HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-4-11 CEPAC Minutes
Climate and Environment Policy Advisory Committee (CEPAC)
Draft Minutes
April 11, 2024 5:30-7:30 PM
1. Call to Order
1.1. COMMITTEE MEMBERS-
PRESENT: Kiera Retiz, Gary Shaff, Mark Morrison, Sharon Dohrmann, Bryan Sohl
(not present entire meeting), Cat Gould, Kip Barrett, Sidney Brown.
OPEN POSITIONS: 0
ABSENT: Jamie Rosenthal, Becs Walker, Piper Banks, Keeley Reiners, Richard
Barth, Colin Bishopp
1.1. CITY COUNCIL: Bob Kaplan and Jeff Dahle
1.2. STAFF: Chad Woodward
2. Consent Agenda
2.1. March 14 08, 2024 CEPAC Minutes; Working Group Meetings- Made by Shaff,
seconded by Morrison, Approved unanimously. No discussion
3. Public Forum-
3.1. Robert David McAlaster-Spoke in support of clean air ordinance.
4. Updates/Announcements
4.1. Council Update –
4.1.1. Jeff Dahle-Doug fir life cycle work in progress. City wide- DEI
assessment finalized and reviewed. Urban growth boundary assessment
in progress to increase low-income housing opportunities.
4.1.2. Bob Kaplan- None.
4.2. Staff Update –
4.2.1. Chad Woodward- City staff liaison & member trainings update; Annual
training opportunities to be investigated. USDA Resp loan nearing
completion; Attorneys signed off and awaiting Finance Director’s
approval. UoO AmeriCorp RARE internship application completed.
Upcoming grant opportunity to be discussed in the future. Earth day at
SOU- City has a booth. Opportunities for committee members to join
Earth Day booth. DEQ EV incentives to be encouraged to CoA customers.
Possible RESP loan teasers. Earth day ideas discussed.
4.3. Chair Update –
4.3.1. Gary Schaff (stand in for Bryan Sohl)-
4.4. Other Committee Members Update-
4.4.1. Mark Morrison- Ashland School District partnering with BBC Story Works
to report on ASD’s transition to electric tools instead of gas-powered
alternatives. In talks with R99 diesel provider to transition all buses to
alternative fuels. 199KW solar array now producing.
4.4.2. Erin Ahnmark- Recology will have a booth at SOU’s Earth Day
presentation. R99 work to convert their fleet. RMA July 2025 State-wide
standard for roadside recycling pickup.
th
Motion to reschedule the next meeting to 3-5pm on May 9 proposed by Dohrman.
Seconded by Gould. Approved unanimously with light discussion of who would be
attending.
5. Old Business
5.1. Ordinance Update – Chad Woodward- The city’s legal team has sought
outside guidance to review ordinance. A write-up will be provided at the
conclusion of their review. Scheduled for Council’s June study session. More
information is likely available during May CEPAC meeting.
5.2. Study Session Updates
5.2.1. Home Energy Score – Cat Gould- Sub committee working with Rogue
Valley Association of Realtors to provide certifications for home energy
assessors. More information is needed for citizens to apply. Letter received
that expressed a need for an assessment of interest in home energy
scores. The history of assessors in Ashland was discussed. No mandate in
Ashland for all homes to have an energy score. Advised working with
realtors to distribute brochures and provide them with info on the value of
a score for buyers and sellers. Five question survey proposed on Earth
Day.
5.2.2. Funding- Chad Woodward- ODOE fleet electrification grant available.
Energy efficiency block grant to the state. $50-100k available. Energy
efficiency, renewables & transportation. Justice 40 initiative (40% of funds
must be distributed to a disadvantaged area). Could be used to assist
with the Forth Mobility SOU Car Share program.
5.2.3. Small Engines- Gary Schaff- No new update. The goal of next meeting is
to Survey SOU, Parks, Ashland School District, and Public Works to
determine how their gas powered engines are being utilized and
establish a reasonable end of life for that equipment.
5.3. Plant Based Treaty – Gary Shaff- Discussed existing utilization of land, with
power point presentation. Emissions based on land utilization, especially high
for transportation. Distinctively higher greenhouse gases produced to raise
cattle and agriculture based on meat production. Resolution to make an
appeal to citizens to change their behavior with financial incentives. Asking to
authorize an appeal for or inclusion of plant-based diets in Council’s next IPC
group. Discussion followed regarding relevance towards CEAP goals and if it’s
worth adding to the group’s priority list. No motion was made.
6. New Business-
6.1. Urban, Land Use and Transportation work session- Work session on 4/24.
Members encouraged to read attachment for commissions scope of
recommendations.
7. Open Discussion
8. Adjourn-7:30pm