Environmental Sustainability Council

ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY COUNCIL (ESC) and ENERGY TRANSITION SUBCOMMITTEE (ETS) Thursday, May 16, 2022, Virtual Meeting via Microsoft Teams, 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. DRAFT MINUTES 1. Call to Order: 7:30 p.m. 2. Reading of Virtual Meeting Notice 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 Attendees: ESC Members: Joseph Schiarizzi (Chair), Mike Trauberman, Jennifer Tabola, Jon Ward (ETS Chair), Andy Young, Tatiana Eaves; Student Members: Alexis Niemi, Gia Khan, Ivy Anderson; City Council Liaison: n/a; Planning Commission Liaison: Tim Stevens; City Staff: Cindy Mester, ESC Staff Liaison; Urban Forestry Chair/HRTG: Amy Crumpton; Public: John Ferris, Christopher Behr. 4. Introduction of New Attendees Three MHS student representatives to the ESC introduced themselves and noted key areas of interest: greater involvement of younger generation (Ivy), food waste/composting (Gia & Alexis), renewable energy (Gia). Cindy Mester introduced herself as interim staff liaison to the ESC (previously Kate Walker). 5. Public Comments. None were received. 6. Approval of Meeting Minutes Minutes of the February 2022 meeting were approved unanimously (motion by Andy Y, seconded by Jennifer). Minutes of the May 2022 meeting were approved unanimously (motion by Mike, seconded by Andy Y). 7. 2021 Annual Report to City Council. This has been sent to City Council, and Joseph will review it with Council at its June 27 session. 8. Park Ave Great Streets CIP Project - Status Cindy said a walking tour of the project area was being planned; date(s) should be set by mid- July. The design is at the 30% level heading to 60%. Staff is leaning toward recommending a “super sharrow” green-painted unprotected bike lane. A protected bike lane there would require removal of some trees and parking spaces. Joseph recommended the tour include the currently unsafe bike lane at Broad & Maple. The ESC decided to submit comments after the tour. 9. Zoning: Changes in ‘Transition’ Zones Referred by Council to the ESC and the Housing Commission. Comments due August 10 (after July 21 ESC meeting). Attachments in the agenda show current by-right allowable lot coverage is 40% by structures but 100% impervious surface; revision to encourage in-fill development would allow 80% by structures with only 80% impervious surface. Members discussed various requirements that could be imposed or used as incentives for fast-tracking or approval of special uses: e.g., tree canopy, energy efficiency. Tim would like to see fast-tracking if the project included a photovoltaic system. Jennifer asked whether the financial benefit to the City of less impervious surface have been quantified. Cindy said she would check and that more watershed modeling is part of the biannual Workplan. ESC will follow-up on this at the July ESC meeting. ACTION ITEM #1 (All; By July 11): Each member tell Joseph and Cindy if they want to attend an August 1st technical briefing by Paul Stoddard (10:30 a.m.). Joseph expressed an interest. If more than two members want to attend, Cindy will issue a public meeting notice. Otherwise, the meeting will be restricted in attendance. 10. Subcommittee & Liaison reports: ETS (Jon); ETG (Sarah); HRTG (Amy) HRTG: Amy said a high school intern (Clara Calhoun) from the Sustainability Academy helped revitalize raised beds on Sherrow Dr. near Oak St. Elementary. Amy is coordinating local volunteers to write environmental commentary articles for the Falls Church News Press. 11. Staff updates Draft biannual Workplan includes completing the community Climate & Energy Plan and the government/schools energy plan; stormwater work including modeling; installing rain and flood gauges; and revising building-sustainability standards. Cindy will report more in July. The Climate Plan MOU with MWCOG is signed. Cindy plans to meet with MWCOG by end of June. Further ESC review of the Task Order RFP may need to be in closed session. ACTION ITEM #2 (Jon): Distribute to ESC and ETS some draft goals for the RFP to spur thoughts and input from members. [Sent June 17] NVTA staff recommended funding the $22M N. Washington St. project. Falls Church had the 2nd highest number of supportive comments to NVTA. Planning Dept. plans during the design phase to look at the possibility of adding bike lanes to the project. Staff expects scope and cost soon from Community Housing Partners to do subsidized efficiency upgrades to City-owned residential buildings in Virginia Village. Position for ‘Environmental Sustainability Coordinator’ in the City Manager’s office and on the leadership team is posted on-line, closing July 15. City may hire short-term consultant in the interim to keep climate / energy plan moving forward. Operation Earth Watch still needs a strong lead volunteer to coordinate. Cindy suggested possible co-chair support from an ESC student rep or other MHS student. 12. Next Meeting Planned for July 21. 2022, 7:30 p.m., virtual Abbreviations & Acronyms CIP Capital Improvements Program ETG Education Task Group HRTG Habitat Restoration Task Group MOU Memorandum of Understanding MWCOG Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments NVTA Northern Virginia Transportation Authority