Environmental Sustainability Council
Regular MeetingFalls Church, VA · May 6, 2021
Minutes
ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY COUNCIL (ESC)
ENERGY TRANSISTION SUBCOMMITTEE (ETS)
Thursday, May 6, 2021, Virtual Meeting via Microsoft Teams, 7:30 – 9:30 p.m.
DRAFT MINUTES
1. Attendees: Jon Ward (Chair), Mike Trauberman (ESC). City Staff: Kate Walker (ESC ETS Staff
Liaison). City Council Liaison: Debbie Hiscott
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. (https://fallschurch-
va.granicus.com/player/clip/1435?view_id=2&redirect=true)
2. Electric Vehicle Infrastructure memo to City Council: Attendees reviewed the draft memo ahead
of forwarding it to the full ESC for review and eventual submittal to City Council. Graphs were
added to enhance the text.
3. Re-Integrating ETS Meetings into ESC Meetings: Attendees discussed eliminating monthly
meetings of the ETS and having the ESC focus more heavily on greenhouse gas reduction topics
now covered by the ETS; e.g., make half of the ESC meetings ETS-centric. Mike expressed
disappointment in not having larger ETS attendance, while acknowledging that parallel ETS and
ESC meetings are a large time commitment for staff and City Council liaisons. Kate expressed
concern that keeping energy-related topics segregated in ETS meetings as climate change becomes
the ESC’s lead issue may be making it hard for ESC members to follow ETS topics, since they have
a fixed commitment to monthly ESC meetings. Jon noted the benefit of faster decisions by ESC if
ETS topics are discussed there regularly, but that FOIA requirements could inhibit progress if time is
available for detailed multi-person discussions only every two months. Jon will summarize input and
get it to the ESC ahead of the next ESC meeting.
4. One City Center update: Mike summarized a recent Planning Commission (PC) work session, in
which the project’s reps committed to LEED Gold. Mike comments were summarized in the PC’s
minutes:
https://fallschurch-va.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=2&clip_id=1581&meta_id=103088
and written comments were posted at:
https://fallschurch-va.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=2&clip_id=1581&meta_id=103094.
There was discussion of whether roof options (photvoltaics; lightweight greenery; full-weight
greenery; high reflectivity) can be prioritized for their environmental benefits. We discussed the
process of proposing edits to Special Exception criteria (or other ordinances within City Code), but
noted that our B&C advising role can also address confusing code language and advocate for SE
commitments.
5. Draft Memo on Near Net Zero Buildings: Jon presented a draft memo regarding the ETS/ESC
asking that Special Exception developments approach net zero carbon or energy. MWCOG
highlighted achieving net zero for all new buildings as a key strategy element for meeting regional
CO2 reduction goals. The approaches developers might use center on acquiring Renewable Energy
Certificates or renewable energy delivery from offsite sources, since efficiency and rooftop PV alone
will be insufficient. Jon will tune up the content and create some slides to help explain the possible
approaches.
6. Minutes Approval: Minutes for the April 2021 ETS meeting were approved (2-0)
7. Next Meeting
Likely none, if ETS meetings are merged into ESC meetings
Agenda
Environmental Sustainability Council
Energy Transition Subcommittee
Meeting Agenda
Thursday, May 6, 2021 7:30-9:30 p.m.
Virtual Meeting: https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-
join/19%3ameeting_Y2JkYmI5Y2ItMmFkMC00MTEzLWEwNTgtN2U2ZjJlYmFlMWVl%40thread.v2/0?c
ontext=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%2273ba5b04-4ace-4ae3-a6b2-
65cbc403418b%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%2227fc222d-adce-4816-a45e-bcf2b001d974%22%7d
NOTICE: This meeting will be 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. All participating members will be
present at this meeting through electronic means. All members of the public may view this electronic
meeting via the meeting link listed above and in the City’s website calendar.
Public comments may be submitted to kwalker@fallschurchva.gov until 7:30 p.m. on Thursday,
May 6th, 2021. All comments will be provided to the ESC Energy Transition Subcommittee
members and comments received by the deadline will be read during the meeting.
PLEASE NOTE: This meeting will be conducted using Microsoft Teams. Don't have the Teams
app? You can still join a Teams meeting. See the instructions attached to this meeting agenda.
Please email kwalker@fallschurchva.gov if you need assistance with installation. During the
meeting, staff will likely not be available to assist with installation.
1) Call to Order; Roll Call
2) Reading of Virtual Meeting Notice
3) Electric Vehicle infrastructure – recommendations to City Council
4) Possible regrouping of ETS and ESC
5) One City Center Project – Mike Trauberman
6) GHG emissions – Voluntary Concessions language
7) Greenhouse Gas Action Plan – Comp Plan Environment Chapter 5; Chapter 5 Action
Items
8) Review and Approval of April Minutes
9) Adjourn
Environmental Sustainability Council
Energy Transition Subcommittee
Staff Liaison: Kate Walker
(571) 581-9818,
kwalker@fallschurchva.gov
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