Climate Action Plan Standing Committee

Climate Action Plan Standing Committee Meeting Minutes March 15, 2023 Attending: Karin Hilding, Anderson Rosenthal, Antony Randall, Kate McMahon, Nathan Dugan, Robin Paone, Liz Records, Alan Tiefenbach, Dakota Whitman, Ben Davis, Melissa Hartman and Brian Schott. B. The Minutes from February 15, 2022 Meeting were approved. C. Communications/Outreach/Education – A presentation was provided by Anderson Rosenthal of Project Winterland and Antony Randall of Planet Home concerning their upcoming Whitefish events. Project Winterland - October 26-28, 2023 https://winterland.live/ Big Sky Climate Solutionist Summit (this fall) – see https://planethome.eco/ecosprint/ For the Solutionist Summit, there was a committee member question of who will create the invitation list for the various tables. Anderson noted that she would invite representatives of climate technology here in the Flathead Valley and local battery technology. She said she has connections to Bullock and Tester on the policy side. Antony kept referring to the Whitefish climate roadmap. Karin let him and know that we don’t use that term, but instead reference the 2018 Climate Action Plan. Karin pointed out that the current city CAP committee differs from the original Climate Action Committee that created the 2018 plan. There was some discussion of whether the Summit would focus on the WF CAP. Kate McMahon recommended that the Summit be a county wide effort rather than focused on Whitefish. She said the CSGC would like to partner on the summit and be engaged as things move forward. Anderson spoke about contact with Andrea Getts and Gretchen of Land to Hand. She also has talked to the Flathead Biological Station and they would like to be involved. D. Project Updates • Existing Projects o Community Solar Project – The Engineering design RFP will go out next week according to Ashley Keltner of FEC. He is submitting the REAP grant application by the end of the month. Ashley and Karin will speak to Pete Berthelsen, an expert on agrisolar pollinators, about including vegetative rather than gravel base under the panels. Brian Schott expressed interest in the potential vegetative/bee pollinator design addition. He stated that the next Explore WF/POW partnership video would include the solar project. He is interested in doing a time lapse of the solar installation. o Transit Mobility Platform/Transit MOU - Karin said there is no update. o Landscaping Standards and Growth Policy Update – Planning Dept. Alan provided an update on both. o FY 24 city budget process related to CAP committee - Karin needs to meet with Craig concerning the FY24 budget and PW department.   Retro-commissioning of ESC Building – Karin received a cost estimate from Laura Howe. The committee voted to recommend that retro- commissioning of the ESC building be included in the FY24 budget. Karin will send an email to Dana with this recommendation and copy Ben Davis. Ben will bring up this recommendation during the council budget work sessions.  Assisting Public Works with selecting a potential EV for FY24 Karin received information from Jesse Therien of YTCC about the Ford Lightning 150. She’ll put together comparison info for the PW budget. o Safe Streets For All (SS4A) Safety Plan Grant moving forward and Transportation Alternatives Grant Application due in April for shared us path improvements near schools. Karin explained that the TA grant application is stalled after the Parks Board meeting. o C-PACE status– Karin noted the council C-PACE work session on April 3rd. o Recent FEC press release on Whitefish WWTP energy efficiency savings (a $193,390 rebate from BPA). Karin said she will forward the FEC press release to the committee. She will also ask Don Newton if he can forward the press release to the Flathead Beacon or WF Pilot. • Proposed Projects o Proposed Electrification Strategy (Robin) – The committee voted to approve the proposed Electrification Strategy drafted by Robin and Lydia. E. Other Committee Status Updates Karin noted that the MT2030 Buildings and Electrification session is happening March 21st at 10 am. F. Public Comment G. Adjournment