Environmental Sustainability Council

Environmental Sustainability Council/Energy Transition Subcommittee Meeting Minutes April 18, 2024 • Call to Order • Roll Call – • ESC Members: Joseph Schiarizzi, (Chair), Michael Trauberman (Vice-chair), John Ferris, Christopher Behr, Matthew Cunningham; Sarah Bayldon , David Stile Student Representatives: Lilja Anderson, Gia Kahn, Wendy Abstone, Ally Campbell, City Staff: Kurt Lawrence (ESC Staff Liaison), Jon Ward (ETS Member), Tim Stevens (liaison, Planning Committee), Joan Huber (Public). Amy Crompton (HRTG), Matt Adams (Public) • Public Comment Period: No public comments were received prior to the meeting. Jon Ward noted that there is student interest in establishing a renewable energy club, but does not have a faculty sponsor/mentor. If anyone would like to sponsor/monitor, see Jon. Joan Huber noted her interest in the environment in the community. She is a master gardener and a landscaper. She is changing her methods and is interested in how the City is sustaining its environment. • Approval of March ESC Minutes: John Ferris proposed a motion to approve the March ESC minutes. Matthew Cunningham second the motion. The March minutes passed unanimously. • Demographics Chapter of the Comprehensive Plan Update • Zoe Larive was unable to attend. • ESC watched the video on the Demographics Chapter and submit any questions or comments to Kurt. Kurt added that the Council is interested in any comments prior to its review of the chapter. • Joseph noted the need for workforce housing in the City of Falls Church and the chapter should include graphics/data on workforce housing. • Joseph also noted that the planners can consider the reduction of carbon emissions as a way to reduce emissions overall, even though population is increasing. • Tim Stevens noted the travel issues of workers in the City but drive a long distance to go to work. It would be good to have a strategy to have more jobs here to keep the Falls Church population from needing to drive long distances to their jobs. • Chris asked if the population projections identified were used in the CEAP. Kurt will find the answer to ensure we have one set of projects. • David asked what the City can do to promote small businesses and if there is a preference for business sectors it wants in the City. • Jon Ward raised if there are data needs for the Action Plan. Kurt will review. • 2023 Community Profile Review – Kurt Lawrence (10 minutes)  • Kurt reviewed the Environmental Sustainability components of the 2023 Community Profile. The Profile is a public document on the City’s website and provides the progress that has been made and goals for the future. • Kurt stated a comment from City Council member Debbie Hiscott for her appreciation for the City Arborist and volunteer (Amy Compton) for their support of the tree planting. • ESC reviewed the completed Community Provide and discussed how it was being made public. Council Priorities for 2024/2025 • Kurt provided a review of the City Council Strategic priorities for calendar years 2024 and 2025. Strategies. 1) Reduce carbon emissions in government operations and city- wide by 50% in 2030, 2) Expand green infrastructure, tree canopy, and open space city wide, 3) Integrate proactive environmental review across city processes, and 4) Establish sustainable and equitable sole waste management practices, • Joseph stated that there are multiple proposals in existing plans like the Community Energy Action Plan and Bicycle plan development (such as a bike lane on Park Avenue) but they aren’t being pursued. • Mike noted that during the Council planning session where these priorities were identified, the Council came up with a list of projects under these priorities. The length of time it takes to get the projects started and completed makes it difficult to identify a small number of priorities. This also needs to be aligned with the budget discussion. • Tim noted that solar on buildings was a line item for the CIP, but it was unfunded. Leaving it unfunded creates an uncertainty of whether this is supported. • Matt stated that the CAEP contains a list of tasks for meeting Strategy 1. • David noted the need for traffic calming in the city and that bump-out raingardens to have multiple benefits, including increased trees, stormwater management, traffic calming, and walkable streets. • Mike identified the need for a tree inventory and increased support for the city arborist office. Amy added that they are requesting funding for an additional maintenance worker and funding for the inventory. • Matt recommended green building policy as it applies to special exception process. • Mike recommended as part of Strategy 3 to identify ways to consider environmental impacts across City programs, including identifying who is in charge of environmental sustainability within the City government and ensuring accountability. Integrate proactive review across city processes. • Tim described the green scoring in the CIP process and said that he hasn’t seen it utilized as part of decision-making. • Chris said the soon to be completed Solid Waste Management Plan and though specific projects are not specifically identified in the plan, the Plan includes statements of promoting composting and reducing construction debris. • ETS Updates  • Update on Cherry Hill Farmhouse Audit –Matt presented on the Cherry Hill Farmhouse Audit The Cherry Hill Farmhouse per square foot is the most energy intensive building in the city. The group identified a list of potential improvements/potential actions to reduce energy usage by the farmhouse. • Energy use spikes in the winter, with the potential savings if heat pump can be maintained or replaced. Chris noted that the returns for some of the work is significant and the City should be taking such measures now. • Approval of ETS minutes for January Farmhouse Audit: Mike moved to approve the minutes of the ETS meeting. Jon second the motion. The minutes were approved. • Virginia Village Efficiency Update Virginia Village is affordable housing of 25 unites of which the city has purchased 5 of the units. Kurt provided the process of the City improve the energy efficiency of the properties it owns and rental properties. Jon stated the CHP manages program funds and has not always been able to make updates. Jon stated that it doesn’t look like Falls Church is eligible for Federal housing funds so local and state agencies will need to identify ways to upgrade existing affordable homes. • Key General Assembly Bills • The General Assembly did not pass the ban on gas-powered leaf blowers. Gas-powered landscape equipment can be recycled but the gas/oil needs to be removed. Jon provided the idea of having a program at Fall Recycling Extravaganza to assist residents with doing these actions. • Budget Discussion • Joseph provided the ESC with the Council’s budget schedule. • Recommended actions included: Rooftop solar study include internal staff person to oversee the study, support for urban forestry, funding for the solid waste program, increase the number of EV charging stations, funding for bike lanes, review the letter from Bike Falls Church with proposals to improve biking in falls church. • Mike noted that the budget identifies a number of proposed changes to the City Fleet Vehicle Replacement (Memo from City for the Council’s work session on Monday, page 16). However, 9 vehicles on the list went down in rating for energy efficiency while only 3 improved energy efficiency. This appears to go against the Government Energy Action Plan. Kurt requested a memo on this vehicle replacement, and he would check into it. • Jon stated that the budget appears to be aggressive regarding the needs on Kurt and the new facilities manager that the staff will be able to work on all of the projects within this year, including working on implementation of the government energy action plan. The budget assumes the timing will be perfect for staff support for the projects in the budget. Committee Reports • Amy reported out for the Habitat Restoration Task Group. The HRTG had to cancel the Forest Fest due to high winds but held 2 events at Howard Herman Park and one in Crossman park this week. In total, 44 volunteers contributed 100 hours to plant 400 trees. • The city is celebrating Arbor Day on April 20 by planting a Shumard Oak at Oak Street elementary school. • April 22 is Earth Day and Meridian High School is having an all day festival with activities including 15 stations, each representing environmental sustainability topics, including outdoor gardens, solar ovens, composting, and invasive plant cleanup. • Joseph noted that that Fairfax recently passed an ordinance that penalizes individuals who plant bamboo. Amy noted that Charles will work with the zoning office to see if the City already the ability/authority to reduce the spread of bamboo. • Kurt mentioned that the Education Task Group has a meeting April 24 at the Library.