Environmental Sustainability Council

ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY COUNCIL (ESC) & ENERGY TRANSITION SUBCOMMITTEE (ETS) Thursday, September 16, 2021, Virtual Meeting via Microsoft Teams, 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. MINUTES Attendees: ESC Members: Mike Trauberman, Jon Ward, Andy Sakallaris, Andy Crawford, Joseph Schiarizzi, Stacey Evers, Jennifer Tabola: Student Member: Terah Nguyen; City Council Members: Debbie Hiscott (ESC Liaison), David Snyder; Planning Commission: Tim Stevens; City Staff: Kate Walker, ESC Staff Liaison; HRTG: Amy Crumpton; Public: Laura Ledwith 1. 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. Roll Call 3. Public Comment: Kate had forwarded two comment letters from the Village Preservation and Improvement Society that were linked to in the agenda to ESC members in advance of the meeting. One addressed stormwater management in the City generally, and one commented on the reduced funding for the Rainsmart program. Stacey suggested the city initiate (or renew) partnership with the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conversation District (NVSWCD). Amy had contacted NVSWCD on behalf of the Urban Forestry Commission. Tim supported pursuing this opportunity. Stacey and Amy will follow up to obtain information for a Memorandum of Understanding and will coordinate with City Stormwater staff. The order of the agenda was changed to accommodate the anticipated later arrival of Council Member David Snyder. Agenda item 7. ESC Action Plan -Stacey Evers Action items compiled by Jon from Andy Young’s ESC /ETS presentation to the City Council were reviewed. Members were invited to discuss which of these (or other actions identified in Chapter 5 of the Comprehensive Plan) the ESC should prioritize work on. Andy S gave a summary of the results and recommendations of the Stormwater Task Force (STF). The STF recommended, among other things, that a Stormwater Advisory Board (SAB) be created, which could impact the role of the ESC in addressing stormwater issues. Tim commented that a separate committee had been recommended in the past, and that ESC could send a letter to Council supporting the formation of an SAB and asking that it include an ESC member. Council Member Hiscott stated that the report was positively received by the City Council and that Council would like to see a significant portion of ARPA funding allocated to stormwater management, including green infrastructure. Kate suggested a future meeting could be held with stormwater staff, NVSWCD and other interested boards and commissions to determine what role the ESC would have in future stormwater management activities. Stacey noted that Rolf Anderson, Chair of the STF, felt ESC and UFC still have significant roles in this issue. Addressing Green Building Policy, Andy C reported that he is currently examining the work of neighboring jurisdictions. Time availability is an issue, and he and Mike would welcome assistance from others if interested. Kate reported that the Bike Lane Demonstration is likely to be postponed to Spring 2022. Andy C noted his support for Carbon Neutral goals, and their implementation in City Operations. Stacey noted that she would like to pursue our discussions on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), getting information from City staff who interact with disadvantaged members of our community. Council Member Hiscott suggested energy evaluations and grants for energy improvement low-income rental properties. Council Member Hiscott and ESC members volunteered to be” champions” in the following areas:  ARPA funding; Carbon Neutral government - Debbie Hiscott  Green Building Policy - Andy C and Mike T  Stormwater Management - Andy S  Bikeable City Andy Y  Parking requirements and Transit Subsidies Joseph S  Carbon Neutrality, Green Infrastructure and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Stacey E Agenda item 5. Regional, State and Federal environmental actions -Council Member David Snyder Jon introduced Council member David Snyder, a former Mayor of the City, long-time Council member and participant in MWCOG regional government committees. Council Member Snyder addressed the role of transportation in environmental quality in the Metropolitan Washington region. He presented material from the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority addressing transit ridership trends:  Highway traffic is back to 2019 levels, with an increase in fatalities and serious injuries; mid-day traffic has increased  Remote work continues  Transit systems were hit hard and are recovering slowly; WMATA has federal funding to support continued operation As long as people choose to drive cars, we need to move to zero emissions vehicles. City Council is supporting more electric vehicle charging infrastructure in new developments. Federal, state and regional infrastructure support is necessary to transition to zero emissions vehicles. Mr. Snyder reviewed the various policy committees in the region addressing transportation, climate and air quality. The region is struggling with the realities of the pandemic, with reinvigorating transit use, addressing equity and applying new technology for fleet electrification. Outreach to potential metro riders and the fair implementation of fare subsidies were discussed, as were. bikeability, walkability and local transit in and around the City of Falls Church. Council Member Snyder outlined plans for future Bus Rapid Transit in the area. Agenda item 6. Draft Climate and Energy Action Plan -Kate Walker Kate presented a Power Point Presentation of a draft Climate and Energy Action Plan for comments and recommendations by ESC and ETS members. Comments are due to Kate ASAP by September 26th for incorporation prior to her presentation to City Council on October 4, 2021. Joseph noted that he felt the importance of electricity was overemphasized in comparison to transportation. Amy C commented that the environmental associated with some of the carbon reduction items (e.g. costs of procuring and manufacturing solar panels from non-USA companies) should be addressed. Tim and Jon noted that the plan should also address the importance of advocating for state and federal legislation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Mike suggested emphasis on stronger building codes is also essential. Agenda Item 8. Subcommittee Reports Energy Transition Subcommittee (ETS) Jon Ward – no report ETG Sarah Bayldon – no report (HRTG) Habitat Restoration Task Group - Amy Crumpton Amy C informed the group that there are currently three city positions open on the Urban Forestry crew. Candidates have been identified and should be hired soon. The Urban Forestry department has been significantly reduced, and the responsibilities of the arborist have been expanded. Current priorities for the reduced crew include street work concentrating on safety issues rather than parks maintenance. HRTG will be conducting events without on-site staff support. 9. Fellows Property update- Stacey Evers and/Amy Crumpton The Recreation and Parks Advisory Board met and recommended that the Fellows Property be developed as a passive recreation area. The Board will submit a revised draft plan in November. 10. Staff updates- Kate Walker Kate notified the group that there will be a sustainability tour of the new Meridian High School on September 29, 2021 at 12:30pm. The event will be open to the public. There is also a meeting on September 25th at Berman Park to discuss plans to improve the park. 11. Review and Approval of May 6, ETS and July 15, ESC & ETS minutes: Minutes approved. 12. Adjourned 9:30 p.m.