Climate Change Advisory Committee

Regular Meeting Schedule

• Meets the third Wednesday of the month 5:30-7:30 pm (unless otherwise noted)
• Location: Council Conference Room

Information on Role of Councilmember Liaisons.

Additional information on climate change activities and programs in the City of Bainbridge Island. 

Current Topics of Interest

Implementing the Climate Action Plan
The Climate Change Advisory Committee (CCAC) is currently working with City staff to implement actions identified in the first Climate Action Plan, which was approved by City Council on November 10, 2020 - video. This plan is a culmination of a three-year effort by the CCAC working with City staff, community stakeholders, and the public. To support the City and the community in implementing the Climate Action Plan, the CCAC hosted two  live online events on Zoom in early 2021. 

• Video from the January 13, 2021 event is posted here.
• Video from the January 23, 2021 event is posted here.

The 2020 Climate Action Plan can be accessed under Reference Materials on this page and on the City's new Climate Action website. 

A series of CCAC working groups are also addressing topic-specific actions as noted below. 

Climate Equity Lens: Working with the Racial Equity Advisory Committee to develop a climate equity lens for the Island. CCAC members in this working group include: Julie Matthews, John Kydd, Lara Hansen, and Mike Cox.

PSE Franchise/Partnership Agreement: Working with the Utilities Advisory Committee to provide support to City staff on PSE Franchise/Partnership Agreement. CCAC members in this working group include: Steve Richards, David McCaughey, Mike Cox, and Derik Broekhoff.  

Sea Level Rise: Providing support to City staff on sea level rise evaluation. CCAC members in this working group include: Deb Rudnick, Lara Hansen, Mike Cox, and Derik Broekhoff.

Waste Management and Biodigester: Providing support to City staff to evaluate the development of comprehensive waste management system for Island and the possibility of a biodigester. CCAC members in this working group include: Deb Rudnick, Steve Richards, Julie Matthews, and Mike Cox. 

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions and Sustainable Transportation: Providing support to City staff to evaluate potential performance metrics for evaluating reductions in greenhouse gas emissions from transportation projects. CCAC members in this working group include: Deb Rudnick, Steve Richards, Mike Cox, and Derik Broekhoff. 

Established 
Bainbridge Island Municipal Code Chapter 2.37

The Climate Change Advisory Committee shall consist of experts living on Bainbridge Island who are regarded as qualified scientific experts pursuant to WAC 365-195-905(4) in order to fulfill the purposes described in this section.

The committee members should have expertise in climate science, atmospheric science, engineering, energy management, water conservation, planning, policy, environmental law, economics, solid waste management, forestry, systems analysis, and communications.

Purpose

1. To, as an initial responsibility, review this chapter 2.37 of the BIMC and report to the city council before October 31, 2017. In this report, the committee shall indicate whether, in the committee’s opinion, this chapter 2.37 is structured in the manner that most effectively creates an advisory body to implement the Guiding Policies and other policies related to climate change within the Comprehensive Plan. If the committee determines that this chapter 2.37 should be amended in any manner, it will recommend those amendments to the city council. Unless and until the city council amends this chapter 2.37, either based on the committee’s recommendations or otherwise, the committee’s duties and responsibilities will be as listed below in this section BIMC 2.37.030.
2. To serve as a technical and planning advisory committee to the city council, city manager, and department of planning and community development staff on issues related to climate change as directed by the city council.
3. To assist the city in implementing the climate related goals and policies of the Comprehensive Plan by undertaking the following tasks as expeditiously as committee and city resources allow:
   
   
   1. Provide advice and/or recommendations to the city council or city staff, as appropriate, on methods of completing a baseline island-wide greenhouse gas (“GHG”) inventory for the city.
   2. To the degree directed by the city council, assist with or manage the completion of a baseline island-wide GHG inventory.
   3. Provide advice and/or recommendations to the city council or city staff, as appropriate, related to city GHG emission reduction targets.
   4. Work with city staff, as appropriate, to complete and recommend to the city council a city climate action plan and implementation strategy.
   5. Provide advice and/or recommendations to the city council or city staff, as appropriate, on how to measure progress toward meeting the city’s GHG emissions reduction targets and adaptation actions.
   6. As directed by the city council, assist the city with participation in regional climate change efforts.
   7. Provide education and outreach to the public regarding climate change and the work of the committee and the city relating to climate change.
4. Annually, prior to the start of or during the budget process, provide a report to the city council on committee work completed during the prior year and obtain the city council’s approval of a work plan for the following year.

Meetings, Officers, Records & Quorum

1. The committee shall meet as necessary. Generally, the committee shall establish a regular meeting schedule and announce the specific day and time each month that the committee will conduct its regular meeting(s). Meetings shall be open to the public and held in accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act (Chapter 42.30 RCW).
2. A majority of the members then serving on the committee shall constitute a quorum.
3. At the first regular meeting of each term, the committee shall select from among its members a chairperson and a secretary for a one-year term.
4. For meetings consisting of a majority of the then serving members of the committee, the committee shall provide public notice of the meeting and shall keep a record of its meeting minutes. Minutes of each meeting, including a record of attendance, shall be prepared by the secretary and approved and signed at a subsequent meeting. The minutes do not need to reflect the actual discussion, but only the formal actions taken by the committee. The approved meeting minutes shall be posted on the city’s website.
5. The city shall provide city email accounts to committee members and related training on the use of email accounts, including personal computer privacy expectations while serving on the committee.