HomeMy WebLinkAbout1-6-25 Climate Action Commission Agenda Packet
Iowa City Climate Action Commission Agenda
Monday, January 6, 2025, 3:30 p.m.
Emma J. Harvat Hall, City Hall
410 E. Washington St., Iowa City
Meeting Agenda:
1. Call to Order
2. Roll Call
3. Approval of Dec. 2, 2024 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: Emma Bork, Nadja Krylov, and Robert Traer
b. Annual Commission By-Laws Reminders
c. Reminder to speak into microphones
d. Action items from last meeting
i. Staff will follow up as to how other organizations can support the City’s
legislative priorities
ii. Staff will follow up with Transit about presenting to CAC in 2025
e. Community Survey Results Presentation (Jan. 7 City Council Work Session, 4 p.m.)
f. Events
i. Inclusive Transportation book discussion (Jan. 30, noon, ICPL Meeting Room A)
ii. Inclusive Transportation discussion with author (Feb. 4, 6 p.m., Zoom)
iii. Other events in the community (Commissioners)
6. New Business
a. Midyear presentations from Climate Action Grant awardees – Neighborhood Centers of
Johnson County, Habitat for Humanity, and Trinity Episcopal Church
b. Election of Chair and Vice Chair – Commission Members
7. Old Business
a. Discussion of 2025 Climate Action Commission meeting time and dates
8. Recap
a. Confirmation of next meeting time and location
i. Monday, Feb. 3, 2025 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 2 , 2024 – 3:30 PM – FORMAL MEETING
EMMA J. HARVAT HALL
MEMBERS PRESENT: Michael Anderson, Michal Eynon-Lynch, Zach Haralson, Jamie Gade,
Brinda Shetty, Michelle Sillman, Angie Smith, Gabriel Sturdevant
MEMBERS ABSENT: John Fraser, Ben Grimm, Wim Murray
STAFF PRESENT: Daniel Bissell, Sarah Gardner, Megan Hill, Diane Platte
OTHERS PRESENT: Bruce Titus, Dave Yankey, Brent Hartwig, Tyler Simmons, Thomas Agran,
Becky Soglin
CALL TO ORDER:
Sturdevant called the meeting to order at 3:30.
APPROVAL OF NOVEMBER 18, 2024 MINUTES:
Anderson moved to approve the minutes, Shetty seconded, and the motion carried.
PUBLIC COMMENT OF ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA:
None.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Action Items from last meeting (Staff):
• Staff is working with Clerk on next steps to revise by-laws
• Staff sent recording of City Council Nov. 19 work session to commissioners
• Staff shared commissioners’ BRT/PUM questions with MPO, Greater IC, and City Manager
Events:
• None upcoming
Angie Smith joined the meeting at 3:35. Michelle Sillman joined the meeting at 3:37.
NEW BUSINESS:
Midyear presentations from Climate Action Grant awardees. Summarized in slides in agenda packet.
• Plated Table used grant funds for native plantings and an appliance.
• Oaknoll used grant funds for compost collection.
• Our Redeemer Lutheran Church used grant funds for LED lights.
OLD BUSINESS:
CRANDIC Bus Rapid Transit Study/Pop Up Metro discussion update
Climate Action Commission
December 2024
Page 2 of 4
2
• Gardner observed there is a bit of an information imbalance between BRT study and Pop-Up
Metro proposal, noting staff efforts to compare them on equal footing.
• Gardner shared that staff often reach out to other cities for information sharing when exploring
new projects and said she had reached out to transportation planners in Oklahoma City to set
up a meeting as their system was widely referenced in the BRT study, but as Pop Up Metro is
not yet in use in another U.S. city, could not do the same for it.
• Noting questions raised in a previous meeting as to the history of the company, maintenance
considerations, and how tested the trains were, Gardner shared that the Pop Up Metro trains
were currently owned by the Railroad Development Corporation (RDC) which acquired the two
trains from Vivarail in Great Britain after a bankruptcy following mechanical failures with some
of the trains. Another British company, Great Western Railroad (GWR), purchased the Vivarail
Intellectual Property (IP) and remaining rolling stock. It is unclear how this would impact the
ability to repair the trains or build more.
• The company that made Iowa City’s electric buses, Proterra, also filed for bankruptcy, which has
resulted in some maintenance challenges related to obtaining parts and software updates.
• Gardner shared this information with Cady Gerlach of Greater IC as she wanted to give her a
chance to obtain more information before appearing before the Commission. Gerlach
requested time to do so.
• Sillman asked if the train cars are in use now. Gardner affirmed they are in use in Pennsylvania
for demonstration purposes, but her understanding was that they were not in regular hourly use
similar to full deployment in a transit system
• Sturdevant asked about next steps. Gardner said she would stay in touch with Greater IC and
schedule a presentation when they were ready.
• Gardner explained the standard practice for charging EVs is to leave the batteries in place and
plug the vehicle in, noting all of the different vehicles included in the Fleet Transition Study were
charged this way. Because the Pop Up Metro trains use a novel approach, removing the
batteries each time to charge, staff do not have the expertise to evaluate such a system and
would recommend an independent engineering review. She noted an added benefit of studies is
sometimes to keep a project going in the face of different challenges.
Climate Action and Adaptation Plan updates and discussion
• Gardner described proposed providing updates section by section (Buildings, Transportation,
etc.) starting in March to better review the history of each item in preparation for reprioritizing
the Climate Action Plan next year.
• Eynon-Lynch asked about use of metrics previously discussed by the Commission in the visioning
process. Gardner said the EMS (Environmental Management System) approach discussed in a
prior meeting could serve as a good framework for those metrics and offered to ask Jane Wilch
to provide some guidance on using an EMS approach when she next presents to the
Commission.
• Smith asked about an update on Bicycle-Friendly Community application. Gardner shared the
City is still waiting to hear from the American League of Bicyclists as to the application and
offered to share it when available.
• Haralson asked about legislative priorities from City Council and how other organizations could
support those priorities. Gardner spoke of the City’s lobbyist in Des Moines and offered to find
out how organizations could support their efforts.
• Sturdevant asked about bus shelter distribution along transit routes. Gardner offered to arrange
Climate Action Commission
December 2024
Page 3 of 4
3
a presentation from Transit later next year.
• Haralson asked about plans for electric vehicles in the Police Department. One vehicle has been
ordered but delayed twice. A second e-bike is coming.
• Eynon-Lynch encouraged CAC to consider the intended outcome of new projects using metrics
from visioning process and consider which actions are most effective as the reprioritization of
CAAP is undertaken.
• Sillman asked about re-engaging landlords around grants for EV chargers at multi-family
housing. Gardner confirmed that process has started, describing an approach based more on
one-on-one follow-up with landlords rather than presentations to the Landlords Association.
Sillman suggested senior living facilities might be good candidates for adding chargers.
• Sturdevant asked for comments on resilience hubs. Gardner explained NCJC has completed their
Resilience Hub plan. Their first round of funding will provide a generator for each of their three
facilities so that childcare can continue uninterrupted in the event of a disaster. The Bike Library
will also be in a stage of implementation this next year.
• Shetty asked if there are updates about Fare Free Transit. Gardner reported it seems to be on
track to meet the target.
RECAP:
Confirmation of next meeting time and location:
• Monday, January 6, 3:30-5 p.m. Emma J. Harvat Hall
Actionable items for commission, working groups, and staff:
• Staff will follow up on a question on how other organizations can support the City’s legislative
priorities.
• Staff will follow up with Transit about presenting to CAC late next year.
Recognition of outgoing members
ADJOURNMENT:
Sillman moved to adjourn, Anderson seconded, and the motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 4:45.
Climate Action Commission
December 2024
Page 4 of 4
4
CLIMATE ACTION COMMISSION
ATTENDANCE RECORD
2023-2024
NAME
TERM EXP.
12
/
4
/
2
3
1/
8
/
2
4
2/
5
/
2
4
3/
4
/
2
4
4/
1
/
2
4
5/
6
/
2
4
6/
3
/
2
4
8/
5
/
2
4
9/
8
/
2
4
10
/
7
/
2
4
11
/
1
8
/
2
4
12/2/24
Michael
Anderson
12/31/2025 NM O/E X O/E O/E X O/E X X X X
Michal Eynon-
Lynch
12/31/2024 X NM X X X X X O/E X X X X
John Fraser 12/31/2024 X NM X X X O/E X X X X O/E O/E
Jamie Gade 12/31/2025 X NM X X X X X X O/E X O/E X
Ben Grimm 10/31/2026 X NM X O/E X X O/E O/E X X X X
Zach Haralson 12/31/2025 NM X X X X O/E X O/E X X X
Matt Krieger 12/31/2023 O/
E
* * * * * * * * * * *
Wim Murray MidAmerican
Rep
X NM X X X X X X X X X O/E
Michelle Sillman 12/31/20025 X NM O/E X X O/E X X X O/E X X
Brinda Shetty UI Rep O/
E
NM X X X X X O/E X X X X
Angie Smith 12/31/2025 X NM X X X X X X X O/E X X
Gabe Sturdevant 12/31/2024 X NM X X X X O/E X X X O/E X
Matt Walter 12/31/2023 X * * * * * * * * * * *
KEY: X = Present
0 = Absent
0/E = Absent/Excused
NM= No Meeting
* No longer on Commission
IC Climate Action Commission Annual By-Laws Reminders
1. Purpose: The Commission exists to “enhance and enable further community efforts to achieve
the City’s ambitious climate goals.” (Article 2)
2. Duties:
a. advise the City Council on climate issues;
b. research, analyze, and promote climate actions, with particular attention to equity;
c. educate and engage with the public on climate action and the City’s climate and
sustainability goals;
d. assist City staff, City Council, and members of the community with implementing approved
initiatives that support the City’s climate and sustainability goals, including the Climate
Action and Adaptation Plan and any related or updated plan hereafter;
e. recommend to the City Council updates to the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan [and by
extension to the 100-day action plan]. (Article 3)
3. Chair/Vice Chair: The Chair and vice-chair are elected annually in January from within the
membership. The Chair presides over all meetings and the vice-chair assumes these duties in the
event of the Chair’s absence. (Article 4, Section E)
4. Absences: In the event that a member misses three meetings in a row without prior approval of
the excused absence, the Commission must recommend the City Council discharge the member
and appoint a new member. So that we don’t get to that point, please contact staff about any
upcoming planned absences. (Article 4, Section H)
5. Quorum: For our CAC monthly meeting, six or more members must be physically present at each
meeting to constitute a quorum. If six members are present and one person leaves, the meeting
must cease for lack of quorum. Working groups or subcommittees are not a full meeting of the
Commission unless six Commission members are present. Even if a quorum is not present
among a group of Commissioners, please be mindful of the importance of deliberating and
discussing issues as a full body. (Article 5, Section D & H)
6. Voting: A simple majority of those present at a meeting is needed to approve a motion. For
example if 9 commissioners are present, it would be 5 votes.
7. Recommendations to Council: Council receives all copies of minutes from Commission meetings
for review and uses this mechanism to follow discussions held in Commission meetings. Specific
recommendations for the Council are set off from the main body of the minutes and included in
Council agenda packets. In most cases this is sufficient. In some instances (if a more detailed
rationale for a particular recommendation is desirable, for example, of if the Commission would
like to provide additional background information for consideration) a memo can be drafted to
Council. This is generally done over the course of several meetings to allow for the Climate
Action Commission to review, discuss, consult with staff, and approve the final wording before a
memo goes to Council.
INCLUSIVE
TRANSPORTATION:
A MANIFESTO FOR
REPAIRING DIVIDED
COMMUNITIES
Celebrate National
transit Equity Day:
70 years in the making!
Dive into this must-read book
with two events:
THURS. JAN. 30: A community
conversation at Iowa City
Public Library, noon-1 p.m.
TUES. FEB. 4: A virtual
discussion with author
Veronica O. Davis, 6-7 p.m.
Highlight: “Because affordable housing is not truly affordable if the cost
of heating and cooling cause a burden, IVHFH has long been committed
to reducing utility bills and energy consumption.”
“We caulk all of the seams on the exterior walls. We also do the bottom
plate and spray foam all doors and windows.”
Problem-solving: “You need your home to breathe, so we have an ERV
system that exchanges air in an efficient way. It adds a little extra cost to
the home, but it’s a requirement of a home that’s this tight. It helps the
air quality on the inside and is also a good way to cut utility bills.”
Goal: to build an energy-efficient home that will be sold to a low income
(earning less than 80% of the area median income) household; also to
educate the community about green building practices.
Contact: Scott Hawes, IVHFH Executive Director
Air-Sealing a Home with
Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity
“Expanding community gardens and improving access to healthy, local
foods, the Broadway Garden Project not only addresses food insecurity
but also encourages community involvement and leadership in
sustainable practices.”
Problem-solving: “To make room for this new project, we will be
revitalizing our outdoor space. This includes the careful removal of old,
unused playground equipment to create space for the garden beds,
retrofitting a nearby rain gutter on our building to collect rainwater for
irrigation, and clearing out unwanted volunteer trees that have grown
along our fence where they cast too much shade.”
Goal: to foster sustainable living and enrich children's learning by
introducing gardens, one for each classroom, at the Broadway Center
Contact: Sarah Furnish, Broadway 3's Lead Teacher
Raised Garden Beds at
NCJC Broadway Garden
Highlight: forthcoming!
“We participate in the Episcopal Church's Stewardship of Creation vision
and goals not only addressing climate disruption but also environmental
justice and biodiversity loss.”
“Our goal, dream, is to put solar panels on the south facing parish hall
roof. But we see these windows as a crucial first step.”
Goal: to replace or repair low-value windows with energy-efficient
windows to cut carbon footprint and heating bills
Contact: Barbara Eckstein, Building & Grounds Committee member
Replacing windows at
Trinity Episcopal Church
Date: Nov. 14, 2024
To: Members of the Climate Action Commission
From: Sarah Gardner, Climate Action Coordinator
Re: Meeting times of Iowa City Boards, Commissions, and Committees
The following list of meeting times and days of the month, current as of Nov. 1, 2024, for Iowa City
Boards, Commissions, or Committees has been assembled to help inform discussions of a potential
meeting time for the Iowa City Climate Action Commission. Per the Commission by-laws, meetings are
to take place on a monthly basis at a day and time established by the Commission. Meetings may be
cancelled if no urgent business requires a meeting.
Board, Commission, or Committee Recurring Meeting Day Time
Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission 1st & 3rd Thursday 7 p.m.
Board of Adjustment 2nd Wednesday 5: 15 p.m.
Airport Commission 2nd Thursday 6 p.m.
Assessor’s Examining Board As needed
Board of Appeals 1st Monday 4:30 p.m.
Board of Review As needed
Charter Review Commission 2nd Tuesday and
4th Thursday
5 p.m.
Civil Service Commission As needed
Climate Action Commission 1st Monday 3:30 p.m.
Community Police Review Board 2nd Tuesday 5:30 p.m.
Economic Development Committee As needed
Historic Preservation Commission 2nd Tuesday 5:30 p.m.
Housing and Community Development Commission 3rd Monday 6:30 p.m.
Human Rights Commission 4th Tuesday 5:30 p.m.
Library Board of Trustees 4th Thursday 5 p.m.
Parks and Recreation Commission 2nd Wednesday 5 p.m.
Planning and Zoning Commission 1st and 3rd Wednesday 7 p.m.
Public Art Advisory Committee 1st Thursday 3:30 p.m.
Senior Center Commission 3rd Thursday 4 p.m.
Climate Action Commission Meeting Schedule 202 5
All meetings in City Council Chambers (Emma J Harvat Hall) in City Hall,
410 E Washington St., Iowa City, Iowa , from 3:30 -5 p.m.
Meetings held first Monday of the month unless otherwise noted.
January 6 , 202 5
February 3 , 202 5
March 3 , 202 5
April 7 , 202 5
May 5 , 202 5
June 2 , 202 5
July 7 – No Meeting
August 4 , 202 5
September 8 , 202 5 (*Note: Second Monday of the month)
October 6 , 202 5
November 10, 202 5 (*Note: Second Monday of the month)
December 1 , 202 5
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.