HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-7-12 CEPAC Minutes
Climate and Environment Policy Advisory Committee (CEPAC)
Draft Minutes
July 12, 2023, 3:00-5:00 PM
1. CALL TO ORDER- Committee Chair Sohl called the meeting to order at 3:00 pm
1.1 COMMITTEE MEMBERS- PRESENT: Piper Banks, Cat Gould, Sidney Brown,
Kiera Retiz, Bryan Sohl, Rick Barth, Kip Barrett, Colin Bishopp; ABSENT:
Gary Shaff, Keely Reiners, Becs Walker, Sharon Dohrmann, Jamie
Rosenthal OPEN POSITIONS: 1
1.2 CITY COUNCIL- Bob Kaplan
1.3 STAFF- Chad Woodward and Dan Cunningham
2. Consent Agenda
2.2 Jun 13, 2023, Minutes
Motion to Approve: Cat Gould. Seconded by Rick Barth. Approved
unanimously.
3. Public Forum –
3.2 Cynthia Taylor - Discussed the need to address climate change and
transition away from fossil fuels.
3.3 Mira Saturen - Wants CEPAC to draft ordinance to pass to council to
stop the use of natural gas in new construction.
3.4 Nadia Pettengrew - Gave stats on dangers of natural gas. Requests
CEPAC put pressure on council to pass electrification ordinance.
4. Dan Cunningham – Dan discussed the incentives that BPA provides for their
customers towards electric heat pumps. He explained what a mini split is
(ductless, energy efficient heating/AC unit) and expenses/funding available for
conversions.
5. Announcements-
5.2.1 Council Update – Bob Kaplan- Approved 75KW solar facility with 85kw
battery backup.
5.2.2 Staff Update – Chad Woodward
5.2.2.1 Resolution that was reviewed at last meeting (city operations)
was suggested to have language changes. This made it
presentable to Council in August instead of July.
5.2.2.2 Hiring process has begun for new Commercial & Solar Analyst
position, currently filled by Larry Giardina.
5.2.3 Chair Update – Bryan Sohl-
5.2.3.1 6/27 Sohl updated planning commission on electrification
ordinance.
5.2.4 Other Committee Updates
5.2.4.1 Cat Gould- Urban forestry meeting: working on a tree life survey
of Douglas firs in the watershed via drone.
5.2.4.2 Sidney Brown - Housing Committee: discussing reviewing
Ashland housing production that they are waiting on approval of
a strategy. Discussed how to incentivize contractors to make
more energy efficient new builds.
5.2.5 Updates from other Committees/Commissions
5.2.5.1 Linda Adams-Transportation commission: goal of the
commission is to make the city less autocentric.
6. Old Business
6.2 Electrification Ordinance
6.2.1.1 Piper Banks- discussed the RCAT event and the discussions that
took place.
6.2.1.2 Jess Barret from RCAT discussed the Eugene ordinance and how
it affects Ashland moving forward.
6.2.1.3 Woodward updated the CEPAC on work that city employees are
doing to advance the electrification ordinance.
6.3 Ashland Grant Opportunities – Woodward, Bishopp, Walker, Berth
6.3.1.1 Bishopp- Provided info on coalitions of municipalities seeking
funding from a CDFI. Ashland’s eligibility for the Solar for All award
within the greenhouse gas reduction fund.
6.4 CEPAC Work Plan
6.4.1.1 Sohl discussed working with the Transportation Committee to
make Ashland more bike friendly, work with the RCAT to finish
ordinance on electrification of new infrastructure and continue
work on identifying and being awarded electrification grants.
Determine areas Ashland needs money and apply for grants in
those areas.
7. New Business
7.2 Electric Plan
7.2.1.1 Opportunities to add new renewables (solar, wind, and hydro)
has been sent out for proposal. Evaluate system readiness for
electrification. No mention of microgrid development. Woodward
discussed the vagueness of the RFP that allows room for
integration of CEAP goals.
8. Meeting adjourned at 5:02pm