Environmental Sustainability Council

ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY COUNCIL (ESC) Thursday, November 19, 2020, Virtual Meeting via Microsoft Teams, 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. MINUTES 1. Attendees: ESC Members: Andy Young (Chair), Mike Trauberman, Jon Ward, Andy Sakallaris, Stacey Evers, Erika Myers, Andy Crawford. Student reps: Alec Autor, Charlie Adams, Max Caboti-Jones, Meike van der Steen. City Staff: Kate Walker (ESC Liaison), Gary Fuller (Planning). Planning Commission Liaison: Tim Stevens. City Council: Phil Duncan. Public: Amy Crumpton, Priscilla Guthrie. Invited Guests: Scott Adams (McGuire-Woods), Brad Glatfelter (Bowman Consulting), Brendan Whitsett (Insight), Maury Stern (Insight), Neville Fernandes (MV+A Architects). This meeting was held via electronic communications using ‘Microsoft Teams.’ This meeting was held pursuant to and in compliance with the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, Section 2.2- 3708.2 and state and local legislation adopted to allow for continued government operation during the COVID-19 declared emergency. 2. Broad & Washington Insight Project: Scott Adams summarized the environmental attributes of the project as currently proposed through the Voluntary Concessions (VCs). ESC members emphasized the need to install enough electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure to support the accelerating adoption of EVs, and Erika offered to share with Mr. Adams information on EV market forecasts. Mr. Fernandes said the project was targeting 18-22% less energy use than a baseline design, per the LEED procedures. Beyond the VC to arrange roof equipment to facilitate solar panels, Tim and Mike advised including wiring chases and breaker-panel expansion space, and considering a solar Power Purchase Agreement, since nearby sites had negotiated long-term electric costs below those available from Dominion. Mr. Adams said the lower courtyards would provide green space for stormwater management, leaving the higher wood-framed roofs open for solar panels. Detained water could provide an irrigation reservoir for green spaces. He said Whole Foods commits to low-waste operation at its stores and would likely send organic waste to compost, and residential food waste may be segregated as well. The developers had not yet planned to offer gardening space to its residents but had done so elsewhere and were open to considering it here. 3. Urban Agriculture (UA) / Fellows Property: Stacey said there was a regional UA Town Hall on policies and incentives to increase local food production, and she would keep the ESC posted. Residents are discussing with Jeremy Edwards (staff) about adding edible landscaping along the Cedar Ln. paper (unpaved) street between Fulton Ave and the W&OD trail. For the Fellows Property, Stacey is working with City Council member Litkenhous to propose limiting development, with a focus on forested trails, pollinator and existing habitat, a volunteer-run communal garden, and demonstrations of environmental stewardship practices. A number of GMHS clubs have an interest in volunteering on this. Parks & Rec Advisory Board wants a lot of community input from stakeholders. Kate said the process is early enough that a statement from the ESC could be used to  get comments and buy-in from others. Funds have been allocated in the Capital Improvement Program. Stacey will accept comment from anyone for consideration in future letters or proposals. 4. Subcommittee Reports: o Energy Transition Subcommittee (ETS): Still working on a letter for City Council regarding committing to the greenhouse gas reduction goals adopted by MWCOG. Jon Ward will become Chair of the ETS in January 2021. o Education Task Group (ETG): Held a successful Operation EarthWatch virtual recognition event on Nov. 13, with participation by 4 City Council members. o Habitat Restoration Team (HRT): Amy Crumpton reported the first three Fall 2020 planting and invasive-plant-removal events went well. About 130 small trees have been planted in Crossman Park, and she proposed a recognition letter or equivalent for a consistent group of weekly volunteers from the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints. A December 3rd HRT meeting is being planned. 5. Staff Reports (Kate W.): Kate will distribute the latest candidates for General Assembly Legislative Agenda items to be recommended by the ESC to City Council. ESC members will respond to Kate with their highest priority selections. The economic situation may not allow for any bills that require significant new funding. Kate will distribute info on local LED streetlight examples; comments to staff are due by 12/4, so the ETS meeting on 12/3 will be the deadline for providing comments to Kate. 6. New Business: Amy noted that the 21-Oct Planning Commission meeting included a presentation (minutes 5 to 45 of the online recording) about the Biophilic Cities Network (https://www.biophiliccities.org/ ). She also said that on 26-Oct, the Planning Commission sent a letter to the Mayor expressing reservations about spending money on the six projects prioritized by the Stormwater Task Force until a Green Infrastructure Plan is in place, and that the Urban Forestry Commission is also interested in encouraging this linkage. The position of ESC vice-chair is still vacant. 7. October 2020 ESC Meeting Minutes: Motion to approve by Stacey E., seconded by Andy S. Approved by voice vote without objection. 8. Next Meeting  Thursday, December 17, 7:30 – 9:30 p.m., likely virtual via Microsoft Teams. Abbreviations / Terminology:  MWCOG: Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments  LEED: Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design US Green Building Council green building certification