HomeMy WebLinkAbout7-6-20 Climate Action Commission AgendaIowa City Climate Action Commission Age nda
Monday, July 6, 2020, 3:30 – 5:00 p.m.
Electronic Meeting, Zoom Platform
Meeting Agenda:
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meeting host know you would like to speak. Providing comments in
1.Call to Order
2.Roll Call
3.Approval of June 1, 2020 minutes
4.Public Comment of items not on the Agenda (Commentators shall address the Commission for
no more than 3 minutes. Commissioners shall not engage in discussion with the public
concerning said items).
5.Update from Juli Seydell-Johnson, Parks and Rec Director on tree removal and increasing prairie
plantings
6.Staff Announcements
a.Action items from last meeting
b.Updates on actions in “Accelerating Iowa City’s Climate Actions” (see attachment). This
will alternate with Climate Action and Outreach Office update.
7.New Business:
a.Review and discuss building, adaptation and sustainable lifestyle metrics
b.Public input on “Accelerating Iowa City’s Climate Actions”
c.Equity considerations for all climate actions
d.Update on working groups
i.Buildings (Krieger, Karr, Soglin)
ii.Transportation (Leckband, Giannakouros)
iii.Outreach (Krieger, Fraser, Holbrook, Bradley)
iv.Equity/Adaptation (Tate, Hutchinson)
v.Waste (Bradley, Sarsfield)
8.Recap of actionable items for commission, working groups, and staff
9.Adjourn
If you will need disability-related accommodations in order to participate in this meeting, please contact
Brenda Nations, Sustainability Coordinator, at 319-356-6161 or at brenda-nations@iowa-city.org. Early
requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet your access needs.
MINUTES PRELIMINARY
IOWA CITY CLIMATE ACTION COMMISSION
JUNE 1, 2020 – 3:30 PM – FORMAL MEETING
ELECTRONIC MEETING
MEMBERS PRESENT: Madeleine Bradley, Grace Holbrook, John Fraser, Stratis
Giannakouros, Kasey Hutchinson, GT Karr, Matt Krieger, Jesse
Leckband, Katie Sarsfield, Becky Soglin, Eric Tate
MEMBERS ABSENT:
STAFF PRESENT: Sarah Gardner, Wendy Ford, Brenda Nations
OTHERS PRESENT: John Barr, Sylvia Cassada
RECOMMENDATIONS TO CITY COUNCIL:
None
CALL TO ORDER:
Krieger called the meeting to order.
APPROVAL OF MAY 4 , 2020 MINUTES:
Fraser moves to approve the minutes from May 4, 2020.
Giannakouros seconds the motion, a vote was taken and the motion passes 10-0 (Sarsfield not
present for the vote).
PUBLIC COMMENT OF ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA:
John Barr noted since early January he and his neighbors over on the far east side, bordering
on Scott Park, had been observing some tree removal along Ralston Creek and they've been
engaging the parks department in ongoing discussion, and had a formal meeting with them in
February. Barr stated the parks to prairies concept certainly seems to be a component of the
Electronic Meeting
(Pursuant to Iowa Code section 21.8)
An electronic meeting is being held because a meeting in person is impossible
or impractical due to concerns for the health and safety of Commission
members, staff and the public presented by COVID-19.
Climate Action Commission
June 1, 2020
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Climate Action Plan and it spills over certainly into the area of outreach where we're concerned
about interacting and educating and engaging the public. The epiphany that they had in talking
to the parks department was that aside from the prairie concept, they seem to be concerned
about creek bed erosion and the tactic they're employing is to do radical tree removal along
certain areas or adjacent to the creek. Barr noted the concern being with the concept of
preserving canopy, canopy refers to mature trees that have a significant carbon offset, and he
wanted to call this to the Commission’s attention the fact that there are certain standard
maintenance practices of the parks department adopting what he chooses to call radical tree
removal of mature trees along the creek beds really doesn’t seem to be congruent with the
overall Climate Action Plan. Barr is wondering what steps the Commission has to bring these
into harmony.
Giannakouros asked why does removing trees actually lessens erosion. Barr stated their
contention is there are a number of invasive species encroaching in on the creek bed and that
rationale did not really resonate with members of his neighborhood who have forestry
background. They have removed wholes sloths of trees along Court Street so a span of what
formerly was about 70 trees has been reduced to 15 and that's not even within 25 yards of a
creek bed. Another section along a creek bed has one mature tree remaining. So what he has
seen is they're adopting a maintenance strategy to be able to get equipment in to mow along
the creek beds unobstructed by trees. They have observed in the neighborhood there are trees
that remain with roots protruding on the creek bed. The park department’s explanation is they’re
going to plant prairies and other things along this area too but Barr noted in his experience,
prairies planted in areas that flood, which is what part of lower Scott Park is intended for, really
may show robustness for a couple of years and ultimately rot out due to the moisture. He thinks
they're kind of flying under the radar with a hardcore maintenance plan here that really doesn't
match very well with what should be the concept for canopy protection.
Giannakouros noted Barr was basically asking what steps the Commission is taking to assure
that the standard maintenance practices of the parks department are congruent with
accelerating Iowa City's climate actions and is encouraging steps be taken.
Krieger stated the Commission can hear the comments at this point and then explore those
further as needed in future agenda topics, at this point they’re not supposed to have discussion.
Sylvia Cassada noted Miriam Kashia was unavailable to make this meeting, so she offered to
step in on behalf of 100 Grannies here from Iowa City. They wanted to approach the
Commission with 100 Grannies idea project that they would like to engage the Commission in
and receive like further guidance. They sent an email to Nations earlier asking her about their
concern regarding the prairie expansion project in Iowa City. They are left wondering whether
cover crops have an appropriate place in any of these types of prairie/conservation projects.
They understand that Iowa City has some vacant lots that are owned by the City and they'd like
to know instead of just having weeds growing on them, whether it be appropriate and prudent to
start considering having cover crops added to those areas, and the beauty of having some of
those cover crops added to these areas will improve the soil quality and adds nitrogen
sequestering carbon. Cassada said they could turn this into an opportunity for unemployed
youth to be a part of the conservation effort that's sponsored by the City. They also think that
this would build up soil in areas that that public has come to enjoy, such as Wetherby park or
Mosquito Flats. They’d really like to take this a step further in making sure that public spaces
where the City controls the land is building up the soil as well. They are looking forward to
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hearing back as to a possibility of partnering up with respective departments that could help
them with 100 Grannies working together to make this happen and take the soil to the next level
for a lot of good reasons.
STAFF/COMMISSION ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Discussion of updated work plan for “Accelerating Iowa City’s Climate Actions”: Wendy
Ford introduced herself and stated her job at the City is Economic Development Coordinator
and noted some of the goals and missions of the Commission cross over to what she is working
on. She noted they have a number of urban renewal areas in the City and urban renewal areas
simply enable the use of tax increment financing used in projects that City Council deems
worthy. Sometimes there are projects, such as the Chauncey, that come to the City and ask for
assistance in creating this building that wouldn't have been create otherwise. In this case, they
want to target the industrial areas, and the area that fits between the Iowa Interstate railroad
that heads out of town going east near southeast and Highway 6. Between those two tracks,
they have several industrial areas and three of them have significant increment built up in them
and really that means there is a pot of money that could be used for incentivizing industrial
users to make energy efficiency improvements in their buildings. Ford stated they’ve been
working on legislative process for this and that involves putting a plan together, bringing that
before Council, having a public hearing and then the hard work begins which will be educating
and making one-on-one visits with the industrial users, especially those they think could really
benefit from a significant spur to help them make those energy efficiency improvements. What
they haven't worked out yet are the nuts and bolts of deciding what kind of project or how a
project should come to be. They want to bring a third-party evaluator in to look at the project
from the company to determine whether or not that indeed would be worthy of public financing.
Ford noted there are lots of details to be worked out that but they’ll see those urban renewal
area happen yet this month in June and that is the beginning of the process, the rest will take
another four to six weeks or so. Ford noted as they look forward the model is fairly simple that
they've written into the existing urban renewal areas to amend. It's simple enough that they
could do the same thing in two other urban renewal areas that are not industrial but have
enjoyed a significant increase in property tax base from which they could fund additional
projects for energy efficiency in both downtown and Riverfront Crossings. Ford stated they’ve
got a big year ahead of them in amending these urban renewal plans, but the industrial ones
should have a significant impact in the carbon reduction goals.
Ford stated they have two other things they are working on. One, a tax abatement area that
they're putting together which is designed for small business and property owners essentially
along the Highway 6 corridor. The area between Sycamore Mall all the way out to the
intersection of Highway 218 and Highway 1 south and then up into Gilbert Street a little bit and
Riverside Drive. This is a tax abatement area that will allow for an abatement of taxes that
would occur when a business makes an improvement in their building that raises the tax base of
that building or taxable value by at least 50%.
The second is to provide an abatement for projects who are doing a certain level of energy
efficiency. They are trying to hash through that, and they'll have more to come as they get those
parameters figured out. Ford stressed the abatement of taxes is for three years to five years.
The third program they want to do and have been talking about for some time is a green
business recognition program. What they had initially planned was to have businesses who
wanted to participate in being recognized for their greenness sign up to participate in Portfolio
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Manager, which is the online database that helps track improvements on energy use. This was
a little bit slow going and they're making a little bit of a pivot here and want to something
simpler, so they’re still determining what that is now, but they will work closely with the Chamber
of Commerce to reach a wide public and pull them in very quickly.
Tate asked for Ford to repeat the location of the proposed project and what kind of things would
be used to help support energy efficiency. Ford replied that the three urban renewal areas that
are established already that they would be amending to be able to do this program which is all
the way up to Scott Boulevard and the area east of that bordered by the City limits of Iowa City.
The next one in is Heinz Road urban renewal area which has Heinz Road running right up the
middle of it and the third one is the Sycamore Mall/First Avenue area which includes the P&G
buildings, the Sycamore Mall or Iowa City Marketplace area. The question was how the
projects would be determined or what kinds of projects. Ford said the tax increment financing
funds in an urban renewal area have to be reused in that area only. They can't take an increase
in taxes from one area and spend it in another, the only exception is with affordable housing.
Krieger suggested sharing a summary of that proposal along with a map or a description of the
zones for the Commission’s further review, perhaps the buildings working group would want to
look at that in more detail.
Nations thanked Ford and noted it’s really exciting working on some of those larger buildings in
that industrial area and thinks it can make a really big difference in using some of those funds to
lower the energy. Looks forward to seeing the results of that.
Nations next noted since Monroe could not be here today, she wanted to give an update
regarding financials and about recovery with the COVID crisis. In May, the City Manager gave
an update for the financial picture for the City and although some of the funds have been
impacted, primarily the parking fund, which has really been heavily impacted, they’re still in
pretty good solid financial shape. He did acknowledge they may have more impacts to the
general fund in future years if property values drop, but they presented a recovery approach
model at the mid-May meeting and Council is still deliberating on how they want to proceed.
However, the emergency tax levy that's been dedicated to climate action is still allocated to the
projects in the Plan, and that the recovery strategies actually might necessitate speeding up
some of the later projects, some of the rebates and incentives, but all the approved projects are
still moving ahead. Nations reiterated everything still is going straight ahead they’ll continue to
seek assistance from the Commission and the working groups for execution of these efforts.
Also the federal funding for transit support will assist and provide funding that can really boost
the efforts to implement the transit system improvements that will be recommended in the
forthcoming study.
Nations next wanted to talk about Excel chart in the packet with all the 35 actions that are going
to be initiated this year. She acknowledged this group talked about having a work plan for each
of those actions. Nations noted this is not a complete work plan by any means, but they started
putting dates to when they will initiate these, so for each of the 35 actions that they plan to
initiate this year, they have added the month that they're going to initiate the work plan. For the
next meeting she will organize it by month, which would be easier to read, and will add some
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columns for what area the action is in. Nations reviewed what they have worked on as a city in
the month of May. As they move forward, they can show the Commission what they've worked
on each month and if they're behind or ahead of schedule. Nations acknowledged there was a
request last meeting by somebody from the public wanting to know how they were going to
update everyone on the successes, so hopefully this chart will accomplish that.
Krieger thanked Nations for putting this together and thinks this will be a good communication
tool for the Commission and the working groups and it might also be a good communication tool
for the public, to increase transparency. Is there a way this could be shared or developed as a
tool on the website or in the newsletter or something as an attachment to be publicly shared that
is easy to find.
Nations noted that is a really good comment and something that they have thought about. Since
this is their first draft, they didn’t feel it was ready for primetime, but it would be good to show
people that they do take this seriously and are working on some of these things.
Krieger asked if Nations wanted any comments or feedback on any of the specific items at this
point, or wait on that until they've had a bit more time to review within the working groups and
individually, Nations said either is fine, if someone has input, she is happy to hear it at any time.
Soglin noted it's good to see the equity column there and was wondering if they had developed
the equity co-benefit sheet. She wasn't clear whether that was something that needed to go to
Council and be approved by them in order for the Commission to use it to keep track of things.
Nations stated she and Monroe had talked about that, but from what she understands she didn't
realize anybody thought it was going to go to Council and she doesn’t think that's something
that they need to go to Council for approval. Nations stated she was a little confused by the
email because they had talked about the City using it in projects and if City staff was going to
use it, then it probably would go to City Council. If this group wants to create something like that
and use it, it doesn't need to go to City Council. Soglin asked if there was consensus amongst
the Commission then to use the co-benefit sheet. Krieger replied there was consensus.
Nations stated the confusion is the Excel chart will be used by staff and the Commission, but the
co-benefit sheet is something that this Commission would use, not City staff. The co-benefit
sheet can be made into a PDF and put on the Google Docs drive for the working groups to use.
Updates from Climate Action and Outreach office: Nations stated she has a few quick
updates for other things that they're doing in the Climate Action and Outreach office. She
showed a document with recent activity so the Commission could see what they're working on
and focused on this month. She already went over the tracking and reporting of their actions,
they are finishing up the climate action grants that they were awarded last year and should be
finished by the end of this month. They awarded the grants for this next fiscal year and those
recipients will be named in the sustainability newsletter that goes out this week.
Krieger asked how many were awarded this year. Nations stated there were 10, except some
of them might get rescinded because of different situations. She noted they got a really
interesting mix of grant applications and feel really good about those.
Nations has also been working on the metrics spreadsheet so they can track their progress.
They’ve also been working on three festivals coming up, the Monarch Festival, which is going to
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be virtual, the Farm To Street, they are still working on what that might look like in August, and
then the Climate Festival which will be addressed during the outreach working group update.
REQUEST FROM COUNCIL FOR COMMISSION TO RESEARCH AND ADVISE COUNCIL
ON THE CARBON FOOTPRINT OF BUILDINGS OF VARYING DENSITY AND SCALE:
Krieger noted this item has been assigned to the Building's W orking Group for further review
and they hope to have a detailed update at next month’s meeting.
REVIEW AND DISCUSS TRANSPORATION AND WAS TE METRICS:
Nations stated one thing she has really been working on is that they'd like some metrics within
the Climate Action Plan and within the specific actions to show the progress so they can see
change and whether their energy is focused in the right places and where they need to tweak
things. There are five groups and her goal is to come up with 15 to 20 approved upon metrics
that can show more details about progress in the climate action work. She has been looking at
other city’s metrics and trying to figure out with our specific actions and our goals, how we can
show progress in those areas. She has talked with the transportation working group and also
staff and is feeling pretty good about the transportation metrics but wanted to run this by the
whole group and see if there are any comments or suggestions.
So, with the transportation metrics, greenhouse gas emissions are calculated according to
vehicle miles traveled for all the different vehicles within city limits. But what they want to do as
a group is to encourage people to drive alone less, to ride the bus and walk and bike. They also
want to promote electric vehicles. For each of these metrics in these areas, the City wants to
have its own metric to show that they are working on that ourselves too. The metrics that came
up were total vehicle miles traveled, which is given every year by the DOT and they could divide
that by population. Transit every year provides the number for bus ridership and as previously
reported they have a goal to double the bus ridership. Next was transportation mode spilt,
which is a little bit more mushy. Data is estimated from the American Community Survey from
the census. There are annual estimates, which are only estimated, but every five years there is
a better number to find out how many people are biking and walking to work. They would like to
get the number of registered electric vehicles, which would be countywide, and they might look
at that by percentage of all vehicles or by population. Then the City wants to look at vehicle
miles traveled per the amount of gasoline that they use for those vehicles and hope that
improves as they have increased electric cars and efficient cars. So those are the type of things
that they're looking at. If they see that our transportation amounts have gone up, they can
understand why and note if they need to work on getting people to ride the bus more or walk.
Tate stated one of the things they talked about briefly last time was not just looking at these
things schematically, but also maybe thinking about level of impact for some of these things,
and it might be useful to start considering what projects to do or indicators to implement in the
transportation metrics, one or two of these may be really more impactful than the others.
Nations agreed and stated perhaps one they have the new data person start they could look at
those types of things to see where they are having the biggest impact, not just the number.
Tate stated if they want to spatially disaggregate things, they have to take any indicators and
start with total because they’re not going to be able to map that.
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Krieger noted however with bus ridership, for instance, they could see if they had improved
ridership in certain segments of the community neighborhoods.
Nations stated the goal is to first work with staff and working groups to cover all the five sections
of the Plan and then once they get it all firmed up then collect the last two years work. They
completed the Plan in 2018, which would be a baseline. That will show the progress and show
where we need to work. But also, the next Plan update, which we said we're going to do in five
years, is now only three and a half more years.
Nations noted for example if they want to grow electric vehicles and support electric vehicles.
Once they have a baseline if they want electric vehicles to be increased 25% of the passenger
vehicles on the road, and they know if there is currently 5% or 10%, we can know what's
reasonable and what the growth is expected, then have much more concrete goals. The more
concrete numbers are to start with, the more concrete goals are, which is a lot better than
having vague goals.
Soglin noted in the planning world they’re reading a lot about the potential that mass and public
transit are really going to be impacted by the virus. Maybe it'll just be a year or two, in a way that
makes it all the more important to be measuring. She doesn’t know if there's any new
information out there on how the virus would impact these particular metrics in the sense and if
this is something else they should be measuring? Because there's this new variable that we
didn't really have in mind three or four months ago from a public health point of view.
Soglin also noted perhaps the American Bicycle Professionals will have suggestions on other
data because of the use of mushy data. It's hard to get that data but it would be great if for non-
motorized vehicles they had data that wasn't so mushy. Nations agreed and noted they have
been talking about that internally and if anyone can come up with anything, they’d be happy to
entertain other options. That's why they're vetting it with the different groups and with this
Commission and with City staff and trying to come up with data that is relatively easy to get
every year, and that's available so they can see progress. What they want to see through the
years, even with the virus, are changes from the baseline data. They know these metrics are
behavioral habits with what people do and so if they're not riding the bus, maybe we can see
how people are getting around and how those changes are impacting the goals. They will also
be able to see how things change because of things like this crisis.
Giannakouros noted there will be a data person that comes into the office one thing they can do
in the future would be to normalize these metrics. If one really thinks about measuring metrics
such as bus ridership, its avoided vehicle miles traveled as the common denominator. All of
these five points can be expressed to some degree. If the goal is avoided emissions you can
look at a one person’s vehicle miles and that for one person, one car driving around, and that's
the worst case scenario, you can compare that to the emissions from a bus ride versus a single
transit. Then in terms of distributed impact, we can assume that if you are economically
insecure, you're more likely to ride a bus, or you're more likely to have an old car with high
emissions, high maintenance, and you're devoting a larger percentage of your income to transit.
So thinking about that how do we on the back end think about these metrics as proxies for how
to target those groups that can benefit. It does need to be done from a data perspective, to
normalize all those first five metrics, and then think about who the groups are and how they're
just differently impacted by these modes of transit. W e want to help those groups, and climate
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action as a vehicle to helping the underserved areas of Iowa City, go hand in hand. That's why
this is a Climate Action Plan and not just an emissions reduction plan. The impact of the
changes in transportation should also have an impact with those groups that we think we should
be helping as a City. The City should start to target getting those old non-efficient cars off the
road, and giving some kind of money incentives to get those cars off the road as the best bang
for our carbon buck and because it helps those families to have an alternative or to get a better
car. That changes the emissions profile. Students at University of Iowa or someone could start
to unpack and figure out are these novel ways of rethinking about how we go after emissions in
the context of energy insecurity, transportation insecurity, low income households, and money
spent there has a disproportionate impact and then getting those emissions reductions. The
goal is to have those people taking the bus, but it is different results from an emissions
standpoint from someone with a fuel-efficient car versus an old, non-efficient car owner taking
the bus.
Soglin wondered if it is worth getting information about the year of the vehicles registered here
but realize you're going to pick up the older ones and probably some will be antique or vintage
that somebody keeps for pleasure, that kind of thing, so that will not be a useful metric.
Nations stated they’ve looked at different things for transportation and also noted there's a large
portion of the population that their vehicles probably aren't even registered in Johnson County.
So while it would be really interesting to look at Johnson County vehicle registration, it will not
show the whole picture.
Leckband noted that the State rules do have object specific exemptions for additional
information about locations and registrations and it can be shared with municipal government
employees that are doing their work. He doesn’t know if there's any restrictions on how you
store that identifying information, but for the purpose of summarizing and evaluating analysis, he
thinks that would be able to be released.
Giannakouros suggested they could also look at the permits the City sells for parking downtown
and track bus ridership and once the bike share program is going get the bike share ridership
tracked as part of the metrics to see if that's increasing or not.
Nations stated that as far as waste metrics go, she has been working with internally with City
staff to get the right ideas and threw out some ideas to them. If we were look at the total amount
recycled or composted, then we aren’t really looking at on reduction of consumption. We could
increase recycling but also the consumption could still be increasing, which is not the goal. And
same with composting, it could be just more food waste so they're trying to be really thoughtful
in looking at waste as far as lowering consumption, not just increasing what one does with
waste. The other thing that complicates waste is landfill totals as a rule across the country go
down when the economy goes down and when the economy goes up landfill numbers go up
too, so it's tied in with that. She noted there's all these little ins and outs and complexities that
they're trying to make sure that they capture and then choose the right metrics. As soon as they
get some metrics, she'd like to run them by the waste group and then next she would like to
work on the building metrics with the building working group.
PUBLIC INPUT ON “ACCELERATING IOWA CITY’S CLIMATE ACTIONS”:
Krieger stated they’ve had discussions on this off and on back in March, when they finalized the
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feedback on the 100-Day Report and identified this agenda item to discuss what that public
input process might look like. Through those past discussions, and with the working groups,
they’ve heard discussions on what the content should be or what the format could be. Now that
they have an engagement specialist, Sarah Gardner, she'll be focused on this effort as well so
perhaps today's discussion could be about providing ideas to Sarah about that process or about
what we as a Commission consider to be the goals for that effort. Nations added Sarah is
already working on the ambassador program that's going to be get input back from the people
that are in that and the Climate Festival (which is going to be a virtual event).
Giannakouros stated just really quickly to go back to the waste metrics for a brief second, and
noted at The University of Iowa they’re in the same situation where they had difficulty meeting
the goals because as you get better at recycling, it's like a weird paradox where you just kind of
its self-defeating in terms of an absolute reduction. So that's one piece. The other piece is that
they're looking more intently at sustainable materials management. You all may be familiar with
EPA’s SMM program in the State of Iowa, and thinking about how to prioritize things, normally
you prioritize it with what's the most toxic stuff, what's the most carbon intensive stuff, however
in this case, you'd probably look at carbon intensity and then seeing how do we just target those
things more clearly and stop saying we're going to catch all waste. They know with the 337
plastics they don't move the needle very much, but paper and food waste and other organics
do. So, if the City wants to think about aligning waste goals with the Climate Action Plan, you go
after CH 4 and CO 2 emitters that are the highest bang for your buck, and then quote those things
and not absolute reductions and adopt a modified SMM approach for this Climate Action Plan.
Krieger returned to the public input topic and noted they can talk about general goals, things like
transparency in the process, of working on the Climate Action Plan, gathering input for further
planning as part of specific topics. One of the questions could be should public input focus on
specific topics and projects as they arise rather than the whole plan so that it's easier to
consume and partake.
Soglin stated regarding having some focus on specific projects, noted the Gazette had an
editorial that called upon them as a Commission to basically do a better job though obviously,
it's not just up to us of getting public input, some of that relates to the Council and beyond our
control. Perhaps it's worth getting a better understanding of the process of public input and not
for discussion right now but putting on a future agenda to better understand what has not
worked well in the last couple months and get a little bit of a handle on that and maybe it can
inform what we do going forward.
Krieger agreed and stated especially based on recent events, if Council is going to be voting on
something that is reviewed by the Commission and there’s public input process, transparency
process around those issues to more fully vet them. Soglin agreed and noted for example, like
even today, they had two comments from the public that essentially have to do with how staff is
running projects and while she doesn’t want to interfere and second guess them without them
also being involved. So it's not just hearing from the public, this process will involve better
understanding how staff are able to directly reach out and inform others and respond to the
input.
Krieger stated there needs to be an ongoing process in place, and he thinks that's part of
outreach and communication. They need to have a continuous method or a certain frequency of
being able to ask for input, provide information, to get what people care about in a structured
Climate Action Commission
June 1, 2020
Page 10 of 14
format so people know what to expect.
Giannakouros asked if it is onerous to have City staff across departments think in explicit ways
to have answers, for example, the trees in the in the creek bed, can City staff have an answer
for someone on what's the environment or carbon impact and would they have thought of that.
It becomes onerous if everyone constantly has to think of that, but there's probably certain
projects that it might make more sense. If you're going to cut trees down, that's an
environmental trigger, and there should be some way that departments in the City are prepared
to react to that and say what’s the rationale, to note they’ve considered the climate piece, the
environmental piece, and the different stakeholder angles to a certain extent. It wouldn't be for
everything all the time, because that would be onerous, but in cases of cutting a tree down or
putting up a solar array, those things that will get the attention from people that are particularly
concerned in terms of climate language, it should come back to the Commission in some form.
Krieger noted they now have full time staff working on this issue and thinks this is something
that each of the Working Groups should address as part of their discussions in more detail.
ENSURING EQUITY IS CONSIDERED FOR ALL CLIMATE ACTIONS;
Nations noted that equity considerations were added in a column in the spreadsheet for their
review and the Equity Working Group will also review and discuss what was added in that
column.
UPDATE ON WORKING GROUPS:
Buildings:
Soglin noted their focus is on the building density issue. At this point they have like seven or
eight things that they are keeping track of and noted that some things, such as the Iowa City
School District data, are on hold due to the virus. She did note they are retroactively getting
building data back to 2008.
Soglin also stated speaking on behalf of the County they have the Johnson County solar group
launched and the first webinar will be on June 4th and can be viewed on the Solarized Johnson
County.org website. Anybody within the city of Iowa City as well as any other city or the
unincorporated areas is eligible to participate.
She noted one a member of the public had raised a concern about just how some residential
energy was depicted in the report and read to address that, and she thinks they satisfied their
inquiry on that.
Transportation:
Leckband noted their discussion was about the metrics and what are the impacts of COVID. He
thinks most of their discussion was engaging. He invited the MidAmerican EV program manager
and so they'll be interfacing with him and he's going to provide a little more information on
programs and how they're helping with other cities.
Climate Action Commission
June 1, 2020
Page 11 of 14
Outreach:
Fraser noted The Climate Festival certainly is an ongoing topic as part of outreach and also the
ambassador program, which he is little behind on because he hasn’t had a person to person
meeting with the folks that are doing the main work on that, but it's a big topic.
Fraser stated some good news and bad news for himself. He’s just been asked to come back
for a second shot at being the president of the Iowa United Nations Association. He almost
turned it down but there are too many synergies with what he’s doing and other aspects of his
life and certainly the Climate Action Committee is one. The advocacy committee of the United
Iowa United Nations has been really aggressive on their thoughts regarding climate action, all
the way from national issues of lobbying to nationally to get back into the Paris Climate
Agreement. Good luck with that under the present administration, but he thinks that could
happen next year. The good news is they're also advocating for encouraging the governor to
join the Climate Action Alliance and to encourage mayors and local officials to join the global
covenant of mayors. When they're talking about Iowa City, they’re already there but the good
news is everyone in Iowa United Nations, all the members, all the board members, are focusing
now on what they can do to reduce greenhouse emissions, reduce the carbon footprint, and do
the right thing and support the local climate action plans. So he is going to be in a position to get
some arms and legs to help us which will be good and that's frankly, the only reason he agreed
to come back for another two year term.
Krieger noted with the climate ambassador program, Sarah has been working a lot on that and
at the last outreach meeting she talked about creating a framework for online trainings, how that
overall program might sort out as different tiers of ambassadors, climate ambassadors and
climate leaders, so that that program is in development right now. With the Climate Festival
planning, the festival will now be almost all virtual and spread out over a week rather than just
one day.
Fraser had one more comment regarding the very large elephant in the room and it's got to do
with our whole country being on fire right now with looting and protests and the hijacking of
legitimate protests by unsavory groups that are going well beyond what is appropriate. He
doesn’t know if it's appropriate for us as part of the outreach committee or part of the
Commission and maybe they do it through equity, but they need to be proactive. When they see
people with their knee on someone's neck, they need to step up and say, get your knee off their
neck. They can generalize that in all our equity efforts and wonders if it would be worthy or
worthwhile or appropriate to draft some sort of a support statement supporting our mayor and all
the people that are thinking and doing all the right things right now. He doesn’t want to get
political about it, but it's almost unsavory that they don't talk about it.
Equity:
Hutchinson noted during their last discussion they pretty much focused on Kuann’s work and
most specifically the spreadsheet that she developed that lists all the potential stakeholders in
the community. That's the spreadsheet where she placed them in various quadrants, mainly
based on the degree that they're impacted by climate change. So they want to start with that
and also focus on information received by Nations on what Fort Collins has done because
they've gone through some of these same exercises. Once they go through the documents they
will figure out the mix of stakeholders that they would like to try and start to establish
Climate Action Commission
June 1, 2020
Page 12 of 14
relationships with and invite onto the equity working group to make sure that they come up with
a mix that's going to be most effective at addressing the equity issues and making sure that they
are effective with those efforts.
Tate noted it sounds like they have some homework for our next meeting to take a look at this
equity column that Nations and her colleagues have added to the climate actions and give some
feedback on that.
Waste:
Bradley noted they talked about how COVID has been really challenging for those easy fixes in
regard to waste that usually engage people. For instance, people can't use reusable bags
anymore or reusable mugs and things like that. Therefore they talked about brainstorming ways
to overcome those problems and continue reducing waste in the community and encouraging
people to come and take waste reduction a step further than just those. They are also working
on reaching out to different community members in groups and getting them involved with the
working group.
RECAP OF ACTIONABLE ITEMS FOR COMMISSION, WORKING GROUPS, AND STAFF:
1) Add to the agenda if something comes up during public comments, the Commission
cannot comment at that time but can request it be added to the next agenda.
2) Nations will to answer the 100 Grannies about their email ideas and will also speak with
the parks department as it is really a parks question and she will need to collaborate with
them.
3) Soglin is going to use the co-benefits sheet and change that draft into PDF and upload it
into Google documents and it will be in the next packet.
4) Nations will share that website for transportation and the change in different
transportation how it offsets greenhouse gases.
5) Nations will share the Gazette story for all to read while they think about getting the
process around public input on climate and how they can do better.
6) Nations will to talk to motor vehicles in Johnson County and look into different metrics
that they might use their data.
7) Krieger asked for Nations send a summary of what Ford reviewed along with the map for
zones.
8) Soglin requested exploration of making an online version of this year's action item list so
the public could see that.
9) Working groups are to think about public input methods. Also, if anyone has ideas about
the metrics let Nations know.
Climate Action Commission
June 1, 2020
Page 13 of 14
Nations noted she will send out this list of action items out to the Commission via email.
Giannakouros noted following up on Fraser’s comments about recent events, perhaps they
should put a placeholder in the next agenda as it is an endless discussion. Doesn’t know what
the limitations or the mandate of this Commission is, but on a personal level, he just feels it's
sickening, the country is in turmoil right now and it's hard for any part of normal business to be
normal and to ignore this. Perhaps for this Commission, the discussion should start offline in the
working groups to figure out what does this mean. He feels it's worth as a public commission
thinking about this.
Krieger added another item might be to get a Parks and Rec update based on the public
comment at the beginning of the meeting. Perhaps they would be able to provide an update on
intent and what's going on there.
ADJOURNMENT:
Krieger made a motion to adjourn.
Tate seconded the motion.
Climate Action Commission
June 1, 2020
Page 14 of 14
A vote was taken and the motion passed unanimously.
NAME TERM EXP. 10/7/2019 11/4/2019 12/2/2019 1/6/2020 2/10/2020 3/9/2020 5/4/2020 6/1/2020 7/6/2020 8/3/2020 Madeleine Bradley 12/31/2022 -- -- X X X O/E X X
John Fraser 12/31/2020 X X X X X X X X
Stratis
Giannakouros UI Rep X X X X X X X X
Grace Holbrook 12/31/2021 X X X O/E O/E O/E X X
Kasey Hutchinson 12/31/2022 -- -- X X X X X X
GT Karr 12/31/2020 X X X X X X X X
Matt Krieger 12/31/2020 X X X X X X X X
Jesse Leckband
MidAmerican
Rep X X X X X X X X
Katie Sarsfield 12/31/2020 X X O/E X X O/E X X
Becky Soglin 12/31/2022 -- -- X X X X X X
Eric Tate 12/31/2021 X X X X X X X X
KEY: X = Present
O = Absent
O/E = Absent/Excused
NM = No
Meeting
-- -- = Not a Member
CLIMATE ACTION COMMISSION
ATTENDANCE RECORD
2019 - 2020
Progress update on "Accelerating Iowa City's Climate Actions"
New/
Next
Step
Plan
Alignment
Month to
Initiate Workplan Equity Focus Status
BPP-1 New 1.5 April Brought forward to City Council in April and
was not approved. No next steps planned at
this point. Will assess opportunities as
locations or chances present themselves.
Closed
BE-3 New 1.1 & 1.6 May Buildings Working Group indicated initial
conversations were in motion with local
realtors about value of this action. Staff
checked with the group members about
where this stands. CAO/CMO can offer
support as needed. Example programs
elsewhere need to be presented. More
research and education needed on realtor and
homebuying/selling, paired with engagement
with ICAAR. Concerns include an inability to
sell inefficient properties.
Benefits for informed buying/selling, may need
incentive assistance later on, if concentration of
activity falls within only a few neigborhoods or
stakeholder interest lacking. Education for all residents
and renters about housing with energy efficiency and
indoor air quality speaks to equity concerns.
Commission and Working Group recommendations
and feedback needed.
In
Development
BI-4 New 1.2 & 5.4 May Economic Development finalizing
requirements. Pursuing initial Council approval
steps for establishing and approving Urban
Renewal Areas in summer 2020.
Underway
BCP-1 New 1.1 – 1.4 May Inquire at State about progress for rule making
process. Determine whether additional actions
necessary, including letters to elected officials.
Covid-19 delayed meetings in spring 2020.
Timing may require advocacy efforts expanded
into 2021.
Could support these efforts with help from education
and advocacy from underserved groups that directly
benefit from housing improvements.
Underway
BCP-2 New 1.1 – 1.4 May Eligible staff voted for adoption of new IECC
codes earlier in 2020. This action also requires
letters to and engagement with elected
officials. Advocacy efforts expanded into
2021.
Could support these efforts with help from education
and advocacy from underserved groups that directly
benefit from housing improvements.
Underway
BE-1 Next 1.1 – 1.2, 1.6 June Initiate planning and needs assessment;
feedback from Commission working group.
Identify resources, contacts, and content.
Assess web access and source development,
method of dissemination. Support eventual
actions with strategy from communications
plan (Action 5.1 - EDU)
Imperative. Review of equity report and assistance
from EHR staff essential. Commission and Working
Group recommendations and feedback needed.
In
Development
BE-2 New 1.1-1.4 June Initiate introductions to organizations, CAO
staff understanding of goals and example
programs necessary. Meetings with City
development staff. Develop group of
stakeholders to discuss barriers and interest in
pursuing green build strategies to better
partner and build new alliances/education
opportunities. Support eventual actions with
strategy from communications plan (Action 5.1
- EDU)
Use equity report to ensure stakeholders from
impacted groups are represented, and feedback is
shared with development community, landlords, and
builders. Commission and Working Group
recommendations and feedback needed.
In
Development
BI-2 Next 1.1 June Need updated report from NDS on current
activity and efforts. Explore alternatives for
rehab projects and ability for City to support
incentives or supplemented energy efficent
equipment if homeowners cannot/won't pay
the difference to upgrade. Education
components necessary - communications
strategy outcomes.
Assisted households currently meet federal income
requirements. Establish a mapped GIS inventory of
energy efficiency assessments and investments.
Ensure access to energy effciency and other
sustainable design elements in each project through
education and engagement.
Underway
Action
Buildings
Promote Energy Efficiency and
Performance Tips to the Public
Partner with Stakeholders to
Promote Green Building and
Rehabilitation
Solar Partnership with
MidAmerican
Launch a TIF-funded climate
action incentive program
aimed at reducing industrial
energy consumption *(New)
Encourage the Local Realtor
Community to Include Energy
Performance in the Multiple
Listing Services (MLS) Property
Inventory
Advocate for State Adoption
of Advanced Energy Codes
*(New)
Advocate for Aggressive
Energy Code Development
and Adoption *(New)
Enhance Energy Standards for
City Rehabilitation Projects
BR-1 New 1.1 -1.2 June Staff is enrolled in energy inspections training.
Additional inspector budgeted in FY21. CAO to
meet with NDS staff to understand what staff
will be looking at and for, addressing through
compliance checks.
Commission/Working Groups should assist with how
they would like to measure equity and what should be
reported to show progress.
Underway
BI-5 New 1.1 – 1.4 July JCED applied for a small grant for
neighborhood pilot program. Must define GIA
involvement, capacity and scheduling. Explore
RFQ for external partner/s to implement a
program.
Approach to populations served critical. Commission
and Working Group recommendations and feedback
needed for further development.
In
Development
BR-2 New 1.3 – 1.4 Aug Begin review of options, develop revisions to
policy, introduce for Council adoption.
Stakeholder process required. Buildings
Working Group and Commission involvement
in policy review.
Greater equity can be achieved through a geographic
distribution of benefits. Education and advocacy could
benefit populations impacted and served by policy
implementation.
Not Started
BI-1 Next 1.1 Sept Mid Summer - Meetings with Americorps,
bringing in new team. Work must be finalized
and coordinated with JCED's conceptual
expansion of Americorps responsibilities. May
need to explore non-americorps team to
perform additional assessments and
weatherization services.
Americorps is focused on certain groups - seniors, low
income, veterans. Not sure how they track or report
these demographics. May need to get creative in how
audits are performed in light of Covid-19. Education
delivery and equipment installation/provision
alternatives probably needed in short term. Establish a
mapped GIS inventory of energy efficiency
assessments and investments.
In
Development
BI-3 New 1.1 Fall Coordinate efforts with Neighborhood
Planner, Recreation, and community
organizations; Support actions with strategy
from communications plan (Action 5.1 - EDU);
will likely align this action with introduction of
Climate Ambasssador program. Earlier rollout
of small projects with summer activities like
Parties in the Park.
Assess equity report to determine any areas of focus.
NDS can assist with housing/permit data that can help
focus on neighborhoods with less efficient housing
stock. Outreach to underserved groups may spur
interest in blitz programs or projects. Working Group
recommendations and feedback needed.
In
Development
New/
Next
Step
Plan
Alignment
Month to
Initiate Workplan Equity Focus Status
TPP-1 New 2.1 Ongoing Due to be completed in summer, may be
somewhat delayed from Covid-19. Primary
implementation of recomendations to begin in
2021.
Dependent upon study recommendations and
selected actions for implementation. Goal is to serve
residents most needing transit service. Commission
and Working Group recommendations needed.
Underway
TCP-1 New 2.2 May Actions already in place but written policy
needed. Collect EV policy models and evaluate
City purchasing policy for applicable language,
staff coordinating applicable data for tracking,
will begin drafting policy late May.
Underway
TCP-1 Next 2.7 May AVL equipment provides idling data. Staff will
compile data and CAO will assist with
reporting formatting. Transportation Working
Group needs to define and clarify their
recommendation before staff can pursue
exploration of technology.
Underway
TE-1 New 2.3 August Define Transporation metrics. Develop a video
in fall for Climate Ambassador Program which
will also be available to public. Identify how
we will engage all residents.
Review equity Report to identify groups and locations
to focus attention. Somewhat reliant upon
recommendations of transit study. Explore language
translations. Commission and Working Group
recommendations and feedback needed.
In
Development
Action
Transportation
Significant Transportation
Education and Outreach
Campaigns
Establish an Electric and Fuel-
Efficient Vehicle Purchasing
Policy
Incorporate Stricter Energy
Standards into Tax Increment
Financing Policies *(New)
Offer Free Home Energy
Assessments through Green
Iowa AmeriCorps
Coordinate Neighborhood
Energy Blitz Events
Develop or Partner with Local
Stakeholders on a
Comprehensive Climate
Action Rehabilitation Program
Create a More Robust Energy
Code Inspection Program
*(New)
Track Adherence to City Idling
Policy
Complete the Transit Study
and Implement
Recommendations to Bolster
Service and Increase Ridership
New/
Next
Step
Plan
Alignment
Month to
Initiate Workplan Equity Focus Status
WCP-1 Next 3.7-3.8 May Report presented at of May. Staff will
determine next steps. Final cost estimates and
recommendations nearing completion in
summer 2020.
Consideration will be given, after final
recommendations, to impacts on fiscal health of
Enterprise funds and needs to supplement with rate
changes over time.
Underway
WE-1 Next 3.2 June Meet with Resource Mangagement. Need to
assess current level of engagment with
proposed engagment. Determine how to tailor
it with equity in mind. Expand opportunities
with local businesses. Tie into carbon
sequestration project. Develop unit for climate
ambassadors that focuses on waste.
Focus is reliant upon meetings with staff, current
efforts, working Equity Working Group, equity report,
translations services available, and outcomes from
Communications strategy.
In
Development
WCP-1 New 3.5 June Reconvene staff working on this project and
finalize project details. Community education,
possible stakeholder review.
Must assess whether new requirements impact
populations differently. Working Group
recommendations needed.
In
Development
WE-2 Next 3.3 July Meet with Resource Management to assess
current materials that have been developed.
Coordinate with Neighboorhood Planner.
Focus reliant upon meetings with staff, current efforts,
working Equity Working Gorup, equity report,
translations services available, and outcomes from
Communications strategy.
Not Started
New/
Next
Step
Plan
Alignment
Month to
Initiate Workplan Equity Focus Status
AE-1 New 4.2 May Program is in development. Modules
developed over the summer to be launched in
the fall. Will coordinate with Outreach and
Equity Working Groups and Communications
staff.
Development of program includes application process
not reliant upon technology to participate. If tech is
necessary, will purchase tablets or other device to
loan to ambassador participants for training activities.
Special attention paid to connection with local groups
that can recommend ambassador applicants.
Underway
APP-2 New 4.5-4.6 May Work agreement executed with AES in May.
Significant follow up with neighborhoods
required during process. Planned
concentration on intensive maintenance in
neighborhood park prairies. Education needed
about purpose, need and care for natural
areas; build community partnerships with
advocacy groups. Explore possibility of
extended community education accompanying
prairie plantings. Proposal drafted and in staff
review.
Geographic distribution, education variables
dependent on groups impacted. Engage natural area
advocacy groups that can assist with public education.
Underway
APP-4 Next 4.1-4.2 May Equity Working Group will review Equity
Report and determine further action.
Commission review of project equity review
tool for City and other community climate
projects. Staff initiated coordination of
mapping tools/resources requested by Equity
Working Group.
Emphasis on highly impacted groups, targeted
outreach and collaboration for development and
implementation of each climate action.
Underway
APP-1 Next 4.5 June Met with Stormwater Team. Collect and
review current volunteer lists. Assess if we
need to promote existing program. Assess
creek clean up volunteer process.
Involving various community groups dependent on
makeup of existing volunteer listing and schedules.
Review equity report to verify benefits and
participation equitable.
Underway
AE-1 New 4.6 July Schedule meeting to revisit ideas discussed
last year. Education and promotional
campaign development will be needed.
Need more information about plans from Project
Green to better define how equitable dispersion or
availability of trees will be possible. Post- meetings
with PG, explore development/expansion of program
rollout. Commission and Working Group
recommendations and feedback appreciated.
Not Started
Initiate a Methane Feasibility
Study
Action
Action
Waste
Engage the Public to Compost
Organic Waste
Develop Climate Amassador
Team
Partner with Project Green on
a Tree Planting Partnership;
Incentives for Private Tree
Planting
Education Campaigns for
Neighborhoods to Reduce
Waste/Consumption at the
Source
Require All Park/Public Space
Rentals to Recycle and Use
"Green" Event Best Practices.
Adaptation
Flood Mitigation and
Stormwater Management
Programs/Projects; Buyouts
Continue Implemenation of
the Natural Areas
Management Plan
Equity Review of
Neighborhood and Population
Outreach; Develop Outreach
Plan for Populations Highlty
Impacted by Climate Change
AR-1 Next 4.6 August NDS will draft ordinance. Outreach and
communication needed to educate the public,
make aware.
New Ordinance will apply to new developments. Not Started
APP-3 Next 4.6 September Report our proposed planting for upcoming
year for municipal tree management. Identify
stumbling blocks ahead of new plantings.
Possible small group discussion with impacted
groups - residents, landlords, City staff,
businesses or development groups. Address
negative perceptions through modifcations or
education.
Review inventory maps, locate areas in need, target
workplan outreach accordingly. Emphasis on benefits
of tree canopy in low-mod neighborhoods.
In
Development
AE-2 Next 4.3 October Outreach meetings with Johnson Co. Public
Health, University of Iowa, etc.
Equity reach will become more clear with agency
coordination and partnering. Can use equity
scale/report to identify starting agency discussions.
Not Started
New/
Next
Step
Plan
Alignment
Month to
Initiate Workplan Equity Focus Status
SLE-2 Next 5.5 June Pilot program initiated but rebooted with a
modified structure (awards/recognition
program). Awards program will introduce new
program and seek first applications in summer
2020. Component of recognition program will
also be to build a network of businesses with
climate interests that can support additional
demand and resources for infrastructure and
policy upgrades. Networking model in
development with partnering business
advocacy groups.
Initial program relies heavily on voluntary
participation. Potential for granted funding tied to
participation. Will need to make a greater effort to
identify and work with businesses with less access to
resources. Geographic access and type of business
should also be taken into account. Will map
geographic participation. Need assistance from
Economic Development staff, Equity & Outreach
Working Groups, and other econ dev and small
business assistance groups.
Underway
SLPP-2 Next 5.5 June Build RFP for consultant to develop marketing
plan; draft in review (June), plan for late
summer release. Plan will be focused on Iowa
City attributes, alignment with current
initiatives, focused attention to branding,
models for promotional rollout schedules,
template materials for modification by project
or program, equity and "language" for how to
frame climate activities as broadly appealing
content.
Encourage selection of firm to develop this
plan/materials. Application of equity priniciples will be
part of process. Feedback from Commission welcome
prior to receipt of RFP responses.
In
Development
SLE-1 Next 5.5 September Climate Festival is in planning stages for an
online event to be launched in September.
Activities include digital and written
storytelling, coordinated indvidual/community
acivities, and expanded local partnerships.
Planning in May, outreach in June/July,
finalizing steps in August, gear up for
promotion late August - Festival in Sept.
Intentional outreach with underserved groups to
ensure access to awareness, education, and
participation. Staff, planning committee, and CAC
Working Group to connect with local ogranizations
willing to partner on activities, promotion, or hosting
remote event. Efforts underway to include translated
festival materials in digital and print formats.
Underway
SLPP-1 Next 5.5 September Working with Parks Department to see if there
are plans for additional community garden
areas.
Equity mapping for plot rentals exists. Need to review
2020 rentals, identify gaps in geo coverage and gaps in
possible access for certain groups. Need focused
outreach to see where needs might be to connect
unresourced individulals with plot availability in
upcoming years; will assist in identifying
needs/potential for pocket gardens in ROW.
Not Started
Educate and Coordinate with
Local Agencies on Health
Impacts
Action
Street Tree Ordinance
Expand Public Tree Planting
Community Garden
Expansion/Additions
Develop a Climate Action
Strategic Communications
Plan
Sustainable Lifestyle
Host Sustainability Forum and
Events
Launch a Green Business
Program: "Climate Action at
Work"
SLI-1 Next 5.4 November Consider adding non-profit and business
categories and define what the new program
will look like next year. Identify how grant
program ties into other City funding initiatives.
Could move project earlier in the year to
address direct and coordinated support for
Covid-19 recovery.
Follow Equity Report recommendations to identify
and connect with preferred applicant agencies from
first tier needs. Community organizations geared
towards underserved and disadvantaged groups could
also fall into this expansion or, the next year's funding
could be introduced specifically to certain groups from
equity report and an info session can be held by
invitation for these groups, like HRC and HCDC have
done.
Not StartedExpand Community Climate
Grants
New/
Next
Step
Plan
Alignment
Month to
Initiate Workplan Equity Focus
1 Next 1.1 – 1.2, 1.6 June Initiate planning and needs assessment;
feedback from Commission working group.
Identify resources, contacts, and content.
Assess web access and source development,
method of dissemination. Support eventual
actions with strategy from communications
plan (Action 5.1 - EDU)
Imperative. Review of equity report and assistance from
EHR staff essential. Commission and Working Group
recommendations and feedback needed.
2 New 1.1-1.4 June Initiate introductions to organizations, CAO
staff understanding of goals and example
programs necessary. Meetings with City
development staff. Develop group of
stakeholders to discuss barriers and interest in
pursuing green build strategies to better
partner and build new alliances/education
opportunities. Support eventual actions with
strategy from communications plan (Action 5.1
- EDU)
Use equity report to ensure stakeholders from impacted
groups are represented, and feedback is shared with
development community, landlords, and builders.
Commission and Working Group recommendations and
feedback needed.
3 New 1.1 & 1.6 May Buildings Working Group indicated initial
conversations were in motion with local
realtors about value of this action. Staff
checked with the group members about where
this stands. CAO/CMO can offer support as
needed. Example programs elsewhere need to
be presented. More research and education
needed on realtor and homebuying/selling,
paired with engagement with ICAAR. Concerns
include an inability to sell inefficient
properties.
Benefits for informed buying/selling, may need incentive
assistance later on, if concentration of activity falls
within only a few neigborhoods or stakeholder interest
lacking. Education for all residents and renters about
housing with energy efficiency and indoor air quality
speaks to equity concerns. Commission and Working
Group recommendations and feedback needed.
1 Next 1.1 Sept Mid Summer - Meetings with Americorps,
bringing in new team. Work must be finalized
and coordinated with JCED's conceptual
expansion of Americorps responsibilities. May
need to explore non-americorps team to
perform additional assessments and
weatherization services.
Americorps is focused on certain groups - seniors, low
income, veterans. Not sure how they track or report
these demographics. May need to get creative in how
audits are performed in light of Covid-19. Education
delivery and equipment installation/provision
alternatives probably needed in short term. Establish a
mapped GIS inventory of energy efficiency assessments
and investments.
2 Next 1.1 June Need updated report from NDS on current
activity and efforts. Explore alternatives for
rehab projects and ability for City to support
incentives or supplemented energy efficent
equipment if homeowners cannot/won't pay
the difference to upgrade. Education
components necessary - communications
strategy outcomes.
Assisted households currently meet federal income
requirements. Establish a mapped GIS inventory of
energy efficiency assessments and investments. Ensure
access to energy effciency and other sustainable design
elements in each project through education and
engagement.
3 New 1.1 Fall Coordinate efforts with Neighborhood Planner,
Recreation, and community organizations;
Support actions with strategy from
communications plan (Action 5.1 - EDU); will
likely align this action with introduction of
Climate Ambasssador program. Earlier rollout
of small projects with summer activities like
Parties in the Park.
Assess equity report to determine any areas of focus.
NDS can assist with housing/permit data that can help
focus on neighborhoods with less efficient housing
stock. Outreach to underserved groups may spur
interest in blitz programs or projects. Working Group
recommendations and feedback needed.
Action
Buildings: Education
Promote Energy Efficiency and
Performance Tips to the Public
Partner with Stakeholders to
Promote Green Building and
Rehabilitation
Encourage the Local Realtor
Community to Include Energy
Performance in the Multiple
Listing Services (MLS) Property
Inventory
Buildings: Incentives
Offer Free Home Energy
Assessments through Green
Iowa AmeriCorps
Enhance Energy Standards for
City Rehabilitation Projects
Coordinate Neighborhood
Energy Blitz Events
4 New 1.2 & 5.4 May Economic Development finalizing
requirements. Program examples needed to
finalize development of project framework.
Beginnning steps for establishing and
approving Urban Renewal Areas initating in
summer 2020.
5 New 1.1 – 1.4 July JCED applied for a small grant for
neighborhood pilot program. Must define GIA
involvement, capacity and scheduling. Explore
RFQ for external partner/s to implement a
program.
Approach to populations served critical. Commission
and Working Group recommendations and feedback
needed for further development.
1 New 1.1 -1.2 June Staff is enrolled in energy inspections training.
Additional inspector budgeted in FY21. CAO to
meet with NDS staff to understand what staff
will be looking at and for, addressing through
compliance checks.
Commission/Working Groups should assist with how
they would like to measure equity and what should be
reported to show progress.
2 New 1.3 – 1.4 Aug Begin review of options, develop revisions to
policy, introduce for Council adoption.
Stakeholder process required. Buildings
Working Group and Commission involvement
in policy review.
Greater equity can be achieved through a geographic
distribution of benefits. Education and advocacy could
benefit populations impacted and served by policy
implementation.
1 New 1.1 – 1.4 May Inquire at State about progress for rule making
process. Determine whether additional actions
necessary, including letters to elected officials.
Covid-19 delayed meetings in spring 2020.
Timing may require advocacy efforts expanded
into 2021.
Could support these efforts with help from education
and advocacy from underserved groups that directly
benefit from housing improvements.
2 New 1.1 – 1.4 May Eligible staff voted for adoption of new IECC
codes earlier in 2020. This action requires
letters to and engagement with elected
officials. Will proceed but timing may require
advocacy efforts expanded into 2021.
Could support these efforts with help from education
and advocacy from underserved groups that directly
benefit from housing improvements.
1 New 1.5 April Brought forward to City Council in April and
was not approved. No next steps planned at
this point. Will assess opportunities as
locations or chances present themselves.
New/
Next
Step
Plan
Alignment
Month to
Initiate Workplan Equity Focus
1 New 2.3 August Define Transporation metrics. Develop a video
in fall for Climate Ambassador Program which
will also be available to public. Identify how we
will engage all residents.
Review equity Report to identify groups and locations to
focus attention. Somewhat reliant upon
recommendations of transit study. Explore language
translations. Commission and Working Group
recommendations and feedback needed.
Buildings Regulations
Launch a TIF-funded climate
action incentive program
aimed at reducing industrial
energy consumption *(New)
Develop or Partner with Local
Stakeholders on a
Comprehensive Climate Action
Rehabilitation Program
Solar Partnership with
MidAmerican
Action
Transportation: Education
Significant Transportation
Education and Outreach
Campaigns
Create a More Robust Energy
Code Inspection Program
*(New)
Incorporate Stricter Energy
Standards into Tax Increment
Financing Policies *(New)
City Policy
Advocate for State Adoption of
Advanced Energy Codes *(New)
Advocate for Aggressive
Energy Code Development and
Adoption *(New)
Public Projects
1 New 2.2 May Actions already in place but written policy
needed. Collect EV policy models and evaluate
City purchasing policy for applicable language,
staff coordinating applicable data for tracking,
will begin drafting policy late May.
2 Next 2.7 May AVL equipment provides idling data. Staff will
compile data and CAO will assist with reporting
formatting. Transportation Working Group
needs to define and clarify their
recommendation before staff can pursue
exploration of technology.
1 New 2.1 Ongoing Due to be completed in summer, may be
somewhat delayed from Covid-19. Primary
implementation of recomendations to begin in
2021.
Dependent upon study recommendations and selected
actions for implementation. Goal is to serve residents
most needing transit service. Commission and Working
Group recommendations needed.
New/
Next
Step
Plan
Alignment
Month to
Initiate Workplan Equity Focus
1 Next 3.2 June Meet with Resource Mangagement. Need to
assess current level of engagment with
proposed engagment. Determine how to tailor
it with equity in mind. Expand opportunities
with local businesses. Tie into carbon
sequestration project. Develop unit for climate
ambassadors that focuses on waste.
Focus is reliant upon meetings with staff, current efforts,
working Equity Working Group, equity report,
translations services available, and outcomes from
Communications strategy.
2 Next 3.3 July Meet with Resource Management to assess
current materials that have been developed.
Coordinate with Neighboorhood Planner.
Focus reliant upon meetings with staff, current efforts,
working Equity Working Gorup, equity report,
translations services available, and outcomes from
Communications strategy.
1 New 3.5 June Reconvene staff working on this project and
finalize project details. Community education,
possible stakeholder review.
New requirements may impact equity groups. Working
Group recommendations needed.
1 Next 3.7-3.8 May Report presented at of May. Staff will
determine next steps.
New/
Next
Step
Plan
Alignment
Month to
Initiate Workplan Equity Focus
1 New 4.2 May Program is in development. Modules
developed over the summer to be launched in
the fall. Will coordinate with Outreach and
Equity Working Groups and Communications
staff.
Development of program includes application process
not reliant upon technology to participate. If tech is
necessary, will purchase tablets or other device to loan
to ambassador participants for training activities. Special
attention paid to connection with local groups that can
recommend ambassador applicants.
Transportation: Policy
Establish an Electric and Fuel-
Efficient Vehicle Purchasing
Policy
Track Adherence to City Idling
Policy
Public Projects
Complete the Transit Study
and Implement
Recommendations to Bolster
Service and Increase Ridership
Develop Climate Amassador
Team
Engage the Public to Compost
Organic Waste
Action
Waste: Education
Education Campaigns for
Neighborhoods to Reduce
Waste/Consumption at the
Source
Waste: City Policy
Require All Park/Public Space
Rentals to Recycle and Use
"Green" Event Best Practices.
Waste: Projects
Initiate a Methane Feasibility
Study
Action
Adaptation: Education
2 Next 4.3 October Outreach meetings with Johnson Co. Public
Health, University of Iowa, etc.
Equity reach will become more clear with agency
coordination and partnering. Can use equity
scale/report to identify starting agency discussions.
1 New 4.6 July Schedule meeting to revisit ideas discussed last
year. Education and promotional campaign
development will be needed.
Need more information about plans from Project Green
to better define how equitable dispersion or availability
of trees will be possible. Post- meetings with PG, explore
development/expansion of program rollout.
Commission and Working Group recommendations and
feedback appreciated.
1 Next 4.6 August NDS will draft ordinance. Outreach and
communication needed to educate the public,
make aware.
New Ordinance will apply to new developments.
1 Next 4.5 June Met with Stormwater Team. Collect and review
current volunteer lists. Assess if we need to
promote existing program. Assess creek clean
up volunteer process.
Involving various community groups dependent on
makeup of existing volunteer listing and schedules.
Review equity report to verify benefits and participation
equitable.
2 New 4.5-4.6 May Work agreement executed with AES in May.
Significant follow up with neighborhoods
required during process. Planned
concentration on intensive maintenance in
neighborhood park prairies. Education needed
about purpose, need and care for natural
areas; build community partnerships with
advocacy groups. Explore possibility of
extended community education accompanying
prairie plantings. Proposal drafted and in staff
review.
Geographic distribution, education variables dependent
on groups impacted. Engage natural area advocacy
groups that can assist with public education.
3 Next 4.6 September Report our proposed planting for upcoming
year for municipal tree management. Identify
stumbling blocks ahead of new plantings.
Possible small group discussion with impacted
groups - residents, landlords, City staff,
businesses or development groups. Address
negative perceptions through modifcations or
education.
Review inventory maps, locate areas in need, target
workplan outreach accordingly. Emphasis on benefits of
tree canopy in low-mod neighborhoods.
4 Next 4.1-4.2 May Equity Working Group will review Equity
Report and determine further action.
Commission review of project equity review
tool for City and other community climate
projects.
Emphasis on highly impacted groups, targeted outreach
and collaboration for development and implementation
of each climate action.
New/
Next
Step
Plan
Alignment
Month to
Initiate Workplan Equity Focus
Sustainable Lifestyle: Education
Educate and Coordinate with
Local Agencies on Health
Impacts
Adaptation: Incentives
Partner with Project Green on
a Tree Planting Partnership;
Incentives for Private Tree
Planting
Adaptation: Regulation
Street Tree Ordinance
Adaptation: Projects
Flood Mitigation and
Stormwater Management
Programs/Projects; Buyouts
Continue Implemenation of
the Natural Areas
Management Plan
Expand Public Tree Planting
Equity Review of
Neighborhood and Population
Outreach; Develop Outreach
Plan for Populations Highlty
Impacted by Climate Change
Action
1 Next 5.5 September Climate Festival is in planning stages for an
online event to be launched in September.
Activities include digital and written
storytelling, coordinated indvidual/community
acivities, and expanded local partnerships.
Planning in May, outreach in June/July,
finalizing steps in August, gear up for
promotion late August - Festival in Sept.
Intentional outreach with underserved groups to ensure
access to awareness, education, and participation. Staff,
planning committee, and CAC Working Group to
connect with local ogranizations willing to partner on
activities, promotion, or hosting remote event. Efforts
underway to include translated festival materials in
digital and print formats.
2 Next 5.5 June Pilot program initiated but reboot with a
modified structure (awards/recognition
program) in the works. Three businesses with
current interest in energy data tracking. This
elevated work load requires staff to work
closely with businesses to enter energy
information into Portfolio Manager. Will
eventually use feedback from businesses to
develop framework for future benchmarking
program and business incentives.
Initial program relies heavily on voluntary participation.
Potential for granted funding tied to participation. Will
need to make a greater effort to identify and work with
businesses with less access to resources. Geographic
access and type of business should also be taken into
account. Will map geographic participation. Need
assistance from Economic Development staff, Equity &
Outreach Working Groups, and other econ dev and
small business assistance groups.
1 Next 5.4 November Consider adding non-profit and business
categories and define what the new program
will look like next year. Identify how grant
program ties into other City funding initiatives.
Could move project earlier in the year to
address direct and coorinated support for
Covid-19 recovery.
Follow Equity Report recommendations to identify and
connect with preferred applicant agencies from first tier
needs. Community organizations geared towards
underserved and disadvantaged groups could also fall
into this expansion or, the next year's funding could be
introduced specifically to certain groups from equity
report and an info session can be held by invitation for
these groups, like HRC and HCDC have done.
1 Next 5.5 September Working with Parks Department to see if there
are plans for additional community garden
areas.
Equity mapping for plot rentals exists. Need to review
2020 rentals, identify gaps in geo coverage and gaps in
possible access for certain groups. Need focused
outreach to see where needs might be to connect
unresourced individulals with plot availability in
upcoming years; will assist in identifying needs/potential
for pocket gardens in ROW.
2 Next 5.5 June Build RFP for consultant to develop marketing
plan; CMO drafting, will review with
Communications and Legal. Plan will be
focused on Iowa City attributes, alignment with
current initiatives, focused attention to
branding, models for promotional rollout
schedules, template materials for modification
by project or program, equity and "language"
for how to frame climate activities as broadly
appealing content.
Encourage selection of firm to develop this
plan/materials. Application of equity priniciples will be
part of process. Feedback from Commission welcome
prior to release of RFP.
Develop a Climate Action
Strategic Communications Plan
Host Sustainability Forum and
Events
Launch a Green Business
Program: "Climate Action at
Work"
Buildings: Incentives
Expand Community Climate
Grants
Public Projects
Community Garden
Expansion/Additions
Economic Development and Sustainability working together
Summary of comments from 6-2-2020 Climate Action Commission meeting
Prepared by Wendy Ford, Economic Development Coordinator
The Economic Development and Sustainability Divisions are working together on three programs to raise
awareness and incentivize changes that help reduce carbon emissions in the business community.
The first is a Green Business Recognition Program. We have spent months in research mode, worked
with a University problems class to come up with a survey to determine green business, and started a
program of participation in Portfolio Manager – all with limited success due to the staff time required to
be timely and effective.
We are now pivoting and rethinking the Green Business Recognition program with two or three parts.
We will design a less burdensome program; one that is focused on businesses self-reporting their efforts
at improving sustainability, sharing information in a virtual meeting settings and webinars.
Climate Action Awards (year 1 & 2) – for Climate Festival, week of Sept. 19
• Goal: raise awareness/get publicity out about businesses investments in sustainability
• Call for Entries – solicit stories in application form from business community on recent
Sustainability Projects (over last 2 years)
o Create web-based application
o Solicit submissions
Promote through Chamber, ICAD, City platforms
o Call together committee to evaluate applications
Climate Action Commission member, Chamber staff member/s, ICAD staff
member, City staff members
o Staff to make personal visits to the short list of probable awardees to see in person,
verify work done
o Award categories from Climate Action Plan
Buildings
Transportation
Waste
Adaptation
Sustainable Lifestyle
o Jack to film video and tell the story of each award category winner for Festival showing
o Cash prizes for winners
o Bonus prize for getting on Portfolio Manager uploading and tracking
Will research incentive for businesses with < 5,000 SF (due to Portfolio manager
not having category for smaller SF businesses)
Learn from Local Contractors (through personal visits)
• Goal: gain understanding of local contractors that can do the work and the range of projects
possible with local contractors
o Include key City staff, key Chamber staff.
• Visit Local Contractors individually, for understanding of their scope, expertise and hear
examples of their work and how it has impacted those businesses
o Kelly Heating and AC (Start with this Trade Ally – only IC member?)
o Muller plumbing and Heating
o RMB Co., Inc.
o Harris Boyz HVAC
o Davis Heating and Air
o Brandt Heating and Air Conditioning
o Others…?
• Goal - learn what improvements are most cost effective for the investment necessary
o Small business improvements
o Industry or big business improvements
• Learn whether they have evaluative tools to guide larger investments in energy efficiency or if
they simply plug and play new equipment.
• This can help guide development of Tax Abatement and URTE programs
Host (or CoHost with Chamber) Quarterly Sustainability Webinars/Zoom panels with Q&A
• Goal: Get Energy Efficiency and Sustainability top of mind in business community
• Select panel of Local contractors (from the ones visited above) OR from the businesses they
have served to share stories of their improvements
• Needs a catchy name, good marketing
• Start in Fall 2020 and do 3 over cold months. October, January and April?
o Can serve as promotional time for local contractors
o Can rally support among businesses for energy savings they have made through this
work
o Promote URTE (Urban Revitalization Tax Exemption program)
o Promote the 3 Industrial Areas Energy Efficiency through TIF financing
o Promote Downtown and Riverfront Crossing Energy Efficiency through TIF financing
The second program is TIF Funded Industrial Green Incentives
Goal: To assist businesses in reducing carbon emissions and to serve as economic stimulus in the wake
of covid.
This program will be funded by tax increment available in the 3 Industrial Urban Renewal Areas: Scott 6,
Heinz Road and Sycamore & First Avenue.
TIF is a source of economic development funding available to cities through the formation of an Urban
Renewal Area. New property values created by investment generate new property taxes paid by
property owners. The tax increment is the difference between the before value and the after value and
it may be used within the urban renewal area from which it is generated. It can be rebated back to the
Property owner who created the increment or designated for projects within the district with a public
purpose, or it can simply flow to the City’s general fund. In some cases, a sizeable increment exists due
to appreciation and investment in the area and the previous lack of need to use the increment for
investment. The table below shows the potential tax increment available in each of the three areas.
Name of Urban Renewal Area Expiration date of URA TIF potential
Scott 6 FY23 $2,700,000
Heinz Road FY25 $2,500,000
Sycamore and First Ave. FY22 $425,000
To enable the use of the increment for Industrial Incentives, each area will be amended to include
Energy Efficiency projects as an eligible use for TIF; this should begin in June. The amendment requires a
Resolution of Necessity by City Council and a Public Hearing to adopt the amendments.
Staff is still determining the parameters for the program and the qualifications for eligibility. We will be
considering minimum project size (likely above $100,000), grant match percentage, and project types
allowable (electrification, renewable energy generation, etc.). We will also be working with local and
other contractors to determine optimal projects to fund.
We plan to visit with each of the industrial companies individually to explain the goals of the program
and how they could save money while helping reduce carbon emissions.
We also aim to replicate this model in the Downtown and Riverfront Crossings Urban Renewal Areas.
Proposed Highway Commercial Urban Revitalization Tax Exemption Area
Urban Revitalization Tax Exemption (URTE) is an economic development incentive tool that
grants a property tax exemption on the new value created by improvements to existing or new
buildings on qualifying properties within the URTE area. Neither the value of the land nor the
original value of the building is eligible, and only improvements generating at least a 15% increase
in building value are eligible. Council approves the Tax Exemption Plan and the applications, but
it is a “by right” benefit for which any qualifying property may apply.
The URTE areas included in this plan are generally older commercial areas with local, small
businesses that have not had access to economic development incentives in the past and
generally do not attract the kinds of projects that would be appropriate for tax increment financing.
There are a handful of vacant lots in these areas that could also qualify with new construction.
Staff is trying to tie energy efficiency improvements to this program. The investment required
for eligibility (a 15% increase in taxable value) may be difficult to achieve for the small businesses
typical of this area. This work is not completed yet and is complicated by the restrictions of
state law that require a single standard for all eligible properties.
By state law, qualifying properties may be residential or commercial, however, the
proposed Highway Commercial URTE is only for commercially-classed properties. In the case
of a multi-residential property, where a portion is commercial, only the commercial portion of
the property would be eligible.
The Highway Commercial URTE would be in effect for ten (10) years from the date of adoption.
There are differing tax exemption schedules cities may adopt (all with approximately the same
net present value) We are proposing a 100% exemption on the taxes created by the new value
for three (3) years, provided the new value is at least 115% of the old value. The value of land is
not included in the calculation.
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