AGENDA
Sustainability Advisory Board Meeting
Wednesday, March 10, 2021 @ 5:30 PM City Commission Room, 6 East 6th Street
The purpose of the Sustainability Advisory Board is to advise the Governing Body of the City of Lawrence, Kansas, regarding issues affecting sustainability, environmental protection, waste reduction, recycling, energy conservation, and natural resource conservation environmental protection.
To view this meeting live:
Live Video Streamor the
City's YouTube ChannelTo provide public comment:
Virtual Meeting Registration via Zoom
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Written public comment must be received by the Sustainability Office by 12:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting.
Send correspondence electronically to
sustainability@lawrenceks.org . Comments received after the deadline will not be posted and there is no guarantee that such comments will be considered. The City is sensitive to members of the public who may not have access to technology. For those persons, written comments may be dropped in the Utility Billing Drop Box, located at the cut-out at 6th Street and New Hampshire Street. Comments should be marked for the Sustainability Advisory Board.
*The City will provide a method at City Hall for individuals without access to the internet or a telephone - and only such persons - to observe or participate in the meeting.
Page A. CALL TO ORDER:
1. Overview of Virtual Meeting Procedures B. APPROVE MINUTES:
1. Approve February 2021 Sustainability Advisory Board minutes Sustainability Advisory Board - Feb 10 2021 - Minutes - Pdf Sustainability Advisory Board - Feb 10 2021 - Minutes - Html
3 - 6
C. AGENDA ITEMS: GOAL SETTING, PART 2
1. Review priorities submitted by board members SAB Priority setting 2021
7 - 20
Sustainability Advisory Board - Mar 10 2021
2. Decide priority areas for remainder of 2021 and associated subcommittees
3. Staff Report
Sustainability Director Report 03102021
21 - 22
4. Future Agenda Items
5. Member Updates D. PUBLIC COMMENT:
Public Comment: The Board shall allow public comment on items listed on the agenda.
Each person will be limited to three (3) minutes for public comment. Members of the public may provide public comment on multiple agenda items. General public comment on items or issues that are not scheduled on the agenda may be made after all regular business of the Board has been conducted. Each person will be limited to three (3) minutes for general public comment.
E. ADJOURNMENT
City of Lawrence
MINUTES
Sustainability Advisory Board Meeting Wednesday, February 10, 2021 @ 5:30 PM
City Commission Room, City Hall, 6 E 6th Street, Lawrence, KS
PRESENT:
Orozco, Chenoweth, Johnson, Carroll, Koonce, Sikes, Ford, and Jones
ABSENT:Mitchell and McPherson
A. CALL TO ORDER: 5:32 PM
B. APPROVE MINUTES:
1. Approve January 2021 Sustainability Advisory Board meeting minutes.
ACTION: Approve January 2021 minutes.
Motion: Orozco Second: Johnson
RESULT: Motion carried unanimously 8-0
Ayes: Orozco, Chenoweth, Johnson, Carroll, Koonce, Sikes, Ford, and Jones
Absent: Mitchell and McPherson C. AGENDA ITEMS: GOAL SETTING, PART 1
1. Advisory Board Member introductions and motivations No action was taken.
2. Role of Sustainability Advisory Board No action was taken.
3. Review past accomplishments No action was taken.
4. Overview of City Strategic Plan No action was taken.
Page 1 of 2
Sustainability Advisory Board February 10, 2021 5. Begin discussion to establish 2021 priorities
No action was taken.
D. PUBLIC COMMENT:
The Commission heard public comment on items and issues not scheduled on the agenda.
E. ADJOURNMENT: 7:11
Page 2 of 2
City of Lawrence
MINUTES
Sustainability Advisory Board Meeting Wednesday, February 10, 2021 @ 5:30 PM
City Commission Room, City Hall, 6 E 6th Street, Lawrence, KS
PRESENT:
Orozco, Chenoweth, Johnson, Carroll, Koonce, Sikes, Ford, and Jones
ABSENT:
Mitchell and McPherson
A. CALL TO ORDER: 5:32 PM
B. APPROVE MINUTES:
1. Approve January 2021 Sustainability Advisory Board meeting minutes.
ACTION: Approve January 2021 minutes.
Motion: Orozco Second: Johnson
RESULT: Motion carried unanimously 8-0
Ayes: Orozco, Chenoweth, Johnson, Carroll, Koonce, Sikes, Ford, and Jones
Absent: Mitchell and McPherson C. AGENDA ITEMS: GOAL SETTING, PART 1
1. Advisory Board Member introductions and motivations No action was taken.
2. Role of Sustainability Advisory Board No action was taken.
3. Review past accomplishments No action was taken.
4. Overview of City Strategic Plan
No action was taken.
Sustainability Advisory Board February 10, 2021 5. Begin discussion to establish 2021 priorities
No action was taken.
D. PUBLIC COMMENT:
The Commission heard public comment on items and issues not scheduled on the agenda.
E. ADJOURNMENT: 7:11
1 Sustainability Advisory Board Priority Setting 2021
City of Lawrence Sustainability Advisory Board:
Development of Priorities 2021
Sustainability Advisory Board members were invited to share up to four policy priorities for 2021. Aligning priorities with the Lawrence Strategic plan will greatly increase the success of policy recommendations. Here is the link for reference. https://lawrenceks.org/strategic-plan/
The purpose of the Sustainability Advisory Board is to advise the Governing Body of the City of Lawrence, Kansas, regarding issues affecting sustainability, environmental protection, waste reduction, recycling, energy conservation, and natural resource conservation environmental protection.
Responses
Seven board members responded to the survey by 3/5/2021. Their responses are included below.
What is the #1 top policy priority that SAB should focus on for the remainder of 2021?
Response Priority Connection to City Strategic Plan Connection to 5 Sustainability Principles
1.
Expanding all facets of the weatherization grant program. Size, qualification requirements, visibility, weatherization strategies, etc.
Strong, Welcoming Neighborhoods
Prosperity and Economic Security:
Net-zero GHG emissions through a fair and just transition,
Job creation w/ livable wages, Invest in infrastructure responsive to needs of 21st century,
Clean air/water; climate/community resiliency; healthy food; access to nature; and a sustainable environment,
Promote justice and equity
2.
Integrate sustainability into City growth/County Land Use planning
Unmistakable Identity
Strong, Welcoming Neighborhoods
Asset Management and Connectivity
Invest in infrastructure responsive to needs of 21st century
Clean air/water; climate/community resiliency; healthy food; access to nature; and a sustainable environment
Page 7 of 22
2 Sustainability Advisory Board Priority Setting 2021
3.Community engagement and education about how to be more sustainable and what the city is doing to work towards
sustainability Unmistakable Identity
Clean air/water; climate/community resiliency; healthy food; access to nature; and a sustainable environment
4.
Community engagement and education about how to be more sustainable and what the city is doing to work towards
sustainability Unmistakable Identity
Clean air/water; climate/community resiliency; healthy food; access to nature; and a sustainable environment
5. Update the description/mission of the SAB
Unmistakable Identity
[other] Update description to reflect the strategic plan + sustainability issues that go beyond environmental conservation
and recycling Just a bureaucratic thing
6.
Develop a Climate
Action/Protection/Adaptation plan in response to the climate crisis
Unmistakable Identity:
Strong, Welcoming Neighborhoods
Safe and Secure
Prosperity and Economic Security: Asset Management and Connectivity
Net-zero GHG emissions through a fair and just transition
Job creation w/ livable wages, Invest in infrastructure responsive to needs of 21st century
Clean air/water; climate/community resiliency; healthy food; access to nature; and a sustainable environment,
Promote justice and equity
7.
Energy Conservation Code - green buildings, smart regulations, solar strategy, vehicle charging stations, building performance
Unmistakable Identity
Strong, Welcoming Neighborhoods
Prosperity and Economic Security
Infrastructure, Asset Management and Connectivity
Net-zero GHG emissions through a fair and just transition,
Invest in infrastructure responsive to needs of 21st century,
Clean air/water; climate/community resiliency; healthy food; access to nature; and a sustainable environment,
Promote justice and equity
Page 8 of 22
3 Sustainability Advisory Board Priority Setting 2021 What is the #2 top policy priority that SAB should focus on for the remainder of 2021?
Response Priority Connection to City Strategic Plan Connection to 5 Sustainability Principles
1. Affordable non-monopoly energy options
Strong, Welcoming Neighborhoods
Prosperity and Economic Security
Infrastructure, Asset Management and Connectivity
Net-zero GHG emissions through a fair and just transition,
Job creation w/ livable wages, Invest in infrastructure responsive to needs of 21st century,
Clean air/water; climate/community resiliency; healthy food; access to nature; and a sustainable environment,
Promote justice and equity
2.
Sustainable collaboration with Native Communities (Haskell + Nearby Tribes) to develop green plans and jobs
Strong, Welcoming Neighborhoods
Safe and Secure
Prosperity and Economic Security
Job creation w/ livable wages, Clean air/water;
climate/community resiliency; healthy food; access to nature; and a sustainable environment, Promote justice and equity
3.
Sustainability as it pertains to socioeconomic and equity issues, specifically with unhoused communities or those with less financial
resources Prosperity and
Economic Security Promote justice and equity
4.
Sustainability as it pertains to socioeconomic and equity issues, specifically with unhoused communities or those with less financial
resources Prosperity and
Economic Security Promote justice and equity
5.
Review Codes for maximum sustainability potential
Strong, Welcoming Neighborhoods
Infrastructure, Asset Management and Connectivity
Invest in infrastructure responsive to needs of 21st century
Clean air/water; climate/community resiliency; healthy food; access to nature; and a sustainable environment, Promote justice and equity
Page 9 of 22
4 Sustainability Advisory Board Priority Setting 2021
6.Energy Efficiency - programs, tips, resources for all citizens - housing, personal use, transportation, etc.
Unmistakable Identity
Strong, Welcoming Neighborhoods
Safe and Secure
Prosperity and Economic Security
Infrastructure, Asset Management and Connectivity
Net-zero GHG emissions through a fair and just transition
Job creation w/ livable wages
Invest in infrastructure responsive to needs of 21st century
Clean air/water; climate/community resiliency; healthy food; access to nature; and a sustainable environment,
Promote justice and equity
7.
Zero Waste Regulations - Strategy to achieve by 2050
Unmistakable Identity
Strong, Welcoming Neighborhoods
Prosperity and Economic Security
Net-zero GHG emissions through a fair and just transition
Invest in infrastructure responsive to needs of 21st century
Clean air/water; climate/community resiliency; healthy food; access to nature; and a sustainable environment
What is the #3 top policy priority that SAB should focus on for the remainder of 2021?
Response Priority Connection to City Strategic Plan Connection to 5 Sustainability Principles
1.
Incorporate food trees into parks & rec tree selection
Strong, Welcoming Neighborhoods
Prosperity and Economic Security
Clean air/water; climate/community resiliency;
healthy food; access to nature; and a sustainable environment
Promote justice and equity
2.
Integrate sustainability into Bond Initiatives:
Green Municipal Bonds to support City/County Debt and Development
Prosperity and Economic Security
Infrastructure, Asset Management and Connectivity
Net-zero GHG emissions through a fair and just transition
Invest in infrastructure responsive to needs of 21st century
3.
Moving city-provided resources (i.e.
transportation and other municipal services) towards clean energy
Infrastructure, Asset Management and Connectivity:
Net-zero GHG emissions through a fair and just transition
Page 10 of 22
5 Sustainability Advisory Board Priority Setting 2021
4.Moving city-provided resources (i.e.
transportation and other municipal services) towards clean energy
Infrastructure, Asset Management and Connectivity
Net-zero GHG emissions through a fair and just transition
5.
Continue Decrease Food Waste, consider composting program
Prosperity and Economic Security
Clean air/water; climate/community resiliency;
healthy food; access to nature; and a sustainable environment
Promote justice and equity
6.
Community education and outreach for all sustainable practices
Unmistakable Identity
Strong, Welcoming Neighborhoods
Safe and Secure
Prosperity and Economic Security
Infrastructure, Asset Management and Connectivity
Net-zero GHG emissions through a fair and just transition
Job creation w/ livable wages
Invest in infrastructure responsive to needs of 21st century,
Clean air/water; climate/community resiliency;
healthy food; access to nature; and a sustainable environment,
Promote justice and equity
7. Water Conservation Practices
Prosperity and Economic Security
Invest in infrastructure responsive to needs of 21st century
Clean air/water; climate/community resiliency;
healthy food; access to nature; and a sustainable environment
What is the #4 top policy priority that SAB should focus on for the remainder of 2021?
Response Priority Connection to City Strategic Plan Connection to 5 Sustainability Principles
1. Free & clean public transportation
Strong, Welcoming Neighborhoods
Prosperity and Economic Security
Infrastructure, Asset Management and Connectivity
Net-zero GHG emissions through a fair and just transition
Invest in infrastructure responsive to needs of 21st century
Clean air/water; climate/community resiliency;
healthy food; access to nature; and a sustainable environment
Promote justice and equity
Page 1
6 Sustainability Advisory Board Priority Setting 2021
2.3.
Reducing non-recyclable waste and litter to
protect the environment around us Unmistakable Identity
Clean air/water; climate/community resiliency;
healthy food; access to nature; and a sustainable environment
4.
Reducing non-recyclable waste and litter to
protect the environment around us Unmistakable Identity.
Clean air/water; climate/community resiliency;
healthy food; access to nature; and a sustainable environment
5.
Expand green infrastructure financing for residents to make sustainable improvements
Prosperity and Economic Security
Infrastructure, Asset Management and Connectivity
Invest in infrastructure responsive to needs of 21st century
Clean air/water; climate/community resiliency;
healthy food; access to nature; and a sustainable environment
Promote justice and equity
6.
Visibly promote energy efficient buildings and infrastructure that the City owns or operates - show and tell
Unmistakable Identity
Strong, Welcoming Neighborhoods
Safe and Secure
Prosperity and Economic Security
Infrastructure, Asset Management and Connectivity
Net-zero GHG emissions through a fair and just transition
Job creation w/ livable wages
Invest in infrastructure responsive to needs of 21st century
Clean air/water; climate/community resiliency;
healthy food; access to nature; and a sustainable environment
Promote justice and equity
7.
Food Production - urban farming sites - combine with education on farming and nutrition
Unmistakable Identity
Strong, Welcoming Neighborhoods
Prosperity and Economic Security
Net-zero GHG emissions through a fair and just transition
Invest in infrastructure responsive to needs of 21st century
Clean air/water; climate/community resiliency;
healthy food; access to nature; and a sustainable environment
Promote justice and equity
Page 12 of 22
1
AD - Moore, Jasmin
From: Babbit, Angela Michelle <angiebabbit@ku.edu>
Sent: Wednesday, March 10, 2021 10:59 AM
To: sustainability@lawrenceks.org
Cc: Taylor Jr, Orley R; Podrebarac, Dena Kay; Ryan, Ann E; Lovett, Jim
Subject: Native plants are not weeds
***This message came from outside of the douglascountyks.org domain - please follow best security practices and use extreme caution before opening attachments or links.***
External Email. Be careful with links and attachments.
- City of Lawrence IT Helpdesk
Hello,
I am the Communications Coordinator at Monarch Watch. Our friend and colleague, Courtney Masterson alerted me that the city has a list of plants that are considered noxious in the city of Lawrence. Many of the plants on this list are valuable host plants and nectar sources for a wide array of insects, including monarch butterflies. For example, stinging nettle is the host for the native question mark, comma, and red admiral butterflies. Dogbane is the host plant for the snowberry clearwing and hummingbird clearwing moths. These moths are pollinators that resemble small hummingbirds, and they are food for songbirds. Dogbane and nettles are also important ethnobotanical plants. Many of the native plants on the list were used traditionally as sources of food, fiber for cordage and medicine. We certainly do not want to continue to eradicate
important natural and cultural heritage of the land once inhabited by the Kickapoo, Kaw and Osage
people. Due to time constraints, I do not have the ability to educate the sustainability board about every plant that is on the list, but be assured that it would be a mistake to assume that if a native plant has been
determined to be “noxious” or a “weed” by city officials, that does not mean it has zero value to wildlife and therefore the quality of our city. That means the powers-that-be did not understand the true value of the plant.
There are some plants on the list that produce allergens, such as ragweed, and it is understandable that plants such as this should be kept in check in public use spaces. However, the majority of the native plants on the city’s list are of no threat to humans or to the economy of the city. We should be promoting many of these plants for their ecosystem services, not removing them from the environment.
It is possible that this ordinance is rarely enforced due to a lack of resources. In this case, the ordinance should still be amended to only contain invasive, exotic species that are non-native and in many cases threaten our waterways, our native wildlife and are an economic burden. Many cities interested in pollinator conservation have created a formal ordinance or resolution, identifying pollinator friendly practices their city will conduct and designating their city as pollinator friendly. You can view an example ordinance here. This ordinance passed in Stillwater Minnesota in 2015.
Please consider revising your list to only include plants that actually do need to be controlled, including plants such as
sericea lespedeza, purple loosestrife, non-native honeysuckles, invasive pear trees and Johnson grass. I believe you have
an opportunity here to correct this problem, and you have amazing council through people such as Kelly Kindscher and
Courtney Masterson. Monarch Watch can also help advise you if you have questions about the value of these plants to
insects.
2
--
Angie Babbit
Communications Coordinator Monarch Watch
The University of Kansas, KS Bio Survey
she/her/hers
1
AD - Moore, Jasmin
From: Chris Tilden <msgctilden@gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, March 10, 2021 10:58 AM
To: sustainability@lawrenceks.org
Subject: Sustainability Advisory Board 2021 goals
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- City of Lawrence IT Helpdesk
I am writing to propose two goals for the Sustainability Advisory Board for 2021 as you work to establish these goals during tonight’s meeting:
1) Promote completion of Lawrence bicycle and pedestrian plans as part of a strategy to promote multimodal transportation and reduce use of fossil fuels. This strategy could include supporting continued and/or increased funding in the city budget and capital improvement plans to stand-alone bike/ped project funding as well as supporting the city sidewalk improvement program. SAB could promote a condensed time frame for completion of repairs through the sidewalk program and ongoing funding for the program, both for repairs of city-owned sidewalks and for the fund available to assist low-income homeowners with sidewalk repairs.
2) Promote a change in Ordinance 5650 that classifies a number of Kansas native plant species as weeds subject to “eradication and abatement.” Many species on the list are important resources for wildlife, and the city should be promoting restoration of native landscapes that include these plants, not wasting valuable community resources removing them from parks and other community properties and requiring property owners to do the same.
Thank you for your consideration, and for all the work you do to make Lawrence a safer, healthier place to live for current and future generations!
Chris Tilden
Lawrence, Kansas
1
AD - Moore, Jasmin
From: Joey Shondell <jshondell97@gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, March 10, 2021 11:40 AM
To: sustainability@lawrenceks.org
Subject: Native plant list
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- City of Lawrence IT Helpdesk
Please consider removing said species from the noxious weed list as they have important benefits for our pollinators. These pollinators are not only important to our shared ecosystem but they play an important role for area farmers and their economic well being. Thank you
Joey Shondell
Sustainability Advisory Board City of Lawrence, Kansas March 10, 2021
Dear Board Members,
I am grateful for your work to provide environmental protections and encourage sustainable practices in our city. Thank you for your time and consideration of public comments today.
I am writing to request that you review and discuss the city’s “Weed Ordinance,” in Chapter 18, Article 3 of the City Code, ordinance # 5650. This ordinance defines which plant species qualify as weeds, and are thus subject to control or abatement by a public officer if determined to be of a height considered excessive (defined as 12” or more in the document). It is time for this ordinance to be revised in support of more sustainable, ecologically sound management of vegetation in our city.
I am an ecologist who specializes in the study of the native plants of northeastern Kansas and their role in our ecosystems. My company, Native Lands, collaborates with public, private, and non-profit landowners to protect native landscapes. We also provide native plant education in the community. Native plants are known to provide protections to developed areas through stormwater management, increased drought tolerance, and reduced chemical input. Native plants also provide invaluable resources for wildlife.
Many municipalities have modified their codes and ordinances to provide protections to native landscapes and encourage the use of native plants in public, commercial and residential spaces. I have provided examples of native plant ordinances and additional resources below.
I recommend updating our current weed ordinance to reflect a species list that does not contain species native to our region; it currently contains over 20 native species.
These plants are not only integral to wildlife protection; they also represent species that have been used by the Osage, Kaw, and Kickapoo tribes for thousands of years as medicine, food, and crafting materials. In contrast, the list should include non-native species known to threaten our natural areas and valuable agricultural land, such as wintercreeper (Euonymous fortunii), shrub honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii) and sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata).
I also recommend revising the definition of excessive height, as many of our native
species will exceed that condition. I understand the need to have guidelines that allow
public officers to act if vegetation is creating a safety hazard. However, the ordinance as
written has the potential to harm or destroy efforts to protect native vegetation and thus
harm the wildlife in our region. The ordinance also represents a potential roadblock to
conservation efforts that will protect our city and wildlife in the future. At minimum, an
exemption process could be introduced to allow for native plantings in the incorporated
portions of the City of Lawrence. There are examples of such exemption programs described in the articles linked below.
Finally, I recommend reaching out to collaborate with experienced ecological
professionals, in both academic and applied fields, on this revision process. There are many residing and practicing here in Lawrence who would be grateful to help research and discuss this important change.
Thank you again for your time and consideration. Please feel free to reach out if I can be of assistance.
Sincerely,
Courtney Masterson Ecologist | Owner/Operator Native Lands, LLC
913-207-8034
For.the.prairie@gmail.com
Example Native Plant Ordinances and related research:
Recommended ordinances and research from Mid America Regional Council:
http://marc2.org/assets/environment/greeninfrastructure/FinalModelGIOrdinances_Goul dEvans.pdf
This website includes several educational resources for designing ordinances that protect native plants and landscapes:
https://www.marc.org/Environment/MetroGreen-Parks/Current-Projects/Green- Infrastructure-Framework
This article summarizes well the efforts of multiple cities to protect native plants and landscapes and provides concrete examples:
https://blog.nwf.org/2019/09/native-plant-challenge-calling-all-cities-to-plant-native/
Native plant ordinance model, Missouri Prairie Foundation
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Z0PcY7NmXAv3ajLjDCjz8BEvHUkIw99G/view Native Planting Exemption examples, see Page 5
https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.482.8703&rep=rep1&type=p
df
1
AD - Moore, Jasmin
From: Chris Tilden <christilden@hotmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, March 10, 2021 10:40 AM
To: sustainability@lawrenceks.org
Subject: Re: 2021 Sustainability Advisory Board Goals
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- City of Lawrence IT Helpdesk
Submitted on behalf of the LiveWell Douglas County Healthy Built Environment Work Group:
As the Sustainability Advisory Board sets its priorities for 2021, the Healthy Built Environment Work Group of LiveWell Douglas County advocates that one priority of the board be to support the development of improved multimodal transportation networks in Lawrence. These networks promote walking, bicycling, rolling and transit use as alternatives to transportation methods that rely heavily on the use of fossil fuels. Specifically, we would like to see SAB support:
1. Increased funding for stand-alone bike/ped projects in the Lawrence city budget and Capital Improvement Plan,
2. Continued funding of the sidewalk improvement program, including funding for city-owned sidewalks repair and for the fund that assists low-income homeowners with sidewalk repairs,
3. Continued funding of ADA ramp construction and repair,
4. A condensed timeframe for completion of city-wide sidewalk repairs through the sidewalk improvement program.
We encourage SAB to designate a liaison to the City of Lawrence Multimodal Transportation Commission as a mechanism to promote dialogue between these two important advisory bodies. Thank you for your efforts to make Lawrence a more sustainable community and a great place to live now and into the future.
1
AD - Moore, Jasmin
From: Hanna Baird <hannaraebaird@gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, March 10, 2021 10:43 AM
To: sustainability@lawrenceks.org
Subject: Sustainability Meeting Comment 3/10
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- City of Lawrence IT Helpdesk
Dear Sustainability Advisory Committee,
In the city code, under Article 3 in section 18-302 f., many of our native plants are listed as noxious weeds and are "subject to immediate eradication" by the city of Lawrence. This list is outdated, including specific species that are important to our wildlife, such as Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) with the Monarch butterfly. I highly urge a re-evaluation to this list, with the help of ecologists who understand the effects that each of these species has on our environment.
To me, sustainability means planning with the future in mind. This is why native plants are so important when we think of a sustainable future. They help keep our soils stable, and our water and air clean, and provide habitat and resources for the wildlife around us that we can't afford to lose. Classifying them as weeds is misleading, and removing them can be harmful. We deserve the right to use some of these important species, and to show the public that we shouldn't be afraid of them through the changing of this list.
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Hanna Baird
Staff Report to Sustainability Advisory Board
March 10, 2021
Submitted by Jasmin Moore, Sustainability Director
1. Policy Update: Green New Deal
The City Commission voted unanimously on February 9, 2021 to direct city staff to incorporate the following five sustainability principles, based on the Green New Deal, into city plans and functions. The Commission expects that plans and policies in development, including the strategic plan, start to consider and strengthen their alignment with the five sustainability principles.
1. to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions through a fair and just transition for all communities and workers;
2. to create jobs with livable wages to ensure prosperity and economic security for all people;
3. to invest in the infrastructure and industry to sustainably meet the challenges of the 21
stcentury;
4. to secure for all people for generations to come: clean air and water; climate and community resiliency; healthy food; access to nature; and a sustainable
environment; and
5. to promote justice and equity by stopping current, preventing future, and repairing historic oppression of Indigenous peoples, communities of color, migrant
communities, de-industrialized communities, depopulated rural communities, the working poor, women, the elderly, the unhoused, people with disabilities, and youth.
2. Earth Day Celebration 2021
Due to COVID 19 and safety precautions, Douglas County and the City of Lawrence will not host the anticipated in-person Earth Day celebration including the parade this year.
The Sustainability Office will be featuring other ways to celebrate safely in the
community on our website. We encourage community members to participate in acts of solidarity on their own time to celebrate, while following COVID 19 State and County
orders.Celebrating Earth Day during a pandemic will take creativity. How will you celebrate
Earth Day 2021? We would love to share and feature what you or your organization is
doing to celebrate this special day and inspire others to join from the comfort of their homes!
To feature your event or celebration on our website please fill out this short form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfaT-
ow5VCvEh6ku8sRh6Uql0CaaDARklerkfQYkGv0iBLLpA/viewform?usp=sf_link
