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07-14-21 ESC adopoted minutesY MINUTES 0, 0 Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC) 3111L,, MeetingjV Wednesday, July 14, 2021 - 6:00 PM Commission Chamber Present: Amy Palmer, At-Large Member, ESC Linda Chipperfield,At-Large Member,ESC Mark Gabrynowicz,ESC Chair,District 1307 Member Daniele Giovannucci,Vice Chair,At-Large Member,ESC Sarah Boren,District 1306 Member,ESC Romy Vann,At-Large Member,ESC Barbie Brooksher,District 1312 Member,ESC Absent: Bruce Andrews,At-Large Member,ESC Sarah Andrews Dark,At-Large Member,ESC Deborah Andrews,District 1308 Member,ESC Also Present: Amanda Askew,Director of Planning and Community Development Candice Kelly,Commissioner,Seat 4 1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL A. Roll Call Mark Gabrynowicz called the meeting to order. Linda Chipperfield called roll. MOTION: to allow Linda Chipperfield to participate via zoom. Motion: Mark Gabrynowicz Second: Sarah Boren Mark Gabrynowicz(Moved By) For Sarah Boren (Seconded By) For Amy Palmer For Romy Vann For Barbie Brooksher For Motion passed 5 to 0. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Approve minutes of the June 9, 2021 regular Environmental Stewardship Committee meeting. Environmental Stewardship Committee(ESC) July 14,2021 Page 1 of 10 MOTION: to approve minutes of the June 9, 2021 regular meeting Motion: Romy Vann Second: Barbie Brooksher Romy Vann (Moved By)For Barbie Brooksher(Seconded By) For Amy Palmer For Linda Chipperfield Mark Gabrynowicz For Daniele Giovannucci Sarah Boren For Motion passed unanimously 5 to 0. 3. COURTESY OF THE FLOOR(5 MINS.) 4. CHAIR'S REMARKS A. Applicants for vacant position Mark Gabrynowicz stated there were now two open positions following Deborah Andrews stepping down from the committee.He said there are two applicants for the open positions. He stated he is hopeful that the applicants will fill the positions. B. Roberts Rules-Recognitions of those wishing to speak Mark Gabrynowicz encouraged members to respect other members during conversation and follow Roberts Rule of Order. C. Review of Chapter 23 Mark Gabrynowicz encouraged members to read Chapter 23 and make notes of sections that were missed in the re-write. D. Potential new subcommittee-Steering subcommittee Mark Gabrynowicz stated he has proposed a Steering subcommittee that will be made up of the current subcommittee chairs and the ESC Chair. He proposed they meet quarterly to review subcommittee work in association with Commission priorities. E. Arborist position Mark Gabrynowicz stated he would like to revisit an arborist position and come up with a recommendation. Members discussed the logistics of having an arborist for the city. Amanda Askew clarified that it was her impression Commission wanted to have an arborist on retainer. Environmental Stewardship Committee(ESC) July 14,2021 Page 2 of 10 Member discussed budgeting for an abrorist. MOTION: to have the Tree Subcommittee draft a definition of the positions, role, and what the qualifications of an Arborist would be,and present it at the ESC August meeting. Motion: Sarah Boren Second: Daniele Giovannucci Daniele Giovannucci(Seconded By)For Sarah Boren (Moved By) For Amy Palmer For Mark Gabrynowicz For Romy Vann For Barbie Brooksher For Motion passed 6 to 0. Members discussed contacting the City of Jacksonville about developing an inventory of the tree canopy. Romy Vann volunteered to research tree canopy tracking software. Amanda Askew said she will reach out to her contacts at COJ. F. Completion of annual sunshine review Mark Gabrynowicz asked members who have not completed this training to do so. 5. REPORTS A. Outreach subcommittee Amy Palmer gave the Outreach Subcommittee report. Members discussed the proposed Conservation Fair lead by UNF Students. MOTION: to be a promotional partner and have a role in the Conservation Fair with UNF students taking the lead Motion: Amy Palmer Second: Mark Gabrynowicz Mark Gabrynowicz(Seconded By) For Amy Palmer(Moved By) For Daniele Giovannucci For Sarah Boren For Romy Vann For Environmental Stewardship Committee(ESC) July 14,2021 Page 3 of 10 Barbie Brooksher For Motion passed 6 to 0. Sarah Boren suggested making a video of the ESC members trees to visually educate the community. She volunteered to make a video on her property. Members discussed signing up for Beaches Leader articles. MOTION: to approve the Outreach Subcommittee report Motion: Mark Gabrynowicz Second: Romy Vann Amy Palmer For Mark Gabrynowicz(Moved By) For Daniele Giovannucci For Sarah Boren For Romy Vann (Seconded By) For Barbie Brooksher For Motion passed 6 to 0. B. LEED subcommittee Sarah Boren gave the LEED Subcommittee report. She discussed the Commission's recommendations for the Community Action Plan. Commissioner Kelly suggested meeting with individual Commission members to discus the plan and answer questions. Sarah Boren discussed the American Rescue Plan Funds and handed out a document for members to review. She asked members to write down sustainability and resiliency projects that could apply to the program. She asked members to send their suggestions to Abrielle by July 30th so she can make a master document. Amy Palmer brought up the previous suggestion of having a regular ESC report to Commission. MOTION: to approve the LEED Subcommittee report Motion: Mark Gabrynowicz Second: Daniele Giovannucci Amy Palmer For Mark Gabrynowicz(Moved By) For Daniele Giovannucci(Seconded By)For Sarah Boren For Romy Vann For Environmental Stewardship Committee(ESC) July 14,2021 Page 4 of 10 Motion passed 5 to 0. C. Tree subcommittee 6. MAYOR'S AND/OR STAFF REQUEST/REPORTS A. Chapter 23 update Amanda Askew spoke about the work staff is doing following the approval of Chapter 23. Members discussed ways to inform citizens about the code change. Linda Chipperfield presented the graphic she made and members provided feedback. 7. OLD BUSINESS A. 2021 Goals/Priorities 8. NEW BUSINESS A. Subcommittee management Sarah Boren asked for input on community outreach. Members discussed. B. 2021 Jacksonville Environmental Symposium Mark Gabrynowicz spoke about the Environmental Excellence award and stated the ESC should nominate a recipient. He asked members to think of a nominee. The deadline is August 13th. Sarah Boren gave an overview of the Symposium and nominations. Members discussed honoring former ESC members. Sarah Boren volunteered to make a form for past ESC members to complete. Amy Palmer said she will discus categories of awards with the Outreach Subcommittee. 9. ADJOURNMENT There being no further discussion, Mark Gabrynowicz declared the meeting adjourned at 8:07 p.m. Attest: a4)14,14 Mare owi Amanda Askew Environmental Stewardship Committee(ESC) July 14,2021 Page 5 of 10 ji. III aliii moi .)fib N y 1 ir#414CerXe'f'.,":4$'4. ., / r` • + . a 4..- r -A i 4"3, +:y GUIDE TO ADVANCING SUSTAINABILITY WITH AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN FUNDS INTRODUCTION The U.S. Green Building Council is committed to a sustainable, prosperous future. Our mission Is to transform the way buildings and communities are designed, built, and operated, enabling an environmentally and socially responsible, healthy, and resilient world. The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP) is the latest COVID-19 relief package, enacted in March 2021. The bill allocated $195.3 billion to states and the District of Columbia and$140.2 billion to local governments, to be disbursed over two years.The State and local ARP funds are to be used to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic and public health impacts. States and local governments have various opportunities, outlined by the U.S. Department of Treasury Interim final rule,' to invest in infrastructure projects with a nexus to pandemic impacts to advance public health and sustainability in their communities. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted exacerbated preexisting public health disparities, and expanding green infrastructure is a beneficial approach to address and Improve place-based health. The ARP funding can be used for targeted infrastructure investment, specifically investments in public outdoor spaces, water and energy efficiency, business districts, low-income housing, and schools. Such project types can have a long-lasting impacting on public health and economic resilience post-pandemic. U.S.Department of the Treasury, Coronavirus state and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds;Interim final rule, 86 Fed. Reg. 26786(May 21, 2021). U.S.GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL 1 Page 6 of 10 This brief outlines possible infrastructure investment projects2 that could qualify for funding from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.The Treasury Interim final rule makes clear that infrastructure projects with a relationship to public health or economic resilience post-pandemic qualify under ARP. Additionally, any activity that could be eligible for the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund(DWSRF) and Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) qualifies. To help state and local governments consider these infrastructure investments, below we provide, for several potential project types: (1)a description of the project type, (2)a representative project to illustrate the nature and benefits of the project type (but not conducted with ARP funds); and (3) Identification of the specific funding authority in the Treasury Interim final rule. POTENTIAL PROJECTS Development and renovation of public outdoor spaces ARP allocated funding can be used to develop and renovate public outdoor spaces. nvestments in quality green spaces such as public parks and other outdoor spaces have a direct relationship with public, halt-h Improvements to green infrastructure support climate resilience and increase accessibility to outdoor spaces. These improvements can include but are not limited to increased tree cover, rain gardens,and other stormwater reduction systems. Investing in outdoor spaces in communities that are underserved and vulnerable improves community wellbeing and public health outcomes for those individuals whose health was likely to have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic. For example, increased, high quality green space can help reduce urban heat island effect and improve localized air quality, or can manage stormwater runoff to reduce risk of flooding and protect water quality.Well-designed green space and connectors can encourage residents to take advantage of outdoor spaces. Exposure to green space, even in limited settings such as residential streets and small parks, has a positive impact on physical and mental health and can limit damage caused by COVID-19. These projects can achieve deep sustainability and resilience outcomes by applying and certifying to the SustainableSiteslnitiative(SITES). SITES Is a sustainability-focused framework that encourages ecosystem protection, carbon storage, flood mitigation, and other benefits to our communities. As an example of how green infrastructure projects connect with public health is Denver's Platte to Park Hill project. Last year. the City of Denver used a stormwater detention project as an opportunity to prioritize health equity and increase green space with a mile-long, 12-acre greenway. Funding authority: CWSRF eligible projects (Treasury Interim Guidance pp. 26803), nexus with public health outcomes(Treasury Interim Guidance pp. 26791). Water fixtures and major water appliances ARP also allocates funds to improve water fixtures and major water appliances. State and local governments can use ARP funds to upgrade water appliances to be more efficient and be WaterSense and ENERGY STAR compliant. This can be particularly beneficial for residents of low- income housing. Higher water efficiency can improve affordability for low-Income housing residents. As noted above, projects that would be eligible to receive financial assistance through the EPA's CWSRF or DWSRF qualify under ARP. 2 This brief is based on our interpretation of the Treasury Interim final rule, and state and local governments are advised to determine eligibility of a particular project based on the criteria and with input from their counsel. U.S.GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL 2 Page 7 of 10 Freedom Commons, for example, is an affordable housing development in Syracuse, New York.The development has all low flow water fixtures with WaterSense labeling as part of its LEED Gold Certification. Funding authority: DWSRF eligible projects(Treasury Interim Guidance pp. 26802). Energy resilience Recent increases in extreme weather events due to climate change have highlighted the importance of energy resilience. Energy resilience projects with a connection to economic resilience and public health disparities can qualify for ARP funding. Energy resilience can affect public health when residents, businesses, or core municipal services lose access to heating or cooling systems in extreme heat or cold, lose broadband access, or lose access to power. Economic impacts can include impacts on businesses as well as costs for local or state governments due to power loss. Examples of possible energy resilience projects may include upgrades to buildings such as community centers, schools, affordable housing, and other public buildings. Upgrades to these buildings or facilities that would address economic resilience and qualify under ARP could include improving energy efficiency through envelope, heating and cooling, lighting, energy controls, and other systems upgrades; renewable energy and energy storage through batteries or thermal storage, for resilience; and related systems such as improving indoor air quality. The city of Alexandria. Virginia, has proposed a number of energy resilience projects for use of its direct ARP funding allocation. These projects Include a resilient power system that combines a solar energy system, battery storage, and existing natural gas emergency power generation. Officials have also proposed solar power system and battery energy storage installation at various city facilities. Funding authority:Responding to COVID-19, Responding to Negative Economic Impacts Treasury Interim Guidance pp. 26788-26791) of f• da r s : " Neighborhood and housing projects Certain shovel-in-the-ground neighborhood and housing infrastructure upgrades also qualify for ARP funding due to their nexus with economic and public health consequences of the pandemic. Qualified projects would have public health and economic benefits to neighborhoods and communities. Activities such as increasing tree cover, adding outdoor green space in community centers, and building or upgrading community facilities that could be used to support public health, resilience, or disaster recovery. U.S. GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL 3 Page 8 of 10 Such projects should focus on disadvantaged communities and take a broad view of health, aiming to improve mental and physical wellness. Projects can include building improvements, street and sidewalks, and green space. We recommend state and local governments consider projects in neighborhoods disproportionately Impacted by the pandemic, to address disparities such as air quality, stormwater runoff, the urban heat island effect, and access to green space. For example, air quality can be improved through integrating building energy upgrades to reduce onsite use of gas and oil, thereby reducing emissions, and modifying traffic and adding trees and vegetation with"green streets" approaches to reduce localized impacts of vehicle emissions. The Smart Surfaces Coalitionoffers resources and data for cities to learn how transforming roofs, roads, sidewalks, and other public spaces from dark, non-porous materials to"smart surfaces," which are light colored, porous, generate clean energy or are vegetated, 1 reflect heat to save money, improve air quality and reduce flood risk. t There are many options for shovel-in-the-ground projects to address public health via green infrastructure investments. For example, the Edison Eastlake One VisionPlan in Phoenix, Arizona, was implemented to address the urban heat island effect in the area. The project resulted in sidewalks with 75 percent minimum shade cover, heat resiliency centers, cool paving technologies, and increases in open public space. Funding authority:Responding to COVID-19, Responding to Negative Economic Impacts Treasury Interim Guidance pp. 26766-26791) Business district projects Business district projects can also be implemented alone, or in conjunction with neighborhood and housing Improvements, to improve community health and economic resilience. Projects to improve business districts that would be eligible for ARP funds could involve improvements and expansions of outdoor spaces for dining, shopping, and recreation that may have been temporarily implemented during the pandemic, or development of new outdoor spaces for dining and other uses. Projects need to have a benefit to public health or economic resilience. Some examples include increasing green space and tree cover in business districts and Implementation of green streets, to make the business area more attractive and desirable. Projects could reduce urban heat island effect, mitigate stormwater runoff such as with rain gardens or other green infrastructure, and increase pedestrian and bike-friendliness. Increased walkability and access to green space can also improve economic resilience in business communities affected by the pandemic, especially those in undervalued communities by encouraging pedestrian traffic. More green space in central business districts can also be used to address air pollution and public health disparities exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Golden Triangle Businesslmorovement District in Washington, DC, is the first business improvement district to be named a LEED-certified community. The district contains 17 rain gardens and the project Involved conversion of 12,000 square feet of asphalt and concrete to green space, which capture and filter stormwater while simultaneously reducing the area's heat island effect. The project also involved installation of 500 bike racks in the neighborhood which accommodate 1,000 bikes. Funding authority: Responding to Negative Economic Impacts(Treasury Interim Guidance pp. 26791). U.S.GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL 4 Page 9 of 10 ice, { Y f ' i i FN '_ fix Y I Golden Triangle Business Improvement District, Washington, DC Schools ARP funding can also be used to invest in greener, healthier schools. Upgrades to schools to improve public health and sustainability include upgrades to high-performance HVAC systems, remediation of sources of poor indoor air quality(IAQ), improved ventilation and filtrations systems, and Installation of on- site solar or wind systems for power generation to enable schools to remain open despite power outages. Energy resilience and water efficiency can also be addressed in school improvement projects.While ARP provided specific funding, through the ESSER program, to local educational agencies,3 states and local government funds can also be used to support improving schools,which is especially important in areas which entered the pandemic with schools in poor condition. Projects to improve schools that relate to public health can include school building improvements for indoor environmental quality and energy systems, as well as school grounds. These projects can also include increased tree cover and green space outdoors and Infrastructure for outdoor learning spaces, and playground amenities to increase attractiveness and use. This is particularly important in areas where students have limited access to outdoor recreation. Projects should advance equity in schools and address the needs of students disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Durham public schools have prioritized IAQ and outdoor space in their use of COVID relief funds. The district has invested in HVAC systems and air filtration in order to maintain IAQ targets. Funding will also improve outdoor learning spaces to ensure teachers and students have access to safe and healthy options for classes. Funding authority:COVID-10 Mitigation and Prevention (Treasury Interim Guidance pp. 26790). To learn more, contact us at publicoolicies(r usabc.orq 3 The funding authority discussed in this brief differs from the specific funds allocated to school infrastructure in the ARP. To learn more about dedicated educational funds, see,e.g., The Center for Green Schools and K12 Undaunted, Five Guiding Principles:How Schools Can Use COVID Relief Funds to Ensure Healthy, Green School$ 2021). U.S.GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL 5 Page 10 of 10