approved.
Update on draft Council Resolution looking toward plastics materials ban: Councilmember
Dave Teitzel gave an update on the draft resolution calling for a plastic straw, plastic stir
stick, and plastic utensil ban. He informed the group that feedback from the CPC has been
incorporated into the new draft. Seattle already has a ban passed that takes effect in July.
This resolution will be presented to Edmonds City Council on May 22.
Councilmember Teitzel highlighted some details of this current draft of the resolution. The
ban would come in the form of an ordinance and take effect by zozo, allowing for the
exhaustion of existing plastic straw, etc. stocks from local affected businesses. The city
would also make provisions to have all food vendors at outdoor public events in Edmonds
meet the intent of the ban as early as 2019.
Starting this coming July there would be education and outreach to the affected Edmonds
business community regarding sources of compostables and other information. This would
include conducting town hall meetings, direct mailings, personal site visits and other
methods.
Councilmember Buckshnis said that July 2019 is very soon and this target may be difficult.
Councilmember Teitzel responded that this effort had already begun and flyers have already
been sent out and some businesses have already begun preparing for the ban. It is
mentioned that this may need to be pushed back a few months.
Janice asks what the alternatives to plastics will be. She had an overall concern about the
durability of compostable utensils and if they were acceptable as suitable alternatives. Steve
stated that there are many newer and better materials that have been proven durable. This
is why Seattle is moving ahead with their ban on plastic straws and utensils. Seattle, along
with the Zero Waste Washington organization, had done much research on the alternatives
and compostable versions. There are still suspect items available that are labeled as
compostable and may not have passed the Cedar Grove testing and approval. The Cedar
Grove list is what affected businesses need to refer to when purchasing any compostables.
Josh noticed that the current version of the ban does not include the disposable plastic lids
used on many beverage containers. Councilmember Teitzel stated that there is potential to
add this and other items at a later date and could work into the final ordinance.
David asks if there has been outreach comments from businesses. Councilmember Teitzel
said that he had spoken to Taco Time, McDonalds, etc. Some businesses are on board,
others are not. He expects that there will be some push -back.
Councilmember Buckshnis asked if schools will be exempt from the ban. Councilmember
Teitzel responds that schools will not be exempt.
Carmen asked if it was okay to share the draft resolution with the Edmonds Neighborhood
Action Coalition, of which she is a member. Councilmember Teitzel said of course and
emphasized this was still a draft document.
Cynthia mentioned that this effort fits under the Climate Action Plan agenda under the
"Lifestyle" category, and would like to have a CPC member at the meeting when the final
resolution is presented to council. Councilmember Teitzel and Steve Fisher will co -present
this.
Councilmember Teitzel said that the presentation on May 22nd will not have a vote, the
resolution will only be introduced.
Cynthia moved and Larry seconded a motion to support Councilmember Teitzel's resolution.
The motion passes unanimously by the CPC members present.
Larry asked if there were specific companies listed in the outreach materials as it might
appear as if Edmonds was promoting specific compostable food service suppliers.
Councilmember Teitzel said that the outreach material directs businesses to use the Cedar
Grove list of approved food service items.
Cynthia asked who among the CPC members would be able to attend the meeting on May zz
and Josh said that he would be in attendance and would speak for the CPC.
Update on Resolution 1389: Steve stated that the city will be hiring a consultant regarding
the implementation City activities outlined in Resolution 1389. A Request for
Qualification/Request for Proposal had been officially posted and the city has received seven
responses so far. The interview and selection process would begin soon. Steve said part of
the scope of work would be the consultant's interaction with the CPC.
2018 CPC Priorities: Cynthia said that the CPC had not yet set a list of priorities for 2o18 and
felt that the CPC definitely needed to determine its vision for the year. Cynthia listed many
goals that have been previously discussed and each member of the CPC listed one goal that
they would like to see prioritized on the remaining agenda for 2o18. There was agreement
from the members that the overall focus would be education.
Washington Initiative 1631 Update: Hank gave an update of the Washington 1631 "Carbon
Fee" initiative. He said that the money raise by WA 1631 will go toward clean technology. He
explained some of the details of WA 1631 and compared to other recent attempts at carbon
legislation. Hank said that various groups, including the tribes, are in favor of WA 1631. He
added that there is a "coal exemption" until 2025 for previously -existing legal reasons plus he
mentioned that there are twenty-three types of "energy -intensive" businesses that are
exempt from this effort.
Hank asked the CPC if they would show support WA 1631 and also asked if the Edmonds City
Council could pass a resolution in support of WA 1631. Cynthia offered that the CPC could
invite a speaker from "Climate Solutions" to present and answer questions for the CPC with
more information on this initiative.
There was consensus that the CPC members would review WA 1631 and have a follow-up
discussion at the next meeting.
Taming Bigfoot Edmonds: Councilmember Buckshnis said that there should be a follow-up
presentation to the Edmonds Council regarding the end results of the Taming Bigfoot
Edmonds competition.
Hank mentioned that a teacher at Westgate Elementary is teaching about solar energy using
a PUD-provided curriculum and materials. Hank said that this could be used to promote
clean energy and the CPC should find out more about this.
Adjourn: The meeting was adjourned at 10:03 AM.