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HomeMy WebLinkAboutApproved Minutes - 2025-01-27City of Lake Oswego Sustainability Advisory Board Minutes January 27, 2025 Page 1 of 3 CITY OF LAKE OSWEGO Sustainability Advisory Board Minutes January 27, 2025 Approved Call to Order / Roll Call Jay Hamachek called the January meeting of the Sustainability Advisory Board to order at 6:35 pm. Members Present: Buzz Chandler, Jay Hamachek, Lisa Helfer, Kara Orvieto, Mark Puhlman, Whitney Street, Luna Flores Members Excused/Absent: Robin Palao, Mason Klein Staff: Councilor Massene Mboup, Amanda Watson Public: None Approval of Minutes Jay made a motion to approve the December meeting minutes as written, Jay seconded, minutes approved unanimously. Public Comment None. Regular Business A. City Council Update Councilor Massene Mboup is the Sustainability Advisory Board’s Council liaison for 2025 and expressed his support for the work of the Board. Board members shared what they would like to hear about during City Council updates—updates on sustainability and related topics, such as building and development, transportation, parks, and DEI. B. Youth Member Updates Luna Flores gave an update on the meeting of her school’s Environmental Club with the school administration. The school’s administrator will look at setting sustainability goals for the school; the meeting went well and they will be meeting again in February 2025 to continue the discussion. Oregon Public Broadcasting did an interview with students from the environmental group on Catlin Gabel’s Tiny Forest on campus and the benefits of a Tiny Forest. Luna will share the link to the article. C. 2025 Work Planning Amanda gave an update on the City Council’s annual goal setting session. The City Council’s final goals will be adopted at the February 4 council meeting. The main goals are as follows, with initiatives under each goal: Ensure a safe, secure and prepared community; support business investment and job creation in Lake Oswego; attract and support a diverse population where all people have civic agency, the opportunity to thrive and have equitable access to City Services; combat climate change and strengthen the community’s resilience to climate impacts; strengthen public trust in the City through continuous improvement, outstanding customer service, infrastructure investments, and fiscal City of Lake Oswego Sustainability Advisory Board Minutes January 27, 2025 Page 2 of 3 stewardship; invest in Lake Oswego’s high-quality parks, natural areas and recreational amenities; improve transportation connections, mobility and safety for all travelers and types of trips in Lake Oswego; and plan for change and growth, with the focus on enhancing the community’s quality of life and sense of place. Amanda reviewed the Council initiatives for the climate change goal, which included development of a sustainable buildings policy for the City, implementing the 2024 Urban and Community Forest Plan including tree code updates (to be led by the Planning Department), and developing policy options, and operational plan, and communications strategy to phase out use of gas- powered lawn equipment in Lake Oswego after Portland’s ban goes into effect. There was a roundtable discussion about the goals. The Board focused on the third initiative related to gas-powered landscaping equipment, considering possible ways to approach the goals for success, including outlining what stumbling blocks have come up or could come up, coordinating with other communities that may have similar goals, and considering what funding may be needed. The Board also discussed the need for communications with community members about the goal and the reasons why this issue matters, including noise pollution and how it effects the community, engaging with representatives from equipment manufacturers, and creating informational materials to share with the citizens of the community. At the next Sustainability Advisory Board meeting, Amanda will bring a draft timeline for the project, and discuss the SAB’s role in the project. Amanda asked the Board members to think about the major questions that needed to be answered for the project, what the Board would like more information on to inform the policy options and other deliverables, and bring ideas and questions to the next meeting. The Board followed up on the discussion from December about ideas for sustainability education and outreach programs they could take on in 2025. There was interest in business engagement on sustainability. The first step would be to align with Clackamas County’s program, then perhaps could connect with the Chamber of Commerce. Board members were also interested in engaging with sustainability in schools, for example SAB members volunteering as career advisors or mentors. The Board would like to get a presentation on what the school district is doing on sustainability. Other suggestions for engagement were to connect with partners who may have educational resources like Clackamas County and PGE, and using information gathered at previous events to help with sustainability engagement for community members of all ages. E. 2025 Officer Election The Board elected co-chairs for 2025. Appreciation was expressed to Jay for his leadership in serving two terms as co-chair. Jay noted the importance of co-chairs facilitating meetings in a way that ensures everyone’s voice is heard. Buzz said he would be interested in serving as co-chair. Whitney expressed interest in continuing to serve as co-chair for a second term unless someone else would like the opportunity. No other members expressed interest. Mark introduced a motion to elect Buzz and Whitney as SAB co-chairs for 2025, Kara seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. F. Board & Staff Updates Buzz, the SAB liaison for the South Shore Fire Station Task Force, gave a brief update on the progress of the task force since the meetings started in December. The task force is looking at all the options for placement of a new fire station or remodel and expansion of the current station. The complete details can be read online, and a link will be provided to Amanda to share with the board members. City of Lake Oswego Sustainability Advisory Board Minutes January 27, 2025 Page 3 of 3 Kara is the SAB liaison for the Parks 2040 Advisory Council and gave a brief update on the progress of the council. This is a 15-year plan. Drafting of the Parks 2040 Plan is in process and there have been 141 projects identified. A main finding of community engagement was preference for upgrading and improving instead of replacing current park structures. Some improvements needed include the West Lake Park turf, trails connecting parks, and ADA accessibility upgrades. There was also a desire for outdoor pickleball. The draft plan has been reviewed by the City Manager and Mayor for input and will be presented to the council once completed. Meeting adjourned at 8:32 pm. Submitted, Amanda Watson Sustainability Program Manager