Review: First Workshop on Climate Action Plan
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Bronwyn's Council Review |
As usual for the review, my comments are red and italicized in the context of the latest Council Preview by David Martin.
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Usually some of the agenda items will have a period where members of the public may briefly speak to Council.
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The Ames City Council meets on Tuesday at 6:00 p.m at City Hall. Click here for the full agenda. Tonight we'll mainly be focused on the workshop topic.
- Workshop on Climate Action Plan. This will be the Council's first Climate Action Plan workshop. In it, our consultants will present an Engagement Plan establishing multiple opportunities for stakeholders and constituents to provide feedback "that will be used to create the most effective CAP possible, and to establish a community that will support the implementation of the plan through to its completion." This first workshop will also introduce the project goals and process, the scenario modeling method, and best practices for target setting and climate action planning.
In case anyone is wondering where we're starting from, the engagement plan cites the following assumptions and key messages:- Climate change is real and primarily driven by human activity.
- The City of Ames is committed to creating a climate-friendly future by partnering with the community.
- The City of Ames is prepared to pursue policy changes that encourage and require carbon reduction behaviors.
- Investment in climate action contributes to Ames’ economic development, in addition to generating co-benefits related to health, improved environment, equity, and economic growth.
This workshop was a presentation to Council of the scope, timeline, and methodology of the process we are undertaking, which should yield a Climate Action Plan by September of 2022. Next steps include the engagement of citizens/stakeholders, and we plan to meet in November of this year for a preliminary review of feedback. Through the engagement process we will reach our reduction target for the Ames CAP. The consultants mentioned that most cities have gone with a target of net-zero by 2050, and many Iowa cities have set a goal of 45% reduction or so by 2030. Many members of the Supplemental Input Committee were in attendance in the audience, as their group will be instrumental in gathering feedback from each of the communities of Ames citizens they represent. Of course, feedback and input can also be given to Council members too, and now is the time to do that if you have thoughts or concerns to share.
Communications to Council: The following items are requests and communications to Council that aren't published on the agenda, so we won't deliberate them substantially. This includes staff reports and communications or requests from constituents and developers. Typically, Council will ask city staff for more information, put the item on a future agenda for deliberation and possible action, or just accept the communication, taking no further action.
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Ontario Speed Data Collection. Council received a request to study traffic speeds on Ontario between Alberta Ave. and Alabama Ln.
Council voted 6-0 to take no action on this item at this time.
Thanks for reading,
Bronwyn Beatty-Hansen
Ames City Council, At Large