Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutYSC June 21 2023 PacketSustainable Yakima Committee Agenda June 21, 2023 City Hall — Council Chambers 4:30 p.m. — This meeting is in -person, live -streamed at .fa i a a. ov, and telecast live on Y-PAC, Spectrum Cable Channel 194. Public comments may be made in person or by phone. You may call in and participate by dialing 1-253-215- 8782 or 1-971-247-1195, enter meeting ID 94108608004#, participant ID #, and meeting password 679592#. 1. Call to Order 3. Approval of Minutes 4. Public Comment There will be 35 minutes allotted for public comment with two and a half (2 1/2) minutes per speaker to allow audience participation as many opportunities as possible. Written communication and e-mail messages are strongly encouraged. 5. Presentations: a. Assignment Reportbacks — Karina Solorio, Civic Spark Fellow 6. Other Business a. One -Year Climate Change Plan b. AD Grant Update 7. Adjournment Next Meeting: July 19, 2023, at 4:30 p.m. Sustainable Yakima Committee Minutes for May 17, 2023 1. Call to order by Chair Jeff Scott at 4:32 p.m. 2. Roll Call: members present Jeff Scott, Jennifer Hickenbottom, Jeremy Leavitt, Marcelino Osorio (via Zoom), Dan Schapiro City staff: Rosylen Oglesby, Sy Ruiz, Karina So 3. Jeremy moved to approve the Minutes from Motion passed. 4. Public Comment: Martha Rickey a, needs before expanding the Yakima ai clear about how sustainability is defin, lower livability for residents, su6h as t alleys, and how new home constructio sidewalks. Bob Cox expressed his it Wxamples of ho:,cty policies e pick up to streets rather than Ire builders to include ed howCorumat's packaging in manufacturing. He is seeking to ants. Later in the meeting, Mike anaerobic digester grant toward with additional grants. r the work of the committee. Paul Tabayoyon,, Asian Pacific Coalition of Yakima County, gave updates on his projects, such as exp iiding'charging infrastructure for electric vehicles. 5. Karina gave a presentation on state legislation related to environmental and sustainability policy. State mandates are implemented through local government guidelines. She highlighted Bellingham's efforts to reduce emissions by using energy managers and expanding transportation alternatives. 6. The committee will continue to discuss the Climate Change Plan template introduced in April. Grants for a feasibility study can be sought out. Additional information can be gathered regarding guidelines for community or business sustainability projects as well as potential changes to city ordinances. For the anaerobic digester, timeline adjustments could allow the city to seek funding in phases. Some organic waste would be diverted in demonstration projects, which could expand to purchasing the digester at a later time. 7. Meeting adjourned at 5:25 p.m. until the next meeting scheduled on June 21, 2023. Pictorial Meadows Green Roof Seed Mix Green Estate Green Roof Substrate Filter Layer Drainage Layer Protection Mat Waterproof Membrane Insulation Vapour Control Layer Plywood Deck June 21, 2023 Purpose is Reducing the City's GHG emissions through a short term 1-5 year plan and a long term 15 year project • Sustainable mobility • Green roofs Pg. 2 9 Yakima Sustainability Committee Meeting 9 Carbon Offsetting . June 21, 2023 is What we know is Motor vehicles are Washington's largest source of air pollution (ecology.wa.gov) • 39.5% of total Washington emissions • 40.3 million metric tons of emissions • Taking public transportation reduces CO2 emissions by 45%, decreasing pollutants in the atmosphere and improving air quality (c2es.org) is Ranked 11 worst for 24-hour particle pollution is Ranked 11 worst for annual particle pollution Pg. 3 9 Yakima Sustainability Committee Meeting . Carbon Offsetting • June 21, 2023 is Prioritising Susti i Transport • Smart Trip • Incentive program aimed at shifting transportation mode from single single - occupancy vehicle trips to alternative modes of transportation • Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan . • , • Safe, clear, accessible streets • Pedestrian wayfinding signs Pg. 4 . Yakima Sustainability Committee Meeting • Carbon Offsetting 9 June 21, 2023 is Green Roofs is Reduces stormwater run-off • Up to 65% (gsa.gov) • Helps improve the overall air quality • The plants in a green roof filter particulate matter from the air and convert CO2 into oxygen (livingroofs.org) • Reduces building energy • Provides new urban habitat for plants and animals thereby increasing biodiversity • Reduces urban heat island • Up to 72% (gsa.gov) Pg. 5 9 Yakima Sustainability Committee Meeting . Caron Offsetting 9 June 21, 2023 is Sustainable Yakima Committee Climate Change Plan Template and Ideas A one-year climate change plan should have a focused approach, with short-term goals that can be achieved within the next twelve (12) months. Areas to explore could include renewable energy, energy efficiencies, Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHG), food waste, recycling, carbon offsetting, air quality, and awareness/education. Great 1-year vision Energy Justice Statement and Pacific Power to come up with needed projects and complete incentive assessments. Pacific Power can also go back 6 months on any projects the City has completed and did not take advantage of incentives. Office/ Department of Sustainability (5- 15 years) Potential roles: Sustainability Manager Policy Specialist Environmental/Climate Justice Specialist Sustainability Coordinator Sustainability Analyst 1. Increase and encourage renewable energy usage. City, County, and businesses set goals to increase their usage of renewable energy sources. Encourage and promote these ideas to residents. a) Retrofit existing buildings to be more energy efficient. i) Work with homes and businesses to connect them with the best opportunities for energy -efficient upgrades b) Invest in new renewable energy projects. c) Encourage use of electric vehicles. d) Encourage use of solar. i) Solarize Campaign 2. Promote Energy Efficiency. City, County, and businesses should encourage energy efficiency by promoting and possibly providing incentives. Encourage and promote these ideas, with data, to residents. a) Retrofitting buildings with energy -saving technologies. (5-year) b) Encourage use of energy -efficient appliances and HVAC systems. (1-year) c) Encourage/incentivize energy -efficient lighting. (1-year) 3. Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions. Develop and implement strategies to reduce greenhouse gasses, (GHG), emissions from transportation, energy production, and other sources. a) Review current fleet management practices for opportunities to reduce GHG emissions. b) Promote the use of public transportation, carpooling, and other ride -share services c) Incentivize transportation alternatives such as bicycling and walking i) Develop and promote a more in-depth Pedestrian Master Plan d) Invest in hybrid and/or electric public transportation i) Phase in and replace the existing gas -fueled fleet 4. Reduce Food Waste & Food Insecurity. Develop and implement strategies to reduce food waste and increase access to healthy, affordable food for all city residents. a) Food Insecurity: i. Partner with entities currently assisting those with food insecurity. (ie. Food banks, Northwest Harvest.)( 1 - year) ii. Promote local campaigns/food drives. (1 - year) iii. Develop community gardens throughout the city (1 -year) b) Food Waste i. Educational campaign to reduce food waste: a. Harvest b. Packaging/manufacturing c. Restaurants d. Schools/Institutions e. Residents 5. Carbon Offsetting Plant Trees: Plant trees throughout the city to help reduce air pollution and absorb carbon dioxide. a) Review the current Parks & Recreation plan. (1- year) b) Review any current unused and vacant properties owned by the city. (1 -year) c) Invest in Greenroofs throughout downtown Yakima. (15 - year) i) Reduces heat temperatures and helps reduce GHG emissions d) Reduce single -occupancy vehicles i) Shift from car dependency to alternative methods of transportation e) Increase citywide tree canopy 6. Recycling (waste diversion) a) Conduct a waste audit. i. Identify current waste management practices. ii. Identify the types and quantities of waste generated by the community and the current recycling rates for each. iii. Map current infrastructure and identify additional needs. iv. Identify and engage entities in the recycling and waste industries to align with. b) Set recycling goals to increase recycling and reduce waste going to landfills. c) Implement CROP plan d) Offer recycling bins throughout the city e) Increase recycling education in schools 7. Air Quality. Poor air quality can have detrimental effects on both human health and our environment. a) Increase the use of renewable energy sources. Reduce the use of fossil fuels. b) Promote public transportation. i) Assess current structure and whether it supports the needs of the community as a whole, but also underserved and/or marginalized neighborhoods. c) Encourage the use of electric vehicles. d) Encourage attentive methods of transportation such as walking, and biking. i) Feasibility study on getting Lime Electric Scooters to the city d) Increase public awareness. 8. Increase sustainability awareness and education Educate the public on the importance of climate change and engage the community in climate change initiatives. Educate the public on the importance of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, adapting to the impacts of the changing climate, and educating the community on ways to practice sustainability in everyday life. a) Partner with organizations in and outside of the community to develop educational workshops. (1 - year) b) Develop workshops and other educational tools to educate the community on ways to keep themselves safe and their homes safe during natural disasters. c) Work with schools to develop and promote a Safe Route to School program (1 -year) 9. Environmental Justice Yakima has a diverse and growing community including a growing community of individuals facing chronic homelessness, agriculture workers spending hours in the hazardous outdoors, low-income earners, and many more all of which have been identified as the most ill-equipped but most vulnerable to the changing climate. a) Identify Yakima's frontline communities most susceptible to the effects of the changing climate. (1- year) b) Conduct community outreach to better understand the marginalized groups and their concerns and what resolutions or assistance are needed. (1 - year) c) Invest in street surface preservation and maintenance to promote alternative methods of transportation. (5- year) i) Poor street infrastructure is prevalent throughout the city but particularly in the East side of town where families have a lower income. d) Provide all information and resources in both English and Spanish e) Comply with Title II of the ADA Act f) Ensure all City services and resilient to climate change impact g) Institutionalize consideration of sustainability and climate change across City activities and decision -making 10. Funding Opportunities Start with a feasibility study and assess areas of need. a) Stay aware of changing and added legislation that provided grants and incentives to local governments b) Develop strong community mutual aid/ strengthen relationships with existing community mutual aid groups i) Crowdsourcing is crucial for projects like Solar campaigns. Additionally, developing a strong mutual aid is crucial to creating a network of care and generosity to meet the immediate needs of our community. In summary, a one-year climate change plan should focus on increasing renewable energy usage, promoting energy efficiency, reducing food waste, recycling, increasing public transportation usage, planting trees, promoting carbon offsetting, and increasing awareness. We need to explore, review, and recommend a one-year plan that is actionable with short-term goals that can be achieved within twelve (12) months. Additional areas and opportunities that would fall outside the twelve-month period should be addressed in a five-year plan. The purpose of this template is to provide a starting point to discuss and define areas of opportunity for a one-year climate change plan. Community Education also in Spanish OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER 129 North ,Second ,Street Yakima, Washington 98901 Phone (509) 575-6040 Date: June 7, 2023 To: Sustainable Yakima Committee Thru: Rosylen Oglesby, Assistant City Manager From: Sy Ruiz, Economic Development Services Assistant Subject: Meeting recap - Washington State Department of Commerce Anaerobic Digester Grant discussion On May 241e, Mike Waggoner and Sy Ruiz met with the Department of Commerce to discuss the status of our grant and the next steps moving forward. Below are updates and items discussed at that meeting: 1. The Department of Commerce has stated that we have approximately two months to accept or return the grant. 2. The smaller -scale AD system proposed in January will be reviewed again by Commerce to assess whether it still meets the original intent of the grant proposal. At this point, there are some concerns that it might have deviated away from the original purpose of the grant proposal due to the reduction of size, scope, and estimated impact. The smaller -scale approach will also leave less money available to conduct an in-depth feasibility study as initially proposed. 3. Mike Waggoner discussed potential partners we could work with, such as educational institutions, non -profits, and businesses. That said, even if we End a partner, the City is still required to be the fiscal agent of this grant, and we cannot simply pass through this grant funding for another agency to produce the deliverables. 4. The City discussed the ongoing challenges of identifying local funds and securing a willing partner to assist with operating costs associated with the 13-year life cycle requirement.