Sustainability Committee

Sustainability Committee Minutes Thursday, April 11, 2024 8:00 A.M. VIA ZOOM PURSUANT TO CHAPTERS 113 AND 115 OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES (AS AMENDED IN ORDINANCE 22-28), AND RESOLUTION 22-29, ENACTED ON MARCH 22, 2022 Members Present: Kim Bixenstine, Council Member, Committee Chair Nancy Moore, Council Member Tres Roeder, Council Member Shanna Keown, Citizen Member Julia Larouche, Citizen Member Norman Robbins, Citizen Member Others Present: Michael Peters, Sustainability Coordinator Joshua Romig, Shaker Heights Public Library Community Engagement Librarian The meeting was called to order by Committee Chair Kim Bixenstine at 8:02 A.M. * * * * Approval of the March 14, 2024 Meeting Minutes The draft meeting minutes were presented for approval with the motion moved by Nancy Moore and seconded by Julia Larouche. The acceptance of the minutes was unanimously passed. * * * * Air Quality Monitoring Program Presentation and Recommendation One of the 2024 goals for the Sustainability Committee was to explore options for local air quality monitoring. Sustainability Coordinator Michael Peters presented his research and recommendation on a potential pilot program. The presentation began with an overview of why air quality monitoring is important. These included measuring pollutants that can harm public health, helping residents who rely on air quality measurements to make decisions about daily life, to inform planning and other policy decisions, and to monitor the impacts of climate change. Next an overview of the two main types of monitoring equipment was provided. These include the federal network of reference monitors and low-cost sensors. The federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the state EPA operate a network of reference sensors to help monitor for regulatory enforcement and public health. These stations, which can be from $15,000 to $40,000 in cost, require trained personnel to monitor and interpret the data. Low-cost sensors complement these stations by providing more localized data and use lasers to count particles of pollution. These can be from several hundred to several thousand dollars in cost. For our pilot we need just the low-cost sensors to establish a baseline and make additional determinations from there. An overview of the five potential equipment candidates was shared, with the different parameters for each summarized. These include equipment from PurpleAir, Clarity, AirSense, Bettair, and Kunak. Pricing ranged from $229 to over $12,000 as the equipment has different capabilities, requirements, and levels of calibration. The recommendation was made to use equipment and software from Clarity. This offering is unique from the others as it is “sensing-as-a-service” and is not a traditional equipment purchase but a subscription that includes the equipment and software on an annual basis. It was recommended because it does not require an external power source (it has a battery and solar panel), it has a built-in cellular modem (so it doesn’t need to be connected to the City’s IT infrastructure), and the budget allows for three of the devices, allowing for a greater geographic area for sampling. The cost is $1,400 per device per year, with some additional shipping charges in the first year. The Clarity subscription also includes a web-based software package for displaying and analyzing the data. This requires minimal training or time to monitor (it allows for alerts to be set). The City can also contribute its data, which it owns, to a public air quality map. This map could be incorporated into the City’s website if desired. The Clarity system also offers three optional add-on modules that can measure weather data (temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and direction), ground-level ozone, and black carbon. None of these modules are currently being recommended but can be later additions if the data warrants further investigation. Questions and comments included:  Nancy Moore asked how a baseline would be established and how it would be interpreted. The data collected from the sensor is analyzed by the Clarity software and converted into an Air Quality Index, a common measurement that allows for comparisons to existing data, including that from the federal reference monitors. Kim Bixenstine indicated that likely the largest source of pollutants in the City is from vehicle emissions and choosing locations for the equipment could provide additional insight into this.  Tres Roeder asked if there are any of the federal reference monitors in Shaker Heights (no, the closest ones are in Warrensville Heights to the south, Collinwood to the north, Slavic Village to the west, and Painesville to the east). He then asked about what kinds of policy decisions could we make with the data, to which Michael Peters responded that the hope is that it can help inform decisions around planning, such as the Lee Road Corridor, and provide data that could help in grant applications such as for urban tree canopy. His last question was about how the data would be shared and how residents would benefit. The data acquired through the sensors can be contributed to a public air quality map and the recommendation would be to put that map and data on the City website.  Norman Robbins asked about how we could notify residents if the data is for poor air quality. In addition to the map, it may be possible to have an opt-in alert system for those interested in the data. We can further investigate this. Sustainability Committee April 11, 2024 Page 2 of 4   Tres Roeder also suggested coordinating with Public Works as they have weather sensors in the City and the two systems could be complementary. There being no further questions, a motion was made to accept the recommendation and move towards contracting with Clarity. The motion was made by Nancy Moore and seconded by Norman Robbins and all voted in favor. * * * * Subcommittee Updates Stormwater & Greenspace (Julia Larouche)  The monthly subcommittee meeting was postponed to March 24th at 4:00pm so no additional report at this time. Shaker Youth LEEDs / High School Advisory Group (Shanna Keown)  The EcoChallenge is live and being run through a new app (gametize). Yard signs are being put up to promote it and the students have hung flyers in their schools to drive participation.  A number of the events discussed by the Sustainability Committee are included in the EcoChallenge. Kim Bixenstine asked about Mr. Meyers 8th grade class who recently visited Council and offered to share his contact info with Shanna. Energy Subcommittee (Norman Robbins)  The work of the subcommittee is currently focused on collaborations (in part due to the recent low turnout). This has primarily been with different local faith communities including promoting the “Through the Roof” campaign to raise awareness on energy efficiency improvements.  A new effort to collaborate with the High School’s Environmental Science department is just starting. It is looking to develop student projects related to the Committee’s work. A pilot is anticipated in May. * * * * Chair’s Remarks/Old Business/New Business  Upcoming Committee events include the Grow Not Mow planting day on April 13th from 1:00 to 3:00pm at South Park and Courtland Boulevards and an Earth Day Swap Meet booth at The Shaker Lakes Nature Center event on April 20th from 11:00am to 2:00pm. Volunteers are encouraged for both.  Nancy Moore explained how the Grow Not Mow sites are experimental environmental laboratories where almost 200 additional trees, plants, and shrubs are expected to be planted. No experience necessary, just bring a pair of gloves (and sign up through the Doan Brook Watershed Partnership).  The Swap Meet will hand out information on the Committee and the City’s sustainability efforts. Nick Fletcher is donating some native seeds to hand out and Julia Larouche asked about donating any leftover native plants from the prior day’s Onaway Earth Day Service Day. Sustainability Committee April 11, 2024 Page 3 of 4   Kim Bixenstine also mentioned that Josh Romig, the Community Engagement Librarian from the Shaker Heights Library, was joining the meeting and we continue to look for opportunities to collaborate.  Mention was also made of the Arbor Day planting on April 26th at 9:30am in Southerly Park. This is a partnership with the Schools and students from Woodbury Elementary with participation from Tree Advisory Board members and Council Member Anne Williams. * * * * There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:02 A.M. The next meeting is scheduled for May 9, 2024 at 8:00am. __________________________________________ Michael Peters Sustainability Coordinator Sustainability Committee April 11, 2024 Page 4 of 4