HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-3-14 CEPAC Minutes
Climate and Environment Policy Advisory Committee (CEPAC)
Draft Minutes
March 14, 2024. 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Call to Order at 5:30.
1. Attendance:
1.1. COMMITTEE MEMBERS-
PRESENT: Piper Banks, Kip Barrett, Cat Gould, Kiera Reitz, Gary Shaff, Sharon
Dohrmann, Bryan Sohl, Becs Walker, Richard Barth, Keeley Reiners, Sidney Brown, Mark
Morrison. OPEN POSITIONS: 1 (Eric Ahnmark from Recology attended as a potential
new committee member).
ABSENT: Colin Bishopp, Jamie Rosenthal
1.1. CITY COUNCIL: Bob Kaplan and Jeff Dahle
1.2. STAFF: Chad Woodward
2. Consent Agenda
2.1. 2-08-2024 CEPAC Minutes and 2-14-2024 Work Session Minutes:
Motion to approve February minutes made by Morrison. Seconded by
Dohrman. Approved unanimously. No Discussion.
3. Public Forum
3.1. David McAlaster – Ashland resident expressed appreciation for CEPAC’s
climate work and encouraged action moving forward with clean air
ordinance.
3.2. Laurie Kaplan- Informed that Ashland Climate Collaborative was awarded a
grant from Oregon Health Authority to continue climate work in Ashland.
Outlined objectives of ACC moving forward.
3.3. Vicki Simpson - excited that CEPAC is working to combat climate change.
Informed on 5G effects. Proposes that she returns in the future to share her
research against 5G.
4. Updates/Announcements
4.1. Council Update –
4.1.1. Jeff Dahle- Followed up about Hazard Mitigation work that is in process
over the next 4 months. Open to feedback from CEPAC to improve
mitigation plan.
4.1.2. Bob Kaplan- Approved National Hazard Mitigation Plan. Emergency
operations manager working on revisions. Community Wildfire Protection
Plan (CWPP) discussions in process, guided by Chris Chambers.
Transportation committee “Vision Zero” in process. Their goal is zero
transportation related fatalities.
4.2. Staff Update – Chad Woodward
CWPP meetings and subgroups are underway and info available to
those that want it.
USDA Rural Savings loan through Legal. Finance Director now
reviewing. Available for all utility customers to apply. Renaming as
Energy Retrofit Ashland.
Has been reviewing CEPAC budget. Informed on his findings
pertaining to heat pump change-outs.
Two other potential fossil-fuel change outs in commercial buildings.
Opportunities available for more commercial upgrades.
EV chargers ordered to replace end of life models.
Rare Application (AmeriCorps) due next week.
ODOE Energy Efficiency in Conservation in Block Grant will be
available soon.
Solar for all grant for the State of Oregon. Ashland will apply for the
sub-grant.
Charge ahead and standard EV rebates reopened from April-June,
so long as funds apply. Must be an American-Made vehicle.
EV charger expansion is in progress.
Home energy score meeting in the future.
4.3. Chair Update – Bryan Sohl-
The council in Portland voted 5-0 in support of residential and
commercial leaf-blower bans. Residential and commercial
incentives available.
EV rebates available April-June 2024. The state offers benefits for
plug-in electric hybrid vehicles. Staff considering matching State’s
incentives. Funding needs to be considered.
4.4. Other Committee Members Update-
4.4.1. Becs Walker- Solar project at SOU nearing breaking ground.
4.4.2. Mark Morrison- Ribbon cutting on 199KW solar array at Trails Outdoor
School. No battery backup has been set up. Applied for EPA Electric Bus
rebate. Electric Mobility Grant through Pacific Power has been applied for
to fund charging infrastructure. Work is being done to transfer existing
buses to renewable (R99) diesel.
4.4.3. Piper Banks- RCAT progress on Ordinance.
4.5. Updates from other Commissions-
4.5.1. Dylan Dahle- (Transportation Committee) deeper discussion about
Vision Zero and that there has been a delay between the committee and
Council. Effects of distracted driving.
5. Old Business
5.1. Ordinance Update
5.1.1. Sohl- No new updates since committee wrote recommendation letter
that was sent to Council. The second letter was sent by Sohl to City
Manager, City Attorney, Assistant City Attorney, and Included Mayor and
Council. Subject was to schedule a meeting with Sohl and Climate
analyst, as well as Attorney from The Green Institute at Louis and Clark
Law School. Requested to get a Study session scheduled. Has not yet
received a response. Expressed frustration. Requesting support from
Council members present to advise how to move forward.
5.1.2. Piper Banks- Expressed frustration about the ordinance being stagnant.
Isn’t sure how to proceed.
5.1.3. Mark Morrison- Wondered if there was a way for the city to sell
customers electricity at-cost in exchange for converting their gas heat to
electric heat pumps. Discussion followed.
5.1.4. Bob Kaplan- Raised the CEPAC Ordinance to Council.
5.2. Study Session Updates
5.2.1. Lawn Blowers, Small Engines
5.2.1.1. Shaff- Discussed best ways to go about creating a ban on small
engines. Incentives were researched.
5.2.1.2. Brown- Discussed different types of equipment and the
administrative policies towards updating city equipment.
Discussions were had with landscaping businesses about why they
prefer gas powered equipment. Ace doesn’t promote electric over
gas-powered.
5.2.1.3. Woodward- checking on equipment inventory dating back to
2019. Also looking to collect information on fuel consumption.
Spreadsheet template for data collection of
inventory/consumption was supplied to other staff.
5.2.2. IRA and other incentives, rebates, Tax Benefits
5.2.2.1. Sohl- Zoom call with Operations Manager of Evans Brooks
Associates to assist with obtaining city-wide grants. Grant writing
expertise when grants are identified to them.
5.2.2.2. Walker- Recognized the city doesn’t have much direction for the
grant writer to apply for. Lots of funding is available for
conservation infrastructure.
5.2.2.3. Woodward- informed on specific grants that Evans Brooks
Associates is in the process of applying for. Woodward has a
meeting with Leslie Eldrige from Parks to inform about EV fleet
funding to apply for. Administrative policies are already in place to
de-carbonize.
6. New Business
6.1. Review of Study Session Schedule. Woodward shared meetings should
stabilize to second and fourth Wednesdays of the month, in June.
6.1.1. CEPAC Membership – Sohl inquired if there was interest in having a Co-
Chair vs Vice Chair and having them run 3-4 meetings. In May, officers will
need to be voted on.
6.2. Plant -Based Treaty (Shaff)
6.2.1. These Cities Aren’t Banning Meat. They Just Want You to Eat More
Plants- Initiatives that encourage consumers to eat more consciously.
Resolution to be brought forward in the April meeting.
Adjourn-7:30pm