Sustainability Commission

Sustainability Commission Meeting Minutes August 13th, 2024 Attendees: Sheryl Burns, Mark Graf, Nathan Inks, Riley Maher, Jonathan Matthews, Matthew Smith, Nethanya Fonseka, Cathleen Francois, Alexis Richards, Ryan Fox. (Per NI, NJ did not renew her term, so SHSC is 8 members + 1 ex. off. Presently) Absent: Michael Tabbert Speakers may be referred to by initials. Speech attributed to speakers is paraphrased unless quoted. City Council, Department of Public Works, Green For Life, Sterling Heights, and Sterling Heights Sustainability Commission may be abbreviated as CC, DPW, GFL, SH, and SHSC, respectively. Call to Order – 6:00pm Pledge of Allegiance Roll Call – Sheryl Burns, Cathleen Francois, Nethanya Fonseka, Mark Graf, Nathan Inks, Riley Maher, Jonathan Matthews, Matthew Smith Absent: Mike Tabbert Also in Attendance – Alexis Richards, Planner II Ryan Fox, Planner I Rachel Cushard, Planning Intern Ava Miller, Planning Intern Approval of Agenda Motion: Graf Support: Matthews Ayes: Burns, Francois, Graf, Inks, Maher, Matthews, Smith Considerations Climate Action Plan Letter Ms. Richards reported that 20 residents, along with numerous City representatives, were present at the July 29th Sustainability Workshop as part of the Master Land Use Planning process. The following findings were found from the budgeting activity at the workshop: 1. Increasing use of renewable resources was the highest prioritized action item at 13% 2. Planting trees was the second most prioritized action item at 12% 3. Increasing walkability and bike access was the third most prioritized action item at 11% 4. Investing in electric vehicles and electric vehicle infrastructure was the lowest priority at 1% The workshop featured an activity that had participants identify which of 31 different action items the City needs, has, or needs more of. The results of this activity were not as clear in ranking priorities as the budget priority activity, however it provided some helpful data. Ms. Richards concluded by sharing that some of the activities from that workshop, including the budgeting activity, are now available online. This means anyone who is interested is now able to participate at https://engage.giffelswebster.com/sterling-heights-master-plan. Discussion is had regarding a letter which was prepared by the City’s Climate Action Plan Consultants, Fresh Coast. Some discussion is had on wordsmithing the letter. Motion to adopt the Climate Action Plan Letter presented by the Office of Planning with some minor edits. Motion: Matthews Support: Burns Ayes: Burns, Francois, Graf, Inks, Maher, Matthews, Smith Approval of Minutes from July 17th, 2024 Motion: Matthews Support: Maher Ayes: Burns, Francois, Graf, Inks, Maher, Matthews Abstain: Smith Correspondence The Office of Planning had no correspondence to share with the Commission. Committee Reports R^3 Committee – Mr. Matthews presented that he is assembling a presentation to underscore the importance of waste reduction. He also expressed that mandating residents to recycle may not be possible, but education certain would be. Mr. Fox expressed to the Commission that the Office of Plannings fellowship with the Catalyst Leadership Cohort (CLC) had come to and end, and that the fellow had prepared educational materials to share with grocery stores and restaurants within the City in order to spread food waste reduction efforts. The material produced also included policy recommendations for the City to follow. The Office of Planning agreed to share this material at the next regular meeting. Green Energy Committee Mr. Inks presented a report that he is waiting for feedback from the City Attorney. The Office of Planning expressed that they will follow up with the City Attorney’s Office, and assume feedback will be provided soon. Stormwater and Wetlands Committee – 18:44 Mr. Smith presented a short report, and inquired with the Office of Planning which City employee would be the best to consult on flooding information with the City. Ms. Richards explained that the Engineering Office, headed by City Engineer Brent Bashaw, would be the best to reach out to regarding flooding as they are the cities experts on flood management. Ms. Richards also explained that the Southeast Michigan Coalition of Governments (SEMCOG) to conduct concept planning for stormwater infrastructure in the region, and that Sterling Heights was an area of interest for them. Mr. Graf inquired on how regularly the City inspects the drains within the City. The Office of Planning expressed that they were unaware of the inspection rate, but it may be done on a complaint basis. Mr. Fox explained that the IT Department’s GIS team has been working on recording all known drain locations in the GIS system, so their efforts may prove helpful with inspections. Biodiversity Conservation Committee Ms. Burns presented information as in the report. She has completed a mission statement for the committee. Mr. Fox mentioned the desire of the Community Relations to publish a Sustainability Newsletter. Discussion is had on how to proceed with the newsletter. It is at this point that Ms. Richards gave an update on the Ride and Drive event from DTE. Councilman Yanez was in attendance, and 225 members of the public came out as well. MI Healthy Climate Mr. Graf gave a limited update as no movement has occurred. Mr. Graf implied that if there is no local action due to the state having decision making powers on these items, perhaps it is best to eliminate the Committee. Trees Mr. Inks brought up that the deadlines for more tree planting grants are approaching this fall, specifically the DTE Energy Foundation Tree Planting Grant and the Community Forestry Grant from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Sterling Heights received $4,000 from the DTE Tree Planting Grant last year. Mr. Graf shared information he had gotten from Budget Director Jennifer Varney, stating that $500,000 still remained as of late June for tree plantings from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Discussion is had how much of that has been spent since late June, as more plantings have been added in July and August. Mr. Fox updated that the trees located on 18 Mile Road have been added to the TreeKeeper software. Discussion was also had about adding a new field to Treekeeper, indicating if the tree was staked or not. Mr. Inks highlighted the importance for the City to determine it’s methodology for tree maintenance. Mr. Smith joined the Tree Committee. New Business Sustainability Plan Update Ms. Cushard and Ms. Miller gave a presentation on research and work they had done on a grant application they were planning to submit a request for $225,000. This would be submitted to the Michigan Urban and Community Forestry Inflation Reduction Act Grant Program (UCFIRA). The funds in this case would be utilized to plant trees in the Southwest portion of the City in three separate City owned properties. These properties include: - Nelson Park - Beaver Creek Park - 34820 Ryan Road The application has to be submitted by September 1st, 2024. These locations were selected based on a number of factors, including the presence of wetlands and potential wetlands at Nelson and Beaver Creek Park. These sites were also chosen due to their proximity of several vulnerable species that would benefit by increased tree coverage, including: - American Bullfrogs - Warblers - Common Grackles - Cooper’s Hawk - Virginia Spiderwort - Blanding’s Turtle Nelson South, then North, then Beaver Creek scored high in the decision making matrix due to the amount of residents that would impacted positively by the tree plantings. 34820 Ryan Road was an easy location for the City to plant in, compared to some other options on the matrix. Ms. Cushard and Ms. Miller also discussed community engagement efforts that will be associated with the grant, sch as Arbor Day plantings and community workshops. Ms. Cushard and Ms. Miller gave a second presentation on research they conducted regarding Sustainability Plans from across the country, deciphering common themes and best practices among them. Of the sample plans, half were from Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. Common items and features of the plan included: - A letter from the Mayor or Sustainability Commission - Vision/Mission Statement - A focus on equity - A timeline of sustainability goals - Anecdotes from community members - Creation of a Sustainability Task Force as a stated goal - Many community surveys for the plan were kept short to avoid survey fatigue - Listed environmental literacy as a goal of the plan - Included feasibility scales for each action item based on their cost and time to achieve - An explanation of the city’s role in each action item - Most plans were created by professional consultants Ms. Richards recommended waiting to redraft and amend the existing Sustainability Plan until after the Climate Action Plan is adopted by City Council. The draft of the Climate Action Plan should be available in September for the Commission to see. It is suggested that the Commission can consider the Climate Action Plan in October of 2024. The current budget does not have any funds allocated to redo the Sustainability Plan, but it could be considered in the next fiscal year. Park Tree Planting Analysis This item was discussed under Sustainability Plan Update. Review of the Tree Survey Process Mr. Fox provided a breakdown of how the Office of Planning assesses tree survey’s provided by developers, as well as the Office’s process for issuing Tree Removal Permits. A notable part of the conversation centered around the fact that an already established home can remove trees without replanting, but any new construction needs to replant in accordance with the Tree Replacement Ordinance. Old Business Recap of Self-Assessment – Deferred until shortly prior to the update to the sustainability plan is planned. Top 15 Action Item Review (SCOAR) – Deferred to September meeting. Master Land Use Update – 21:37 Ms. Richards discussed the recent open house on July 29th again. The next event for the Master Land Use Plan will be a joint meeting between the Planning Commission and City Council on August 28th, at the Community Center. It will be conducted similar to the previous supplemental meeting of the Planning Commission discussing economic policy. Giffels Webster will lead a conversation centered on the many nodes and corridors in the City. Mr. Inks also mentioned a toolkit from the planning office for the Planning Commission. Citizen Participation There was no citizen participation. Motion to adjourn at 9:44pm Motion: Smith Support: Burns Ayes: Burns, Francois, Graf, Inks, Maher, Matthews, Smith