HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Climate Action Plan Task Force - 01/26/2022SOUTH BURLINGTON CLIMATE ACTION TASK FORCE
MEETING MINUTES
26 JANUARY 2022
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The South Burlington Climate Action Plan Task Force held a meeting on Wednesday, 26 January 2022, at
7:00 p.m., in person at 180 Market Street and online via Zoom remote technology.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Andrew Chalnick, Bill Wargo, Darrylin Peters, Donna Leban, Ethan Goldman,
Michael Mittag, Sriram Srinivasan, Helen Riehle (Ex-Officio Council Liaison), Paul Conner (Ex-Officio Staff
Liaison)
ALSO PRESENT: Melanie Needle (CCRPC project consultant), Ann Janda (CCRPC Project Consultant), R.
Greco, S. Crowley, M. Murray, N. Anderson
1. Instructions on existing building in case of emergency and review of technology options – Paul
Conner, Director of Planning & Zoning
Mr. Conner provided instructions for those attending in person.
2. Agenda: Additions, deletions or changes in order of agenda items
No changes were made to the agenda
3. Open to the public for items not related to the agenda (7:04 pm)
No comments unrelated to the agenda were provided
4. Review of South Burlington data and demographics: populations, transportation, employment,
housing, etc.
Ms. Needle provided an overview of South Burlington’s demographics. She provided an overview of
the City’s populous and made note of the presence of at-risk communities, including households
with a person with a disability, the population over age 65, poverty, language, and those without
access to a vehicle. She noted the growth in population, which has outpaced statewide growth and
discussed the spread of household incomes in the City.
A significant portion of the South Burlington population are renters, higher that the statewide
average. Correlated, the growth in multi-family housing in recent years (Mr. Conner noted this trend
goes back 20+ years) has outpaced single family housing.
She discussed major sectors of greenhouse gas emissions at the statewide and city level, noting that
city data is in the process of being collected.
Major sectors of employment are retail trade, professional & scientific; health care,
accommodations and foods.
Regarding commuting and employment patters, there were 20,252 persons working in South
Burlington in 2019. Of these, 17,639 live outside the City and commute in. By contrast, there were
10,819 South Burlington residents with jobs, of which 8,206 work outside the city. Only 2,613
people lived AND worked in South Burlington in 2019. Ms. Needle then showed maps indicating
where South Burlington residents work.
Data was provided on vehicle ownership, heat systems, waste, and current land use (2016).
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Task Force members discussed the data, its sources, and its meaning. Mr. Conner noted key
takeaways regarding commuting patterns, and the areas where South Burlington’s characteristics
differ from statewide data, as these could lead to a different emphasis or different set of tools to
address various energy sectors.
5. First draft of possible mitigation and adaptation Pathways and Actions to be included in the
Climate Action Plan, Ann Janda, CCRPC
Ms. Janda provided an overview of the draft pathways and actions. She noted that they originate,
largely from the State’s CAP. Some also come from the Enhanced Energy planning guide from the Vt
Dept of Public Service. CCRPC staff took a first shot of taking statewide actions and relaying them to
a South Burlington scale. This is intended as a starting point and is not an all-inclusive list.
Members posed some initial questions. There was discussion of what is a pathway vs an action.
6. Consider assigning Pathways & Actions, by topic area, to small work groups for review and
recommendations to the full Climate Action Plan Task Force in February and March
Members discussed how a review should be undertaken. Several members had signed up for slots to
serve on a work group set up for each of the seven sectors. Mr. Chalnick said he felt some of the big
sectors, such as Building / Thermal, might have more interest than just a work group, and that
perhaps the whole Task Force should look at some.
Mr. Conner provided clarifications on the open meeting law.
After discussion, it was decided that the Task Force leadership would coordinate with staff from the
City and CCRPC to develop a structure for how to go through the Pathways and Actions. If work
groups are needed, they can be discussed at the next meeting.
7. *Revised Climate Action Plan Table of Contents, Melanie Needle, CCRPC
Ms. Needle briefly noted that the updated Table of Contents reflects the Task Force’s request to
have the Climate Action Plan clear, straightforward, streamlined, and easily read.
8. Discuss equity in the context of the Climate Action Plan, Ann Janda, CCRPC
Mr. Conner noted that the Task Force’s charge includes using a lens of equity in the preparation of
the Plan. He noted that this would be the first plan to do so, and that it is likely to expand in the
future. Ms. Janda said that document referenced in the packet was developed as part of the State
CAP.
9. Minutes: January 13, 2022
A motion was made to approve the minutes of 13 January, 2022. The motion was seconded and
approved 7-0.
10. Other Business
None
11. Adjourn (9:12 pm)
Minutes approved by the Task Force February 10, 2022