HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Climate Action Plan Task Force - 04/27/2022SOUTH BURLINGTON CLIMATE ACTION TASK FORCE
MEETING MINUTES
27 APRIL 2022
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The South Burlington Climate Action Plan Task Force held a meeting on Wednesday, 27 April 2022, at
7:00 p.m., in person at 180 Market Street and online via Zoom remote technology.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Andrew Chalnick, Darrylin Peters, Ethan Goldman, Michael Mittag, Bill Wargo, Paul
Conner (Ex-Officio Staff member), Helen Riehle (Ex-Officio City Council member)
ALSO PRESENT: Melanie Needle (CCRPC project consultant), M. Murray, Beth Zigmund, Ray Gonda,
Susan Saferstein, Kayla Moore
1. Instructions on existing building in case of emergency and review of technology options
Mr. Conner provided instructions for those attending in person.
2. Agenda: Additions, deletions or changes in order of agenda items
The update to the Science-Based Targets was moved to the front of 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
B. Zigmund said the land use paradigm here and elsewhere needs to change. The strongest possible
language needs to be used related to land use. The use of gas powered mowers, lead blowers, etc.
needs attention. This group has the opportunity to address the use of landscaping equipment,
pesticides, etc.
R. Gonda: agreed with B. Zigmund’s points.
K. Moore: Offered a reminder that a lot of South Burlington has been developed. A lot of what we
can do to address climate change is within built areas. As an example, the 30/30 goal for converting
30% of lawn to natural growth by 2030. Also offered an idea on public input / outreach. An idea that
every resident could do: mow less frequently, reduce the amount of mowing equipment, encourage
people to phase out gas-powered equipment. Could go further and encourage planting more
perennials, plant trees. Have “climate friendly demonstration lawns”. Could choose “lazy mower”,
“bee friendly, “grow your own food”, or urban micro forestry. Could be any number of things. Could
have signs and public awareness and messaging around all of these.
4. Update on Science-Based Targets, Melanie Needle
Provided an update on ICLEI’s work. Updated targets using 2019 as a base year. With the more
compressed timeframe to 2030, the annual targets went up in most sectors.
A. Chalnick recommended the City Council pass an ordinance into law that new buildings be
primarily renewables. Burlington also looked at passing a tax on thermal within existing building.
That’s what went to the legislature.
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M. Mittag asked if Helen Riehle had any thoughts as a Councilor. Riehle said that something with a
white paper, outlining the importance and urgency, would be useful if the Task Force were to wish
to advance this first ahead of the rest of the Climate Action Plan. E. Goldman, A. Chalnick, and M.
Mittag offered to serve on a small work group and bring to full task force. D. Peters requested to
have any white paper at least a week in advance of the meeting in order for everyone to be
prepared to take action and not have a full Task Force meeting used up by a debate.
5. *Continue review of pathways and actions by sector (7:10 pm)
a. Continued Review of Transportation Sector pathways and actions
M. Needle noted that the draft had been updated to reflect the Task Force’s guidance. D.
Peters moved to approve this sector as the Task Force’s first complete draft. A. Chalnick
seconded. The motion was approved 5-0.
b. Initial review of remaining sectors: renewable energy, government operations, non-
energy (waste), adaptation & resilience, agriculture & food systems
Task Force members reviewed the energy generation Sector. M. Needle noted that local
assignment of energy generation for South Burlington and highlighted that this figure would
push up against other potential priorities for use of land in the City, as the modelling
indicates that open land would need to be used for solar generation to meet the targets.
P. Conner noted that the City is not obligated to have an enhanced energy plan, but that
there is a catch-22 involved. If the City elects not to seek designation because the renewable
targets are too high and would require use of green spaces, the City would not be eligible
for “substantial deference” before the Public Utilities Commission, which has sole authority
for the siting of power generation facilities. Task Force members recommended that the
realistic amount of roof-top and parking lot solar be identified, and that in greenfield areas,
perhaps the City’s Plan could indicate the circumstances under which solar would be
acceptable (example: with integrated grazing).
A. Chalnick introduced his recommended change to N.1.1. Task Members discussed
implications. E. Goldman posited that if the Task Force recognized that Actions across other
sectors involved nuanced approaches and some give and take on the subject area, should
this topic also be considered through this lens. M. Mittag said that the choice of land use is
different because building on land is not easily reversed or changed.
The Task Force agreed to take up these other sectors from this point at a future meeting.
6. Minutes
Mr. Conner reported that minutes had not been in the packet.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:32 pm.
Minutes approved by the Task Force May 12, 2022