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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-23-19 BCP Meeting Minutes BOZEMAN CLIMATE PARTNERS MEETING MINUTES MAY 23, 2019 A. CALL MEETING TO ORDER The regular meeting of the Bozeman Climate Partners Working Group was called to order at 2:05 PM on May 23, 2019 in the Madison Room of City Hall. PRESENT Kristin Walser, Melissa Blessing, Nicola Preston, Patty Howard, Kathy Powell, Caroline Ward, Dan Perata, Carson Taylor, Terry Cunningham, Sherry Stab, Natalie Meyer, Heather Higinbotham B. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA None. C. PUBLIC COMMENT Nicola Preston shared that the Bozeman Commuter Challenge starts next week, June 1. Join a team, log miles, and compete for prizes. D. MINUTES April 24, 2019 minutes approved as submitted. E. SPECIAL PRESENTATION 1. CLIMATE VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT & RESILIENCY STRATEGY (MEYER) After more than 12 months of planning, the Climate Vulnerability Assessment and Resiliency Strategy was presented to the Commission and public on May 13 (see attached presentation). Natalie shared about the benefit of Jon Henderson and Strategic Services resources in GIS mapping tools with more sophisticated abilities for tracking and reporting implementation of the plan. Carson shared an experience in participating with a disaster scenario run through with Patrick Lonergan (County Emergency Management). He relayed that it was an indispensable exercise. He thought it was a productive way to maintain some level of unity with the City/County and a reason for them to get along at a much closer level. He asked if Patrick is considering creating another scenario. Kathy shared about the efforts to revise the Gallatin Forest Plan (it hasn’t been revised in 30 years) and the stakeholder engagements/compromises. She shared that the Gallatin County Commissioners approved a support letter, and amended it due to City request regarding water resources because of a key wildlife corridor, the linkage to the northeast, and the city drinking water resources. Terry Cunningham was there. The City asked the County to recognize the IWRP to manage resources and the County agreed. The partial collapse of the Bogert Park Pavilion is a good example of repercussions with regard to resilience. If the insurance policy won’t cover the repair/replacement, the funds have to come out of the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) and divert from other projects. Carson pointed out that we have to give up something in order to restore that community resource. Dan Perata asked if the climate change projections forecast heavier snow loads. Natalie responded that we are experiencing more frequent snow events. Terry shared that the City hired Morrison Maierle to conduct engineering assessments on city buildings. Natalie has asked if we could look at solar opportunities in conjunction with engineering assessments and loading capability, but the city is not yet sure if this will be part of the scope of work. Dan asked if we incorporated the value of human life in the assessment. Natalie explained that the sensitivity analysis considers occupant load, demographics of the people in the building, and goal to recovery (how quickly we want a building to return to operability). Terry commented that the real implementation happens when recommendations get implemented in budgets, the CIP, and other plans, and that plan alignment helps with budget justification. 2. GREEN NEW DEAL (TAYLOR/WALSER) Carson and Kristen shared background and summary of the Green New Deal (GND). There are groups in Bozeman that are in favor of the GND and are considering how to approach the City and whether to ask the City to officially endorse it. HR109 was introduced in February 2019 by Alexandria Ocasio Cortez and Ed Markley, and co-sponsored by 104 members of the House. It is a framework, a way to look at moving forward on climate related issues. The goal is for the GND to spawn specific proposals and legislation. It is called the GND because of historic New Deal during WWII: it purports that we need to step forward in similar ways to the massive response and effort Roosevelt put forth in WWII. It looks at social justice and job related issues. The basic concept is better paying jobs, addressing the growing socio-economic gap, and historical systems of injustices. It argues that the only way to net zero emissions on the given timeframe is high paying energy jobs. The GND resolution includes:  Human activity is causing climate change  A changing climate causes disasters like sea level rise  We must limit warming to 2°C  We are seeing the greatest income inequality since the 1920s  We are experiencing wage and socioeconomic stagnation  Net zero GHG and 100% of power from clean renewables  High paying jobs  Infrastructure investment  Promote justice  Health care, clean water, economic security Groups like Friends of the Earth, the New Consensus, and the Sunrise Movement, along with corporate entities are adopting versions of the GND. There is a grassroots effort to push the federal government to progress in light of lack of action from the current administration. Melissa commented about social justice issues on reservations, with winter power bills and AC bills in summer can be higher than $600/month. These communities are impacted disproportionally. They are also producing more emissions than the more well-off communities that can afford more efficient HVAC systems and better/more efficient homes. Carson agreed there is a correlation between poorer communities and more polluting infrastructure. Melissa commented that resiliency is a word we are all familiar with but it doesn’t make sense at this time in our history. After a certain degree of change, it no longer makes a difference. We need to own that we need a moonshot if we want any shot. We are either doing it or not doing it and trust that we are going to get there. 90% of technologies needed already exist, but the political will doesn’t. Kristen shared that with the original new deal, there were at least 35 bills addressing the social impacts of the Great Depression. The GND is taking a similar approach, with the goal of creating the voters needed among youth and the disenfranchised to effect change. The Sunrise Movement is trying to make everyone leaders. There are chapters of the Sunrise Movement in Billings, Bozeman, and Missoula. The group is rallying kids to speak the uncomfortable truths that the old ways are no longer working and to build an army of young people to stop climate change and create millions of jobs. The point of the GND in Bozeman is to make a statement, create a mass of education, and potentially leverage a lot of public attention. Carson shared that he presumes the GND in Bozeman would interface with the City by interviewing (political) candidates. He commented that the City is already doing a lot of the things called for—equal pay for equal work, affordable housing, indigenous peoples’ day, the goal of making the City a welcoming community for all, looking at wages with City employees, acknowledging social justice issues. He commented that from the environmental standpoint the City is doing a lot with the Climate Action Plan and NorthWestern solar pilot project. Kristen shared that a big part of the GND is storytelling, visioning, and using arts and entertainment. Doug Wales (Bridger Bowl) is writing climate change music with people in Cuba. Kathy commented that this is similar to what happened with the first Earth Day, with people embracing a concept with few details. It’s the fact that we are up against something nobody has faced before, and that there are no easy answers and different timeframe that makes climate change such a challenge with only 10 years to react. F. OLD BUSINESS 1) STAFF PROJECT UPDATES: a. Climate Action & Resiliency Plan RFP Update Natalie shared that we are currently undergoing the consultant hiring process for updating our Climate Action and Resiliency Plan. The plan has not been updated since 2011 and it will be the basis for future climate programming. Part of the update will help us align our emissions reduction target with the Paris Climate Agreement. The work will get underway in July. The community process will be better defined after we select a consultant. She shared that we are starting the process of updating the emissions inventory, to be inclusive of the past two years’ growth. b. Seat at the Table Natalie wanted to share the update because this community process was first introduced to the Bozeman Climate Partners. A summary report of the interviews is available online and there will be a Commission Special Presentation on June 17th. There were 900 community member responses. Terry shared that there was a lot of conversation about the big issues of growth, the natural environment, and affordable housing. G. NEXT MEETING – JUNE 27, 2019 H. ADJOURNMENT – 3:30 PM by Natalie Meyer. The next regular meeting will be at 2:00 PM on June 27, 2019. Minutes submitted by: Natalie Meyer Climate Vulnerability Assessment & Resiliency Strategy Monday, May 13, 2019 1 Project Overview 2 •Background & Objectives •Local Climate Impacts •Resilience Vision, Terms & Definitions •Vulnerability Assessment Results •Resiliency Implementation Strategies Background and Objectives Project Objectives Approach 3 •Enhance City preparedness for climate change •Analyze vulnerabilities •Prioritize needs and opportunities •Build awareness •Utilize available tools and frameworks •Leverage subject matter expertise •Tie into existing and upcoming planning efforts Project Process Task 1 Local Climate Impacts Task 2 Affected Municipal Systems Task 3 Vulnerability Assessment Task 4 Strategies & Action Plan Task 5 Prioritization Vulnerability Assessment & Resiliency Strategy Project Workshops (Aug. 2018) Implement & Prepare Steps to Build Climate Resilience: 4 Community Resilience Summit (Nov. 2018) Future Shocks Workshop (Feb. 2018) Staff Workshop (Feb. 2019) Local Climate Impacts Summary 5 Extreme Heat More frequent and intense Floods More severe Drought More frequent and intense Mountain Snowpack Decline in volume Wildfire More extensive, frequent, and intense Winter Storms More severe 2017 Montana Climate Assessment: www.montanaclimate.org Local Climate Impacts 6©InciWeb Business-as-usual Mid-century Projections for Southwest Montana Average annual temperature +6.0˚F Average number of days above 90˚ F +33 days Average number of freeze free days above 32˚ F +41 days Average annual precipitation +1.2 inch/year Change in summer precipitation -0.1 inch/month 2017 Montana Climate Assessment Disaster Losses & Trends 7 Resilience & Financial Impacts •Moody’s incorporation of climate change into rating assessment •AT&T building infrastructure based on 30-year local climate change models. •Cost savings Source: National Institute of Building Science, 2016 $1 spent today on hazard mitigation $6 in future benefits= Resilience Vision Concepts 9 Terminology The ability to prepare and plan for, absorb, respond, recover from, and more successfully adapt to adverse events.Resilience Climate Trends & Hazards Response & Recovery VulnerabilityRisk Mitigation & Adaptation Actions What is resilience? Source: National Academies of Science definition Terms & Definitions •Sensitivity:The degree to which a building or facility is affected (adversely or beneficially) by exposure to a climate hazard. •Adaptive Capacity:The degree to which a building or facility can currently cope with and accommodate change caused by an exposure to a climate hazard within existing resources and constraints. •Vulnerability:The degree to which a building or facility is susceptible to or unable to cope with a climate hazard. Sensitivity + Adaptive Capacity = Vulnerability 11 Vulnerability Assessment Critical City Facilities Critical City facilities generally provide or support operations and services for common public benefit. Community Centers Community centers are meeting places for social, educational, or recreational activities for all in the community. Critical Infrastructure Critical infrastructure delivers resources that make the community livable and underlies economic function. 12 Vulnerability Assessment •Fire Department and GIS Occupancy Vulnerability Assessment Profile (OVAP) o Structures Inventory 13 Sensitivity + Adaptive Capacity =Vulnerability 14 Occupant Load Goal to Recovery Floodplain Basement Wildland Urban Interface Emergency Power Demographics Extreme Heat Flood Drought Reduced Snowpack Wildfire Winter Storms Adaptive Capacity: The degree to which a system is able to cope currently and adapt to changes in climate within existing resources and operational and organizational constraints. Low –There is little to no operational and/or operational adjustments you can do to affect outcomes with current resources. Medium –There are operational and/or organizational adjustments available to lessen the impact(s), but still will be adversely impacted. High –There is enough operational flexibility to withstand an event without overly adverse impacts. 15 Sensitivity + Adaptive Capacity =Vulnerability 16 Building/Facility Extreme Heat Drought Flood Reduced Snowpack Winter Storms Wildfire Shops Complex High -Medium High -High Low -High High -High Medium -Medium High -Medium Bozeman Public Safety Center (Proposed)High -High High -High Medium -Medium High -High Medium -High High -High Law & Justice Center High -Medium High -High High -High High -High Medium -Medium High -Medium Cemetery Building Low -Medium Low -Medium Low -High Low -Medium Low -Medium Low-Medium Alfred Stiff Professional Bldg.High -High High –High Medium -Medium High -High Medium -High High -Medium Bozeman Fire Department Station #1 Medium -Medium Medium -Medium High -Low Medium -Medium Medium -Low Medium -Medium Bozeman City Hall High -High High -High High -Low High -High Medium -High High -Medium Gallatin County Coordination Center Medium -High Medium -High High -High Medium -High Medium -High Medium -Medium Bozeman Fire Department Station #3 Medium -High Medium -Medium High -High Medium -Medium Medium -High Medium-Medium Bozeman Fire Department Station #2 Medium -High Low -Medium Low -High Low -Medium Medium -High Low -Medium Logan Landfill Medium -High Low -High Low –Low Low -High Medium -High Low -Medium Story Mill Landfill/Convenience Site/HHW Low -High Low -High Low -Low Low -High Medium -Medium High -Low Vehicle Maintenance Building Low -High Low -High Low -High Low -High Medium-Medium Low -Medium Parking Garage Low -High Low -High Low -Medium Low -High Medium -Low Low -High Laurel Glen Shops Low -Medium Low -High Low -High Low -High Low -High Low -High Beall Rec Center Medium -High Medium -High Low -Medium Medium -High Medium-Low Medium-Medium Bozeman Senior Center High -Medium High -High Low -High High -High High -Medium High -Medium Lindley Center Medium -Low Medium -High Low -High Medium -High Medium -Medium High -Low Bozeman Public Library Medium -High Medium -High Low -Medium Medium -High Medium -High Medium -Medium Story Mill Community Center High -Low High -High High-Medium High -High Medium -Medium High -Medium Swim Center Medium -Medium Medium -Low Low -High Medium -Low Medium -Low Medium -Medium Story Mansion Medium -Medium Medium -High Low -High Medium -High Medium -Medium Medium -Medium Water Reclamation Facility (WRF)Low -High Low -High Low -High Low -High Medium -High Low -High Water Treatment Plant (WTP)Low -High Medium -Low Low -High Medium -Low Medium -High High -Medium Sensitivity + Adaptive Capacity = Vulnerability Vulnerability Summary 17 Climate Hazard Service Category Primary Issues Extreme Heat Community Centers Vulnerable populations Flooding Critical City Facilities Building damage, transportation network to deliver services Drought/Snowpack Critical Infrastructure Water supply Wildfire Critical Infrastructure, City Facilities, Community Centers Smoke and human health, Water supply and treatment Winter Storms Critical City Facilities Emergency response time, power outages Resiliency Strategy 18 Strategy Summary 19 Infrastructure & Capital Planning The City will plan for critical facility infrastructure hardening and capital projects to limit damage community-wide and improve its operational resilience during and after hazard events. Hazard Event Protocols & Training The City will continue to develop its internal training and operational protocols to improve response capability in the face of hazard events. Public Policies & Programs The City will pursue policies and standards that build individual, organizational, and community resilience. Climate Resilience Planning & Integration The City will integrate climate resilience within all policy and planning efforts to build resilience from the inside out. 1 2 3 Strategy Summary 20 Inter-agency Community Partnerships The City will play an important role in building resilience by partnering and coordinating with community organizations. Awareness & Education The City will prioritize proactive education within City operations to build individual, organizational, and community resilience. Ongoing Climate Monitoring & Risk Assessment The City will adapt its operations to weather by conducting an evidence- based assessment of the City's vulnerability and risk to climate variability. 5 6 7 Strategy Alignment & Prioritization 21 Strategy 1: Infrastructure and Capital Planning (ICP) Plan for critical facility infrastructure hardening and capital projects that limit damage to property, protect human health, and improve operational resiliency. Actions Department / Partner Plan Alignment FY20 Budget Cost Effort Benefit Priority 1. Continue to build out back- up power, mobile back-up power, fuel storage, and communications redundancies for buildings and infrastructure. IT, Facilities, Fire, Police, Gallatin County Emergency Management Gallatin County Hazard Mitigation Plan (2019) Partial $$H H H Implement & Monitor 22 •Climate Action & Resiliency Plan •Continuity of Operations Planning with MSU o HEPT 1, 2 •Bozeman Public Safety Center o ICP 1, 2, 3, 8 •Administrative Order for formalize commitment to resiliency o PPP 1 •Tracking and Reporting Tool •Vulnerability Assessment Mapping Tool Climate Vulnerability Assessment & Resiliency Strategy www.Bozeman.net > Sustainability > Climate Action Plans & Policies Thank You! 23