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Consider Adopting the Revised Climate Action and Response Plan, Requesting Funding Options, and Joining Other North Carolina Municipalities in Declaring a Climate Emergency.
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Staff: |
Department: |
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Maurice Jones, Town Manager |
Manager’s Office |
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Mary Jane Nirdlinger, Assistant Town Manager |
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John Richardson, Community Resilience Officer |
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Overview: Staff will present information about the revised Climate Action and Response Plan <https://www.townofchapelhill.org/Home/ShowDocument?id=48581>, including a summary of the revisions made since the Council reviewed the Plan on January 27. Staff will also describe recent data-gathering efforts and how this work relates to the proposed next steps for transitioning to the implementation phase of the project. Similar to action taken by other North Carolina communities, the second resolution would declare a climate emergency and outline key areas of emphasis for plan implementation.
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Recommendation(s): |
That the Council 1) adopt the revised Climate Action and Response Plan, 2) request that the Town Manager develop funding options for the Council to consider as part of the FY21-22 budget process, and 3) consider joining other North Carolina municipalities in declaring a climate emergency.
Fiscal Impact/Resources: A range of cost estimates are provided within the Climate Action and Response Plan. To begin thinking about how to address these costs, we recommend that the fiscal impacts associated with the plan be discussed in more detail as part of the FY21-22 budget process.
Where is this item in its process?
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Attachments: |
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• Resolution Adopting Plan and Requesting Funding Options |
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• Resolution Declaring Climate Emergency |
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• Draft Staff Presentation |
A RESOLUTION TO ADOPT THE CLIMATE ACTION AND RESPONSE PLAN AND TO REQUEST THAT THE TOWN MANAGER DEVELOP FUNDING OPTIONS FOR THE COUNCIL’S CONSIDERATION AS PART OF THE FY21-22 BUDGET PROCESS (2021-04-07/R-10)
WHEREAS, the future of Chapel Hill belongs to the young people of this community, and we have a responsibility to do all that we can to leave this place better than we found it; and
WHEREAS, we have limited time to avoid the worst of climate change, so our collective actions must be bold, swift, and connection; and
WHEREAS, on June 12, 2017, the Town Council adopted a resolution to proportionally uphold the commitment made by the United States in the Paris Agreement by reducing emissions by 26-28% by 2025; and
WHEREAS, on September 25, 2019, Town Council adopted a resolution to be a 100% clean, renewable energy community by 2050 and to create a Climate Action and Response Plan to begin transitioning to this new clean energy goal; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Chapel Hill’s draft Climate Action and Response Plan outlines a series of action categories and steps that can be taken to (1) reduce the greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change and (2) help us adapt and build resilience to address the impacts of our changing climate; and
WHEREAS, this plan puts us on a path to address the greatest challenge of our time, and Chapel Hill will be a leader in this effort; and
WHEREAS, our work will uphold environmental justice by actively addressing environmental racism; and
WHEREAS, we will embrace ugly truths and have respect for all when we act, by listening more than we speak, asking all residents what they need, making decisions together, and empowering our entire community to act; and
WHEREAS, our action will be in partnership with other Orange County communities, those within the greater Triangle area, as well as our peers across the state and the region; and
WHEREAS, we will focus on working relationships that help us maximize our climate goals and generate other benefits like new jobs, more affordable housing, and greater protections to our residents - particularly those who are most at risk to the impacts of climate change; and
WHEREAS, we view our changing climate as a significant threat yet many of the solutions we will consider offer us an opportunity to affirmatively address other societal ills; and
WHEREAS, this plan is a vehicle for helping Chapel Hill truly become a community where everyone feels safe and financially secure, with access to affordable housing, nature, clean air and water, and healthy foods.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council adopt the Climate Action and Response Plan <https://www.townofchapelhill.org/Home/ShowDocument?id=48581>.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council authorize the Town Manager to develop funding options for the Council to consider as part of the FY21-22 budget process.
This the 7th day of April, 2021.
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The Agenda will reflect the text below and/or the motion text will be used during the meeting. |
presenter
PRESENTER: John Richardson, Community Resilience Officer
RECOMMENDATION: That the Council 1) adopt the revised Climate Action and Response Plan, 2) request that the Town Manager develop funding options for the Council to consider as part of the FY21-22 budget process, and 3) consider joining other North Carolina municipalities in declaring a climate emergency.