Committee on Intergovernmental Relations

MINUTES Committee on Intergovernmental Relations Wednesday, April 10, 2019 @ 8:00 a.m. Council Conference Room, City Hall CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 8:06 a.m. ROLL CALL Council Member Brian T. Jackson, Chairperson Council Member Jeremy Garza, Vice Chairperson - excused Councilmember Kathie Dunbar, Member OTHERS PRESENT LaSondra Crenshaw, Council Staff Joe Abood, Assistant, Law Department Andy Kilpatrick, Public Service Director Sharon Bannon, Citizen Marshall Clabeaux, Citizen MC Rothhorn, Citizen Linda Keefe, Citizen Ann Erhardt, Climate Action Z. Kris Wisniewski, Citizen PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS No Public Comment Introductions MINUTES MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER DUNBAR TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM MARCH 27, 2019 AS PRESENTED. MOTION PASSED 2-0 DISCUSSION – Guest Ann Erhardt with Commons Logic, LLC will have open discussion regarding the Climate Action Project Council Member Jackson explained to Ms. Erhardt that so far the committee has brainstormed what the climate action plan would look like, however they are stuck on what is needed to move forward. Ms. Erhardt explained to the group that she has been the Chief Sustainability Manager for MSU the past 6 years. She then advised that she has been hired to baseline the study off ground floor for the climate action plan, focusing on the core first which will lay the ground work for expanding in the community. For example she would like to make sure the following is captured, what is the city’s vision, and the most important things going on now. Partners will be huge we will need to engage with business partners, investigate some funding partners, and explore opportunities for grants. Council Member Brian Jackson stated to Ms. Erhardt that it seems she has a lot going on and asked her how she would do this considering she has another job. Ms. Erhardt advised she doesn’t work alone she has an internal team, and having these conversations will assist. Council Member Jackson stated that everyone has different visions and asked how she would determine the city’s vision. Ms. Erhardt advised she will have conversations to see what everyone wants. Council Member Jackson asked what the status of Ms. Erhardt’s contract is. Mr. Kilpatrick advised the Mayor has to sign it. Council Member Jackson asked Ms. Erhardt what will be her first step once the contract is signed. She advised she will get her team together, start collecting data, schedule meetings and phone calls. Council Member Jackson asked Ms. Erhardt what she sees the end product looking like at the end of her contract. She advised there will be a draft of the Climate Action Plan, and various recommendations of what will happen next for the Mayor and City Council. Council Member Dunbar suggested that Ms. Erhardt meet with the Internal Auditor or Angie Bennett near the end of the project to discuss cost projections. Mr. Clabeaux stated that he is concerned that BW&L doesn’t show up to these meetings. Council Member Jackson asked Ms. Crenshaw to make sure that BW&L is invited to future meetings. Council Member Dunbar asked if the $200,000.00 could be spent in a better way. She then asked if a portion of the money could be used to hire a person. Mr. Kilpatrick advised she could propose that and it could be considered. Council Member Jackson asked what they could do as a City Council and Committee. Ms. Erhardt advised they could reach out to prospective stakeholders. He then asked if one of Ms. Erhardt’s recommendations would be that the city needs a Stainability Manager. She stated that will most likely be the outcome. Council Member Jackson asked Ms. Erhardt if she was optimistic that Lansing will receive grants. She advised that based on the conversations she has had so far it is very promising. Mr. Abood asked if the city could accept grants from corporations or businesses. Council Member Dunbar advised that yes they can. The group decided Ms. Erhardt will come to Intergovernmental Relations meeting May 8, 2019 The next meeting was set for April 24, 2019 at 8:00 a.m. with guest Kate Madigan with Michigan Climate Action Network. Adjourned at 8:58 a.m. Submitted by, LaSondra Crenshaw, Administrative Assistant Lansing City Council Approved: April 24, 2019