Climate Emergency and City Council: update from 14-Oct

[Richard Kerver]

The last council meeting 14-Oct-19 was busy regarding our Climate Emergency: 

10d.  Motion for a new Environment and Sustainability standing committee

15a.  Councilor Sarai Rivera – Request City Manager hold a city coordinated summit at City Hall within the next year concerning the subject of climate change.

15b. Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning any financial and regulatory assistance  available concerning climate change.

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10d. In light of the City Council's recent unanimous vote to declare and respond to a climate emergency, request City Council amend its Committees of the City Council so that a new Environment and Sustainability standing committee be formed. As in Boston, this committee shall concern itself, among others, with the natural resources of the city, issues of air, land, and water pollution, resource recovery efforts and issues related to waste disposal and land reclamation. The committee also shall examine technologies and innovations regarding energy savings and efficiency. (Rosen, Lukes, Mero-Carlson, Bergman) Mayor Petty read and Item and recognized Councilor Rosen, who moved to, “Request City Manager request City Solicitor provide City Council with a report concerning steps required to initiate the creation of an Environment and Sustainability Committee.” (See Item #16e CC). Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Lukes, who moved to, “Request City Manager post the city’s various accomplishments concerning environmental issues on the city’s website.” (See Item #16f CC). Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Rivera, who spoke concerning the Item. Mayor Petty moved to refer the Item to Rules and Legislative Affairs Committee. Referred to Rules and Legislative Affairs Committee.

15. BUSINESS UNDER SUSPENSION OF RULES - Items brought forth under suspension at the September 17, 2019 City Council meeting. 

15a. ORDER of Councilor Sarai Rivera – Request City Manager hold a city coordinated summit at City Hall within the next year concerning the subject of climate change. Further, request City Manager include members of his staff working on green initiatives as well as community leaders on the subject in the plans for the summit. Further, request City Manager increase support for the community on this issue. – Item #19a CC Order adopted

15b. ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning any financial and regulatory assistances available concerning climate change. – Item #19b CC Order adopted