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Agendas and Minutes

ad hoc Climate and Energy Action Plan Implementation Committee (View All)

ad hoc CEAP Implementation Meeting

Agenda
Thursday, October 18, 2018

DRAFT MINUTES FOR THE ad hoc CLIMATE & ENERGY ACTION PLAN IMPLEMENTATION COMMITTEE

Thursday, October 18, 2018

Siskiyou Room, 51 Winburn Way

1. Call to Order

The ad hoc Climate & Energy Action Plan Implementation Committee (CEAP 2.0) was called to order by Chair Stefani Seffinger at 5:00 p.m.

Committee members Pat Acklin, Rick Barth, Cindy Bernard, Ben Scott, and Les Stone were present. Staff member Stu Green was also present. Members Chris Brown, Shannon Downey, Jordan Ely, and James McGinnis were absent at the beginning of the meeting.

2. Announcements

Seffinger called for a timekeeper and action item keeper. Bernard volunteered for the role of time keeper. Acklin volunteered to be the action item keeper.

3. Approval of Minutes
James McGinnis arrived at 5:01 p.m.

Acklin commented that the minutes for July were approved with an error on the action item that stated “Acklin will help with background work on the committee structure and organization”. She wanted to make it clear that she volunteered to look over McGinnis’ documents (referring to Diana Shiplet’s presentation on Commission restructure) and to help Green and Seffinger to compile a document on alternative Commission formats for the future of the CEAP Committee.

Seffinger asked for a vote on the approval of the minutes September 21, 2018. The vote passed unanimously.

4. Public Forum
Huelz Gutcheon Ashland, OR – Gutcheon praised the Committee that one of the agenda items was Climate Policy and Climate Outreach Ordinances. Gutcheon also praised the latest City Council candidate forum at the Rogue Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (RVUUF) Hall presented by both RVUUF and Mountain Meadows Democrats Plus. He stated that the climate section was covered well. Gutcheon stressed the importance of learning how to count carbons to address how many are being reduced versus added.

Shannon Downey arrived at 5:06 p.m.

Ray Mallette, Ashland, OR – Mallette informed the Committee of a Master Climate Protector course that Southern Oregon Climate Action Now (SOCAN) will be holding in February. The course will span 10 weeks. Mallette emphasized how this class relates to the education outreach goal of CEAP. He encouraged members to sign up as the course only takes a maximum of 20 people. McGinnis asked if books are incorporated within the course. Mallette stated that the course is taught using a PowerPoint that refers to the book Drawdown edited by Paul Hawken. McGinnis recommended the book Climate-A New Story by Charles Eisenstein as a teaching tool.

5. New Business

None

6. Old Business

a. REVIEW revised draft ordinance for permanent climate commission.

b. RECOMMEND long term structure and format for permanent climate commission.

Goal: Identify key functions of future advisory CEAP group.

Green recapped the previous meetings progress on a final CEAP 2.0 recommendation to Council. The consensus was to recommend to Council two Commissions; one focused on policy and the other focused on direct action. Green asked that after discussion that the Committee decided how to move forward with this recommendation.

Jordan Ely arrived at 5:15 p.m.

McGinnis mentioned that he liked how the Ordinances allowed for a permanent Commission similar to the current CEAP 2.0 committee while keeping the current Conservation Commission with a few adjustments on meeting times and the Commissions charges, so too much overlap does not occur. Acklin stated that she did not think it was a good idea to have two or three separate Commissions surrounding Climate and Energy Action as overlap will occur. McGinnis clarified there would only be two Commissions a new permanent CEAP one and the existing Conservation Commission. Barth agreed it was not clear in the Ordinance and would also like to see some feedback from the Council, Administration, and the Conservation Commission before proceeding with approving the Ordinances.

Ely suggested to add to the ordinance in a clear way the recommendation to Council of what the powers and duties are. Green clarified that the Climate Outreach Commission (currently Conservation Commission) would deal more with public outreach and education whereas the Climate Policy Commission would deal more with policy and recommendations to Council. Green hopes to encourage collaboration between both Commissions through staff and Council liaisons. Acklin still expressed concern about having two separate Commissions and the potential to have two different recommendations to Council.

McGinnis move to adopt this as a recommendation for the Climate Policy Ordinance to the City Council with Ely providing a second. Acklin asked if Conservation Commission would be giving up their name with the current recommendation as is. Green confirmed that they would be.

McGinnis amended his motion to adopt both ordinances, but have the wording for the Climate Outreach Commission to stay as Conservation Commission. Ely seconded the motion. McGinnis stated that this would change proposed name back to Conservation Commission and only their charge would now change.

Bernard asked if they wanted to keep the wording on the established membership requirement to one member 35 or under. Ely suggested to state the Council will strive to appoint members under 35, but would not be required to do so. McGinnis amended the motion to read adopt the recommendation with the Climate Outreach Commission changed to stay the Conservation Commission and that the established membership requirement for a member 35 years or younger be made in to a goal versus a requirement. Acklin suggested that they rewrite the draft of the Conservation Commission Ordinance before approving it for the final recommendation.

McGinnis modified the motion to adopt only the proposed ordinance for a Climate Policy Commission with the established membership requirement of a 35-year-old member or younger made into something to strive for versus a requirement. Downey seconded the motion. Seffinger called for a vote and all members voted in favor of the motion with the motion passing. Green will update Conservation Commission Ordinance with proposed changes and send to Adam Hanks to be included in the next Conservation Commission meeting. Green will also bring back the Ordinance and Conservation Commission’s feedback for the next CEAP 2.0 meeting.

7. Information Items

a. RECEIVE Updates relevant to CEAP implementation (Stu)

i. Climate Dashboard development

Green displayed the work he has done for the new Climate and Energy Action Website utilizing the OpenGov Stories platform. The website is not currently available to the public. Green hopes that this new website will help promote the Climate and Energy Action Plan and the EMPOWER Outreach campaign. Acklin asked if Green and Barth have created their own simple device for calculating carbon footprints. Green said that is still a possibility and will work with Barth on looking into it more.

ii. Municipal Administrative Policies

Green has drafted two administrative policies for the City Administrator’s approval and signature. One dictates that City operations be more efficient and focus on using non-fossil fuels for future operations. The second directs the City to avoid future use of carbon emitting fuels within City facilities meaning any future installations of buildings by the City will not use natural gas.

iii. EV programs

An electric vehicle (EV) incentive pilot program was initiated a few months ago. In addition, the City is part of a fuel credit exchange program with the State. The City gets credits which can be sold for funds by having electric vehicles registered and electric vehicle charging stations within Ashland. Currently, Jackson County is ranked sixth among the other counties in Oregon for number of EVs registered and for the number of EVs per capita.

iv. Residential investment financing research

Green is still looking into possible outside funding for future residential projects. Green is reaching out to speak with Craft3 out of Klamath Falls and Rogue Federal Credit Union to see what financing is available to provide residents who are interested in renewable energy projects.

v. Other

Green mentioned working with the Zero Coalition whose mission is to get better building codes on the State level.

Community solar ideas are being populated around Ashland. Currently, the City cannot be involved in financing community solar per their contract with BPA. Green has been in contact with Oregon Clean Power Coop with whom anyone can invest in a project and the return on those projects goes back into energy projects.

b. Update from stakeholder representatives (Forest Lands, Conservation, School District, others)

McGinnis reported on the group Electric Vehicles for Ashland (EVA) which received a $10,000 grant from the City’s Economic Development and Sustainability Grant program. The group is looking toward helping local businesses with a delivery services get $1,000 to put towards an electric vehicle for the deliveries. McGinnis also informed the Committee that the Conservation Commission has completed its “Straws on Demand” pilot program. The program included participating restaurants in Ashland who voluntarily withheld straws from customers unless they were specifically asked for. The program was a success and the Conservation Commission is looking towards other ways to help reduce non-recyclables in Ashland.

Ely reported that he misspoke last meeting about a potential 3MW solar farm on the Ashland School District’s (ASD) Willow Wind property. Because of certain agreements and the district’s financials, they have decided to shift the project more towards community rooftop solar. ASD is also looking at upgrading its building’s rooftops to be seismic rated roofs which means they will also all be solar ready. McGinnis asked about potential remodels becoming LEED certified. Ely stated that it is a priority for the school board to look at green technology on any upgrades or new constructions.

Acklin stated that the Ashland Water Advisory Committee has not met and only meets when they have pressing issues. The Public Works Department has started work on the new water treatment plant this week

Downey had missed the most recent Forest Lands Commission meeting, but they are still looking at potential carbon counting on municipal forest lands as metrics are tested out.

8. Future Meeting

Green announced the next meeting will be held on Thursday, November 15, 2018 at 5 p.m. Green will bring the revised Conservation Ordinance, a report from the Conservation Commission on the Ordinance, and a draft of all CEAP 2.0 has worked on for the past 10 months to the next meeting.

9. Adjournment

Seffinger adjourned the meeting at 6:45 p.m.

Action Items:

• Green and Barth will look into creating a carbon footprint calculator.

• Green will bring the revised Conservation Ordinance, a report from the Conservation Commission on the Ordinance, and a draft of all CEAP 2.0 has worked on for the past 10 months to the next meeting.