ashland conservation and climate outreach … · what to know” written by rosenthal. january’s...
TRANSCRIPT
ASHLAND CONSERVATION AND CLIMATE OUTREACH COMMISSION
Meeting Agenda
November 13, 2019 – 6:00 to 8:00 PM Community Development Building, Siskiyou Room, 51 Winburn Way
1. (6:00) - Call to Order
2. Consent Agenda
2.1. October 23, 2019 Meeting Minutes
3. Announcements (20 min)
3.1. Next Regular Meeting: December 18, 2019 (one week earlier)
Spring 2020 Meetings Scheduling
ASD Representative Update
3.2. Upcoming Sub-committee meetings
3.3. Other Announcements from Commissioners
4. (6:20) - Public Forum to be evenly divided by public wishing to speak (10 min)
5. (6:30) - Reports/Presentations (20 min)
5.1 Council and Administration Update (10 min)
5.2 CPAC Staff Liaison Update (10 min)
6. (6:50) Old Business (60 min)
6.1. Commission Monthly Column in Sneak Preview (5 min)
Approve Article
Month Published Article Assigned To Due for
Packet
Due to Sneak
Preview (staff)
Approved?
December Rogue to Go Buck Oct. 14 Nov.18
January SB 90/Straws on Demand Rosenthal Nov. 4 Dec 20
February CPAC Joint Commission Article McGinnis/CPAC Jan. 21 TBD
March Climate Card Article Moore Feb. 24 TBD
TBD – What happens to recycling?, Juicebox Electric Car Charger, and Addressing Consumption Emissions
6.2. Sub-committee updates (15 min)
6.2.1 Water
6.2.2 Waste Prevention
6.2.3 Air Quality
6.2.4 Marketing and Outreach
6.3 Neighborhood Presentations (20 min)
6.4 Outreach to Community Regarding Change in Name and Charter (20 min)
7. New Business
8. (7:50) - Wrap Up (10 min)
8.1. Review of Action Items
8.2. Items to be added to next agenda
Debrief on State Laws (after legal review)
Public Meeting, Records, and Ethics Presentation
Multifamily Recycling Ordinance Review (TBD)
Senate Bill 90/Straws on Demand article (TBD)
Conservation and Climate Outreach Commission
The purpose of Ashland’s Conservation and Climate Outreach Commission is to support the
achievement of Ashland's Community Climate Recovery Goals and conservation activities. The
Commission shall actively encourage Community entities and individuals to make wise use of
resources and make progress toward Ashland's Community Climate Goals as set forth in the
most current City Council approved version of the Climate and Energy Action Plan.
The Conservation and Climate Outreach Commission consists of nine voting members including
one representative each from the solid waste franchisee for the City, Southern Oregon
University, and the Ashland School District, and six other voting members.
Powers and Duties Generally:
A. Consistent with City policies and procedures, educate and advocate for Ashland's
Community Climate Recovery Goals
B. Consistent with the Climate and Energy Action Plan, make recommendations on
strategies, actions, and programs related to the wise and efficient use of resources by all
Ashland citizens, including:
a. Consumption of goods and services;
b. Materials management, waste prevention, reduction, and recycling;
c. Conservation and efficient use of electricity, water, and natural resources;
d. Promotion of community, residential, and commercial renewable resources;
e. Air quality awareness; and
f. Climate resilience and preparedness.
Draft Minutes for the Conservation and Climate Outreach Commission
October 23, 2019
Page 1 of 3
DRAFT MINUTES FOR THE CONSERVATION AND CLIMATE OUTREACH COMMISSION
Wednesday, October 23, 2019
Siskiyou Room, 51 Winburn Way
1. Call to Order
Chair James McGinnis called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. Commissioners Risa Buck, Larry Cooper,
Drew Gilliland, Marion Moore, Jamie Rosenthal, and staff member Stu Green were present.
Commissioners Bryan Sohl, Marni Koopman, David Sommer, staff member Adam Hanks, and Council
liaison Julie Akins were absent.
2. Consent Agenda
2.1. September 25, 2019 Meeting Minutes
Cooper/Moore moved/seconded to approve the September 25, 2019 minutes as written. Further
discussion: none. All Ayes. Motion passed unanimously.
3. Announcements
3.1. Next Regular Meeting: November 13, 2019
3.2. Upcoming Sub-committee meetings
Moore announced that the next Outreach Subcommittee meeting is scheduled for November 14.
3.3. Other Announcements from Commissioners
Cooper updated the Commission on the approval of the final engineering for the Water Treatment Plant
by the City Council. He stated that the Council discussed the climate impacts of the plant’s operations,
but not its construction. He also highlighted that when accounting for water conservation efforts of
residents the Water Treatment Plant is proposed to be much larger than needed. McGinnis suggested to
set aside ten minutes at a future meeting to discuss how the Commission can look into upcoming Capital
Improvement Projects (CIP) in order to be able to make recommendations to Council beforehand more
effectively.
Buck announced that Councilor Stef Seffinger informed her of a neighborhood group with a Halloween
parade entry based on plastics.
4. Public Forum
Huelz Gutcheon – also talked about the size of the proposed Water Treatment Plant being larger than
conservation efforts show needed, potential ban on new connections for Natural Gas, electric vehicle
(EV) ready wiring, and the new net zero cottages with a shared electric car. Gutcheon expressed concern
over staff and some of the Council not focusing on climate efforts.
Erin O’Kelley Muck – a local website designer who was inspired by the Climate Strike to take action. She
has been looking into possible city-wide challenges including werenew.net and the Eco Challenge. She is
also interested in a centralized website that can serve as a hub for Climate related groups and topics.
Louise Shawkat – was concerned that there is no Council liaison on the Conservation and Climate
Outreach Commission (CCOC) and will reach out to the Council about this.
Carol Voisin – was concerned about Water Treatment Plant’s final engineering approval by Council. She
hopes the Commission will contact the Council about why their input was ignored. Voisin also has been
working with Oregon for Safer Technology which educates the public about 5G technology and its effects
on the environment. She requested to have ten minutes at a future meeting for the group to present.
5. Reports/Presentations
5.1 Carbon Sequestration
Due to a scheduling miscommunication, this item was skipped.
5.2 Council and Administration Update
Green gave an update on the Rogue to Go pilot program. The containers are currently being produced and
the next step will be to market the program. Green has also been researching home energy mortgage
Draft Minutes for the Conservation and Climate Outreach Commission
October 23, 2019
Page 2 of 3
products with local lenders to make energy efficiency upgrades for feasible for residents. Green is also
working on getting a consumption emissions inventory specifically for Ashland from the Oregon
Department of Environmental Quality. McGinnis updated the Commission on the annual report given to
Council.
5.3 CPAC Staff Liaison Update
6. Old Business
6.1. Commission Monthly Column in Sneak Preview
Approve Article
Buck and former Commissioner Roxane Beigel-Coryell wrote the article announcing the Rogue to Go
pilot program. Rosenthal recommended to change the p.s. at the bottom to just a footnote.
Rosenthal/Cooper moved/seconded to approved the article with the changes discussed. Further
discussion: none. All Ayes. Motion passed unanimously.
The next article to be run in December’s Sneak Preview will be “Senate Bill 90, The Straw Situation, and
What to Know” written by Rosenthal. January’s article will be a joint Commission article between the
CCOC and the Climate Policy Commission (CPAC) written by McGinnis and CPAC Chair Tonya
Graham. February’s article will be an article accompanying the Actions for Individuals to Mitigate/Adapt
to Climate Change handout written by Moore. Moore also requested to add an article on what happens to
recycling to the to be determined list.
6.2. Sub-committee updates
6.2.1 Water
None.
6.2.2 Waste Prevention
Rosenthal stated that the SB 90 Straws article will be in the Conservation Corner and City Source for
December. The next step is to contact businesses about the new law in December with a follow up later
on. Suggestions for outreach were to attend Chamber of Commerce greeter meetings and also seeing if
the Chamber of Commerce also had a directory of restaurants for the outreach.
6.2.3 Air Quality
None. Buck reiterated the ACE Hardware event and opportunities for the Commission to work with ACE
for future events to get people to fuel switch. Discussion surrounded having future demonstrations with
Southern Oregon University (SOU) and/or Ashland School District (ASD), possible incentives, and
including making the switch in neighborhood outreach
6.2.4 Marketing and Outreach
Moore announced that the last meeting had a large attendance from the public. The Subcommittee
reviewed the Climate and Energy Action Plan (CEAP) neighborhood presentation. Cooper is still editing
the first climate video and it was requested to have the final video shown to the Commission when
complete. The next meeting will be held on November 14 at GEOs Institute.
6.3 Approval of Actions to Mitigate/Adapt to Climate Change Handout
Moore announced previous updates and asked for additional ones which included:
Changing the title font color to green;
Adding an URL for the Commission or a source;
Combining the paperless lines to one;
Adding the Conservation Commission’s logo;
Reducing the title lettering for more room; and
Changing the bullet points to check boxes.
Buck/Rosenthal moved/seconded to adopt this climate change action handout with the changes
recommended by the Commission. Further discussion: none. All Ayes. Motion passed unanimously.
Draft Minutes for the Conservation and Climate Outreach Commission
October 23, 2019
Page 3 of 3
6.4 Neighborhood Presentations
Moore stated that the presentation was previously reviewed by the Marketing and Outreach
Subcommittee. Edits from the entire Commission included:
Updating accomplishments to date;
Changing the title on slide three to “How was Ashland’s climate plan created?”;
Making the slides and references to the plan consistent; and
Adding 50% less to slide five instead of -50%.
Suggestions for outreach also included looking at setting up a class through the Ashland Food Co-Op or
North Mountain Park for the presentation. Other organizations to present to included local churches and
service clubs. This item will be brought back for approval at the November meeting.
7. New Business
7.1. Electric Equipment/EV Drive Event Format
This item was discussed under Air Quality Subcommittee update.
7.2. Conservation and Climate Outreach Commission – Charter
Green reviewed the history of the change from the Conservation Commission to the Conservation and
Climate Outreach Commission, the formation of the Climate Policy Commission, and both of their
charges. Discussion surrounded having a non-official liaison to attend CPAC to help build
communication between the two.
8. Wrap Up
8.1. Review of Action Items
Moore announced the action items. In-progress items include:
Electric landscaping equipment outreach (McGinnis)
Displaying outreach materials on City TVs (McGinnis)
Updating the Commission webpage (staff with Commission input)
Researching grants for Tool Library (Cooper and Koopman)
Creating a spreadsheet for outreach activities (Green and Moore)
Checking with Ashland School District about getting a new representative (McGinnis)
Checking with local landscapers about using electric tools (McGinnis)
Referencing the Drawdown book for importance of various actions for neighborhood meetings
(Moore)
Researching locations for presentations (Moore)
Sending out dates of upcoming neighborhood meetings (Moore)
Completed items include:
Marketing and Outreach Subcommittee reviewing the neighborhood presentation
8.2. Items to be added to next agenda
Debrief on State Laws (after legal review)
Multifamily Recycling Ordinance Review (TBD)
Senate Bill 90/Straws on Demand article (TBD)
Upcoming Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) Review (TBD)
Items to be added to the November meeting include the neighborhood presentations, scheduling for
Spring 2020 and a report on the ASD representative. Chair McGinnis adjourned the meeting at 8:01 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Elizabeth Taylor
Senate Bill 90, The Straw Situation, and What to Know
You may have heard that beginning on January 1st, 2020, food and beverage providers in Oregon will be prohibited from providing single-use straws to any customer unless the customer has specifically requested one. The goal of the bill is to get us one step closer in our statewide effort to cut down single-use waste in Oregon. The bill notes that single-use straws include tubes made from petroleum-derived plastic, or biologically-based polymers (such as from plant sources, or corn). Through their participation in the City’s voluntary Straws on Demand Pilot Program, local eateries have already embraced the decision to only provide straws when requested. Some of these businesses include: Louie’s, Greenleaf, Standing Stone, SOU Dining, Falafel Republic, Sesame, and the Ashland Food Coop.
While the elimination of straws may seem like a minuscule step toward reducing the abundance of plastic waste, the National Park Service estimates that Americans use 500 million plastic straws each day, which is enough to fill 125 school buses full of them. Ultimately what’s most important is that we start somewhere, with the eventual goal being to eliminate our needless dependence on all single-use waste.
For people with disabilities, straws are essential and should always be available. But for most of the public, straws are a convenience. Although many of us have become accustomed to using straws, cutting them from our lives won’t likely require any extreme changes. Let’s commit to reducing our plastic waste by passing on straws, and supporting the businesses striving to be in accordance with newly passed Senate Bill 90. For more information on Senate Bill 90, visit this weblink - https://static.votesmart.org/static/billtext/66891.pdf.
Meeting of Outreach Subcommittee, Conservation and Climate Outreach Commission
Oct. 17, 3 pm at Geos Institute, 84 4th St, Ashland, OR
Commission Members attending: Larry Cooper, James McGinnis, Marion Moore
Members of public attending: Julie Caldwell, Flavia Franco, Cory Tronson, Ann Barton, Catie
Faryl
Discussion on Larry’s video:
Larry is now editing the video. Is it appropriate to have “City of Ashland” name on it when
put up on youtube?
Discussion on neighborhood meetings:
First presentation/meeting will be at Pachamama Drawdown potluck on Nov. 2.
Marion did a “dry run” of the CEAP presentation which will be used at meetings. Many
helpful suggestions were made on how to present, and on further actions and information that
could be presented.
More people need to be involved in setting up and running meetings.
Ashland’s Climate and Energy Action Plan
Powered by Community
Why does the CEAP exist?
To support Ashland’s Climate Vision
...for 2050 is to be a resilient community that has zero net greenhouse gas emissions, embraces equity, protects healthy ecosystems, and creates opportunities for future generations.
How was Ashland’s climate plan created?● The CEAP is an ongoing, multi-year process● 2015 - Citizen planning committee (1.0)● 2016 - Plan development● 2017 - Plan adoption, Climate Recovery Ordinance● 2018 - Citizen implementation committee (2.0), Staffing● 2019 - Conservation and Climate Outreach Commission /
Climate Policy Commission
Goal 1: Dramatically Reduce Our Climate Pollution
-8%Avg per year until 2050Average reduction,
every year until 2050
aka. Mitigate GHG
For all of Ashland
Ashland’s Climate Altering Emissions
Goal 1: Dramatically Reduce Our Climate Pollution
CarbonFor Municipal Operations
50%by 2030
by 2050100%
Fossil Fuel reductions
by 2030
Neutral
Goal 2: Prepare Our Community for Climate Impacts
Overarching Strategies● Transition to clean energy.● Maximize conservation of water and energy.● Support climate-friendly land use and management.● Reduce consumption of carbon-intensive goods and services.● Inform and work with residents, organizations, and
governments.● Lead by example.
Strategies for Efficient Buildings and Renewable Energy● Support cleaner energy sources.● Encourage increased building energy
efficiency.● Maximize efficiency of City
facilities/equipment and operations.● Improve demand management.● Prepare and adapt buildings for a
changing climate.
Strategies for Low Carbon Transportation and Land Use (ULT)1. Support better public transit
and ridesharing.2. Make Ashland more bike and
pedestrian friendly.3. Support more efficient vehicles.4. Support more climate-ready
development and land use.5. Increase the efficiency of City fleet
vehicles and employee commuting.
Strategies for a Zero Waste Economy (CM)1. Reduce consumption of carbon-
intensive goods and services.2. Support sustainable and accessible
local production and consumption.3. Expand community recycling
and composting4. Reduce food waste.5. Improve sustainability of City
operations and purchases.
Strategies for Healthy Ecosystems (NS - Natural Systems)1. Promote ecosystem
resilience.2. Manage and conserve
community water resources.3. Conserve water use within
City operations.
Strategies for Public Health and Safety (PHSW)1. Manage landscapes to minimize climate-
related health impacts.2. Promote a sustainable local economy that
minimizes emissions and vulnerability.3. Optimize City services to
minimize public health impacts.4. Optimize City services to
minimize public safety impacts.
Strategies for an Informed Community (CC)1. Educate and empower the public.2. Educate and empower City staff.3. Mainstream and integrate climate
considerations.4. Engage with other governments
and organizations around regional, statewide, national and international climate policy and action.
Adapt your home!
Four pillars of home adaptation
● Be ready● Get efficient● Electrify most everything● Harness renewables
Thank you!<contact info>
Ashland’s Climate Vision for 2050 is to be a resilient community that has zero net greenhouse gas emissions, embraces equity, protects healthy ecosystems, and creates opportunities for future generations. For more information please see: ashland.or.us/climate
