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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-0608 Documents Submitted at Mtg Why do we need local legal action on climate disruption and Imm carbon emissions reductions? Because of human-caused carbon emissions we have already heated the planet almost 1 degree Celsius above pre-industrial temperatures and have locked in even more heating. Scientists say we are quickly approaching tipping points where we won't be able to stop the heating. This is a global crisis; it is the obligation of every government to act. Our local government can provide important leadership that is missing at the state and national levels. Every community will be impacted by climate disruption. Creating a more sustainable community less dependent on fossil fuels not only decreases our contribution to the problem, it helps us adapt to the impacts, making us safer and more prepared for the future. What is an ordinance? Ordinances alter the city code and are a reflection of the municipality's legislative authority. Why do we need legal commitments to emission reductions? Reductions will take effort, and we must exercise our government function to ensure we meet the reduction targets that we will set in our Climate and Energy Action Plan. Our City Code provides the general laws for our city and we need a general law addressing the climate crisis, a crisis which threatens all of our city's resources and citizens Rogue Climate Ashland is a group of Ashland community members who are working towards practical solutions to climate change that result in cleaner energy, sustainable jobs, and a healthy environment. We'd love for you to help build the team! Come to a meeting! City Council Meetings Rogue Climate Ashland June 21, July 5, July 19 Every Wednesday at 5:30pm Ashland Civic Center at the Ashland UCC Building Ad Hoc Committee Meetings 717 Siskiyou Blvd June 15 @5:30, July 6 @ 3:30 July 20 @5:30 Community Development Building 51 Winburn Way .OWN Ail Standards for Ashland Climate and Energy Action Plan - The City of Ashland is developing a Climate and Energy Action Plan (CEAP) between now and the end of 2016. -Community members involved with Rogue Climate Ashland and Ashland Youth Climate Action believe that instituting a climate recovery ordinance to accompany the plan will be a vital part of ensuring the effective implementation of the CEAP. - Together, these groups propose the following standards for the development and implementation of the CEAP: SCIENCE BASED: - The plan sets numerical targets and benchmarks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by the city and our community consistent with doing our part to achieve no more than 350 parts per million of C02 equivalent emissions in our atmosphere by or before 2100. ACCOUNTABLE: - The plan includes a Climate Recovery Ordinance to build accountability into the plan by setting legally binding benchmarks and targets and provides ongoing opportunities for public input to be accountable to the community. SOCIALLY EQUITABLE: - The plan does not disproportionately impact low-income communities, young people, communities of color, or community members who are elderly or disabled. It is important that these groups have a voice in creating our policies. These communities must not be displaced by higher costs or additional burdens. PROTECTS ASHLAND'S QUALITY OF LIFE: - The plan promotes clean energy development and protects Ashland residents from the impacts of climate change while identifying, benefiting, and preserving long-term natural resources, services, amenities, institutions, industries, and community characteristics valued by Ashland residents. CREATES GOOD JOBS AND SUPPORTS ASHLAND'S ECONOMY: - The plan strengthens our economy by creating green jobs that pay living wages, ensuring that a local workforce is used as much as possible, and providing training opportunities that benefit local residents, including low income and underserved groups. CITY OF ASHLAND June 7, 2016 The Ashland City Council would like to express our support for the Traffic Growth Management (TGM) grant application which staff is proposing to submit to the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) for funding a Transportation System Plan Update. This update would also include performing a Pedestrian Crossing Evaluation and Feasibility Study for Siskiyou Boulevard as well as refining transit options within the city. Council specifically supports the update and studies proposed in the application. The Siskiyou Blvd. Study was identified in Ashland's 2012 Transportation System Plan (TSP) update process as a high priority project to improve safety within the Siskiyou Blvd. corridor. Southern Oregon University students cross four lanes of Siskiyou Boulevard to go between dorms, athletic facilities and class rooms. Between January of 1998 and-January of 2014, there were a total of 202 accidents reported in this section of roadway. Two of the accidents resulted in fatalities; one involving a pedestrian, a skateboarder in another. The Council also recognizes the importance of a robust transit system creating numerous benefits for the community and appreciates the Transportation Commission's willingness to become heavily involved in the refinement of the transit system within Ashland. Sincerely, hn Stromberg Mayor Administration Tel: 541/488-6002 ' 11 20 E. Main Street Fax: 5414488-5311 Ashland, Oregon 97520 TTY:. 8001735-2900 www.ashland.or.us