Environmental Sustainability Council

ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY COUNCIL (ESC) and ENERGY TRANSITION SUBCOMMITTEE (ETS) Thursday, December 16, 2021, Virtual Meeting via Microsoft Teams, 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. MINUTES (APPROVED 01/20/2022) 1. Attendees: ESC Members: Andy Young (Chair), Sarah Bayldon, Mike Trauberman, Jennifer Tabola, Jon Ward, Andy Crawford, Andrew Sakallaris, Joseph Schiarizzi. Student Member: n/a. City Council Member Liaison: Debbie Hiscott; City Staff: Kate Walker, ESC Staff Liaison. Guests: Amy Crumpton (UFC Chair, HRTG) 2. 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. 3. Roll Call 4. Public Comments: none 5. ESC Action Priority Updates Green Buildings (Andy C, Mike); Stormwater (Andy S); Bikeable City (Andy Y); Parking & Transit (Joseph S); Carbon-neutral government (Jon, Debbie); Green infrastructure (Stacey); Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (Stacey) Councilmember Hiscott informed the ESC that: • The City Council has allocated $7mil from ARPA funding towards three (3) Falls Church stormwater projects. • The city will be advertising positions for the public to serve as members of the Stormwater/Wastewater Utilities Commission beginning in January 2022. • $125,000 has been allocated for development of the Community Climate Change Mitigation Energy Action Plan. • City Council has approved a 5 cent plastic bag tax on plastic bags at grocery and convenience stores, which will be implemented in April. Mike T led a discussion and answered questions regarding legislative priorities including: • ESC recommended revisions to promote energy efficiency were adopted as part of the City Council legislative package, including enabling local jurisdiction stretch building codes, building benchmarking and incentives to energy efficiency. • Virginia is beginning the next 3-year update to the Uniform State-wide Building Code. Since this is already a part of our legislative priorities, the City Council and staff could also get involved in commenting in the public proceedings. Jon noted that the new IECC 2021 code, there is an appendix that would allow localities to adopt net zero building code standards, and perhaps we will have the opportunity to advocate for its inclusion. Andy C and Mike T led a discussion on their progress in developing a Green Building Policy. They recommend “sustainability” should be a primary criterion rather than secondary, which is also included in the Energy Action Plan. Andy Y noted, and Jon concurred, that we have a good opportunity now, with the Action Plan and Biden’s recent executive order (section 205), to advise City Council on how these plans could be implemented. Net zero and carbon neutral are 1  the new standards. We are focusing on the Special Exceptions Process (SEP) since that is a place where we can have some impact. Home redevelopment standards are part of the building code effort; Joseph suggested we should also support densification in residential areas such as allowing accessory dwellings. Andy C and Mike T will present more information and recommendations at future ESC meetings. Jon W led a discussion on Carbon Neutrality in Falls Church government and schools’ operations. Jon has drafted an outline on how it could be achieved. Most GHG emissions are from building energy use, and there isn’t space on public property to generate enough renewable energy. So we need to develop a strategy for purchase of renewable energy. Kate will have an intern, Colter Adams, to help her with collecting information on existing plans and energy consumption data during the month of January 2022. Joseph S led a discussion on Parking and Transportation with an effort towards encouraging fewer cars on the streets. The current draft of the Climate Change Mitigation Energy Action is very general – EV-only parking, congestion pricing, and bus priority lanes are suggested, but specific action plans are needed. Parking minimums in the City Code are one area that could be addressed – Joseph volunteered to work on this issue. Andy Y has been working with members of other Boards & Commissions to investigate opportunities and challenges for increasing bikability in Falls Church. Potential recommendations to City Council include • And engineering study to establish a “last half mile” for safe biking to the High School and Middle School • Encouraging dedicated bike lanes on the “Great Street” project on Park Ave. • Increase bike safety around South Maple and Annandale Rd • Push developer focus on bikeability • Add a new addendum to the Bicycle Master Plan Next steps might be to establish an Advocacy Group to encourage bikeability; send a message from several Boards and Commissions to City Council with these recommendations, and arrange a symposium in Spring presenting perspectives from experts. 6. Climate Change Mitigation Energy Action Plan Kate presented the plan to the Planning Commission, who indicated they will send a letter of support for use of consultants to help write Plan and funding for future actions. Discussions have begun with MWCOG on what the consultants can do, and what the timeframe should be. The current contract would only cover the community energy plan. A separate government action plan will need FY23 funding. The current DRAFT Plan is merely an outline. Future action items will need detailed identification of staffing and resources needed for implementation. Jon has prepared a draft memo to the City Council, recommending staffing and funding needs for Plan implementation should be addressed in this year’s budget. ESC members were invited to comment, add detail and support submission of the memo to City Council. 7. Future Meetings - online or in person Kate led a discussion to consider whether future meetings should be in person, virtual or via a hybrid arrangement. After discussion it was agreed that future meetings will be held virtually for the time being. A motion was made, seconded and approved unanimously by voice vote to adopt an updated electronic participation policy in line with recently adopted Virginia legislation. 2 8. Appointment of New Chair Andy Young stepped down as ESC Chair. The Vice Chair has indicated that she is not able to assume the role of Chair. Joseph Schiarizzi volunteered to become the new ESC Chair. A motion was made and seconded to nominate and approve Joseph Schiarizzi as the new Chair of the ESC. Approval was unanimous. The ESC thanked Chair Andy Young for his guidance and leadership over the last two (2) years. 9. Subcommittee and Liaison Reports • Energy Transition Subcommittee (ETS) Jon Ward: No additional report. • Education Task Group (ETG) Sarah Bayldon: No report • Habitat Restoration Task Group (HRTG) Amy Crumpton: Sandy Tarpinian presented at the last City Council meeting on the City’s recertification as a National Wildlife Federation Community Wildlife Habitat, listing our successes during the past year. This was the sixth consecutive year of certification. Amy was recently elected to the Chair for the Urban Forestry Commission. Staff Updates: Kate Walker Kate reminded the council that our January 2022 meeting will be attended by Housing and Human Services to discuss social equity issues in Falls Church. City Council has passed the One City Center proposal for review by city Boards and Commissions. We will schedule the developer to address the council in the near future. 10. Review & Approval of November 18, 2021 minutes A motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes. The minutes were unanimously approved. 3 4