2018-09-06 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)
September 6, 2018 — Meeting Minutes
Opening: The CPC meeting was called to order at 8:45 am in the Fortner Conference
Room of City Hall by Steve Fisher.
In Attendance: Steve Fisher, Cynthia Pruitt, Diane Buckshnis, Rob Chave, Lisa Conley,
Shane Hope, David Schaefer, Janice Freeman,
Approval of Minutes: Cynthia moved and Lisa seconded a motion to approve the
minutes from the August 2, 2o18 meeting. The motion passed.
Welcome and Introductions: Steve welcomed members to the meeting. No
introductions needed.
Climate Goals Project - Presenter: Shane
Shane summarized the August 16t" meeting with the consultants from Environmental
Science Associates (ESA) and Good Company. Inventory scope, possible methods,
dates to use, potential contacts and resources for gathering data were discussed
with City staff and CPC committee members who attended the meeting. Steve will
be sure Taming Bigfoot data is forwarded to the consultants. Lisa wondered what
Green House Gas inventory data the CPC is to report on twice a year to the Council
per Res 1389 and was assured that the CPC can interpret which data is presented.
Right now the consultants are working on gathering inventory data, and once
baseline data is established an action plan will be developed.
Consultant Ideas of Interest: 1) David found it interesting that food waste from buying
groceries created a bigger carbon footprint than food purchased through online
services such as "Blue Apron" in spite of the increased packaging. 2) Food
composting does not provide as big a benefit due to the methane produced during
composting. 3) Cynthia found it interesting that trees were not considered by the
consultants to be significant help for sequestering carbon.
The consultants will meet with CPC on November ist to give an update on their
progress and gather feedback from committee members. This meeting will be 90
minutes long, so please mark your calendars accordingly.
The project will be completed in 8 months (beginning in August 2o18 and completing
in April 2019).
Action Items Person Responsible Deadline
Climate Action Plan Update ESA & Good Company November 1 at 8:45
Consultants am
Carbon Fee Initiative 1-1631 - Presenter: Cynthia
Cynthia has sent a letter in support of Initiative 1-1631 to The Edmonds Beacon.
Committee members thanked Cynthia for her work on the letter. Cynthia made
additional thanks thusly: Thanks to David and Hank for their help in drafting the letter.
Thanks to Larry for raising concerns regarding the fee, which helped temper our letter.
Thanks to Mayor Earling for approving the letter in a timely fashion.
Committee members were encouraged to write their own letters to local publications
using Cynthia's letter as a resource. Cynthia also suggested the letter be read before
the City Council to raise public awareness of the issue. Lisa volunteered. Diane
recommended that Cynthia forward the letter to council members and let them know
it will be read at the meeting on the 181n
Action Items
Submit letter to MyEdmondsNews.com
Forward the letter to Council Members
Read Cynthia's Letter as part of City
Council
Person Responsible Deadline
Cynthia September 15
Lisa September 18
Status of 2o18 Priority —Education - Presenters: Various
• 1-1631 Letter —Cynthia's letter to the Edmonds Beacon and
MyEdmondsNews.com will raise awareness of the initiative and educate
voters. Reading the letter before City Council will provide another
opportunity to educate voters on this topic. Diane will pass the letter onto
members of the Tree Board to increase their understanding of the initiative.
• Book Donations to Little Libraries —Lisa suggested committee members put
our favorite climate protection books in Little Libraries around town to
increase awareness. A book plate reading "Compliments of Mayor Earling's
Climate Protection Committee" could be placed in the front of each book to
further promote awareness. The Mayor would need to approve if a book
plate would be placed in the books.
• Voter Pledge —Lisa presented the idea of getting environmental voters to sign
a postcard that they would be sure to vote in the next election. Then mailing
the card to them once ballots have dropped to be sure they vote (as they will
most likely vote favorably on 1-1631). She suggested having a booth at
Bird Fest and learned that we have not used booths before, but Diane
suggested we join the Tree Board in their booth at the Farmers Market either
on September 22 or September 291" The Tree Board will be meeting tonight
at 6:oo pm.
Action Items Person Responsible Deadline
Email 1-1631 Letter to Tree Board Diane October 4
Ask the Mayor to approve book plate Lisa October 4
idea
Attend Tree Board meeting to Present Lisa September 6
Voterldea
Navigating City Email System - Presenter: Cynthia
Cynthia will be connecting with a city staff member to learn how to attach files.
Janice recommended that files be sent in a PDF format otherwise she cannot retrieve
them. The discussion will continue as needed.
Subcommittee Reports: Cynthia called for reports from the subcommittee members
• Zero Waste —Steve is looking forward to talking to the Consultants about this
issue.
• Sustainability Heroes —Nothing to report stated Cynthia
• Taming Big Foot —Josh Plescia has the survey results and will be getting out a
report and PowerPoint presentation. Diane suggested that the October 2nd
Council meeting may have a slot available for the final Taming Bigfoot
Edmonds report..
Action Items Person Responsible Deadline
Taming Big Foot Results Josh Plescia October z
Update on Plastics Ban - Presenter: Steve
Janice brought up the topic of plastic gowns (used once and discarded) at Doctor's
offices that had been discussed at a previous meeting. She suggests we all let our
doctors know we prefer cotton over plastic gowns. Steve discussed that Council
member Adrienne Monillas is drafting a ban on polystyrene (Styrofoam). The Council
is discussing combining this ban with the plastic straw and utensil ban since both
restrictions would affect the same types of businesses. Comments and
recommendations have been received by the Zero Waste Washington organization
since they have boilerplate and model ordinances available to make the drafting
process easier and support harmonizing ordinances for cities that enact material
bans. This is in the early stages and will be discussed at the September 251" council
meeting.
Announcements: Janice feels avoiding some food waste is especially difficult for
single people since so many items are packaged for larger families.
Agenda for the October 4 Meeting: A list of potential agenda items for the next
meeting include ....
• Climate Protection Plan Update —Shane
• Carbon Fee 1-1631 Update —Cynthia
• Status of 2o18 Priority: Education —Cynthia
• Subcommittee Reports
o Taming Big Foot Report —Josh Plescia
o Zero Waste: Plastics Ban —Steve
• Navigating City Email —Cynthia
Adjournment: Meeting was adjourned at 9:4o am by Cynthia Pruitt. The next general
meeting will be at 8:45 am on Thursday, October 4 in the Fortner Conference Room
at City Hall.
Minutes Submitted by: Lisa Conley Approved by: Cynthia Pruitt and Steve Fisher