Committee on Intergovernmental Relations
Regular MeetingLansing, MI · April 24, 2019
Minutes
MINUTES
Committee on Intergovernmental Relations
Wednesday, April 24, 2019 @ 8:00 a.m.
Council Conference Room, City Hall
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 8:07 a.m.
ROLL CALL
Council Member Brian T. Jackson, Chairperson – Left at 8:47 a.m.
Council Member Jeremy Garza, Vice Chairperson - excused
Councilmember Kathie Dunbar, Member
OTHERS PRESENT
LaSondra Crenshaw, Council Staff
Lisa Hagen, Law Department
Mary Bowen, Law Department
Kate Madigan, Michigan Climate Action Network
Andrew Sarpolis, Sierra Club
Anna Fisher, Climate Action Plan for Lansing
Natalie Molmar – BW&L
Elaine Fischhoff, BW&L
Sharon Bannon, Citizen
Linda Keefe, Citizen
Kris Wisniewski, Citizen
PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS
No Public Comment
Introductions
MINUTES
MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER DUNBAR TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM APRIL 10,
2019 AS PRESENTED. MOTION PASSED 2-0
DISCUSSION – Guest Kate Madigan with Michigan Climate Action Network will have open discussion
regarding Municipal Climate Action Plans.
Council Member Jackson began the meeting by providing Ms. Madigan a brief update on what the
Intergovernmental Relations Committee was all about, and what they plan to accomplish.
Ms. Madigan introduced herself to the group and explained that she works for Michigan Climate Action
Network, she plans to move forward with renewable energy goals, and during her presentation, she will be
using Traverse City as a case study. She then introduced her colleague Mr. Sarpolis who works for Sierra Club
in conjunction with the ready for 100 program.
Ms. Madigan began her presentation by showing and explaining different PowerPoint slides:
1. Why clean energy?
2. The power of 100% target settings:
3. Cities are Leading the Way
4. Benefits of Clean Energy: Create 150,000 jobs, Save 1700 lives pre year, and Save people $11,000
per year.
5. Mayors for Clean Energy – 7 mayors so far have signed on to “Ready for 100”
Ms. Madigan then provided examples of work done so far in Traverse City:
1. Adopted Climate Action Plan in February 2011
2. 40 Solar Panels installed in April 2016 at Traverse Heights Elementary School
3. City Commission 100% by 2020 adopted in December 2016
4. Local Solar 1.2 MW – October 2017
5. Traverse City Light & Power Sets 100% Renewable Energy Goal
6. Next Steps in Traverse City: MPPA solar projects, RFP for local renewable projects, 10% Efficiency
goal, Achieve through “additionally” Not Renewable Energy Credits
Keep In Mind:
1. Goals are important – think big
2. Municipally owned utility opportunity to get pro clean energy leadership
3. Low cost renewable energy there are ways to get to 100% without paying a surcharge
4. Equitable transition and everyone benefits
5. Michigan Public Power Agency works for the municipal utilities projects and advocacy at state level
6. Setting a goal helps reframe everything - a climate action plan and goal go hand in hand,
7. Efficiency is key - at the same time
Next Meeting May 22, 2019 at 8:00 a.m.
Adjourned at 8:47 a.m.
Submitted by,
LaSondra Crenshaw, Administrative Assistant
Lansing City Council
Approved: July 10, 2019
Agenda
AGENDA
Committee on Intergovernmental Relations
Wednesday, April 24, 2019 @ 8:00 a.m.
Council Conference Room, City Hall 10th Floor
Council Member Brian T. Jackson, Chair
Council Member Jeremy Garza, Vice Chair
Council Member Kathie Dunbar, Member
1. Call to Order
2. Public Comment
3. Approval of Minutes
April 10, 2019
4. Discussion/Action:
A.) DISCUSSION – Guest Kate Madigan with Michigan Climate Action
Network will have open discussion regarding Municipal Climate Action
Plans
5. Other
6. Adjourn
DRAFT
MINUTES
Committee on Intergovernmental Relations
Wednesday, April 10, 2019 @ 8:00 a.m.
Council Conference Room, City Hall
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 8:06 a.m.
ROLL CALL
Council Member Brian T. Jackson, Chairperson
Council Member Jeremy Garza, Vice Chairperson - excused
Councilmember Kathie Dunbar, Member
OTHERS PRESENT
LaSondra Crenshaw, Council Staff
Joe Abood, Assistant, Law Department
Andy Kilpatrick, Public Service Director
Sharon Bannon, Citizen
Marshall Clabeaux, Citizen
MC Rothhorn, Citizen
Linda Keefe, Citizen
Ann Erhardt, Climate Action
Z. Kris Wisniewski, Citizen
PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS
No Public Comment
Introductions
MINUTES
MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER DUNBAR TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM MARCH 27,
2019 AS PRESENTED. MOTION PASSED 2-0
DRAFT
DISCUSSION – Guest Ann Erhardt with Commons Logic, LLC will have open discussion regarding the Climate Action
Project
Council Member Jackson explained to Ms. Erhardt that so far the committee has brainstormed what the climate action
plan would look like, however they are stuck on what is needed to move forward.
Ms. Erhardt explained to the group that she has been the Chief Sustainability Manager for MSU the past 6 years. She
then advised that she has been hired to baseline the study off ground floor for the climate action plan, focusing on the
core first which will lay the ground work for expanding in the community. For example she would like to make sure the
following is captured, what is the city’s vision, and the most important things going on now. Partners will be huge we will
need to engage with business partners, investigate some funding partners, and explore opportunities for grants.
Council Member Brian Jackson stated to Ms. Erhardt that it seems she has a lot going on and asked her how she would
do this considering she has another job. Ms. Erhardt advised she doesn’t work alone she has an internal team, and
having these conversations will assist.
Council Member Jackson stated that everyone has different visions and asked how she would determine the city’s
vision. Ms. Erhardt advised she will have conversations to see what everyone wants.
Council Member Jackson asked what the status of Ms. Erhardt’s contract is. Mr. Kilpatrick advised the Mayor has to
sign it.
Council Member Jackson asked Ms. Erhardt what will be her first step once the contract is signed. She advised she will
get her team together, start collecting data, schedule meetings and phone calls.
Council Member Jackson asked Ms. Erhardt what she sees the end product looking like at the end of her contract. She
advised there will be a draft of the Climate Action Plan, and various recommendations of what will happen next for the
Mayor and City Council.
Council Member Dunbar suggested that Ms. Erhardt meet with the Internal Auditor or Angie Bennett near the end of the
project to discuss cost projections.
Mr. Clabeaux stated that he is concerned that BW&L doesn’t show up to these meetings. Council Member Jackson
asked Ms. Crenshaw to make sure that BW&L is invited to future meetings.
Council Member Dunbar asked if the $200,000.00 could be spent in a better way. She then asked if a portion of the
money could be used to hire a person. Mr. Kilpatrick advised she could propose that and it could be considered.
Council Member Jackson asked what they could do as a City Council and Committee. Ms. Erhardt advised they could
reach out to prospective stakeholders. He then asked if one of Ms. Erhardt’s recommendations would be that the city
needs a Stainability Manager. She stated that will most likely be the outcome.
Council Member Jackson asked Ms. Erhardt if she was optimistic that Lansing will receive grants. She advised that
based on the conversations she has had so far it is very promising.
Mr. Abood asked if the city could accept grants from corporations or businesses. Council Member Dunbar advised that
yes they can.
The group decided Ms. Erhardt will come to Intergovernmental Relations meeting May 8, 2019
The next meeting was set for April 24, 2019 at 8:00 a.m. with guest Kate Madigan with Michigan Climate Action
Network.
Adjourned at 8:58 a.m.
Submitted by,
LaSondra Crenshaw, Administrative Assistant
Lansing City Council
Approved __________________________