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Home My WebLink About1-8-24 Climate Action Commission Agenda Packet Iowa City Climate Action Commission Agenda Monday, Jan. 8, 2024, 3:30 p.m. Emma J. Harvat Hall Iowa City City Hall 410 E. Washington St. Meeting Agenda: 1. Call to Order 2. Roll Call 3. Approval of Dec. 4, 2023 minutes 4. Public Comment on 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. Announcements/Reports a. Welcome and introductions i. New members: Zach Haralson and Michael Anderson b. Annual Commission By-Laws Reminders c. Reminder to speak into microphones d. Action items from last meeting i. Staff to seek a representative from an Iowa City industrial entity for a future presentation to the Commission ii. Commission members to consider nominations for Chair and Vice Chair e. Presentation at Mayors Innovation Project meeting f. Urban Heat Island Map report g. Upcoming events i. EcoTrivia at Big Grove (AmeriCorps, Jan. 22) ii. Climate Ambassador Training (March 7- April 18) iii. Sustainability Seminar (AmeriCorps, March 16) 6. Unfinished/Ongoing Business a. Visioning indicators of success in built environment (Commission) – prioritization and measures 7. New Business a. Election of Chair and Vice Chair 8. Recap a. Confirmation of next meeting time and location i. Monday, Feb. 5, 3:30-5 p.m., Emma J. Harvat Hall b. 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 Sarah Gardner, Climate Action Coordinator, at 319-887-6162 or at sarah-gardner@iowa-city.org. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet your access needs. MINUTES PRELIMINARY IOWA CITY CLIMATE ACTION COMMISSION DECEMBER 4 , 2023 – 3:30 PM – FORMAL MEETING EMMA J. HARVART HALL MEMBERS PRESENT: Michal Eynon-Lynch, John Fraser, Jamie Gade, Wim Murray, Michelle Sillman, Angie Smith, Gabriel Sturdevant, Matt Walter MEMBERS ABSENT: Ben Grimm, Matt Krieger, Brinda Shetty STAFF PRESENT: Daniel Bissell, Sarah Gardner, Megan Hill, Diane Platte OTHERS PRESENT: David Woodruff, Daniel Henkle (UI), Adam McFee (UI) CALL TO ORDER: Eynon-Lynch called the meeting to order. APPROVAL OF NOVEMBER 13, 2023 MINUTES: Gade moved to approve the minutes from November 13, 2023. Murray seconded the motion, a vote was taken, and the motion passed 6-0. PUBLIC COMMENT OF ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA: None. ANNOUNCEMENTS: [Sillman joined the meeting 3:33] Action Items from last meeting (Staff): • Continue visioning for commercial and industrial areas. Upcoming Events: • Green Iowa AmeriCorps resumes audits Dec. 6. With a second set of equipment for audits, they should be able to move through their waitlist quickly. Updated Meeting Schedule for 2024: • December meeting date has been corrected: it will occur on Dec. 2, 2024. Recognition and thank you to departing members: • Matt Krieger and Matt Walter received recognition and thanks for their many contributions. Walter expressed his appreciation for City’s work on climate action. [Smith joined the meeting 3:36] UNFINISHED/ONGOING BUSINESS: Climate Action Commission Page 2 of 4 2 Visioning indicators of success in built environment • Gardner provided an overview of the discussion to date, presenting a bullet list of indicators gathered and condensed from previous meetings as well as the text of the City Council’s climate vision from the Strategic Plan. Gardner explained the goal is not for the Commission to create a competing vision from the Council’s but to provide additional details that can be useful in guiding the City’s climate efforts. • As to next steps, Gardner asked the Commission to review the list and make sure it accurately captured the discussion so far. Commissioners were also asked for the next meeting to consider which would be the priority items to measure and ways to do so. Gardner invited Commission members to consider this question broadly, both in terms of the comparative importance of the items and which might not be getting measured already or could be better measured. • Gardner also noted that the vision for residential areas might be a bit stronger as compared to the commercial and industrial areas and suggested it would be helpful to bring in a representative from a local industrial entity to share their perspective and efforts toward sustainable operations, similar to the presentations the Commission has heard from other City departments throughout this process. • Gade and Sillman expressed approval for the list of visioning indicators in the agenda packet. No omissions were noted. • Gardner noted that the minutes from each meeting are included in the information packet that goes to City Council for review and that the bullet list would be included as well. NEW BUSINESS: Whole Home Electrification / Housing Choice Voucher Grant Pilot • Gardner outlined the program that will launch in January. In return for grants to make electrification and energy efficiency upgrades, property owners will agree to accept Housing Choice Vouchers for five years. Gardner noted that Rewiring America staff were excited about the idea and asked to be kept apprised of the program, to share information with other communities. • Fraser expressed approval for the program and noted the importance of growing it. • Sturdevant asked if the program would target new participants or current landlords. Gardner noted that the Housing Authority has relationships with landlords who already accept Housing Choice Vouchers and this program is designed to reach both them and landlords who have not yet accepted these vouchers. • Sturdevant asked what type of properties would be eligible. Gardner responded that the program would be for single-family homes, as these properties are most likely to house families with children. • Gade asked about how landlords might apply. Gardner noted that Housing Authority has a framework for accepting applications. • Sillman asked what exactly participants get. Gardner listed the types of improvements eligible as outlined in the memo included in the agenda packet. Gardner explained the forgivable loan structure of the grant. • Eynon-Lynch expressed approval for the success benchmarks and asked about the timeline to secure funding to expand the project beyond the pilot. Gardner offered thoughts on the possibilities for making this a regional program, using federal grant funds from the Climate Pollution Reduction Grant program, as well as the possibility of continuing to draw on the balance of funds from the Emergency Levy. Climate Action Commission Page 3 of 4 3 • Gade asked if there are plans to measure the direct impact on the tenants, in terms of energy efficiency or comfort. Fraser asked if it would be possible to collect information on the property’s energy costs before and after improvements. Gardner explained some of the difficulties in collecting before-and-after data, as different families with different habits would occupy the properties, but suggested the Housing Authority might be able to offer ideas on measures used in their programs. • Sillman noted that broadening this program regionally might be a way to reach beyond the usual Iowa City audience. • Sturdevant asked whether the voucher was part of the $25,000 allocated per property. Gardner clarified that the Housing Choice Voucher came from federal rent assistance program and separate from the funding the City would be offering through this program. RECAP: • Confirmation of next meeting time and location: o Monday January 8, 3:30-5 p.m., Emma J. Harvat Hall • Actionable items for commission and staff: o Staff will seek a representative from an Iowa City industrial entity to attend a future Climate Action Commission meeting to share their approaches to sustainability o Eynon-Lynch noted the next meeting is a time to elect the next chair and vice- chair and encouraged commissioners to consider the role, stating that she felt it was great that it rotates and provides a chance to build leadership experience. Gardner noted that Commission members can nominate others or themselves for the role, both approaches are allowed. Gade asked if the same chair and vice- chair can serve again. Gardner responded in the affirmative. ADJOURNMENT: Sillman moved to adjourn, Sturdevant seconded the motion. A vote was taken, and the motion passed 8-0. Meeting adjourned at 4:08. Climate Action Commission Page 4 of 4 4 CLIMATE ACTION COMMISSION ATTENDANCE RECORD 2023 NAME TERM EXP. 1/ 9 / 2 0 2 3 2/ 6 / 2 0 2 3 3/ 6 / 2 0 2 3 4/ 3 / 2 0 2 3 5/ 1 / 2 0 2 3 6/ 5 / 2 0 2 3 7/ 1 0 / 2 0 2 3 8/ 7 / 2 0 2 3 9/ 1 1 / 2 0 2 3 10 / 2 / 2 0 2 3 11 / 1 3 / 2 0 2 3 12 / 4 / 2 3 Michal Eynon- Lynch 12/31/2024 X X X X X NM X X X X X X Elizabeth Fitzsimmons 12/31/2025 X X X X X NM O/E X * * * * John Fraser 12/31/2024 X X X X O/E NM X O/E O/E X X X Jamie Gade 12/31/2025 X X X X O/E NM X X X O/E X X Ben Grimm 10/31/2023 X X X X X NM X O/E X X X X Matt Krieger 12/31/2023 X X X X X NM X O/E X O/E X O/E Wim Murray MidAmerican Rep X X X X X Michelle Sillman 12/31/2025 X X X O/E O/E NM X X X X X X Brinda Shetty UI Rep X O/E X X X NM X O/E X X X O/E Angie Smith 12/31/2025 X X Gabe Sturdevant 12/31/2024 X X X X X NM X X X X O/E X Matt Walter 12/31/2023 X X X O/E X NM X X X X O/E X KEY: X = Present 0 = Absent 0/E = Absent/Excused NM= No Meeting * No longer on Commission Reportstrategies Iowa Iowa City & Cedar RapidsCedar RapidsCedar Rapids The CAPA Heat Watch program, equipment, and all related procedures referenced herein are developed through a decade of research and testing with support from national agencies and several universities. Most importantly, these include our partners at the National Integrated Heat Health Information System, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA’s) Climate Program Ofﬁce, and National Weather Service, including local weather forecast ofﬁces at each of the campaign sites, The Science Museum of Virginia, and U.S. Forest Service (USDA). Past support has come from Portland State University, the Climate Resilience Fund, and the National Science Foundation. We are deeply grateful to these organizations for their continuing support. Heat Watch Iowa City and Cedar Rapids was conducted as part of the CAPA-NIHHIS 2023 Heat Mapping Campaign. Learn more about the campaign and this public- private partnership here. This report was prepared by CAPA Strategies, LLC October 2023 Acknowledgements 4 Executive Summary 6 Welcome 7 Process 8 Maps 24 Modeling Method 25 Technical Notes 26 Media 27 Next Steps 30 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) 8 About the Maps 9 Cedar Rapids Maps 16 Iowa City Maps 23 Initial Observations Table of ContentsTable o f C o n t e n t s We know that extreme heat is the most deadly of all natural disasters and that its impacts are not evenly distributed across people and places. Location matters. Those who live in historically disinvested neighborhoods, with limited access to resources and greenspace, and those struggling with additional health concerns are all at greater risk when it comes to the impacts of extreme heat. Our infrastructure systems (e.g. energy, transportation) are also at risk, which can further compromise a region’s capacity to provide essential cooling resources. Heat Watch provides a new level of detail about where heat is most concentrated across cities, improving on coarse satellite-derived descriptions and better describing the human experience of heat. Accomplishing this high level of detail and spatial coverage is only made possible by the efforts of campaign organizers and local volunteer data collectors, who co-designed a mobile monitoring study with CAPA to measure heat across the diverse land uses and geographical features of your region. Heat-focused partnerships emerged between local stakeholders like residents, municipal staff, health ofﬁcials, emergency responders, researchers, and non-proﬁt organizations. Throughout the process, teams learned about the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect in their area and raised awareness of the issue through training, discussions, and media coverage. Heat Watch is one step in the journey towards adaptation to extreme heat. By bridging innovations in community climate action, sensor technology, and spatial analytics, together we have achieved two main objectives: Executive Summary Developed high resolution descriptions of the distribution of ambient (air) temperature and humidity (heat index) across your region; and Engaged local communities to create partnerships to better understand and address the inequitable risks posed by extreme heat. The results provide a snapshot in time of how urban heat varies across neighborhoods and how local landscape features affect temperature and humidity. In this report we present the process, mapping outputs, media coverage and photographs from Heat Watch, as well as next steps for how to build on the results. 1 2 4 Study Date 100 mi² Study Area 86 Volunteers 14 Routes 83,678 Measurements 90° Max Temperature 14.4° Max Temperature Differential July 22nd, 2023The results presented in this report are the traverse point data – the heat measurements collected by participants – and ‘area-wide models’ which are generated through analysis of the traverse points and their surrounding landscape features. We focus primarily here on temperature to establish a baseline of the results, while relative humidity and heat index results are available separately. In reviewing the results, please note that while absolute temperatures (e.g. 90.1°F) are provided, we recommend focusing on the distribution of temperatures (e.g. top 20% hottest areas) within each time period. As temperatures rise, the hottest places are likely to remain the hottest. The report also includes an ‘Average Model’ combining all three time periods as well as a Frequently Asked Questions section with further detail on the data, models and visuals produced. Morning Area-Wide Predictions (6 - 7 am) Evening Area-Wide Predictions (7 - 8 pm) N N Traverse Points (°F) Afternoon Area-Wide Predictions (3 - 4 pm) 90 70 50 6 - 7 am 3 - 4 pm 7 - 8 pm Executive Summary 78.2°F 89.1°F52.9°F 66.7°F 76.7°F 84.2°F Afternoon Area Wide PredictdictWide PredictMorning Area 89.1°F66.7°F 84.2°F N Congratulations and thank you to all of the organizers and participants of Heat Watch Iowa City and Cedar Rapids! After weeks of planning and coordination, local partners successfully completed their heat mapping campaign by collecting thousands of temperature and humidity data points in the morning, afternoon and evening of a long, hot day on July 22nd, 2023. Using this information, CAPA analysts were able to generate highly detailed models of urban heat across the study region and throughout the day. With this new information, local decision makers will be better equipped to safeguard human life against the growing impacts of extreme heat. Heat Watch serves as an essential part of a broader ‘heat planning’ framework that provides a comprehensive approach for adaptation to heat. When situated with local contextual information that describes social, physical and economic conditions, Heat Watch data can help to identify people and places at highest risk to extreme heat and drive appropriate intervention strategies and policies. CAPA Strategies is a team of analysts, planners and social scientists who recognize the need for holistic, data-driven, and equity-focused approaches to climate action. Heat Watch is one tool in a systematic process for identifying risks and advancing actions for local adaptation to our warming planet. Through collaborative and community-based approaches such as this, we envision a more connected, informed and climate resilient region.6 Welcome ¹ The most relevant and recent publications to the Heat Watch campaign process include: Shandas, V., Voelkel, J., Williams, J., & Hoffman, J., (2019). Integrating Satellite and Ground Measurements for Predicting Locations of Extreme Urban Heat. Climate, 7(1), 5. https://doi.org/10.3390/cli7010005 Voelkel, J., & Shandas, V. (2017). Towards Systematic Prediction of Urban Heat Islands: Grounding Measurements, Assessing Modeling Techniques. Climate, 5(2), 41. https://doi.org/10.3390/cli5020041 CAPA Strategies has developed the Heat Watch campaign process over several iterations, with methods well established through peer-reviewed publications¹, testing, and reﬁnement. The current campaign model requires leadership by local organizers, who engage community groups, new and existing partner organizations, and the media in generating a dialog about effective solutions for understanding and addressing extreme heat. CAPA provides training, equipment, and support to the recruited community groups as they endeavor to collect primary temperature and humidity data across a metropolitan region. The seven main steps of the campaign process are summarized to the right. An overview of the analytical modeling methodology is presented later in this report and described at full length in peer-reviewed publications. 1. Goal Setting Campaign organizers determine the extent of their mapping effort, prioritizing areas experiencing environmental and social justice inequities. CAPA then divides this study area into routes, each containing a diverse set of land uses and land covers. 2. Engagement Organizers recruit volunteers, often via non-proﬁts, universities, municipal staff, youth groups, friends, family, and peers. Meanwhile, CAPA designs the data collection routes by incorporating important points of interest such as schools, parks, and community centers. 3. Training Volunteers attend a training session to learn the why and how of the project, their roles as data collectors, and to share their personal interest in the project. Participants sign a liability and safety waiver, and organizers assign teams to each polygon and route. 4. Activation With the help of local forecasters, organizers identify a high-heat, clear day (or as near to one as possible) and coordinate with their volunteer teams. Once conﬁrmed, CAPA ships the sensor equipment and bumper magnets to be distributed to campaign participants. 5. Execution Volunteer teams conduct the heat campaign by driving sensor equipment along pre-planned traverse routes at coordinated hour intervals. Each second the sensors collect a measurement of ambient temperature, humidity, longitude, latitude, speed and course. 6. Analysis Organizers collect and return the equipment, and CAPA analysts begin cleaning the data, as described in the Mapping Method section below, and utilize machine learning algorithms to create predictive area-wide models of temperature and heat index for each traverse. 7. Implementation Campaign organizers and participants review the Heat Watch outputs (datasets, maps, and report), and campaign teams meet with CAPA to discuss the results and next steps for addressing the distribution of extreme heat in their community. Process 7 About The Maps 8 The following sections present results from the campaign: traverse point measurements and area-wide models at morning, afternoon and evening. Below are several key details to keep in mind as you view the results. How does your own experience with heat in these areas align with the map? What about the landscape (trees, concrete buildings, riverside walkway) do you think might be inﬂuencing the heat in this area? Find your home, place of work, or favorite park on the maps and compare the heat throughout the day to your personal experience. The data are classiﬁed by natural breaks in order to clearly illustrate the variation between warmer (red) and cooler (blue) areas across the map. Traverse point maps present the near-surface air temperature measurements gathered during the campaign, ﬁltered to usable data for modeling. Area-wide maps present high resolution models of temperature across the study area based on the traverse points and Sentinel-2 spectral imagery. Note that the scales are different between the traverse point and area-wide maps due to the predictive modeling process. Warmer Cooler 92.3°F 72.1°F 101.6°F 80.5°F 11111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111 Cedar Rapids Morning Traverse Points Temperature (6 - 7 am) 67.2°F 52.8°F NN mimimimileellesss 00 1.55 33 66.7°F 52.9°F NN miles 0 1.5 3 Cedar Rapids Morning Area-Wide Models Temperature (6 - 7 am) 90.0°F 77.8°F NN mimimimileellesss 00 1.55 33 Cedar Rapids Afternoon Traverse Points Temperature (3 - 4 pm) 89.1°F 78.2°F NN miles 0 1.5 3 Cedar Rapids Afternoon Area-Wide Models Temperature (3 - 4 pm) 84.5°F 76.4°F NN mimimimileellesss 00 1.55 33 Cedar Rapids Evening Traverse Points Temperature (7 - 8 pm) 84.2°F 76.7°F NN miles 0 1.5 3 Cedar Rapids Evening Area-Wide Model Temperature (7 - 8 pm) Cedar Rapids Average Area-Wide Model The average model is produced by averaging together the morning, afternoon and evening models with equal weight. 79.6°F 71.1°F NN miles 0 1.5 3 999999999999999 67.2°F 52.8°F NNN miles 00 11 22 Iowa City Morning Traverse Points Temperature (6 - 7 am) 66.7°F 52.9°F N miles 0 1 2 Iowa City Morning Area-Wide Model Temperature (6 - 7 am) 1111111111111 90.0°F 77.8°F NNN miles 00 11 22 Iowa City Afternoon Traverse Points Temperature (3 - 4 pm) 89.1°F 78.2°F N miles 0 1 2 Iowa City Afternoon Area-Wide Model Temperature (3 - 4 pm) 121111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111222222222222222222222222222222222222 84.5°F 76.4°F NNN miles 00 11 22 Iowa City Evening Traverse Points Temperature (7 - 8 pm) 84.2°F 76.7°F N miles 0 1 2 Iowa City Evening Area-Wide Model Temperature (7 - 8 pm) 79.6°F 71.1°F N miles 0 1 2 Iowa City Average Area-Wide Model The average model is produced by averaging together the morning, afternoon and evening models with equal weight. The distribution of heat across a region often varies by qualities of the land and its use. Here are several observations of how this phenomenon may be occurring in your region. Average Area-Wide ModelAverage Area- Initial Observations Parks and natural areas remain cool and reduce heat of surrounding land uses. The GIS tool "Dynamic Range Adjustment" can help to visualize temperature variation within smaller areas. The parking lots and buildings of downtown Iowa City concentrate heat throughout the day. 23 Average Area-Wide ModellAv The GIS tool Dynamic Range "D Adjustment" canA help to visualize temperature va i tion within variation with smsmaller areas. 24 The most relevant and recent publications include: Shandas, V., Voelkel, J., Williams, J., & Hoffman, J., (2019). Integrating Satellite and Ground Measurements for Predicting Locations of Extreme Urban Heat. Climate, 7(1), 5. https://doi.org/10.3390/cli7010005 Voelkel, J., & Shandas, V. (2017). Towards Systematic Prediction of Urban Heat Islands: Grounding Measurements, Assessing Modeling Techniques. Climate, 5(2), 41. https://doi.org/10.3390/cli5020041 Download raw heat data from sensor SD cards Trim data to proper time window, speed, and study area Compare data with ﬁeld notes and debrief interview 1 Download & Filter 3 Predict & Validate Combine heat and land cover data in Machine Learning model Perform cross validation using 70:30 holdout method Create predictive raster surface models of each period 2 Integrate & Analyze Download multi-band land cover rasters from Sentinel-2 satellite Calculate statistics of each land cover band across multiple radii Transform land cover rasters using a moving window analysis Modeling Method The three key steps and geospatial processes that allow CAPA analysts to transform traverse point data into area-wide models of temperature. To assess the strength of our predictive temperature models, we employ a 70:30 "holdout cross-validation method," which consists of predicting 30% of the data with the remaining 70%, selected randomly. An 'Adjusted R-Squared’ value of 1.0 is perfect predictability, and 0 is total lack of prediction. Additional information on this technique can be found at the following reference: Voelkel, J., and V Shandas, 2017. Towards Systematic Prediction of Urban Heat Islands: Grounding measurements, assessing modeling techniques. Climate 5(2): 41. Accuracy Assessment Like all ﬁeld campaigns, the collection of temperature and humidity data requires adherence to a speciﬁc set of protocols and experimental controls. In the event that unreported or undetected error is introduced during the data collection process, the accuracy of the resulting datasets and models may be compromised in quality. While our team has a developed a multi-stage process for quality assurance and quality control (outlier removal), some errors can go unidentiﬁed and undetected, and thereby compromise the accuracy of the results. We suggest keeping this nature of ﬁeld data collection in mind when reviewing the results. Field Data The traverse points used to generate the areas wide models do not cover every square mile of the studied area -- rather, we take a sampling approach to gather representative measurements across the diversity of land-use, land-cover, and biophysical attributes of each study area. We suggest keeping this sampling and modeling approach in mind when reviewing the results. Prediction Areas 25 Accuracy Assessment* Model Period 6 - 7 am 3 - 4 pm Adjusted R-Squared 0.99 0.97 7 - 8 pm 0.99 Technical Notes Comments on the process, outputs and evaluation of the modeling process. @capastrategies www.capastrategies.com 26 Media Participant photos and news stories covering the campaign! 27 Next Steps Heat Watch data provides new and valuable descriptions of how heat is distributed across your city or region. With these new datasets in-hand, there are several short- and long-term next steps you can follow to build upon this work. We ﬁrst suggest validating the information with local stakeholders, generating interpretations and meanings through further analysis, and/or employing the data across a myriad of applications for heat mitigation and heat preparedness. Consider how different communities and sectors are affected by these results. The collaboration between partners and volunteers who planned and conducted the campaign may also serve as a strong network for future efforts on heat. Using GIS software you may investigate relationships between heat and the built environment using land use, canopy cover and impervious surface data; assess social vulnerability factors like age and income; and calculate impacts in speciﬁc sectors such as energy and public housing. The data may guide you in identifying priority areas for tree planting, planning resilience hubs in high-need areas, or understanding how much heat is present along transportation routes to schools. Such questions and many others can all be better addressed using the high resolution ambient descriptions provided by Heat Watch data. These new datasets may also prompt and support further research needs into the intersection of heat with overlapping natural hazards like air quality as well as the indoor experience of residents during heat waves, and future projections of heat based on models of emissions levels and climate change. We know that increased temperatures will also lead to increased energy use and grid vulnerability. In fact, nearly all sectors of urban life are likely to be affected by rising temperatures and at inequitable rates of impact to our cities’ populations. Heat Action Plan A signiﬁcant longer-term application of Heat Watch results is building out a comprehensive and systematic approach to address the many physical, social and economic threats of extreme heat facing your communities. Developing a “Heat Action Plan” is essential for situating heat data within current conditions and stakeholder interests, deﬁning local risk to extreme heat, and assembling actionable and place-based intervention strategies. Prepared by CAPA Strategies for Your City Context What is Heat Risk? Spatial Climatalogical Social Economic/Infrastructural Ecological 14 16 18 20 22 Heat Risk in Your City Priority Geographies Intervention Options Recommendations / Next Steps 2 7 13 25 30 35 1 2 3 4 5 6 As plans can be complex documents requiring technical subject expertise, CAPA aims to support cities with an accessible Heat Action Plan product. This plan builds on Heat Watch data, synthesizes existing local plans, policies, and climate projections, collects social data from local communities, sets priorities, and offers recommendations for heat action at citywide and neighborhood levels. We capture baseline information about exposure, context, and potential risk, while revealing directions for deeper research, analysis, and strategy development. As a comprehensive document, CAPA’s Heat Action Plan may serve as the central point of guidance and evaluation of progress towards local resilience to heat. We are thrilled to be a part of your path towards heat resilience and look forward to continuing to build a better prepared and more climate-responsive world together! 21 Next Steps 28 strategi e s Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) 30 A. Data and Access A1. How can I access the data from Heat Watch? All Heat Watch data (traverses, models and metadata) are available on the Open Science Framework (OSF). When ﬁrst delivered to campaign leaders, the OSF page is provided as a view-only link; once the results are approved by the local team, CAPA will update the OSF page to be publicly accessible. All Heat Watch data, this summary report, and metadata will then be available for download and use by the public. A2. In what format are the data provided? The traverse point data from each time period (morning, afternoon and evening) are provided as vector shapeﬁles.The models from each time period are provided as geo-tiff rasters at 10-meter resolution. In order to view and manipulate these data, GIS software is needed. A3. What is the accuracy of the traverse point temperature measurements? The Heat Watch sensor includes a temperature probe that is accurate to ±0.5°C. The response time (the amount of time it takes for the sensor to accurately measure a change in temperature) is 1 second. B. Relative Humidity and Heat Index B1. Where are the relative humidity and heat index results, and why are only the temperature results displayed in this report? The relative humidity measurements and heat index calculations are provided in the traverse shapeﬁles for each time period; heat index models are provided with the rasters. We focus on temperature data in the report because it is the most plainly understood variable and based more on direct measurements of the environment. Temperature then provides the basis for incorporating relative humidity to calculate heat index. B2. What is the accuracy of the relative humidity measurements? The accuracy of the relative humidity sensor is ±3%. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) 31 B3. What is heat index and how is it calculated? Heat index is an approximation of the heat felt when the presence of humidity is felt in combination with temperature. We calculate heat index by combining the measured traverse point temperature with its corresponding relative humidity measurement using the same equations as advised by the National Weather Service. Note that there are multiple ways of calculating heat index at various thresholds. To learn more, visit https://www.weather.gov/safety/heat-index. B4. Where can the relative humidity and heat index data be accessed? All results are available through OSF, and the relative humidity and heat index data can be viewed and manipulated using GIS software. C. Maps and Visualization C1. How can I visualize the data and make maps similar to the report? You can extract and print any map from this pdf report to use in media and other products. If you wish to visualize the data in similar style (colors, breaks, etc.) using a GIS tool, please see the CAPA Heat Watch Style Guide. C2. Why do the maps show the temperature range of just that period (e.g. morning minimum temperature to morning maximum temperature), instead of the entire day (i.e. overall minimum to overall maximum)? Wouldn’t this allow better visualization of how heat shifts throughout the day? The temperature range of each time period is used in order to emphasize the distribution of heat within that speciﬁc time period. While the data can be visualized differently with the range from the entire day, the differences across the area then become much less apparent in the maps. C3. Why are the ranges between traverses and models slightly different? You may notice that for instance the maximum temperature in a traverse point dataset is 94.1°F, whereas the maximum temperature from its corresponding area-wide model is 94.5°F. The reason for this slight discrepancy is inherent to predictive modeling – all models introduce some degree of uncertainty and error. The best-ﬁt model consists of many input variables that may produce a slightly higher or lower prediction of temperatures than measured by the traverses. VISIONING INDICATORS OF CLIMATE ACTION SUCCESS CLIMATE ACTION VISI ON FROM THE IOWA CITY FY23 -FY28 STRATEGIC PLAN : Cities across the Midwest and nationally emulate Iowa City’s long-term innovative strategies which achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across all sectors and prepare all populations for the effects of climate change and the urban heat island effect. A biodiverse environment flourishes and each generation can look forward to improved water, air, and soil quality. Every resident in Iowa City understands the cost of climate change and knows which community resources can help them mitigate and adapt to these impacts. Residents of all socioeconomic statuses actively take climate action, including using sustainable t ransportation, shopping local, and reducing and conserving energy. As a result, their health, safety, economic wel lbeing, and relationship with their neighbors are improved. NOTES FROM CLIMATE ACTION COMMISSION DISCUSSIONS: • Safer/enhanced walking and bike paths (wider sidewalks, buffered bike lanes), speeds below 55 mph on roads; narrower streets • Increased solar adoption; community solar; diversified energy resources • Rain collection for the gardens • More electric vehicles; more designated parking for electric vehicles; more electric buses • Smaller, more efficient vehicles and fewer cars overall; increased use of transportation alternatives like transit, walking, and biking • Stormwater management; reduced surface area given to parking; reduced concrete surfaces, more permeable surfaces • More energy-efficient homes in new construction and more homes being retrofitted for efficiency • Smaller homes built on smaller lots; increased urban density • Quality pre-fabricated building structures • Drought-tolerant and native landscape plants and practices; more trees planted • More green spaces, including around commercial and industrial areas; use of the Iowa River • Increased mixed-use development that combines residential and commercial spaces; reduced economic segregation between neighborhoods; grocery stores and parks within a 15-minute walk of all homes • Reflective paint or green rooftops on houses; cool pavement on streets; more trees planted for shade • Reduced light pollution from street lights • Shared resources like car shares, bike shares, guest houses, and community gardens • Urban food production, including community gardens, micro-farms, and vertical farming • Decentralized composting to allow residents to access compost in their neighborhoods • More locally-owned businesses; more businesses using sustainability practices • A more circular economy in construction materials • Greater density in commercial districts, fewer parking lots • Greater regional collaboration on these goals