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2019-04-04 Citizens Climate Protectioin Committee MiCitizens Committee on US Mayor's 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 DRAFT Climate Protection Committee (CPC) April 4, 2019 - Meeting Minutes. Opening: The regular meeting of the CPC was called to order at 8:45 am on April 4, 2018 in the Fortner Conference Room of City Hall by Steve Fischer In Attendance: Steve Fisher, Cynthia Pruitt, Shane Hope, Janice Freeman, Nancy Fleck, Pamela Van Swearing, T.C. Richmond, Diane Buckshnis, David Schaefer, Lisa Conley, Hank Landau, Dawna Lahti Introductions: The Mayor introduced new member T. C. Richmond —she is a local attorney who has been working on Climate Change at the Federal level as Vice Chair in 2014 of the Committee of experts which published the National Climate Assessment Report. Since the committee was disbanded by the Trump Administration, the group is now working in conjunction with Columbia University and the City of New York to create a network of cities focused on climate action under the banner Science Climate Action Network (SCAN). Announcement of SCAN's creation is being reported April 4, 2019 by the media. Steve Fisher—cochair of the committee —works as Recycling Coordinator for the Public Works & Utilities Department at the City of Edmonds Cynthia Pruitt —co-chair of the committee —what causes her to persevere for Climate Action are articles like the one in The Seattle Times —Sunday, March 31 st—which discussed ... Shane Hope— Director of the Development Services Department —leading the charge on the climate goals projects which involves revising the Climate Action Plan and updating the City's GHG inventory. She manages the department in charge of building permits, codes ... Janice Freeman —citizen activist —helped found Sustainable Edmonds with her husband and has been active in the committee for several years. Currently involved with the Senior Center as it works to adapt to potential sea level rise. Pam Van Swerlinger—interested citizen —attorney former prosecuting attorney sometimes involved with Environmental issues. She is interested in better understanding how the Committee functions. Nancy Fleck —citizen activist —became interested in protecting the environment as a child and continues to want to provide a viable environment for her grandchildren to enjoy. Diane Buckshnis—City Council Member —has been represented the Council on the Committee for several years. Has a background finance but a passion for environmental projects including protecting the Edmond's Marsh by keeping the City moving forward on the daylighting of Willow Creek. David Schaefer —citizen activist —has no background in environmental issues, but has a strong interest and brings a keen ability to critique the Committee's actions. Lisa Conley —citizen activist —no environmental background but interested in sharing communications and providing easy actionable items that anyone can take. Hank Landau —environmental engineer who founded the firm Landau Associates located her in Edmonds. Has been a committee member since the beginning. Made note that from 2012 to 2017 the City's Public Works Dept. reduced their energy consumption by 63%. This is the kind of information which should be passed on to our local media. Dawna Lahti —citizen activist —teacher for ten years and now active in several groups to raise awareness in environmental issues including the faith -based group Care of Creation. Discussion of February 7, 2019 Meeting Minutes: The main focus of the February meeting was to set a GHG goal for the City. Cynthia Pruitt —a straw poll was held which indicated a general consensus that the goal should be 1.5%. Some committee members felt further in-depth discussion was needed. Hank Landau —felt in addition to determining a GHG total for the year, a GHG per capita should be determined so going forward we can have an accurate GHG record inspite of any population growth. With two new committee members perhaps we need to revisit the 1.5% goal? Dave Schaefer —What do we need to do —what actions can we make —to reach the 1.5% goal? The things we didn't know in February we still don't know —so how can we agree on a 1.5% goal. Can we include something about the Marsh on how it sequesters carbon? Diane Buckshnis— Sequestration by the Marsh is a complicated issue. We would need a separate report on the science which would cost $12-13 million —Marsh proponents has been hoping to set aside 10% of the Oil Company property to expand the Marsh, but WADOT wants the property to be holding lanes for the ferry. They will give the City a small piece for daylighting Willow Creek as an update to the Master Plan. There was general discussion on the difference between the Global Climate Impacts and the Local Climate Impacts on Edmonds. Shane felt the ESA/Good Company final report should help to make the impacts on Edmonds clear. T.C. Richmond pointed out the importance of setting the strongest carbon reduction goal possible because the goal you pick determines the policies you implement. If the policies you set are directed toward a 1.5% goal then you may miss opportunities to set a policy that could achieve a 2% reduction in GHG. Cynthia Pruitt —let's table the approval of the February minutes until the May 2 meeting since committee members did not have time to review them prior to the meeting. Action Item Person Responsible Deadline Review February 7, 2019 meeting minutes for changes All Committee Members May 2, 2019 and approval Recommended Reading by Hank Landau: Article about Blue Carbon (Blue Carbon is the carbon captured by the world's oceans and coastal ecosystems such as the Edmonds Marsh.) The article discusses an extensive sequestering study on the Snohomish River Estuary. Action Item Person Responsible Deadline Resend the Snohomish Estuary Blue Carbon Article Shane Hope ASAP Climate Goals Project Summary by Shane Hope Shane provided a powerpoint presentation reviewing the work the City has done so far as it continues to make progress toward a 2019 Climate Action Plan. Sustainability Presentation originally presented by Shane Hope, Carry Hite and Phil Williams at the City Council Meeting on January 22, 2019 Climate Goals for Edmonds: Background (includes the Good Company and ESA presentation made to the City Council in January 2019) During the presentation discussion arose around: Publicity for City Success Stories: Dave felt Public Works reduction by 63% needed to be highlighted in local media such as myedmondsnews.com Climate Tool for Edmonds: ESA/Good Company are creating a model which would allow City staff to see how our programs are helping us reach our GHG goals. It will be a mathematical model with a number of assumptions —plan to stretch the goal out to 2050 State Legislation: There is current state legislation that strives to provide a way to account for Bonneville Power's coal vs green energy. Big Idea Slide: What would daily life look like in Edmonds based on which GHG goal we choose to work toward. Pam asked the Committee —How do we balance our needs with those of other communities? Why implement strong actions to curb climate change that may adversely affect our citizens, when larger surrounding communities are not taking the same actions? Shane responded we can do our part in hopes of being an example and inspiring other communities to act. Also we work with many agencies in the area jointly to achieve climate goals area wide for example working with Sound Transit and WADOT on transportation issues. Dave responded we can't cure the world, but we can do our part in Edmonds to stem Climate Change. May Meeting (Good Company Presentation): ESA/Good Company will present a draft Climate Action Plan and the Custom Tool they have created for Edmonds to evaluate GHG. They will also present next steps in the process. Cynthia would like a better understanding of the draft report prior to the next meeting. Can we set up an extra meeting/study group to review the draft Climate Action Plan and prepare? Committee members agreed with her proposal. Shane Hope agreed to forward the Good Company Plan Draft as soon as she received it. Various Committee members hoped the plan would include the importance of the Marsh as a carbon sink inspite of the difficulty in scientifically quantifying its effect. As well as briefly mentioning the role mature trees play. Action Item Send Consultant's draft plan to committee members for review and study so they can be prepared with comments Set-up study meeting to discuss Consultant's draft plan with other committee members and prepare for May meeting Person Responsible Deadline Shane Hope ASAP Cynthia Pruitt Upon Draft Receipt Announcements: Steve Fisher announced that Larry Pierce has resigned from the committee due to other time commitments. Agenda for May 2, 2019 Meeting: ESA/Good Company Presentation on the Clty's Draft Climate Action Plan —Note New Meeting Time 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Adjournment: Meeting was adjourned at 10:10 am by Steve Fisher. The next general meeting will be on Thursday, May 2, 2019 in the Fortner Conference Room at City Hall. The time for the meeting will be increased to be 2 hours long —beginning at 8:30 am and ending at 10:30 am.