2018-07-05 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)
July 5, 2018 — Meeting Minutes
In Attendance: Steve Fisher, Hank Landau, David Schaefer, Councilmember Diane Buckshnis,
Rob Chave, Janice Freeman, Mayor Dave Earling
Call to Order & Meeting Minutes Approval: The meeting was called to order at 8:5o and
Hank had further clarification of his comments in the June 7 meeting minutes regarding how
city annexations were reflected in greenhouse gas inventories. The revised minutes should
now read: "Hank expressed concern that annexations needed to be dealt with. When an
annexation happened or happens there will be a bulk jump in carbon emissions, and a per -
capita metric is likely the best. Mayor Earling responded that the annexation of Esperance
will likely not go forward, so this could be a non -issue. Hank added that it would still be
necessary to consider other annexations occurring after 199o." The members approved the
amended minutes.
City's Climate Goals project update: Steve gave a quick update on the process the city is
undertaking toward what is initially being called the Climate Goals Project. A consultant
team, led by the ESA firm, has been awarded the contract and terms of that are being drawn
up at this time. Diane asked to be reminded of the amount of the contract and where in the
budget it falls. Rob answered that the amount is $75,000 and it has already been budgeted
and approved. Steve reminded the members that the consultant have a draft schedule that
includes at least z meetings with the CPC, so it is likely that the next z meetings may be taken
up with giving feedback to their work. Hank mentioned that members should review the
Climate Action Plan to get familiar with its structure and content since the consultant may be
suggesting updates that reflect their suggestions.
Carbon Fee Initiative (WA -I 1631): Hank had prepared an outline of discussion points toward
getting the Council to publicly support Initiative 1631 and shared them with the group. First
Hank read from his outline which spelled out underlying reasons the CPC could be supportive
of 1-1631. Hank then voiced the larger question of whether it was appropriate for the CPC to
ask the Council for its endorsement. Councilmember Buckshnis said that some people would
regard the carbon fee as a regressive tax.
Mayor Earling mainly described the "gray area" such a request evokes, since he was unclear
if the Council could endorse a citizen's initiative. Such an endorsement would have an impact
on the community in different ways. The Mayor said he would need to speak to the city
attorney and his senior staff to get direction.
David wondered if the Council hadn't already endorsed ballot initiatives in the past. The
Mayor and Councilmember Buckshnis both said they didn't believe so. The Mayor added that
if a motion to support an initiative was on the agenda, there may be some who favor and
some who oppose, and that would sent an even different signal to the community.
Janice stated that Sustainable Edmonds would surely support 1-1631. Hank finished by adding
that if the Council did endorse the initiative that could lead to better positioning of CPC
members to join state committees that would form to help steer the initiative's intent.
2o18 Educational Priority: The general topic about the CPC's declaration of prioritizing
education as its main mission garnered much discussion. Hank stated again that some way to
get climate change curriculum in the schools was a worthy effort. Councilmember Buckshnis
agreed but hoped that the effort would not be as time-consuming as Taming Bigfoot. It was
decided that any thoughts of influencing curriculum needed some research first, particularly
if there is already anything being taught now or how to best approach the school district to
gauge the temperament for such instruction. David suggested it would prudent to definitely
find out what the school district may already be doing.
Councilmember Buckshnis did mention that the Council recently approved a youth
commission and some financial support for that body was being provided by Verdant Health
Commission. This youth commission's focus would be to entice young people to engage
with local government. Any educational project that could easily be framed as promoting
healthy communities could possibly be funded by organizations such as Verdant.
Hank said he had heard that the Seattle version of Taming Bigfoot failed. Steve was
surprised to hear this but did not have any information about it.
Subcommittees: There were no reports this month.
Future Agenda Items: There was a general discussion around the subject of the Council
resolution that provides a lead up to a ban on plastic straw, utensils and stir sticks. The
capability of alternatives to single -use plastic items was brought up again. Hank brought up a
study he had read about on how businesses with a strong environmental ethic desired job
candidates that could easily embrace that same ethic, and that higher payment was
sometimes offered to attract such candidates. Therefore, as the ethic expands and becomes
the norm, the environment benefits in the long run.
Steve asked about the members that have had any difficulty using the city email system. The
group discussed some glitches and it was agreeable to those present that the group could
also be okay with committee communication using their personal emails. Steve would bring
this subject to Carolyn and others to get approval.
Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 9:55 am.