Sustainability Commission

SUSTAINABILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE (SAC) Meeting Minutes: June 3, 2021 Attending: Tina Lieberman (Chair), Daniel Kirk-Davidoff (Secretary, Outreach), Jason West (Energy Manager, non-voting), Joe Coffey (Water Department), Lauren Alpert (Planning Department), Ewa Sobczynska (Outreach), Andre Lake (Environmental Equity), Gabriella Cebada Mora (Vice Chair, Water), Jackie Gonzales (Environmental Equity), Harriet Lewis (Transportation), Hyde Clark (Outreach), Randy Milano (Engineering), Bill Trudeau (Traffic Engineering), Laura Gulfo (Law Dept) Absent: Pete Sheehan (Energy), Scott Kellogg (Urban Ag), Frank Zeoli (DGS) 1. Regular Business ● Tina Lieberman called the meeting to order at 6:01 pm. ● May 6, 2021 Minutes Approval: Minutes approved unanimously as amended by Tina. Lauren will send them to the Common Council and the Mayor’s office. ● Public comment period (meeting was open to the public via the Mayor’s Office of Energy & Sustainability Facebook page and the Sustainable Albany Facebook page and via emails to sac@albanyny.gov or Sustainability@albanyny.gov): Mark Schaeffer updated us on the pressing need for action on the climate crisis, per recent advice of the WMO. Mark Schaeffer introduced himself as a member of the SAC Commented [TL1]: What does WMO stand for? Can it be Energy Subcommittee, the CDTA Board, Citizen Action of NY State Board, NY written out? Renews Policy committee, but ndicated he was speaking as an individual, not for any of those organizations. He commented on the scale of the crisis of the climate emergency facing us: could be a global catastrophe that could involve extinction of 99% of coral reefs, melting of arctic sea ice, and widespread famines. We need to do as much as possible by 2030. While Albany does not have the resources to do everything that needs to be done, as the state capital of a major progressive state, it should be setting an example. Tina asked Mark if he wanted to submit a list of action items that he would want the committee to consider? Mark said yes, he will send it. Another public comment arrived via Facebook from Jim Daus: “I'm very impressed with a tool for Urban DEIJ and conservation/sustainability that was developed through grant funding recently for Norwalk, CT. I'm curious if you've seen it and if there are people here who you think ought to see it. It would be great to have it done this thoroughly here. The DEC mapper and EPA EJ Data is a good start, but this seems much more robust for DEIJ and sustainability planning: https://highstead.net/insights/norwalk-mapping-project-generates-new-tool-for- cities/.” Ewa, who shared this comment, said that the tool seems to be something that could help with conservation and sustainability planning. 2. New business  Discussion of our input to the Climate Emergency billResolution that passed in the Common Council: Joe Coffey suggests we list very specific steps towards making decisions now. Dan encourages us to think about ways the City can enlist help in 1  developing solutions for low-carbon heating for older housing in the city. Joe responded to Dan that we should partner with some higher education institutions in our city to start addressing this. Mark Schaeffer commented via the Zoom chat function: “IMHO budgeting should include contingency plan for best case scenario in which NYS enacts CCIA dedicating $15B/year to just transition statewide, making Albany as Capital an exemplar for the rest of the state, and Federal government passes $2 trillion or more to Build Back Better, i.e. sustainably.”  Our Annual Report is due at the end of June. Gaby discussed the annual report, which she is spearheading. She has reports in from Scott, David, Tina, Harriet. Pete, Dan, and Gaby will send theirs soon. Hyde is looking at the report and refreshing the structure. Gaby has asked for logistics of subcommittees and will likely follow up soon to confirm accomplishments and goals for this year. We will potentially redo the Excel sheet as a color-coded document. Gaby is using this as an opportunity to update the Common Council and plan out future goals, inform our priorities. It will be done by the end of the month. Hyde asked to get them in as soon as possible. Gaby might call people to confirm items, since that might be easier than email..  Climate Smart Community Goals. Tina shared the link for the climate smart actions ( https://climatesmart.ny.gov/actions-certification/actions/ ), and showed how the scoring system works through the example of the ‘Use climate-smart materials management’ section. The website provides information on points available for each action, guidelines for demonstrating the action and how to get points certified. The website also explains the overlap between Clean Energy Communities and Climate Smart Communities programs.  Capital Lights in the Park. A statement was drafted by Dan, Tina & Ewa and reviewed by David Galin in the Mayor’s office. Tina proposes that the SAC adopt the statement and publish it. Amended to include consideration of public health and safety. Statement is adopted. 9 votes in favor, 2 votes ‘present’.  Follow-up on discussion with John Ciovacco of Aztech Geothermal on geothermal districts at the May 6 SAC meeting. Joe invited him to a discussion of the possibility of coordinating the geothermal district installation with updates to the combined sewer and runoff system. The idea would be to make use of heat from the sewage system in the geothermal system. National Grid is also replacing gas lines in the City, and there may be ways of coordinating with those projects. John Ciovacco may return at next meeting to continue this conversation. Ewa is concerned about maintaining an arm’s length relationship with Aztech so that the residents are assured that their interests are being looked after. Laura will discuss this question with the Corporation Council, with advice from the Water Department. 3. Commissioner Reports ● Bill Trudeau (Traffic): First two hybrid dump-trucks purchased. ● Lauren Alpert (Planning): Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan, Brother Yusuf Trail opened, South End Connector Phase 2 construction to be started soon. ● Randy Milano (Engineering): Green infrastructure (tree pits) under construction on Hawthorne, tree planting (over 300 planted last year, an additional 300+ trees to be planted this season). ● Joe Coffey (Water): Received two Chevy Bolts to replace small SUV’s for metering work. The Water Board adopted the lead water service replacement program. Project 2  will be rolled out in the next two weeks: a reimbursable grant program for residents. We’ve seen a lot of requests for water set up in community gardens, generally in vacant lots. Board needs to develop a policy for this, will involve a meter pit so that the Board knows how much water is being used, even if it’s not being billed. The Board is subject to independent audits so needs to be sure it is appropriately spending the ratepayer’s funds. Five projects being looked at under the CFA (consolidated funding application) processes, along the lines of the Hackett Blvd flood mitigation project. 4. Subcommittee Updates ● Dan Kirk-Davidoff (Outreach): we learned about Carolyn's work at the NY Dept. of State on climate resiliency ( https://dos.ny.gov/resilience-planning ). Progress is being made on U. Albany's contribution to the energy efficiency volunteer corps. Mary Ellen discussed the possibility of using off-campus student rental housing as a first target for upgrades. Carolyn is going to get trained by Tina to do slide shows at Neighborhood Associations and other venues. Tina was presenting at the Helderberg NA as we spoke in our last Outreach meeting. ● Andre Lake (Equity): video project is well under way. The subcommittee is working on putting a budget together for outreach needs on equity-related tasks. ● Gabriella Cebada Mora (Water): Having Amy Walsh present on watershed management programs. Discussion of climate emergency legislation and steps that could be taken along the lines of resilience and adaptation as well as mitigation steps. Working with Indu at U. Albany to overlay environmental justice concerns in discussion of infrastructure steps under the climate emergency legislation. Leveraging opportunities to work across departments to build on opportunities for infrastructure improvements. Discussed training volunteer students to do water audits. Working on reducing flood insurance costs by working with FEMA on flood zone designations. ● Tina Lieberman (Solid Waste): Working with Radix (Hope) to carry out the food waste reduction program supported by the grant from the state. Food waste composting program has begun. Tabling at the South End Night Market and at Farmers’ Markets around the city. 200 sign-ups for back-yard composters throughout the city. Sign-ups are also coming in for the paid pick-up options. There is also the option of dropping off compost at Tivoli Preserve and at Radix. Presenting on this at Helderberg NA, and at the Albany Guardian Society June 25th. ● Harriet (transportation): First meeting on Tuesday June 8. Will discuss scheduling, annual report, and the climate emergency resolution. 5. Adjournment: meeting adjourned at 7:33 pm. Next meeting is Thursday, July 8, 2021, probably by Zoom. Minutes prepared by Daniel Kirk-Davidoff, June 3, 2021 3