HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018.06.21 CEAP Implementation Minutes MINUTES FOR THE ad hoc CLIMATE& ENERGY ACTION PLAN IMPLEMENTATION
COMMITTEE
Thursday,June 211 2018
Siskiyou Room, 51 Winburn Way
Call to Order-
Councilor Stefani Seffinger called the meeting to order at 5:03 p.m.
Councilor Stefani Seffinger, Cindy Bernard, Ben Scott, Pat Acklin, Les Stone,James McGinnis, and Rick
Barth (arrived at 5:05 p.m.) Shannon Downey (arrived at 5:36 p.m.) Chris Brown and Jordan Ely were
absent. Staff member Stu Green was also present.
New committee member Les Stone introduce herself and explained her background. Other committee
members also introduce themselves and their backgrounds.
Assign roles for timekeeper and action item keeper-Cindy Bernard, committee member volunteered to
keep time and Pat Acklin, committee member volunteered to be the action item keeper.
Check In—Share your answer to"check in" question- The committee discussed what CEAP action that
they have been thinking about recently and how implementation would affect their daily life. The
committee started by looking at building efficiency, inducing efficient appliances, and windows. Related
to this was a discussion on how these actions would affect and better quality of life with the lowering of
power bills, lowering of greenhouse gases and a more comfortable home.The committee also discussed
the strategies of education, community outreach and overall community awareness and the importance
of the CEAP plan with an emphasis in looking at carbon footprints. Also looked at was waste including
food waste, consumption and the 8%target made by the city in relation to social equity. The committee
additionally considered the use of electric and hybrid vehicles in this discussion as well.
Councilor Seffinger invited all to the installation of a new public art piece, Elevation on July 6t" at 4:00
p.m. Elevation focuses on efforts in the watershed and the environment.
Public Input
Ray Mallette/314 Luna Vista Street- Spoke to the co-benefits of the CEAP plan and mitigations related to
this including reducing greenhouse gases and getting clean energy sources. He also noted equity and that
do this adaptation is needed inducing helping with funding for all. He added that this mitigation actions
would need financing a point that has not been discussed.
Huelz Gutchen/2253 Highway 99-Spoke to the bike friendliness of Ashland in relation to consumption and
the dangers that bicyclist face on the road. He also discussed the CO2 leakage from fracking wells. In closing
he noted educational articles that he sent to committee.
Approval Consent Agenda
Discussion:Bernard/McGinnis m/s the approval of meeting minutes for May 11,2018. Voice Vote:All
Ayes. Motion Passes.
Councilor Seffinger noted the look ahead for the next committee meeting on July 19t" 2018. Upcoming
agenda items included Empower Ashland planning and discussion of long term format and structure of the
committee.The committee discussed that the topic of Empower Ashland would be a recurring item with a
focus on specifics of developing a plan.
Updates relevant to CEAP Implementation Council Liaison Update-Councilor Seffinger communicated that
Kelly Madding would be the next City Administrator and the work that that the Council is doing on
affordable housing.
Commissions Reports
• Tonya Graham gave an explanation on the overlapping work of the Wildfire Mitigation
Commission including a new ordinance that will have its first reading in July.The commission she
added has been looking for places of overlap with other commissions,the CEAP plan being one of
the major places.The Wildfire Mitigation Commission wants their plans to be complementary and
integrating to plans of the CEAP committee. Graham also noted the discussion of equity around the
to be presented ordinance adding that this ordinance surrounds new building and major remodels
standards, including plant location, roofing materials and overall updated safety requirements. A
discussion is being had about the possibility of including funding for lower income defensible space
work through grants. Graham also indicated a list of recommended plants that will also be
available in July, a list that has be integrated with conservation. Seffinger noted that a process for
assessment of plants is something that could be integrated in, in the future. Graham added that
the commission is working on a program to help citizens address what they can do around their
home to help minimize the risk for fire beyond what the Firewise program currently offers.James
McGinnis, committee member asked what if any parts of the CEAP plan would be mentioned in the
new ordinance, as these specific items would support the implementation of the CEAP plan.
Graham and Stu Green, Staff Member noted that reference to this was only made in the staff
report but not in the ordinance itself. Graham noted that she would this feedback back to the
subcommittee. Green also suggested that drafts be circulated to the CEAP committee for review, it
was also mentioned that a link to this new language was also in this month's committee meeting
packet.
• James McGinnis, describe presentations for reusable resources that has been presented to the
Conservation Commission and how this directly relates to CEAP. He also explained that the
commission also has four subcommittees including energy conservation, renewable energy,water
and waste prevention. The commission he explained is looking at what already being done as to
not overlap with the work of other committees, he noted that one of these items was 10 by 20. He
also added looking at what can be done to support the CEAP committee as it becomes a
commission. He ended by speaking about the commissions Sneak Preview articles.
• Shannon Downey, committee member spoke on the Forest Lands Commission noting the
problematic areas in relation to fire including steep areas and erosion, adding that some areas are
very close to areas of private lands and the watershed. There is also talk by the commission of
ditch and TO pipping in relation to fire danger. In regards to concerns on the possibility of loss of
trees, Downey noted that the commission sees vegetation as manageable. She also discussed the
leaking water that some areas have been benefiting from.The goal she noted was to landscape
and management in relation to what the climate is.The commission has also heard concerns about
the cost of enclosing the TO would not benefit the savings in water.
Alkin responded to the above discussion by McGinnis adding the existing resources of people and other
commissions should be used to the benefit of CEAP. She stated that CEAP should not recreate items and
that these items should be supported and advanced. Downey also added that the Forest Land Commission
is aware of the effects of climate change and that this area that is already being worked on, by the
commission as the focus has been forest lands but that the principals can extended. Councilor Seffinger
also noted the overlapping working that is being done by the Chamber in regards to Healthy Cities and the
Wellness committee. She added the committee that this committee was an Ad Hoc that was responsible to
come up with ideas and recommendations as to what the next steps are.
McGinnis spoke to the committee about Sneak Preview articles and future articles for the publication that
are in relation to CEAP.The article he noted gave an updated on the current CEAP plan, stating what has
been done already and what will be done in the future. He added that he would like to work with others on
the committee to draft a 700-word article that would be then presented at the next CEAP committee
meeting. Ben Scott, Committee Member, and Downey stated that they would both like to help. Alkin
asked if it has been suggested to share these articles with more conventional media and urged the
committee to look at the Daily Tidings for a regularly feature article as an option. McGinnis added that this
was an excellent point on the subject of outreach.The committee also discussed what the top
communication methods were within the community. Green suggested that McGinnis coordinate those
wanting to work on this project. McGinnis added the group would try to have something back for Green's
review and comment in the next two weeks.
Staff Updates
Green highlighted items that he has been working on.These included:
- Dialogs with Rocky Mountain Institute on housing standards and net zero policies.
- The next round of inventory to be moved to the dashboard.
- The CEAP website content development.
- The Empower Ashland Plan.
- EV Chargers moving to a payment platform on july 9t". It was also noted that signage has been
placed to notify of this change.
The committee noted the amount of work that Green has and that subcommittees could also be
formed for this type of work on other commissions.
Rick Barth, Committee Member, Les Stone, Committee Member, McGinnis and Downey stated
they would be able to help with reviewing content for the website and Empower Ashland.
Alkin also suggested the idea of sending out specific one time tasks and the utilization of committee
members and city staff. Green noted that the plan did reflect departments and use of City Staff and that he
is now working on the workflow of this. Councilor Seffinger also noted that the City is understaffed and
that a better a focus is needed. Green ended by noting that committee members can contact him for
updates on action items.
DISCUSS Equity criteria for CEAP Implementation
Green directed the committee to packet noting that equity is throughout the plan and those items with co-
benefits are to prioritized more highly. He added that these would be the two lenses that items would be
worked through as implantation began and he wanted to make sure that these were sufficient. The
committee discussed the broad terms of the plan and what is required for analysis. Green asked the
committee if this was something that they would want to recommend as a council communication level
action for it to be used as a checklist for items in the plan. Green pointed out that currently there is no
place to highlight CEAP goals in council communications.The committee also looked at what the format of
such a list would be and if all items would have to be checked off before any policy would be allowed to
move on, as this could be problematic.The committee moved on to discuss other items and details that
could be added to the equity considerations list, one being age and youth.
Green gave an example of a current polies that could be discussed as the wildfire ordinance, housing
efficient standards, renewable energy certificates, carbon offsets, EV charging, electric vehicle incentives
and payer funded renewable energy projects. He suggested looking at the suggested list and focusing on
items such as disproportion impacts, shared benefits and accessibility issues as example. Every item he
added with a number attached to it should be evaluated prior to becoming a policy. The committee
decided that they wanted to discuss the items as one group and begin looking at the suggested list by
looking at housing efficient standards for all housing. Green noted that this discussion would be different
then the CEAP plan, as it focuses on low income housing.The committee further discussed this document
and suggesting looking at utility programs at a sliding scale,working with owners of housing versus renters.
Green suggested the committee a focus on mid to low income housing for during this conversation.The
committee took this suggestion and being using the suggested list keeping in mind that this would be list
that would help guide policy adjustments.The discussion took into consideration costs related to efficiency
standards and local aid programs that help. In addition, the committee looked at the aim of where polices
for housing efficiency standards would be focused on such as new building and the impact to low income
housing costs being given to renters as zoning is also changing.The committee focused on what incentives
programs and grants that would provide sufficient housing that is affordable and efficient including
retrofits through an energy program contract. Such programs noted by the committee were earth
advantage, energy star and smart build for builders building rentals. Another item discussed in relation to
disproportion impacts would be negative impacts for those in low to moderate housing as this would not
be aimed at those in other income levels. In addition,the committee looked at was the demand side
solution burdened to those effected by the policy.
The committee continued by looking at how this would effect policy and how risks could be mitigated,
what tools could be listed to mitigated the impacts and from there programs can be created including
those unintended, as well as costs. It was suggested to begin by calling organization to create a list of what
programs could be used as tools to help with impacts.
It was surveyed by the committee the labor intensity of the amount of items that would be need to be
gone through for each topic based on the suggested equity list. Green and the committee noted the NEPA
concept and also suggested to the committee that he was looking to see if this lenses was complete in
relation to the activity.The impact of this activity was noted as far reaching and including considering
vulnerable communities.The committee added that this could be used to help look at policy and solutions
when gaps are identified. Overall the committee noted that this was a good start. Green added that based
on that this would be referenced in CEAP progress reports and noted that the impact of the CEAP goals on
the Council Communication template.The committee expressed concerns that adding this to Council
Communication template would add more bureaucracy.The CEAP plan it was noted should not be used as
one that fixes all problems and that as a committee there will only so much energy for Council items with
the focus needing to be on items that reduce greenhouse gases.The committee also looked at the idea of
some items being combined and the list being made smaller. Green noted that based on this suggestion
that this could be possibly be a research project with the list being simplified. Concern was also given to
focusing on what other committees could provide options for possible mitigation and the what the
Council's role would be an equity evaluation template and the policies on equity. Green noted that one of
the committee's goals was to create process. Overall the committee looked at a simple formula by stating
the use of the question, how does a given CEAP action impact and effect vulnerable populations from an
economic, social and environmental perspective. McGinnis noted that he would be interested in helping on
a list consolidation. Green ended the conversation by asking the committee if they would like further
discuss the use of looking at equity, as this was important in the past.
Review Draft CEAP Outreach and Education Strategy and GIVE INPUT as appropriate
The committee began by discussing the carbon calculators.The committee looked at calculators from cool
climate and discussed the different versions that are offered noting the awareness and action that it
brings. The committee further discussed licensing a product and that there are drawbacks to what the
calculators offer.The committee went on to consider creating their own simpler version that fit with the
community with already collected city data being added. It was also suggested that a table be set up for
First Fridays with a handout on ways to reduce carbon foot print, a hand out on carbon calculators with an
attention to be given to what could be done to connect with families. Another thought was connecting to
local hotels using cloth bags with Empower Ashland on it and local stores. Green stated that many of these
ideas could be added to the outreach plan.
CHECK OUT—DISCUSS meeting process
Green noted that the after meeting survey seems to be working well for committee members.
Adjournment
7:01 p.m.
Action Items
• A small group will meet and create an educational article (Sneak Preview. etc.)that fits the plan
presented by Jim McGinnis. Ben will meet with Jim to work on this.
• Another small group (Rick and Les)will meet with Stu to review and work on the messaging for
Empower Ashland. Others expressed willingness to review this work.
• Jim McGinnis volunteered to work on consolidating and reducing the list of equity considerations
from the City of Portland found in the CEAP for use evaluating actions addressing CEAP
implementation and for the City in general.
• Rick Barth is working on a carbon calculator that is simple and more applicable to Ashland and will
meet with Stu to discuss the possibilities.
Respectfully Submitted,
Natalie Thomason,Administrative Assistant