Climate Action Plan Standing Committee

Climate Action Plan Standing Committee Meeting Minutes March 16, 2022 A. Attendance Committee Members; Liz, Robin, Kate, Nathan, Lydia, Karin, Ben, Tara, Members of the Public: Daniel Wright, Sequoa Garrison, Mallory Phillips B. Minutes from February 2022 meeting were approved C. Communications/Outreach/Education – Tara Osendorf The Committee reviewed the list of city boards and commissions to determine priorities for outreach to the groups. It was agreed to add the following non-city entities to the list: Whitefish Lake Institute, Flathead Electric Cooperative, Whitefish High Sustainability Center, and Heart of Whitefish. There was discussion about asking the Parking Committee. Tara explained that this committee had a limited scope to focus on a pilot for employee parking. After discussing options for encouraging the Council to expand the scope of the Committee, it was agreed that Nathan would work with Karin and Tara to explore the issue and make a recommendation on how to proceed at the next meeting. They will review discussion in the draft Transportation Plan of the Parking Plan priority actions. It was agreed that the Committee would invite representatives of the Housing Committee to the April meeting. In order to provide a framework for discussion, the invitation to the housing committee would include reference to the relevant housing goals in the Climate Action Plan. Tara will prepare an invite with reference to the CAP. D. Coordination with Climate Action Plan CAP Vacancy- It was noted that the vacancy for the Committee has been advertised but to date there were no responses. It was suggested that the committee members reach out to potential parties. Karin reported that the Park Department and Public Works has responded to the budget questionnaire. She will be meeting with Dave Taylor from Planning and Joe Page from the Fire Department. Karin will provide department head responses for the April meeting. . E. Project Updates Transportation Goals – The Committee reviewed the draft goals for the transportation plan with the following comments: • Clarify the language regarding use of parking lots for churches, schools and banks to explain that this should be targeted to employee parking and not public. The city should be encouraging more walking and biking for downtown to reduce vehicle trips. • There was discussion to how to align the parking management plan with the transportation plan and goals in the Climate Action Plan. This will be part of the discussion that Nathan, Karin and Tara will be reporting on next month. • It was discussed that the goals and objectives for the Transportation plan could be streamlined. Some are repetitive and others that appeared to be copied from other planning documents and may not be relevant for the transportation plan. • On pg. 11- the 5th bullet point should also require on-site bicycle facilities. • On pg. 11 – the 6th bullet point should reference trails and greenways for all types of developments in addition to subdivisions • Some goals and objectives for the U.S. 93 corridor and Wisconsin Ave. Corridor should apply city wide. • Use of the term “Complete Streets” should be better defined. • Include “tactical urbanism” concepts in the plan Recycling- Karin reported that council met on this topic at the March 7th meeting. The city will require bear proof garbage containers and are continuing the discussion and may seek revised quotes for a recycling drop-off center. Community Solar Project- Flathead Electric is still working with city on the draft contract. FEC is waiting for monthly energy usage info from PW for the new WWTP. Montana Facility Finance Authority- C-PACE- Zoom meeting was held Wednesday Feb. 23. There was a follow-up meeting with the County administrator. The state agreed to send the county more material for review. Kate will follow-up regarding the status of the county’s action on this. F. Other Committee Status Updates- the Committee discussed potential Earth Day activities. It was agreed that each Committee member would send Kate a trivia question for an on-line Trivia quiz. It was also agreed to promote walk to work day and that the web site and press releases should encourage people to walk and ride bikes on Earth Day. Karin will contact Carla Belski of the Parks Department to see about promoting walk/bike to work on Earth Day. G. Public Comment- Daniel Wright asked about incentives for developers of multi-family buildings to adopt green building techniques. Reduction of parking standards was suggested. It was discussed that these standards should be reviewed as part of any zoning updates. H. Meeting Adjourned at 7:07