December 7, 2022 — Environmental Advisory Board Regular Meeting

Transcript

Captions from City of Boulder YouTube recording.

[0:06] Good. To go okay, cool. My screen for us, for a second, there, alright, then let's go ahead. And call this meeting to order, and I guess we'll do the the slides use Yes, give me 1 s. Are you all able to see my screen. Yes. Okay, there, we go. Alright, here, we go, we are pleased, you have joined us ticket to strike, a balance between meaningful and transparent engagement, and online security. The Following rules will be a replied, for this meeting meeting has been called to conduct the business of the City of Boulder activities that disrupt a layer otherwise interfere with the meeting are prohibited the time for speaking or asking questions may be Limited no person shall speak except when recognized by the person presiding and

[1:04] no person shall speak for longer than the time, alive. Each person shall register to speak at the meeting using that person's real name, any person, I believe, to be using a synonym will not be Printed, permitted to speak at the meeting if someone comes into the meeting, with a telephone number or a name associated with a specific device. The host may ask for a full name for allowing the individual to speak No video will be permitted except for City officials, employees and invited speakers, and presenters, all others will participate by voice, only, the Person, Presiding, at the Meeting, Shall, and Force these rules, by Muting anyone who violates any Rule the Chat Functionality, will be used for individuals to communicate with the host it should be used for technical and online platform related questions only if an attendee attempts to use the Chat for any reason other than Speaking Assistance from the Host the City Reserves, the Right to Disable the individuals, access to Chat and finally only the Host Individuals, That's, Designated by the Host will be Permitted

[2:04] to share their screen during this meeting. Thanks Brett with that I think we can go ahead, and I will make a motion. To approve the minutes. And see if anyone has any comments on those Brooke Amanda There, comments here. Seconded and Great. What'd you say? Okay. Seconded. And thank you for including my revision that I sent out about leaf flowers, and the research that I did on them Thank you both, okay, so public participation, heather. What do we wanna do knowing that and was about to bounce back here, should we just proceed. And how do you guys want to handle that Yeah, we actually, have 4 people attending tonight. So I'll just go down the list. Alright Let's See The first one up. Is Paul.

[3:03] Alright, thank you mike and and good to see everybody. I I see on your agenda that this is the time for your letter to City Council. And Hi! I thank you mostly on the right direction, My my prories are slightly different, but I can live with yours. So I I work with empower, our future, and we had an empower hour last night Ken Regglson Presented on the heat pumps. It was very enlightening it made me wish I'd talk to ken before I installed my heat pump because he's got some really good points. About why ground source is much better for us all. As a society. Then air source, he pops it has to do with the demand on the Grid.

[4:05] So ground Source Costs More to install, because you got a day go. Well, and this is figuring that was about $15,000 to take a well, but the Air Source heat Pump. With so much demand on the grid, on a cold night, and if we if everybody had an Air Source heat Pump and the Temperature went down below 0, we would just Fry the Grid and so you know the Alternative is we gotta build up the Grid for Billions, of Dollars worth of new Equipment Or grounds, 4. C pumps. Can do the same job with a fraction of the Electricity? Okay, great Paul, take it away. Got a couple of 3 min. So it was quite a lightning, if you guys wanna go to Empower, future org and look at events, you can see the the video and I think you're funny, quite enlightening so that's That's, my red for tonight, so again, great to see, you all good job, talk, to you later. Thank you, Paul, that was in to hear, and I'm definitely gonna check out that video Okay, I can't see the participant list anymore. Heather, because of the new format. So if you could just queue up the next person

[5:26] Sure next we have Jinny devad Hello, everyone. It's December and I'm back visiting you again. About the gas Power, Lawn Equipment, you know I had talked about this for Amanda I you know you just made a nod to that. So that's great, so you know I kind of Pinged Bob Yates actually about a week before he did post on his newsletter about what's going on with that so it looks like the City is actually making some movement, which is great so I wanted to express, my my happiness about that

[6:04] I also just wanted to say that I walk through Naropa every day, and the guys I know over there, the landscapers, they are enveloped in horrible fumes, you know all the time and I talked to a guy who's not a landscapeer but interacts, with those guys, a Lot and I just thought so. How did you get in a rope in a budget? And basically, he, said, well, right, the president, and so so I did. I have written the President 4 times, and just said, you know here's a link to really reasonably priced electrical Backpack blowers that at least would get you on the right Path and I know, that Naropa is their position is sustainability and people, and civil Rights. And this is something that we're directly relates, to you know, a real lack of connection with what you're actually doing on a daily basis.

[7:04] So I haven't heard anything from the President, but I did happen to talk to one of the landscapers today. As I passed through, and he said, Well, they're actually looking at electric power backpack blowers. And I thought that was great that they're does seem to be some movement over there, although I'm not gonna you know, say that it's definitely gonna happen he said. I said, Yeah, I send my link on that and they're not that expensive I mean I don't really remember. But I'm thinking, 500 bucks or something, and he goes. Oh, you know that's a lot for in Aopa. They don't really spend money on equipment, and I said, Come on, you know, this is for the health and Safety, an environment. That this organization is presumably cares about. So anyway, I just wanted to let you know that you know I'm still in the game. Still interested in this. I live in Goss, grove, and we care about this a lot a lot of apartment buildings here a lot of crews, 3 or 4 people coming through and you know blasting the hell out of leaves and so on so just to say Hi, just let you know I have

[8:06] Ongoing interest in this and Appreciate all that you are doing with regard to this topic, and that's it Thank You Jenny appreciate you stopping by again and great Okay, so heather, whoever you wanna, queue up next. Thank you. Yeah, next next up. We have Megan Corbin Hey, I'm Relatively new to boulder and guest. Here to learn more about what's going on. So thanks Great Thanks Megan. Alright do you have anyone else still Yes, we do we have one more. Stephen. I'm sorry. I'm not sure how to pronounce his last name Haydell or Hi Dell. Stephen, you should be able to talk. Now.

[9:01] Can you hear me there, we go, I wasn't Planning on, talking. But since I'm on here. I'm a Jenny's husband, underleaf flowers. There's a excellent article in the car, on the Sun about that this week. Yeah, it's just that's been a big push for Us neighborhood. Not over, not only just the fumes, but also blowing away all the ground cover for insects, which really harms the environment. Yeah, it's one thing to blow off the sidewalk. But going off all the underneath plants and everything. It's just really bad. We're a oh, the pollinator highway on in cost growth, and you know, doing Research, and really, knowing that Covers is so important, for these are all insects, So I was just like so by blue you know, just into a Flower bed just all the ground

[10:02] Covering half their Soil, blowing away. So Yeah, thanks. Keep up the good work hopefully we can get the city moving, you know, little faster than snail, get this, done. Hey, thank you Okay. Thank you Thank you, Stephen, is that it for now heather? How are we? It is but just let you know, we did have one more community member, who wanted to speak. And said she may pop back on Len Siegel, so I will keep an eye on the participant list, and if she joins, you know shortly, then I I will let you know. Okay, great then with the public Participation, Wrapped Up, Brett I think it's time to move on to the Annual Letter to Cancel Yes, And also just to like camera adjusted, here a little bit Just to respond to some of the community comments as a point of information. In fact, tonight's meeting includes a discussion okay, grant proposal that the city is Submitting for County sustainability funds, to be directed explicitly to this issue of Gas powered lawn maintenance, equipment, and How we Might Address that ways that Address some of the

[11:28] Underlying equity concerns as well, so stay tuned for that conversation. But very much aligned with at least several of the Comments made this evening So in terms of the annual letter, in the packet. I don't wanna go there myself on page 8. We included the a draft, that I put together that was intended to try and summarize the themes that came out of our discussion in the November Meeting and so I think it was my oh, I also should note by the way, in looking through my Emails, as we were getting started I found

[12:20] That email from her non, who said that he and his entire family is 6. So he's not gonna be able to attend tonight, he said. He's in bed coloring with his kids, which is exactly where he should be at least in my opinion, as a parent, alright so on the in the Packet, on page, Yes. Hey! I believe Yep, it's 8 is the letter. Is the one page summary of the themes that I. We captured with how there's excellent notes from our last description. So it it's it's been typically the board itself would drop this letter.

[13:01] But I'm totally fine with the way we've gone, which is for staff to have given you kind of at least a a starting point for your draft. So really it's now in your hands to to move forward to say, does this capture the key key themes that came out of the conversation last time, and if so the the the the outcome of this Conversation tonight, is hopefully to come up with a final Version that can be forwarded to Council Did everyone get a chance to read it earlier, okay, great. Brook or Amanda, do you have any initial thoughts I think it looks great. yeah, I I think just in terms of what was discussed last meeting with I guess making it easy and quick for Council to read, because they you know, they have letters from lots of different committees maybe we just like put numbers 1 2, 3 I I like, how we underlined, the main

[14:30] I guess, summary of priorities. But if we do, 1, 2, 3, maybe it'll catch their eye quickly But other than that it looks really good Manages to appeal, pause, 1 s, heather, do you happen to have that letter open, that you could be making changes as we hear them offered Thank you.

[15:00] Nope. Brook. Do you have any additional that's a Side right No, just so a man, just to make sure I capture this, your suggestion was to number those currently underlying segments, 1, 2, 3, Yeah, yeah, and keep them underlined. Because I I think that's a good way, if if someone's just reading this, and has like, 10 s or something Not saying they they would only spend 10 s on it, but Possible Definitely gonna be busy. I I can attest to that personally. No I Oh, yeah. Maybe ours will be soon. Okay. Well, maybe I I don't know if I have that much poll, but I I am definitely a fan of how the the draft is written I'd much prefer the shorter Format over so like the 4 and a half. Oh, yeah. Page version 2021, which I mean, I don't think our

[16:03] In my personal opinion, I feel like the letter to Council should not be a like detailed work plan of what to do. It should be like here's. Here's our goals aren't what we think are important. And just give a brief overview, and I think that the draft that we're currently looking at is really good at that and having read through it I there are no like major language or Issues, that I, have with it or any of the like I it feels like a very well, formed some rel Letter but we think council should focus on in our opinion. Great thanks. Brooke. yeah, I think it's great, too. I I did have one quick question, which it's almost just curiosity. There's a sentence that says we must also. However, ensure there's equitable access to cooling systems. And I just was kind of find myself wondering exactly what we mean by that do we mean like cooling systems within individual living spaces.

[17:01] Do we mean access to You know shelters when there's heat waves. I was just curious, actually what we meant. There Yeah, I was really intended to just note that doing even the best, job of cooling outdoor temperatures. Perfect. In a context, of a warming world is not necessarily going to be enough to remove the heat risks that people have to be in Dwellings, especially dwellings that don't have access or adequate cooling and so it's really I think we're starting to see that the emergent best Practices, to have simultaneously agreed Infrastructure built Infrastructure Strategy, That's Working Together. Okay, so it's coupled with the broader Heat Islands external outside cooling of the city. Okay, that's great okay, So anyone else have any thoughts or comments or edits. I think otherwise I think it's great. I like the 1, 2, 3 idea to Amanda, I think that's good cause. Then you know you don't. Yeah, there's 3 things.

[18:13] Yeah, yeah, totally. Well, I don't know if if I'm scanning something very quickly, with my eyes, it goes to like bullet points, or numbers even or better I'm like oh, these are important it's labeled yeah, maybe the second, point. We could see something, a little just add, a couple more words to make it like if somebody doesn't read this whole paragraph, They would know what we mean by market based solutions for like market based solutions for I mean. I'm at stabilization Carbon, climate, you sure, yeah, climate, stabilization. Certainly yeah, something like that Yeah the other thought I had, too is just. There's this phrase in the Sec no.

[19:00] In the first sentence, so market based sustainability, solutions. So maybe just using the city's current system to drive market, based sustainability solutions Something. Or maybe Market-based, Climate, Stabilization Solutions, make it consistent with the Title Or or like climate, and waste solutions, or something, like that How about just market-based sustainability and climate solutions. Sure. Yeah. Of course. Perfect. Yeah, there we go. That's good. I can definitely get behind that language. Okay. Great. This is the one, page. So is the second page, not party, of this, is it just the one page, okay. Simple, straightforward. Do you want to yeah, do you wanna talk through the second page, bread Oh, let's see, what is I was like, we're in 22.

[20:07] That was last year. So the second page is part of it. But no, that was last years, that makes sense Yeah, yeah. Do you want to talk about the second page, or is it just in there, for an example. I think it was we just had included several of the Past ones, for example. Okay, cool great alright, so what are the next steps on this part Brett Well, if you all are in approval of this as your letter, with those minor Amendments, then I think maybe maybe just to be completely formal. About this, we you could just call for a motion in a second, to approve this as your letter, to the to the Council and then We'll call good Alright. Oh, actually I just thought of something one very small thing. If we could put in here, that, we would like to have a City council member, liaison for our board.

[21:19] Hmm. I think that was mentioned when I was Interviewing and Brooklyn too. And I think that would be really helpful. So that the city knows what we talk about every month Are you suggesting Amanda, that a city Council member, would participate in every one of the board meetings However, the city wanted to run that. But I remember that was being talked about and not sure if we did. We did go through with it. And I I just haven't been in the loop about who our liaison is but I mean, if they wanted to join or Hmm, I guess what I was gonna suggest is, you probably know.

[22:00] The city. Council has such marathon meetings that it would probably be a lot to invite them to try to do anything additional but I think what you could say and maybe as a as a sentence, just before the final one where it says, that the ab respectfully submits this you could say eab looks forward To having a formal liaison designated between the Council and Eab, so that we can facilitate or ensure. You know, interaction or transmission. So something. Like that is that that would that satisfy that Yeah, yeah, and I, mean. Is there precedent for that, but Well, there there is. There has been almost always council being assigned to be kind of the recognized liaison, not that they attend meetings, or anything else but that they are the person, that aboard knows they can contact, as their liaison to the Council and I think, that that hasn't

[23:03] Necessarily been as clear over the last couple of years of code, for a whole bunch of reasons. So you could even just say something like the Eab requests that the Council Reestablish itself. It's procedure of having a council, liaison to the Eab Yeah, maybe someone who just we can talk. To if we want to kind of formally, let City Council know about something, just a one off kind of thing, and then maybe somebody who reads the letter specifically, that we have every year Yeah They they will do that but I think, the the it seems like a but very understandable request that there be a designated representative, or liaison, between so I think I think heather, and I can easily formulate a a sentence in there to achieve that request

[24:08] Sure I mean, if the other members agree I think Yeah I mean, I I definitely remember way back, when I was very small, that there there was an established practice, of I think City Council members have, like 2 or 3 other boards, that they're the direct Liaisons to whether they be official City boards, or you know the Dairy, very soon Sure like the Moka Board, whatever like a a bunch of those other like community organization Boards, so I I know that it at least used to happen, I hadn't resented falling off in practice, I would also like to see that in there if that is something that has Fallen Out, of practice Mike, how do you feel about that? I really like the idea of how how did you phrase your last

[25:02] My last, version. Your last version was the one I really liked the and That's what the reason. The the Ea request that the the Council Reestablish, its practice of having a designated Liaison to Citizen Advisory Boards. In this case, the Environmental Advisory Board So. Yep, I like that a lot. Yeah, I guess I'm feel a little bit. If we have a second, a little bit confused on ideally. How that when it's fully implemented and functioning, how it shakes out exactly how how it works. I guess that's what i'm mobile lost still to be honest I think that's reason reasonable, because I don't think there's ever a formal policy or procedure associated with that practice in the past, I mean, it's varied many different ways in the past we've actually had a period where there were One or 2 Council, Members that were Designated

[26:00] As The Liaison, and then they would make a point to come to at least one meeting during the year. And say, hey, I'm your designate liaison. If you have questions, or you know wanna whatever contact me and that kind of fell away. Okay. So I think your understandably uncertain, because there's an uncertain practice to their. Okay. But I think that as a staff I would just say, as a recommendation that it's it's probably an effective thing, to call out, and then Council would have to decide what the procedure looks like or means for that but that at the very minimum you as a board. Would know. Here's my here's our designated representative. Yep. So if we have something that we really want to communicate, they would go through them just again to underscore, that it is not the practice for council to consult with the ab every month, or something that's not the expectation there is a formal process that we're involved in where we're once a year.

[27:00] There's this specific connection, which, but the notion of who would we contact. If we were trying to communicate with council and not being clear about that this would potentially clear that up Yeah, I, really like, that idea that seems that seems good. And it seems like something that with it, being seeming to have tapered off. A little bit, likely because of Covid. As you mentioned and other things that I think it's a good thing to would be a great thing to call out to reestablish, and I like that word yeah. Okay, so with with that, with those to any, I think there was 2 amendments. I will have to open a word version of it. But yes, I can do that. Oh, sorry heather go ahead! I just wanted to clarify. Did you. Want to add that in the Closing Pagraph or as an item number 4 I would suggest, have it simply as a sentence, after the the Paragraph that talks about transportation, Decarbonization just insert it as a sentence, and then the last sentence, is the Eab Respectfully submits

[28:01] That's. I again that's my suggestion to you, as a board, you make the call I think that's good Yeah, I wouldn't put it as one of the one of our like I recommendations, official recommendations, but Yeah, I agree with that placement as well. I think it adds, that's what the flow of the letter. As is So with those correct me heather, if I'm wrong I think there's 2 major amendments, one is to add numbers to the underlying segments, the second is to add this sentence about it as a Designate liaison oh, there was a couple of word Insertions. The. Around Climate and sustainability in the upper paragraph Yeah, the procurement system. Like it solutions, right, we change that. Yeah Yes, So and and Number 2, Using the City's Procurement system to drive Market-based, Sustainability and Climate-based Solutions.

[29:06] So I think in unless you, you wanna make sure that. We show you this, if you wanna have some trust in us, as staff does that seem like an adequate set of can you, can you a vote. To approve, based on that Yeah I trust you Brett and Heather. We can vote the I it's the only other question I had would be, do we is it okay. Yeah To vote to approve her non being absent. Okay, in that case I would make a motion to approve the letter Second. Second Rick. Okay. Please Yes, also, second, third. Third. Oh, Rookie! Froze Third, gives you a full vote. Yeah, so that, yeah, okay, well, that's perfect

[30:00] Okay. Directly, there, you for a little. Oh, okay, it's just your video for us. Okay, just for me, alderman, prison Okay, you back, okay, you're back great, okay. Well, that is great. I think the letter turned out nicely so I'm pleased. So we can move on to 2,023, Boulder County Stability Matching, ground which we mentioned a moment ago, right Brett Yeah, I just have to note for historical record purposes that that was the most efficient letter to Council process. I've been apologized in 10 years. So thank you. Work. That was exciting, okay, good goes to the board. Okay, yeah, so because we have been hearing about this issue from the community for some time And as research, that one of our environmental Advisory Board members has done, and and elsewhere, has demonstrated. There are significant impacts, not simply sound, wide, but also admissions. Wise, and I I I have not heard, and I I'm surprised, not surprised, but I appreciate the the additional dimensions offered by one of our community members Tonight.

[31:06] That There's a biodiversity impact for the use of these of these devices as well, though that could happen with an electric blower versus, or probably a gas part one, also that the the city has taken seriously, this issue, and that we have been working on trying to develop an approach to Phasing out, gas Power, Lawn Maintenance Devices, recognizing that a significant share of the work that is done in that sector is done by individuals and companies that may face economic hardships, from having to switch to what are currently more expensive and not necessarily as durable in certain ways Technologies we've been trying to to to find a way, to assess, the the strategies, for that transition and on an annual basis.

[32:09] Now because of the the county, Sustainability Tax and the following that that generates the county gives out a per capita allocation to the cities within the county for Sustainability Purposes, and so the city I think our current city a boulder, allocation from that Fund on an Annual. Basis. Is something like $210,000 are roughly, that amount and we, we then need to decide what sustainability related issues. We could we want to use those resources for and then we apply to the county with that topic, or that application as our our proposed purpose and this year, we have proposed that those funds be used to support the the assessment of options, and strategies for supporting the transition off of these

[33:09] Gas, powered clients. We may just now have an intervention from my daughter. Yes, i'm sorry, we just 1 s, I'm not. No worries. I'm doing child care tonight, as well, tomorrow, I think we You go under the screen, thank you, I we will do that. I agree with her Brett I promise promise so, but as Part of the application process to the county for these funds we are asked, Do you have a Citizen advisory Board that has reviewed this application and have they endorsed this submission for this Use, and so the topic this evening is to to have given you through the

[34:01] Packet, a chance to review, our application for you to have a chance to discuss that, and hopefully at the end of that discussion. For you to say, I mean, this is Staff's perspective. Obviously, yes, we endorse, this submission. for this purpose, your endorsement, is not the go or no, go necessarily, but if the county were to hear that our our citizen advisory, Committee did not support that then we would have to negotiate or have some conversation with the county as to why We posing for funds, that our community wasn't necessarily supporting, so that so that the the ideal outcome, or the the an outcome of this conversation, that would resolve this and move this forward, is for you, the environmental, advisory, board, to say, we have reviews this application and we Endorse, this application or this use of funds.

[35:06] Great thank you, Brett So. How do you wanna go about working through this discussion, should I just should everyone go around and give ask your usual clarifying questions, and then comments. Yeah Yeah, so, so I'm looking at the so, the question. That's correct So the city is putting in excellent of mine and the 5. $50,000. And so then the county is putting in 4 times that is that correct, okay, and then that is going to towards purchasing or eating independent companies in purchasing a electric motor forms of their current Gas powered landscape equipment or

[36:00] In this stage. It's going largely to the development of a strategy. That then, enables that kind of incentives program to be employed Okay, so so this is a so this is just the background cost for doing the development, and the research, into how the system, works? Yeah How can we best get gas, powered engines, out of the Landscape. Yeah, in in an equitable way. Okay, cool and with the focus on equity that love to hear that word. I think that's the only real question, the the stand up question that I had. As I didn't see an exact and vision of where the Foster goes, but with that qualification. Is that how you hold my hand. Okay, great Brooke, do you have any questions you'd like to ask, to start to clarify the application I won't Awesome thanks, brook, Manna, do you have any clarifying questions. Yeah, I guess it this is So we're using the full grant for just this one project, do we have access to other grants, is so like basically, what I'm, asking is this is not the only sole environmental, issue. That We're Funding County level, right?

[37:13] It's the only one that We're asking for County funds, from this fund to be applied to Okay. For this specific like request for funding, you mean okay, bye, are you like that? I'm sorry. Say that again. Did you mean and like just to clarify Amanda's clip, the response to and discussion. So this is as far as this like request for funding or rfp, whatever you want to call it solicitation. This is the only thing from this specific solicitation is that what you're saying, okay. Great. Yup. Yeah, so last year, we we actually used the funds to look at our reusable a container strategy with repeater and the previous year, we actually, use some of those funds to help stand up our urban heat sensor, network so every year. We choose and and to try to just make it, cleaner and simpler.

[38:04] We try to narrow into one specific application, or or project Okay. Okay. Yeah, Yeah, I guess I just like, to know what the like. Less than 1% Oh, yeah. What I guess approximately what proportion of the Overall Environmental Funding that the city has access to for all of its environmental programs, is this particular fund is is this like, hot, listen to okay, So we still, have Funding for basically, moving Forward on all of our other environmental issues, okay. Do you have any further questions about it. No, okay, I guess I have a couple, the first one is sort of a broad question of so as brook.

[39:06] Said you know came back to the question of people, and how we're going to. You know, I hope people who are making this transition in small businesses, and you know, so if this is just the study is there, how do we know that that will be part of it in the future or is there some sort of you know is that where is it captured really clearly that that is something that like has to come Out of this or is that just something that is everyone on board with that idea, I guess, is what I'm asking to make sure cause I think that's really important part of this change Well. I guess what I would say is that the city has made a very significant and extensive commitment to equity as an issue. Across the entire organization. So so we we are part of a national initiative of of local jurisdictions, working to Develop equity, Practices and frameworks.

[40:05] We have extensive trainings within our organization and we now have an equity framework, that we are encouraged, and essentially expected to apply to almost all of our I, would say all of our programmatic activities, across the city so it's hard to meet for me to imagine that the results of a study that's intended to actually identify the ways to address a policy, concern or a policy application centered on how it has effect on equity, and then to disregard that I can't guarantee that wouldn't happen but I would say it's extremely unlikely Okay, that's good. I just wanted to make sure that everyone was, yeah, okay. And then I guess the second question I had, or point I would make is just it's more of a question. Really.

[41:08] There's a mention in here somewhere, and I can't find it right now, but I thought there was a mention of potentially expanding this to Forestry equipment, and I'm just curious because I worked forest. To create in past and on tree departments, and towns, in high school, and in college, did a lot of chain sign and electric chains are pretty terrible. So i'm just curious. If that's because I see it that could be pretty devastating to some of the to that industry, so you think that's an important consideration Well, a couple of things. one is the the technology keeps advancing. I heard I heard chainsaws. Oh, I heard something going on behind my house. Which I knew to be trimming, a tree out in the green space that's behind my house. But I also knew that that was an electric, that wasn't a gas power chainsaw because everyone want to change those to my life and so I went out. And it was, in fact, a city crew that was doing some maintenance on some city trees in a greenway, and he was running I won't say the name goods, a major manufacturer cause i'm not supposed to be promoting but it was a major

[42:17] Okay. Manufacturers, electric chainsaw, and he said, Oh, I wouldn't run anything else. Oh, really, okay. Now A. Whole bunch of reasons, the sound, the safety, the it's like oh, you. Know this is the only way I would ever go and they're more expensive than you know. Yeah It's you know, relatively inexpensive small, you know, we should it's doing using for trimming, but it's absolutely the way that the industry is going because the technology is improved. Okay, that's really good to hear. Okay. But but let me just make a clarification because I am so glad heather I was gonna ask her if I was right, and I wasn't Which is We've, we've already funded, the initial work to try to develop a transition strategy in the majority of these funds are actually, going to be used for incentives. To these companies to make the actual transition and equipment is that right yeah so thank you for that correction

[43:06] Okay. Then, great, and that's really good to hear that the technology is coming along, cause. Yeah yeah I was thinking of like the first electric chain. So I tried, and I was like oh, God okay, that's awesome. That's great to hear thank you for that. Otherwise I don't have any more questions. Great thank you Brook, if you want to circle back to you, for any comments, or your endorsement of this or not Yeah, I'd love to hear the clarification that it's going to be going to the incentives. I if it was just going to the study, cool but if not that we're at the stage, that we can incentivize that perfect I'm glad that we're moving in that direction, and can. Start working on that. I I can definitely support this initiative and the request of Funds from the county I think it's going through a good.

[44:05] Great. Cause. And I think that it will hopefully lead to some good productive outcomes in the Coming Months to Year, or whatever one Yeah, that's what I was under thanks Yeah, I'd I'd love to echo, what Burk, just said, I I actually do have a couple of questions after your questions, Mike that you asked. Awesome next book, Amanda If I could reopen the questioning session. But yeah, you I think we said that it was gonna go to incentives to companies, or for these local companies, or these national companies, how many of them are is that something that we don't know, yet, But yeah, W, which companies are we looking to incentivize So I I don't think we know the full allocation of the antennas. Right. Because we haven't had them to do yet, but we we'd already initiated engagements with landscaping companies. Previously around helping support, a shift to organic turf care and things, and so we've already identified a number of contractors that are predominantly serving bipoc Communities are owned by those communities, and so we're very Sensitive and aware that we need to be making sure.

[45:22] that these incentives are going to come, companies that are as much as possible, locally based and also those that are representing constituencies that might otherwise have other challenges Yeah. Awesome great yeah, oh, thanks. Heather sent me some language from from the application. Do we also do we have any maybe just a little bit of an inkling, where we might get additional money. Once the once this research is done to actually fund the incentives, do we have any kids about that

[46:02] I can't actually comment on that because I haven't been as close to this work. I I would only say that You know there's a We're actually experimenting with some new funding Streams, or that are involved like a one. Percent Surcharge on Retail Trendsions Initially in the food industry, but we're looking at other potential applications of that around Urban forestry and this could be another Area, where if a Company, Would demonstrate that It's Gonna make a an Action that's significantly Reduces and that they could quantify the amount of greenhouse gases. That that would reduce could. So there are there are some new mechanisms that were exploring. But I don't have a specific set. Yeah, that I know Okay. Yeah, I mean as long as we're keeping that in mind, so that it it is funded afterwards. Yeah After we did the study, so, yeah, I'm totally on Board, and I'm glad that this is being brought up, especially after that research that I did that was quite eye-opening I I didn't actually think that there were that many emissions coming out of the Relatively, small Equipment, but you know That's why voiced some opposition last meeting. But after doing that it's seems like a very, very big issue.

[47:26] Anything Else, the Better Nope that's it Okay, I think I would say that yeah, I've always been hesitant, about this subject, just because of the effect on people who are working in this industry, but I think also you know brett you raised a good. Point which you know is that most of these tools seem to be moving in this direction. Anyway. So if we can get funds to support and incentivize and make that transition easier for people and you know your antidote about the the Saw as well and also doing some other reading from what abandoned and and looking up a little more yeah, I think I think it's it would be

[48:03] good, and I'm I'm you assuage my fears about so i'm comfortable with this. Yes, I support it. Thank you. When I think I think we don't necessarily need a formal resolution. But heather what's your sense of what we would like to have the Board do or say around this We just need to submit to the County just a statement showing that the Board endorses it, so I can just create a statement that says the Board discussed this at the December Seventh meeting, here's our meeting Notes and I Captured that the Members endorsed the application So if the Board Is comfortable with our representation of your conversation, that way, I think we're ready to go I'm coming with it. If Amanda and Brook are not in yeah, great And if if you would prefer something more formal, I can draft something that you could review and sign as well, happy to go either way

[49:00] We don't just to clarify. We don't need that, but Okay. Sounds good. Alright. Then I guess we're well, we're moving quickly. Onto the January meeting date discussion, I guess Personally, I like quickly, I don't know about you last meeting here I I love quickly, sometimes it's great, yeah. I think it's tomorrow, actually So I, Mike and I were talking during our monthly check in that the Fourth of January will be here before we know it like we'll just barely be coming out of the holiday and it's, on Boom here, we have a meeting and we thought maybe it would be sort of Generous and nice for all of us. If we just move the meeting out a week to say, maybe the fourteenth. Yep, I'm comfortable with it So what do you all think about idea If if I can jump in real fast, so the the next week, so I just took a new job at the State Legislature and so when and so Session starts on the ninth so I'll be becoming very very busy, in that first that second, week, of January so by February hopefully, there would be enough of a system set up that I would be much less busy at that point, but with like the Chaos of Session starting like right away.

[50:04] I think I could make it work. If we want to do the second week of January but my preference would be for the first week. If That's doable, but if that isn't, I'm I'll be able to figure something out and make it to the To the Eleventh. Okay, good everyone. Freeze, or is that just brook okay. I think it's probably just me Well, this might be a worth a sent sort of querying the entire Board, so at least in this case, adding her non to the discussion

[51:10] Okay, I would say that the before 14 sounded nice because I was being lazy. Oh, I I apologize. The eleventh is that But, 11, or whatever, but you know brook, has a real reason so I'm happy to do the fourth. If it makes your life better As I'm said I'm perfectly happy to work with the eleventh. I'll be able to figure out, and I'll be able to make it to the meeting and so if that's what the rest of the Board wants to do. I'm happy to go with that I get no I would say I'm happy with either I I was gonna say, the same thing. Too. But also specifically, say, congratulations, yeah. Yeah, and that's exciting. Are you excited? Thank you, thank you, very busy. I am quite excited That's great Yeah, are you working, Sarah? We do not want to say in the meeting, here It's heavy, awful I I office of systems to set up and get things running so that the representative can be working again Yeah

[52:04] It's just exciting. It's gonna be a lot of Work, Rok, who are you working for Representative Jennifer Perenti and How's District 19, so Awesome. So. Well let's do this, let's just check in with her. Non to see if he has a strong preference. When we're the other. What I'm hearing is there's a willingness to stay with the fourth, if there are no other strong needs to switch But let's check with her on Yeah, if if or not has a strong need to switch the eleventh great works, good. Okay. Cool. If not little bit easier Great, alright. The one thing that will mean on our end heather, do we already have any identified topics well, this is actually a really good point for for me to introduced something that wasn't on the agenda. Exactly but I wanted to revisit the conversation that we had last time.

[53:01] And Show you a slight adjustment to the sort of schedule of topics, that we talked about last time. So let me just share this with you so without trying to remember exactly how we organize it. Last time. Here is here is the the flow of topics that we think best fits for a whole bunch of reasons, staff and other considerations. So Okay, so, if January February March, we're currently at least suggesting, we taught we focus on these sort of more circular account-related topics, so single use plastic the dynamics, of the compost economy, right now, which is is very interesting and fluid and Difficult Consumption Based accounting, and then this whole gas should be gas powered on appliance, you to Heat Heat, Management, or Forestry access to Cooling Technology, there's some Links to Air Quality, and Electrification, and then possibly a Discussion about our Broader Departmental and Organizational Climate Action.

[54:19] Strategy, q 3, land, just codes building codes, Biodiversity, and Pesticides, and Q. 4, transportational application, the connections of that sectors, electrification to the building electrification, and then the broader topics of resilience, so just wanted to kind of this is Final or set yet but I just wanted to give you that slight Readjustment to the Topic Flow we had last year and or we talked about last meeting heather is there, do we have a topic or topics already identified for January

[55:06] Okay, okay, sounds. Good. I I think the only reason I was mentioning that and thinking about that is that this would mean that the packet to you would need to go out in that last week of December so which is certainly pop oh. Yeah Hmm that kind of cuts in on Staff's vacation. Time. Does it Well, I I I'm act yes, I'm actually taking that week off I mean, we will make it work. One Way, or the other, but it's, part of the reason why it would be in some, ways, even more functional for Us staff, Wise. If we moved out a week. What? About a different day, of the week potentially, what what day do you bro what day, do you start? Yeah, it's the Monday, yeah. Do. You start on a Monday. Okay, how about maybe Friday call?

[56:00] I mean, that's not Hi. Well, it doesn't really change but not you, you start to get complicated because our meeting schedule is related to a bunch of other meetings. Also in the calendar, so Good right. Yup. There's there's always a lot going on at the City Level. Yeah I I don't want to infringe on staff time specifically, for my own slight ease of Participation So I'm again, very happy to move to the eleventh Yeah Yeah Why we check in with her, not and see what he says, because and then take it from there. Okay, that sounds, good. Maybe have you ever moved back 2 weeks, but Or fall right on top of it. Well, the the challenge there would be that then the next meeting would be scheduled for February, first and then you're only a 2 week, you know, difference in time and so Yeah, okay. Is that for staffing, for for staff, time to prepare next meeting, issues or More.

[57:01] Hmm, hmm. So for just it's you know, close meeting times, because I don't mind the close meeting times Yeah, it's, it has a bit to do with staff especially in this, case we're we might be going through some transition, in how we stack the Eab and We'll bringing other staff into that and so on so yeah. So that's all I have poor chair on the topics for tonight. Okay, then, I guess we can make a motion to adjourn this meeting. Seconded Work to you, 1, s, I've been smoking before okay, third. There is one potential topic that the Director has mentioned to me that I'm not sure. If I'm at the Liberty to Share, Yet but Potentially there's one plan The. Thank you. There, you go, thanks, everyone, see, you all soon take care You're not thank you have a happy holidays. We don't talk before Yeah, happy, holiday. Yes, happy holidays, everyone The holidays, and Yeah but see, it's School of Rock next week. Brett. Okay. Yeah, that's great. Yeah. Happy Winter, Solstice, Everyone. Yeah, take care, everyone, bye. Thanks for a very efficient meeting Bye, yes, hour.

[58:01] Yeah