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HomeMy WebLinkAboutApproved Minutes 03-25-21 Bozeman Climate Partners Working Group Bozeman Climate Partners Working Group March 25, 2021 at 2:00pm Via Webex Attendees Include Natalie Meyer (staff liaison), Anne Ready, Dan Perata, Matt Thompson, Kathy Powell, Kristen Walser, Kristin Blackler, Jay Sinnott, Ita Killeen, Joan Montagne A. Call Meeting to Order B. Changes to the Agenda C. Minutes • Completion of minutes behind • Recent meetings have been recorded for future completion D. Public Comment Matt Thompson: Were alternative transportation options considered in the decision to widen Kagy to four lanes? Is it a done deal? Natalie Meyer: • Kagy design is a long term project. • The proposed design accommodates bike and pedestrian traffic with separated bike lanes, new sections of bike lanes, and 2-3 pedestrian underpasses. • The project supports growth of housing south of Kagy. • It is an MDT route so city does not have full autonomy. • “If you build it they will come”…the 4 lane expansion will be a maximum expansion or build-out of the road section. • Planning goal is to avoid sprawl by encouraging housing south of Kagy and street network is needed to support this infill. The consultant modelled 1.8% annual projected traffic growth, but recent traffic counts indicated 11% annual traffic growth. Transit and multi-modal options needed along with increased lane capacity. Additional points: • Hospital access is a consideration (Jay Sinnott). • Streamline realigning routes and directing more routes to downtown and has removed some service along Kagy corridor, Livingston route being re-examined during summer months. Projected increase of 26,000 vehicle trips in next few years to the south of Kagy and along the Kagy corridor (Kristin Blackler). E. Special Presentations 1. Inclusive City Initiative Natalie Meyer: • Dani Hess and Melody Mileur working with Thomas Miller & Associates to characterize disparities and evaluate city’s capacity to address inequities • Develop equity indicators & conduct a gaps analysis • Characterize inequities faced by underrepresented groups • Evaluate the capacity of existing services • Develop equity indicators to establish baseline and track change over time • Groundwork for Equity & Inclusion Plan and Summit • Beginning outreach to community partners/individuals • Background research • Kick-off engagement and data collection 2. Advisory Board Reorganization Process Natalie Meyer: Language included in City Manager’s Presentation to City Commission: • Currently over 40 communities advisory boards and City Manager is proposing to integrate many of these boards into 6 key “pillars” for increase in a collaborative and unified processes, excluding the boards and groups identified in the City Charter or required by Montana Code. • Goal is to have city processes more efficient and effective. • Bozeman Climate Partners would likely fit under Sustainability (Environment, Social, Economic) area • The City Manager is making the rounds to individual chairs, which is likely to take considerable time and effort. • Staff are reaching out to other cities for good ideas on structure and composition. Please send good case studies of cities with successful community advisory boards. Kristin Walser asked if you live outside of city limits would you be able to be on a city board? • Some boards specifically include county representation and we need collaboration with Gallatin County 3. Climate Plan Implementation Charter Natalie Meyer • Focus on developing institutional capacity and community partnerships to guide implementation a. Outline action steps, resources needed, partners, timeline b. Communicate progress with the public through online tools and dashboard c. Elements: i. City Operations 1. Steering Committee & Core Team 2. Dashboard and Performance Indicators 3. Utility Tracking/GHG Inventory 4. Citizen Advisory Board ii. Focus Area Implementation 1. 20+ actions defined with lead division, timeline, budget Kathy Powell asked how might Climate Plan implementation fit into new Sustainability Board? How will they get all the work done meeting only once a month? Will subcommittees be needed? • More work ahead in defining what would be the work/scope of the new Sustainability Board. • Core team does the majority of the work within city operations while the advisory board is advising rather than doing the work. • Climate Plan touches on the different boards, structure of boards and their processes has not yet been determined. 4. Green Tariff Program Natalie Meyer: • A green tariff is an option for customers of regulated utilities to buy power from newly developed renewable energy sources through a special rate (“tariff”) on their utility bills. • City of Bozeman, Missoula County/City, and City of Helena have engaged a consultant through an interlocal agreement • There have been a number of meetings w/ the utility to determine cost and credit mechanism of a special renewable rate. • The expectation is to find a basic level of agreement among Cities and NorthWestern and then bring it to the broader Green Tariff Stakeholder Advisory Group for consensus before bringing a proposal to private stakeholders, and the Montana Public Service Commission. • Contract is structured such that city can “exit” if it is not going well, but the tariff is needed to reach the 2025 Climate Plan goal. • Pushback from environmental organizations that there should be no price premium and we should perhaps pay for a “brown tariff” rather than a “green tariff”. Additional comments: • Cost of rate cannot be determined until there is an RFQ (Matt Thompson) • There are upfront costs to new energy development (Natalie Meyer) Matt Thompson asked if there was an update on detention facility in Missoula County and the use of 3rd party ownership to finance renewable energy? o Update is pending 5. 2021 Legislative Roundup Natalie Meyer: • SB 379 to revise coal fired generation laws is opposed by the City of Bozeman. • SB 257 is a bill to prevent local jurisdictions from implementing a carbon tax, but is written broadly and my result in litigation. • HB 188 increases EV registration fees to be higher than neighboring states. • HB 407 blocks local governments from banning plastic and Styrofoam • HB 448 increases the cap on commercial rooftop solar to 350kW—supported by the City of Bozeman • SB 147 CPACE still in committee—supported by the City of Bozeman • This list only represents a sample of bills relevant to the Climate Plan 6. Gallatin Valley Earth Day Celebration Anne Ready: Earth Day events info at www. gallatinvalleyearthday.org • Wind Energy Basics virtual event • Story of Plastic film available free; Meet the Director event today at 7pm. • Earth Day festival April 17 (exhibits, children’s activities, band, & food cart & Clean Up Day kits) • Virtual Events April 22 (online films, music, talks, classes) • Electric car, Electric motorcycle and e-bike on display • Explore Earth Day in the Parks April 24 • Other events-MSU Leadership Council featuring Mary Robinson Apr 8th Additional Comments: • Student led conference Apr 9&10 (Kristin Blackler) • Prospera Webinar event on water, energy efficiency, and recycling this evening (Natalie Meyer) 7. FYI/Discussion –April Agenda Items Natalie Meyer asked for suggestions for April 22 agenda. • Update on composting and food residuals (Kathy Powell) • MSU-City Collaborations on Sustainability (Kathy Powell) • Legislative Updates (Ita Killeen) • Updates from Kristen Walser on CCL and Kristen Blackler on MSU Sustainability always welcome (Natalie Meyer) F. Adjournment – 3:23pm • Next meeting April 22, 2021 For more information please contact Staff Liaison, Natalie Meyer at nmeyer@bozeman.net This working group generally meets the fourth Thursday of the month from 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm Committee meetings are open to all members of the public. If you have a disability and require assistance, please contact our ADA coordinator, Mike Gray at 582-3232.