Climate Action Plan Standing Committee

CAP Standing Committee Meeting Whitefish City Hall 418 E Second Street, 2nd Floor Wednesday, September 16, 2020 (5:30pm) In Attendance Committee Members: Casey Lewis, Hilary Lindh, Karin Hilding, Sierra McCartney, Jen Sybrant, Kate McMahon, Zack Darby Public: Robin Paone, Alissa La Chance A. Meeting called to order at 5:33 B. Minutes from the August 19, 2020 meeting were approved C. Committee Updates Parks & Rec- No Update Fire- No Update Planning & Building Hilary – Highway 93 corridor plan reviewing and editing chapters now. Plan includes initiatives that coincide with the CAP such as reducing water use by utilizing drought resistant plants Public Works Karin -- discusses the transportation plan which will include issues with public transit and bike/ped. There is an upcoming public input session to discuss areas of focus. Karin -- Baker underpass is underway which will improve connectivity and increase City bike and walkability. Karin -- Attended a meeting about a potential constructed wetland on cow creek. The information meeting included the Conservation District, Whitefish Lake Institute, and WGM. Other Updates Kate – All HEPA filters have been distributed by Climate Smart. There are articles about this and zero waste Farmer’s Market in the Beacon. Share on social media. Kate -- Climate Smart has posted The Story of Plastic documentary on their website & social media. Potentially host a follow-up event to discuss. Could the city be involved? If so, post on City website and social media. Casey -- Flathead basin committee is starting an education an outreach program and will be reaching out to collaborate with the City. 1 Casey – Flathead conservation district has created educational content. The webinars have been posted to their website and should be shared via social media. Zack – discusses energy audit and emissions inventory results. Major findings: • Emissions have decreased by 1% since 2016 • Energy consumption in the parking garage and city hall is increasing but decreasing across all other facilities. • The hydroplant generates 818,000 KwH of electricity and offsets 56% of water & wastewater • Zack to update report to reflect hydroplant offsets and send to facilities managers Zack – discuss results from the zero-waste Farmer’s Market case study. Major findings: • Vendors report that the biggest barriers to going zero waste are “none” and the cost. • 70% of vendors use compostable products at all of their markets. • Compostable containers perform just as good as non-compostable Kate talks about the sustainable tourism plan and areas of overlap with CAP. Objectives include: water quality, climate, public lands, and outdoor recreation. Kate -- Montana Climate Solutions Council unveils proposals. Discussion of website postponed for future meeting. Public Comment: Energy Innovation Act will be presented to the City by Robin Paone, Melissa Hartman, and Richard Hildner. Proposes a price be placed on carbon producers, 100 cities have adopted this. Meeting adjourned at 6:55 Next meeting scheduled for October 21 at 5:30 2