Title
A Resolution supporting the Regional Climate Action Plan.
Body
Issue/Request:
A Resolution supporting the Regional Climate Action Plan.
Key Issues:
- The Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) is a non-profit association of city and county governments and the metropolitan planning organization for the bi-state Kansas City region.
- Climate Action KC (CAKC) is a regional non-profit formed to promote strategies and solutions that drawdown greenhouse emissions and promote economic opportunity and quality of life.
- MARC and CAKC partnered together with participation of the City of Lee’s Summit, other communities, and over 1,000 regional residents to complete a Regional Climate Action Plan containing a regional emissions inventory and climate risk and vulnerability assessment.
- The Regional Climate Action Plan serves 10 counties, 123 municipalities in two states, with a population of 2.14 million, though a voluntary framework to guide and align local action in ways that make a difference for the entire Kansas City region.
- The Regional Climate Action Plan contains a comprehensive set of goals and strategies that can be tailored to meet local community needs and priorities.
- The City of Lee’s Summit has adopted a strategic plan and comprehensive plan, (Ignite!) that includes similar goals, strategies and objectives related to environmental sustainability, climate and quality of life.
- The goals, strategies and objectives in the Ignite! plans and Regional Climate Action Plan build stronger, healthier, more vibrant and economically vital communities.
- Success will only be achieved if there is equitable access to the benefits among the entire population of the metropolitan area without regard to race, gender, ethnicity, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, income, age, disability or any other classification.
Proposed Committee Motion:
I move to recommend to City Council approval of a Resolution supporting the Regional Climate Action Plan.
Background:
The City of Lee's Summit developed a Sustainability Action Plan, finalized in 2012, that was accepted, but not adopted, by the City Council at that time. The plan is attached for reference.
The City adopted a Comprehensive Plan and Strategic Plan, Ignite!, in 2021; which also includes environmentally related, climate and sustainable objectives and strategies. The Ignite! Comprehensive Plan Element Sustainable Environment, https://cityofls.net/comprehensive-plan/documents, aligns with numerous goals of the Regional Climate Action Plan. The Ignite! Strategic Plan, https://cityofls.net/ignite-your-ideas-our-future, also contains a variety and multitude of identified action items associated with mitigating the effects of climate change in support of plan strategies and objectives across several critical success factors; particularly City Services and Infrastructure.
The City of Lee's Summit, its Staff, participated in the development of a regional climate action plan managed through the Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) and Climate Action KC partnership.
Information about the Regional Climate Action Plan, https://www.marc.org/environment/environment-plans/climate-action-plan, and the plan document is attached for reference as adopted by the MARC Board.
In consideration of available federal funding opportunities that target sustainable infrastructure and programs through the Bi-partisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act, the City is advised to have an adopted climate action plan or demonstrate its support under the "umbrella" of a similar climate action plan for the region. As exampled, the Inflation Reduction Act provides $5 Billion for the Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG) program administered by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), https://www.epa.gov/inflation-reduction-act/climate-pollution-reduction-grants, to states, local governments, tribes, and territories for the development and implementation of plans that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other harmful air pollution. This federal funding opportunity, $250M for non-competitive planning grants and $4.6B for nationwide competitive implementation grants, requires a Notice of Intent to Participate (NOIP) prior to April 29, 2023, and an applicable plan for implementation project applications. The City of Lee's Summit does not have an adopted climate action plan (or relevant plan in compliance with program criteria). Support for the Regional Climate Action Plan and participation in MARC climate/environmental planning initiatives is a recommended alternative for local eligibility of these implementation grant applications. MARC submitted a NOIP prior to the April 28, 2023 deadline on behalf of the bi-state region to include eligible potential participating agencies.
The attached resolution will provide sufficient demonstrated support for inclusion in the Regional Climate Action Plan, and intent to participate in related regional planning initiatives for compliance with CPRG program criteria, so that the City of Lee's Summit is eligible for associated project grant applications and/or inclusion of any regional project applications.
Impact/Analysis:
Eligibility of Federal Funding Applications related to the Inflation Reduction Act funded Climate Pollution Reduction Grants program.
Other Information/Unique Characteristics:
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Presenter
Michael Park, PE, PTOE
Director of Public Works
Recommendation
Recommendation: [Enter Recommendation Here]
Committee Recommendation
Committee Recommendation: [Enter Committee Recommendation text Here]