HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Manager's 100 Day Report - Accelerating Iowa City's Climate Actions STAFF PRESENTATION TO FOLLOW:
Accelerating
Iowa City’s
Climate Actions
November 14, 2019
Achieving 45% Reduction in Carbon Emmissions
by 2030 and Reaching Net-Zero by 2050
1
Table of Contents
Introduction
2
August 6, 2019 Climate Crisis Resolution
3
Iowa City Community-wide Greenhouse Gas Emissions 2018
5
Key Stakeholder Initiatives
7
Climate Action and Adaptation Plan: Summary of Actions
9
Accelerating Iowa City’s Actions
10
Buildings
11
Transportation
15
Waste
18
Adaptation
20
Sustainable Lifestyle
23
Ensuring Equity in our Climate Action Response
25
City Government Roles and Responsibilities
26
Public Funding
29
Getting to 2030: Greenhouse Gas Emissions Scenarios
32
Closing Summary and Acknowledgements
Appendix
36
37
2
Introduction
In December 2016, the Iowa City City Council established goals aligning with the Paris Climate Agreement, to reduce
citywide carbon emissions by approximately 25% by 2025 and 80% by 2050. In partnership with the community
and with the guidance of an appointed Climate Action Steering Committee, the City of Iowa City developed its first
comprehensive Climate Action and Adaptation Plan. The Plan’s development allowed for significant community
and stakeholder input that was solicited in ten public meetings. In addition to those public meetings, hundreds of
individuals responded to a survey to aid in the Plan’s development. The Plan was finalized by the Climate Action
Steering Committee and adopted by the City Council on September 18, 2018.
As additional climate science research and reports were since issued by agencies such as the Intergovernmental
Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the City Council committed on August 6, 2019, to update carbon emissions targets.
As the resolution on the following pages declares, Iowa City’s latest goals are to reduce citywide carbon emissions
40% by 2030 and reach net-zero emissions by the year 2050.
The City Council also called for this report, issued within 100 days of the resolution, to provide specific methods by
which the City can accelerate progress on the initiatives described in the 2018 Climate Action Plan. This report was
presented on November 14, 2019, to the City Council and the Iowa City community for review and comment. It is
expected that the Iowa City Climate Action Commission and the general public will provide comment on the
contents of this report prior to the City Council providing any final direction on specific actions.
Iowa City’s Climate Action and Adaptation Plan along with other climate action resources can be accessed at
www.icgov.org/climateaction.
3
August 6, 2019 Climate Crisis Resolution
4
5
Iowa City Community-wide Greenhouse Gas Emissions 2018
Iowa City has conducted annual greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories since 2008. As of 2018, eleven consecutive years
of data have been analyzed. Initially, the software (CACP 2009) and methodology was provided by ICLEI
(International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives), the national standard for that time. After the City joined
the Compact of Mayors (now the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy), the Global Protocol for
Community-Scale Greenhouse Gas was used to report community-wide emissions. All previous years were re-
calculated using this new standard. The protocol now used is the most up-to-date global protocol and Iowa City’s
annual emissions have been reported using this method platform since 2015.
With the August 2019 adoption of the Climate Crisis Resolution, emissions reduction targets in Iowa City’s Climate
Action and Adaption Plan have been raised and the baseline year changed from 2005 to 2010. The new targets
include 45% reduction in emissions by 2030 and approaching net-zero emissions by 2050. Both the new targets
and change in the baseline year align with the October 2018 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
report and recommended targets.
The City factors in community growth when completing annual GHG inventories. From 2010 to 2018, Iowa City has
experienced a steady decline in emissions per capita from 20.3 to 13.4 metric tonnes. Iowa City expects to continue
to grow over the next several decades and will need to be mindful of growth strategies in order to achieve our
goals.
The chart on the following page shows Iowa City carbon emissions trends, baseline level (red dash), and 2030 and
2050 targets (gold and silver dashes). Since 2010, Iowa City has seen a downward trend in community carbon
emissions, in part by a two-thirds reduction in coal usage at the University of Iowa’s power plant since that date.
The large drop between 2014 and 2015 is primarily a result of MidAmerican Energy’s decision to invest heavily in
wind energy. This action retained renewable energy credits in the MidAmerican service territory instead of selling
it to users outside the state. Despite the reduction of community-wide emissions, much work lies ahead to meet
both the 2030 and 2050 emission targets. An average annual emissions reduction between 2-2.5% annually should
enable us to reach our 2030 target and stay on track to become carbon neutral in 2050. It is staff’s hope and
expectation that Iowa City will not simply meet, but exceed, the 2030 target and put ourselves in position to be a
national leader in the effort to achieve net-zero status.
The majority of metric tonnes of CO2e are generated by industrial (27%), residential (22%), and commercial (20%)
users. In order to reach our 2030 goals, the City will need to partner extensively with these sectors over the next
ten years. The balance of emissions are generated by the University of Iowa Power Plant (14%), all community
transportation (15%) and waste (2%). While these sectors account for a smaller portion of the carbon emissions,
all sectors must be engaged to achieve long-term emission reduction targets.
6
*Data for the inventory is carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) produced from multiple sources used within Iowa City limits including electricity
and natural gas used from MidAmerican Energy, electricity provided by Eastern Iowa Light and Power, and coal used by the University of
Iowa Power Plant. Transportation contribution is calculated using vehicle miles travelled (VMT), provided annually by the Department of
Transportation. Waste is calculated using the Iowa City portion of the waste collected at the Iowa City Landfill and Recycling Center.
Another way to dissect the community’s greenhouse gas emission data is to view it by source of production.
Electricity, natural gas, and coal from the University of Iowa power plant all supply energy for heating, cooling,
lighting, appliances and related functions making buildings the largest opportunity for meaningful progress to our
goals. With the robust growth of MidAmerican’s renewable electricity, it will be important for the community to
start looking for ways to offset natural gas using methods such as air-source heat pumps (that work for both heating
and cooling), especially as technology improves and market demand increases.
Transportation is another sector
that will need transformation,
especially in the use of personal
vehicles. Replacing personal vehicle
use by biking, walking, and public
transit is critical to our future
success. Increasing public transit
ridership will take significant
investment in our current system.
Electric vehicle adoption and
technologies that will improve the
efficiencies of larger vehicles will
also be important for the
community to embrace.
471007.7934
46%
292960.4117
29%
69126.39319
7%
158746.0541
16%
20682.13972
2%
2018 Community-wide Emissions by Source
(metric tonnes CO2e)
Electricity
Natural Gas
Coal
Transportation
Waste
7
Key Stakeholder Initiatives
As the GHG Inventory shows, the community is jointly responsible for emissions and all have a role to play. Indeed,
individuals can collectively make a huge difference and are critical to our success. However, a few major
stakeholders will necessarily be essential partners in reducing community-wide emissions. The City will actively
partner and coordinate with all interested parties, but several entities will be especially important to work with, in
order to reach our community’s new emissions reduction t argets.
Almost all electricity in Iowa City is provided by MidAmerican Energy, which has made a strong commitment to
increase their renewable energy generation. In 2018, 51.4% of electricity delivered by MidAmerican came from
renewable resources, primarily wind. With the completion of their Wind XII project, MidAmerican has announced
that they will be positioned to deliver 100 percent renewable energy to their Iowa customers by 2021, based on
annual electric usage. MidAmerican Energy will continue to use its natural gas, nuclear and coal-fueled plants to
ensure reliable electric service even in times of low wind. With this strong commitment in place, Iowa City must
focus efforts to not only reduce overal l energy consumption, but also support as much electrification as possible.
MidAmerican will be a strong partner going forward and will play a critical role in expa nding renewable energy
sources, electrification of our buildings, and enabling a more robust electric transportation network.
Eastern Iowa Light and Power provides a small percentage (0.5%) of electricity in the southern part of Iowa City.
Eastern Iowa Light and Power reports that almost 60% of their sources of energy are carbon free. While they have
a relatively small footprint in Iowa City, they do supply electricity to the City’s Wastewater Treatment Facility, one
of our largest municipal energy consuming facilities. Thus, an expanded partnership, particularly as we explore
productive uses for the methane production at the plant, will have a meaningful impact on our success.
In 2017, the University of Iowa made a public commitment to eliminate the use of coal at its power plant by 20 25.
Over the last several years the University has been making noteworthy progress by increasing biofuels to replace
coal. The University has an ongoing goal of achieving 40% renewable energy on campus by 2020. They have taken
significant steps to increase energy efficiency in older buildings on campus and to ensure new buildings are built
beyond state code standards. The University is currently exploring a public private partnership that would involve
a long-term operating agreement of their utilities with a private entity. If this plan moves forward, they have
indicated to City leadership that Iowa City will be a continued partner in ensuring community climate objectives
are met.
The Iowa City Community School District passed a resolution in September 2019 to develop recommendations for
taking more deliberate action on climate change. The District has begun by engaging the University of Northern
Iowa to develop a baseline of current energy use. The District plans to develop their own Climate Action Plan with
specific targets for educational programing, GHG emissions reduction, and renewable energy use within the
upcoming months.
Finally, large industrial and commercial energy consumers in our community can potentially make excellent
partners and exemplary models for environmental stewardship. Incremental movement towards electrification of
buildings and equipment paired with renewable and efficient energy sourcing could substantially reduce current
and future emissions. Our businesses are an appreciated, vital part of our community and their participation will
keep Iowa City moving towards a sustainable future. To that end, the City looks forward to developing meaningful
8
partnerships with individual businesses, as well as organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce and the Iowa
City Area Development Group to further our climate action efforts.
9
Climate Action and Adaptation Plan: Summary of Actions
The Climate Action and Adaptation Plan was created with the community to help chart a path toward previously
established GHG emissions reduction goals. The strategies identified in the Plan provide the foundation for future
actions that can be taken by the City, as well our residents and businesses to accelerate progress and achieve the
newly adopted community goals.
A summary of the actions contained in the 2018 Climate Action and Adaptation Plan are listed be low:
10
Accelerating Iowa City’s Actions
City staff has developed a list of specific actions that can be further explored and implemented in the near -term,
which collectively would accelerate our progress toward our carbon emission s reduction goals. The actions are
broken up into the Climate Action and Adaption Plan categories of Buildings, Transportation, Waste, Adaptation
and Sustainable Lifestyle. Within each of these five key areas, staff has developed recommendations that
encompass Education, Incentives, Regulation, City Policy, and Public Projects. Financial and human resources will
be necessary to carry out the vast majority of the proposed actions. Those elements will be discussed in subsequent
sections of this report.
Report actions have color-coded shading to provide a general sense of timeline as follows:
Green: Action can be initiated by end of 2020 but may be ongoing through 2030
Blue: Action can be initiated between 2021-2023 but may be ongoing through 2030
Orange: Action can be initiated between 2024-2025 but may be ongoing through 2030
11
Buildings
The Climate Action and Adaptation Plan states that existing buildings account for approximately 82% of
community-wide emissions, making them the largest source of emissions. Thus, improving the performance of our
existing building stock and ensuring new construction has the smallest carbon footprint possible is absolutely
critical. These objectives are hindered by the fact that municipalities cannot regulate construction beyond what is
permitted by the State of Iowa Energy Code. The community must be as creative and resourceful as possible when
crafting our strategies. While reducing overall energy consumption and expanding renewables is important, we
must recognize that our electric supply is becoming increasingly renewable (51.4% renewable in 2018 from
MidAmerican Energy) requiring a large part of our strategy to focus on electrification and reduced dependency on
natural gas for heating and other uses. This can be challenging with certain types of buildings, given cost and
technological options that may be available.
Buildings: Education
Action Description Plan
Alignment
Required
Resources
1 Promote Energy Efficiency and
Performance Tips to the Public
*(Next Step)
Through advertisements, social media,
special event engagement, and the
AmeriCorps program, provide the public
with practical tips and strategies they can
implement in their home or business.
1.1 – 1.2, 1.6 Financial,
City Staff
*(CMO, COM,
OTH),
Community
Action
2 Partner with Stakeholders to
Promote Green Building and
Rehabilitation *(New)
Work with existing community
organizations such as the Home Builders
Association, Iowa City Area Association of
Realtors, The Greater Iowa City Landlord
Association, the Johnson Clean Energy
District and the Chamber of Commerce to
promote green building practices.
1.1-1.4 Financial,
City Staff
*(NDS, CMO,
OTH),
Community
Action
3 Encourage the Local Realtor
Community to Include Energy
Performance in the Multiple Listing
Services (MLS) Property Inventory
*(New)
Homebuyers utilize MLS data to influence
purchasing decisions. Energy performance
is not currently a part of local MLS
inventories but could help homebuyers
make educated decisions and encourage
sellers to proactively improve efficiency.
1.1 & 1.6 Financial
*(CMO, OTH),
Community
Action
Resource Key: CMO – City Manager’s Office; NDS – Neighborhood & Development Services; COM – Communications; PW – Public Works;
EHR – Equity & Human Rights; TS – Transportation Services; PR – Parks and Recreation; FIN – Finance; OTH – Others
12
Buildings: Incentives
Action Description Plan
Alignment
Required
Resources
1 Offer Free Home Energy
Assessments through Green Iowa
AmeriCorps *(Next Step)
Expand previously commenced efforts to
offer free home energy testing and
weatherization through AmeriCorps.
1.1 Financial
*(CMO),
Community
Action
2 Enhance Energy Standards for City
Rehabilitation Projects
*(Next Step)
Ensure that City housing rehabilitation
programs sufficiently incorporate energy
efficiency measures, electrification,
renewable energy, trees and stormwater
quality improvements as budgets allow.
1.1 Financial
*(CMO, PR,
PW, NDS)
3 Coordinate Neighborhood Energy
Blitz Events *(New)
Plan multi-day neighborhood blitzes that
provide education to residents as well as
practical home solutions including LED
lights, weatherization improvements,
trees and other climate action solutions.
1.1 Financial,
City Staff
*(CMO, COM,
PR, NDS),
Community
Action
4 Launch a TIF-funded climate action
incentive program aimed at
reducing industrial energy
consumption *(New)
Using district-wide TIF funding, create and
launch an incentive program that
emphasizes energy reduction, renewables,
electrification and site improvements that
will help reduce emissions in our industrial
sector.
1.2 & 5.4 Financial,
City Staff
*(CMO),
Community
Action
5 Consider a Building Permit Fee
Rebate Program for Enhanced
Energy Standards *(New)
Consider rebating a portion of building
permit fees in exchange for enhanced
energy measures on construction projects.
1.3 Financial
*(NDS),
Community
Action
6 Develop or Partner with Local
Stakeholders on a Comprehensive
Climate Action Rehabilitation
Program *(New)
Iowa City currently offers housing
rehabilitation funds that can be used for
energy efficiency measure. This
combination grant/loan program would
bolster that effort and expand it to include
all building types. External partners could
include local financial institutions
(attractive lending terms) and
organizations like the Johnson Clean
Energy District that offer expertise.
1.1 – 1.4 Financial,
City Staff
*(CMO, NDS),
Community
Action
7 Initiate a Net-Zero House Design
Competition *(New)
Engage the local architect and building
community to develop a series of net-zero
house designs that can be accessed and
utilized by local contractors and the
public.
1.3 Financial
*(CMO, NDS),
Community
Action
13
8 Complete a Net-Zero Demonstration
Rehabilitation Project *(New)
Through our existing rehabilitation
programs such as the UniverCity and
South District Homeownership programs,
complete a demonstration net-zero
rehabilitation project.
1.1 & 1.4 Financial
*(CMO, NDS)
9 Incentivize Energy Enhancements
and Building Re- and Retro
Commissioning for Participants in
the Energy Bench-marking Program
*(New)
To complement a proposed energy
benchmarking program, this program
would look to target specific
improvements for those large properties
that are significant contributors to our
carbon footprint.
1.6 Financial,
City Staff
*(CMO),
Community
Action
10 Launch an Electrification Incentive
Program *(New)
This program would provide financial
incentives that offset the cost to convert
appliances and heating equipment from
natural gas to electric.
1.1 - 1.2 &
1.4
Financial
*(CMO, NDS),
Community
Action
Resource Key: CMO – City Manager’s Office; NDS – Neighborhood & Development Services; COM – Communications; PW – Public Works;
EHR – Equity & Human Rights; TS – Transportation Services; PR – Parks and Recreation; FIN – Finance; OTH – Others
Buildings: Regulation
Action Description Plan
Alignment
Required
Resources
1 Create a More Robust Energy Code
Inspection Program *(New)
Staff currently relies on contractor
verification for compliance with the
adopted energy code. Through staffing
increases and training, all Building
Inspectors can take a more proactive role
enforcing the energy code.
1.1 - 1.2 City Staff
*(NDS)
2 Incorporate Stricter Energy
Standards into Tax Increment
Financing Policies *(New)
Revise our Tax Increment Financing policy
to include stricter energy standards.
1.3 – 1.4 Financial
*(CMO)
3 Incorporate Strict Energy Standards
into Height and Density Bonuses
*(New)
Revise our density and height bonus
Policies to include stricter energy
standards.
1.3 – 1.4 No
Additional
*(CMO, NDS,
OTH)
4 Initiate Energy Benchmarking
Requirements *(New)
Require owners of a predetermined
building size (example: 100,000 sq ft) to
annually report energy performance
metrics to the City.
1.6 City staff
*(CMO),
Community
Action
5 Develop Climate Action
Requirements for all Existing and
Future Rental Permits *(New)
Adopt energy efficiency and tree planting
requirements to ensure rental housing is
contributing to public health concerns
associated with climate change.
1.1 & 1.7 No
Additional
*(CMO, NDS)
Resource Key: CMO – City Manager’s Office; NDS – Neighborhood & Development Services; COM – Communications; PW – Public Works;
EHR – Equity & Human Rights; TS – Transportation Services; PR – Parks and Recreation; FIN – Finance; OTH – Others
14
Buildings: City Policy
Action Description Plan
Alignment
Required
Resources
1 Advocate for Local Control of
Energy Codes *(New)
Encourage the State Legislature to allow for
local of energy codes.
1.1 – 1.4 No
Additional
*(CMO)
2 Advocate for Aggressive Energy
Code Development and Adoption
*(New)
Require staff to actively participate in the
development of future international energy
codes including advocating of the ‘glide path
to net-zero’ and other similar nationwide
and global efforts.
1.1 – 1.4 Financial
*(NDS)
Resource Key: CMO – City Manager’s Office; NDS – Neighborhood & Development Services; COM – Communications; PW – Public Works;
EHR – Equity & Human Rights; TS – Transportation Services; PR – Parks and Recreation; FIN – Finance; OTH – Others
Buildings: Public Projects
Action Description Plan
Alignment
Required
Resources
1 Solar Partnership with MidAmerican
*(New)
Execute a land lease agreement
with MidAmerican Energy for a
utility-scale solar installation of 2
MW or greater.
1.5 City property
*(CMO, PW)
2 Net-Zero Public Housing *(New) Initiate a program to rehabilitate
Iowa City owned public housing
units into net-zero properties.
1.1 & 1.7 Financial, City
Staff *(NDS)
3 Municipal Building Efficiency and
Electrification *(New)
Accelerate energy efficiency efforts
in city facilities and develop a plan
for systematic electrification and
implementation.
1.4 & 1.7 Financial, City
Staff *(PR, CMO,
PW)
Resource Key: CMO – City Manager’s Office; NDS – Neighborhood & Development Services; COM – Communications; PW – Public Works;
EHR – Equity & Human Rights; TS – Transportation Services; PR – Parks and Recreation; FIN – Finance; OTH – Others
15
Transportation
Along with significant change in our built environment, mobility and land-use planning will play a very large role in
meeting emission reduction targets. The Climate Action Plan calls for replacement of over fifty-five percent of
vehicle trips with sustainable transit, bike, and pedestrian options by 2050. City Council has established a goal to
double transit ridership by 2028 which will jumpstart our community effort to reduce emissions generated by fossil-
fueled transportation. Overarching targets in this area include conversion of the City’s municipal fleet to cleaner
fuel vehicles and to increase community-wide adoption of electric and alternative-fuel vehicle technology. The
City’s immediate strategy focuses upon enhanced education and incentive campaigns for public transportation and
preparing for transition to a future with more electric vehicles.
Transportation: Education
Action Description Plan
Alignment
Required
Resources
1 Significant Transportation Education and
Outreach Campaigns *(New)
Education and outreach campaigns
on use of non-fossil fuel vehicles,
walkable neighborhoods, bicycling,
car-sharing, and transit.
2.3 Financial, City
Staff *(COM, TS,
OTH), Community
Action
2 Launch an Eco-Driving Campaign
Alongside Employers *(New)
Promote Ride-Sharing, Transit,
Alternative Work Schedules and
Other Actions to Help Reduce
Emissions from Single-Occupancy
Vehicles.
2.5 Financial, City
Staff *(CMO,
COM),
Community
Action
Resource Key: CMO – City Manager’s Office; NDS – Neighborhood & Development Services; COM – Communications; PW – Public Works;
EHR – Equity & Human Rights; TS – Transportation Services; PR – Parks and Recreation; FIN – Finance; OTH – Others
Transportation: Incentives
Action Description Plan
Alignment
Required
Resources
1 Incentivize Public Transit Options
*(New)
Based on recommendations in the
forthcoming transit study,
incentivize use of public transit with
fare free service and/or discounted
passes/rides.
2.2 Financial, City
Staff *(TS, CMO),
Community Action
2 Explore Electric Vehicle (EV) Incentives
Based on the Readiness Plan *(New)
Plan suggestions are expected to
include incentive options for the
City to consider.
2.5 Financial *(CMO,
TS)
Resource Key: CMO – City Manager’s Office; NDS – Neighborhood & Development Services; COM – Communications; PW – Public Works;
EHR – Equity & Human Rights; TS – Transportation Services; PR – Parks and Recreation; FIN – Finance; OTH – Others
Transportation: Regulation
16
Action Description Plan
Alignment
Required
Resources
1 Review Parking Regulations and
Consider Innovative Ways to Encourage
Alternative Modes of Travel *(New)
This review may include amenity
prioritization for EV and efficient
vehicle parking, maximum parking
standards, and opportunities for
private properties, ride sharing,
and development of employer
programs.
2.6 City Staff *(NDS, TS,
CMO)
2 Require Climate Change Analysis for
New Subdivisions and Rezonings *(New)
This extra layer of in-house review
would accompany rezoning
applications received by the City.
2.4 City staff *(NDS,
CMO)
Resource Key: CMO – City Manager’s Office; NDS – Neighborhood & Development Services; COM – Communications; PW – Public Works;
EHR – Equity & Human Rights; TS – Transportation Services; PR – Parks and Recreation; FIN – Finance; OTH – Others
Transportation: City Policy
Action Description Plan
Alignment
Required
Resources
1 Establish an Electric and Fuel-Efficient
Vehicle Purchasing Policy *(New)
Establish a City policy to mandate
electric and alternative fuel and
fuel-efficient vehicle purchases if
viable options exists.
2.2 Financial *(CMO,
PW)
2 Track Adherence to City Idling Policy
*(Next Step)
An idling reduction policy was
implemented in spring 2019. Data
tracking and analysis will be
required to ensure its effectiveness.
2.7 No Additional
*(CMO, PW)
3 Review Transportation Subsidies, Work
Schedules and Tele-Work Policies for
City Employees *(New)
Ensure City transportation
subsidies and work schedules for
employees are crafted with climate
action goals in mind.
2.1 City Staff *(CMO)
Resource Key: CMO – City Manager’s Office; NDS – Neighborhood & Development Services; COM – Communications; PW – Public Works;
EHR – Equity & Human Rights; TS – Transportation Services; PR – Parks and Recreation; FIN – Finance; OTH – Others; PUB – Public/Community
Transportation: Projects
Action Description Plan
Alignment
Required
Resources
1 Complete the Transit Study and
Implement Recommendations to Bolster
Service and Increase Ridership *(Next
Step)
The study will result in
recommendations for optimizing
the transit system including, days
and hours of operation, fares,
transfers, routes, stops, and other
attributes that will increase
ridership. Guidance from the
completed plan will become new
climate actions.
2.1 City Staff *(TS,
CMO),
Community
Action
17
2 Complete Electric Vehicle (EV) Readiness
Plan and Implement Recommendations
*(Next Step)
A grant was awarded for the
development of an Eastern Iowa
Regional EV Plan. It will develop
practical and specific guidance to
prepare for increased electric
vehicle use. The project, led by
Iowa City, will begin in early 2020.
2.2 City Staff *(CMO,
TS)
3 Achieve Gold Friendly Bicycle Friendly
Community Status and Begin Work
Toward Platinum Status *(Next Step)
Continue to implement the Bicycle
Master Plan and meet the
requirements to achieve the gold
friendly status upon recertification
in 2020-21.
2.3 Financial *(NDS,
TS, PW, COM)
Resource Key: CMO – City Manager’s Office; NDS – Neighborhood & Development Services; COM – Communications; PW – Public Works;
EHR – Equity & Human Rights; TS – Transportation Services; PR – Parks and Recreation; FIN – Finance; OTH – Others; PUB – Public/Community
18
Waste
Although waste makes up only 2% of community emissions, shrinking the waste stream and managing methane
emissions from the waste stream, are critical. Approximately 70% of the materials in the Iowa City Landfill have
recyclable or reusable properties and about 35% of materials are compostable organics, the Landfill’s primary
source of methane production. The City’s solid waste operations have taken regulatory steps and made program
changes over the last few years resulting in increased recycling and composting rates; however, the Climate Action
Plan calls for reducing the waste reaching our Landfill by 50% by 2025 and 80% by 2050. To hit this target, the City
must increase public awareness, meaningfully engage community partners, and devise policies or regulations that
encourage a culture of conservative consumption. Furthermore, methane generated at the City’s Landfill and
Wastewater Treatment Plant contributes over 50% to the City’s own municipal GHG emissions. A consultant
contract analyzing potential methane use will soon be recommended to the City Council.
Waste: Education
Action Description Plan
Alignment
Required
Resources
1 Engage the Public to Compost Organic
Waste *(Next Step)
Through advertisements, social
media, special event engagement,
and the AmeriCorps program,
provide the public with practical
tips and strategies they can
implement in their home or
business.
3.2 City Staff *(CMO,
PW, COM, PR,
OTH),
Community
Action
2 Education Campaigns for Neighborhoods
to Reduce Waste/Consumption at the
Source *(Next Step)
Work with and provide education
opportunities for neighborhood
organizations, tenant associations,
and landlords.
3.3 City Staff *(CMO,
PW, COM, EHR,
PR, OTH),
Community
Action
Resource Key: CMO – City Manager’s Office; NDS – Neighborhood & Development Services; COM – Communications; PW – Public Works;
EHR – Equity & Human Rights; TS – Transportation Services; PR – Parks and Recreation; FIN – Finance; OTH – Others
Waste: Incentives
Action Description Plan
Alignment
Required
Resources
1 Incentivize Construction Waste Diversion
*(Next Step)
Expand in-progress efforts to
engage the local development
and construction community,
along with local commercial
industry to divert materials from
landfill by reuse or recycling.
3.4 Financial, City
Staff *(PW, CMO,
OTH), Community
Action
Resource Key: CMO – City Manager’s Office; NDS – Neighborhood & Development Services; COM – Communications; PW – Public Works;
EHR – Equity & Human Rights; TS – Transportation Services; PR – Parks and Recreation; FIN – Finance; OTH – Others
19
Waste: Regulation
Action Description Plan
Alignment
Required
Resources
1 Develop a Policy/Ordinance Requiring
Specific Demolition or Deconstruction
Recycling Standards/Procedures *(New)
Projects above a certain
threshold must submit a waste
management plan before
beginning construction.
3.4 Financial, City
Staff *(NDS, CMO,
PW)
2 Mandating Signage to Assist Waste
Collection *(New)
Require basic standard signage
posted at waste collection sites
on multi-family properties to
reduce recycling contamination.
3.1 Financial, City
Staff *(PW, NDS)
Resource Key: CMO – City Manager’s Office; NDS – Neighborhood & Development Services; COM – Communications; PW – Public Works;
EHR – Equity & Human Rights; TS – Transportation Services; PR – Parks and Recreation; FIN – Finance; OTH – Others
Waste: City Policy
Action Description Plan
Alignment
Required
Resources
1 Require All Park/Public Space Rentals to
Recycle and Use "Green" Event Best
Practices *(New)
Approval for events requiring an
assembly or shelter rental permit
will include adherence to future
guidelines that reduce waste and
energy consumption.
3.5 City Staff *(PW,
PR, OTH),
Community
Action
Resource Key: CMO – City Manager’s Office; NDS – Neighborhood & Development Services; COM – Communications; PW – Public Works;
EHR – Equity & Human Rights; TS – Transportation Services; PR – Parks and Recreation; FIN – Finance; OTH – Others
Waste: Projects
Action Description Plan
Alignment
Required
Resources
1 Initiate a Methane Feasibility Study *(Next
Step)
The selected consultant will
study the GHG impacts, financial
impacts, and opportunity for
energy generation at the Landfill
and Wastewater Treatment
Facility.
3.7 – 3.8 Financial, City
Staff *(PW)
Resource Key: CMO – City Manager’s Office; NDS – Neighborhood & Development Services; COM – Communications; PW – Public Works;
EHR – Equity & Human Rights; TS – Transportation Services; PR – Parks and Recreation; FIN – Finance; OTH – Others
20
Adaptation
As Midwestern weather is expected to become more volatile and extreme, daily life in Iowa City will change. Air
quality, along with severe hot and cold temperatures and high rainfall can impact work commutes, business
operations, and daily outdoor activity. Therefore, the Climate Action Plan’s section on Adaptation focuses upon
environmental impacts that affect quality of life for our residents. Components of this work include education
campaigns, care and nurturing of natural areas and urban tree canopy, as well as engagement with community
members most susceptible to incidents of climate-induced extreme weather and public health hazards. It is
extremely challenging to see immediate carbon emissions reductions from qualitative projects and programs, but
establishing increased tree shade, healthy soils and root systems, and sound water management practices
throughout the community will provide significant long-term benefits.
Adaptation: Education
Action Description Plan
Alignment
Required
Resources
1 Develop a Climate Ambassador Team
*(New)
Work with Climate Action
Commission to define and develop
a team of trained and passionate
community members to assist with
climate action outreach.
4.2 Financial, City
Staff *(CMO,
COM, OTH),
Community
Action
2 Establish "Resilience Hubs" *(New) Identify public community spaces
that can become a trusted resource
for community engagement before
acting as a gathering space during
extreme weather events.
4.2 Financial, City
Staff *(CMO, PR,
PW, COM, NDS,
EHR, OTH)
3 Educate and Coordinate with Local
Agencies on Health Impacts *(Next Step)
Continue initiatives to improve
indoor air quality, enhance outdoor
gathering spaces and routes for
pedestrian mobility, as well as
vector-borne disease prevention.
4.3 City staff *(CMO,
NDS, PR, OTH),
Community
Action
4 Concentrated Education Campaign for
Private Properties about Native
Plantings, Permeable Pavement, Rain
Gardens, Soil Health, Rain Barrels and
Cisterns *(Next Step)
Work with and provide education
opportunities for individuals,
neighborhood organizations, and
business community.
4.5 Financial, City
Staff *(CMO,
COM, PW, PR, NDS,
OTH)
5 Coordinated Efforts with Local
Emergency Agencies *(Next Step)
Maximize public health and safety
outcomes for inclement weather
events by enhancing regular
communication with emergency
agencies.
4.3 - 4.4 City staff *(CMO,
PW, PR, COM,
OTH)
Resource Key: CMO – City Manager’s Office; NDS – Neighborhood & Development Services; COM – Communications; PW – Public Works;
EHR – Equity & Human Rights; TS – Transportation Services; PR – Parks and Recreation; FIN – Finance; OTH – Others
21
Adaptation: Incentives
Action Description Plan
Alignment
Required
Resources
1 Partner with ProjectGreen on a Tree
Planting Partnership; Incentives for
Private Tree Planting *(New)
Partner with ProjectGreen to
incentivize higher levels of
community tree planting on private
property through rebates and/or a
community purchase program.
4.6 Financial, City
Staff *(CMO, PR,
COM, OTH),
Community
Action
Resource Key: CMO – City Manager’s Office; NDS – Neighborhood & Development Services; COM – Communications; PW – Public Works;
EHR – Equity & Human Rights; TS – Transportation Services; PR – Parks and Recreation; FIN – Finance; OTH – Others
Adaptation: Regulation
Action Description Plan
Alignment
Required
Resources
1 Street Tree Ordinance *(Next Step) Enact a new street tree ordinance
that will expand the City’s
neighborhood tree canopies with
development proposals.
4.6 City Staff *(NDS,
PR)
2 Increase Tree Planting Requirements in
Landscaping Standards, Parking Lot
Standards and Upon Renewal of Rental
Permits *(New)
Review and heighten development
requirements for tree planting on
private property including in
parking lots and along with rental
permits.
4.6 Financial, City Staff
*(NDS, PR)
Resource Key: CMO – City Manager’s Office; NDS – Neighborhood & Development Services; COM – Communications; PW – Public Works;
EHR – Equity & Human Rights; TS – Transportation Services; PR – Parks and Recreation; FIN – Finance; OTH – Others
Adaptation: City Policy
Action Description Plan
Alignment
Required
Resources
1 Develop Review Standards for New City
Facility Construction and Major
Rehabilitation that Accounts for Climate
Adaptation Principles *(New)
In addition to energy efficiency and
transportation, considerations may
also include review of material
usage, resilience against weather
and pests, water efficiency and
management, and resilience to
power and resource disruptions.
5.7 Financial, City
Staff *(NDS, PW,
PR, TS, OTH)
Resource Key: CMO – City Manager’s Office; NDS – Neighborhood & Development Services; COM – Communications; PW – Public Works;
EHR – Equity & Human Rights; TS – Transportation Services; PR – Parks and Recreation; FIN – Finance; OTH – Others
22
Adaptation: Projects
Action Description Plan
Alignment
Required
Resources
1 Flood Mitigation and Stormwater
Management Programs/Projects; Buyouts
*(Next Step)
Continue City’s residential
stormwater management
programs and flood residential
buyout programs through federal,
state and local funds. Further
support non-residential flood
control efforts with an added
stormwater technician position in
Engineering.
4.5 Financial, City
Staff *(CMO, PW),
Community
Action
2 Continue Implementation of the Natural
Areas Management Plan *(Next Step)
Work on Natural Areas
Management has been
undertaken by Parks Maintenance
staff and community volunteers.
4.5-4.6 Financial, City
Staff *(PR)
3 Expand Public Tree Planting *(Next Step) Increase public tree planting
through expansion of Forestry
staff and dedicated funding for
more trees.
4.6 Financial, City
Staff *(CMO, FIN,
PR, OTH)
4 Equity Review of Neighborhood and
Population Outreach; Develop Outreach
Plan for Populations Highly Impacted by
Climate Change *(Next Step)
Complete the in-progress equity
review and initiate plan
development with newly created
Climate Action Analyst position
and the Climate Action
Commission.
4.1-4.2 Financial, City
Staff *(CMO,
COM, EHR, OTH),
Community
Action
Resource Key: CMO – City Manager’s Office; NDS – Neighborhood & Development Services; COM – Communications; PW – Public Works;
EHR – Equity & Human Rights; TS – Transportation Services; PR – Parks and Recreation; FIN – Finance; OTH – Others
23
Sustainable Lifestyle
The City’s sustainable lifestyle initiatives are focused upon enhancing connections between existing partners,
producing new partnerships, developing marketing, and generating entrepreneurial or new project opportunities.
Quite a few objectives have already been started since the Plan’s adoption , but this report aims to amplify
programs and projects. These recommendations focus on local food and product sourcing, significant media and
communication campaigns, and building upon human and financial capital in Iowa City. Like Adaptation initiatives,
individual behavioral changes are nearly impossible to regulate or quantify immediate carbon emissions reduction.
The success of measures in this area rely upon individual or organizational buy-in and acceptance, and then upon
willingness to make environmental and personal changes. City staff, the Climate Action Commission, and
community partners will need to focus heavily upon fostering relationships that benefit from climate action
initiatives, and varying messaging to connect with a wide range of people.
Sustainable Lifestyle: Education
Action Description Plan
Alignment
Required
Resources
1 Host Sustainability Forum and Events
*(Next Step)
Expand opportunities for the public
to engage on climate action
through unique programs and
festivals.
5.5 Financial, City
Staff *(CMO, COM,
PR, OTH),
Community
Action
2 Launch a Green Business Program:
“Climate Action at Work” *(New)
Create an award program that
highlights and reinforces the
actions currently being taken by
local businesses to combat climate
change.
5.6 Financial, City
Staff *(CMO, OTH),
Community
Action
3 Local Procurement Campaign - Buy-in
from Local Commercial Groups *(New)
Initiate a campaign and projects to
promote locally sourced and
procured products, services, and
food at organization and
community scale.
5.3 Financial, City
Staff *(CMO, FIN,
COM, OTH),
Community
Action
Resource Key: CMO – City Manager’s Office; NDS – Neighborhood & Development Services; COM – Communications; PW – Public Works;
EHR – Equity & Human Rights; TS – Transportation Services; PR – Parks and Recreation; FIN – Finance; OTH – Others
Sustainable Lifestyle: Incentives
Action Description Plan
Alignment
Required
Resources
1 Expand Community Climate Action
Grants *(Next Step)
Grants issued through this program
highlight and reinforce current
actions taken by local organizations
to effectively manage resources
and energy usage or educate and
engage the public in climate action
initiatives.
5.4 Financial, City
Staff *(CMO, NDS,
COM, EHR, OTH),
Community Action
24
2 Incentives for the Public to Create and
Maintain Local Food Production and
Community Gardens *(Next Step)
Create opportunities through
incentives, partnerships, and
education to encourage businesses,
organizations, and individuals to
establish areas of food and flora
production to be tended by
community members and shared
locally.
5.4 Financial, City
Staff
*(CMO, NDS, PR,
EHR, OTH),
Resource Key: CMO – City Manager’s Office; NDS – Neighborhood & Development Services; COM – Communications; PW – Public Works;
EHR – Equity & Human Rights; TS – Transportation Services; PR – Parks and Recreation; FIN – Finance; OTH – Others
Sustainable Lifestyle: City Policy
Action Description Plan
Alignment
Required
Resources
1 Develop a Green Procurement Policy
*(New)
City-developed procurement policy
to guide climate-conscious
purchases.
5.3 City Staff *(CMO,
FIN)
2 Develop a City Sustainability Operations
Guide and Make Available to
Organizations Throughout Iowa City
*(New)
Development of an operations
guide used by the City will also
assist community climate partners
in focusing efforts to reduce energy
use, consumption of resources, and
waste.
5.7 City Staff *(CMO,
FIN, NDS, PW, PR,
TS, EHR, COM,
OTH)
Resource Key: CMO – City Manager’s Office; NDS – Neighborhood & Development Services; COM – Communications; PW – Public Works;
EHR – Equity & Human Rights; TS – Transportation Services; PR – Parks and Recreation; FIN – Finance; OTH – Others
Sustainable Lifestyle: Projects
Action Description Plan
Alignment
Required
Resources
1 Develop a Climate Action Strategic
Communications Plan *(Next Step)
Hire a consultant to develop a
comprehensive strategy, including
advertising opportunities, media
content, video, innovative
technology use, in-person
engagement and utilization of
Climate Ambassadors Program.
5.5 Financial, City
Staff *(CMO,
COM, OTH)
2 Community Garden Expansions/Additions
*(Next Step)
Continue City expansion of garden
plots, community orchards.
5.1 – 5.2 Financial, City
Staff *(CMO, PR)
Resource Key: CMO – City Manager’s Office; NDS – Neighborhood & Development Services; COM – Communications; PW – Public Works;
EHR – Equity & Human Rights; TS – Transportation Services; PR – Parks and Recreation; FIN – Finance; OTH – Others
25
Ensuring Equity in our Climate Action Response
Based upon the City Council’s continuing Strategic Plan goal to “Promote Social Justice and Racial Equity” and
understanding that equity plays a comprehensive role in environmental just ice and community sustainability, the
City’s Climate Plan was developed with the goal of addressing equity throughout each action category. Using a
“lens” of equity to frame issues, identify strategies, actions, and measures of success, and to evaluate imp act is a
key aspect of ensuring that our climate action work will be inclusive and support positive and neutral outcomes for
all residents and visitors in Iowa City.
The City plans to address intersecting issues of equity and climate with an assortment of approaches. First, the Plan
provides general descriptions of climate actions, allowing our stakeholders to develop specific actions. Ultimately,
our community is responsible for helping develop and express preference for the options most beneficial and
equitable to the people of Iowa City. Second, the Climate Action Commission has been charged with evaluating
proposed actions and recommending ways to equitably distribute benefits and impacts. Finally, the City has
initiated foundational analysis of who must be invited to participate in this equity work.
The Plan’s “Call to Action” section provides guidance for focused equity review of proposed climate actions. The
Equity Sub-Committee, active during the Climate Action Plan’s development, identified the need to establish a
standing group of individuals with the task of reviewing proposed climate actions to determine how each would
impact a variety of populations. This means that as new ideas – such as the ones in this report – are proposed, an
evaluation should be conducted to identify and if possible, address concerns of equity, should the idea move
forward.
The new Climate Action Commission has been given the responsibility to, “research, analyze, and promote climate
actions, with particular attention to equity.” The Commission can enlist a team of community members and
establish rules for equity review. The Climate Action Plan calls for representative groups and individual community
members to be involved in this effort, possibly encompassing veterans, persons who rent, senior adults, secondary
and collegiate students, youth, persons with disabilities, immigrants, refugees, English-Language-Learners, persons
who are homeless, households with low-incomes, and others characterized as a protected class.
As we further develop the concepts in this report, evaluation is needed to determine potential outcomes of equity
for various groups or locations within the community. From geographic application, cost, accessibility of
information or resources, and other matters, the development of projects and programs identified within this
report will be guided by data, available information, and stakeholder feedback.
In order to help further equitable representation and impacts as they relate to climate change, the City has already
initiated Actions 4.1 and 4.2. To begin to understand this work and the particular needs of Iowa City, we sought
and received one of seven equity fellowship grants through the Urban Sustainability Director’s Network. In summer
2019, the full-time Equity Fellow undertook a variety of exercises to begin analysis of equity and climate in our
community. They completed an initial investigation of the populations and needs within Iowa City through many
hours of in-person meetings with the public, organizations, and staff. A report with these findings will be completed
by the end of the year. This foundational work will be beneficial to our future equity efforts that actively engage
and incorporate many more groups in our community in making decision s about climate action.
26
City Government Roles and Responsibilities
City government will necessarily play a critical leadership role in the effort to achieve the City Council’s carbon
emission reduction targets. Success will depend on sustained leadership from elected officials, advocacy and
oversight on progress from the Council-appointed Climate Action Commission, and a strong commitment from City
staff. Clarity of roles and responsibilities will help ensure that the City can effectively lead a coordinated effort to
significantly reduce our carbon emissions in line with adopted goals.
City Council
In August of 2019, the City Council took the bold step to declare a climate crisis and further requested immediate
actions to begin to meet newly adopted emission reduction targets. Those ac celerated actions are detailed in this
plan. However, many of the actions will not be achievable without further politica l support from the City Council.
The Council will need to make difficult decisions on regulatory and policy matters. Additionally, they will have to
provide financial resources needed to support additional staff, incentive programs, public projects and service
enhancements, and general community education. This may include raising taxes and/or other revenues and
prioritizing such action over competing needs in the community.
In the months and years ahead, the City Council will play a critical role in advancing climate action conversations
and raising awareness both in the City organization itself and in the broader community. Similarly, climate action
conversations will need elected champions at a regional and statewide level. With the Council’s leadership on this
topic, the Climate Action Commission and City staff will be empowered to engage and carry out the actions detailed
in this report.
Climate Action Commission
On October 1, 2019, the City Council created the Iowa City Climate Action Commission (CAC). This eleven-member
board will play a critical advisory role to the City Council , while simultaneously advocating for climate change
activities in the community. The specific charges of the CAC include:
I. advise the City Council on climate issues
II. research, analyze, and promote climate actions, with particular attention to equity
III. educate and engage with the public on climate action and the City’s climate and sustainability goals
IV. assist City staff, City Council, and members of the community with implementing approved initiatives that
support the City’s climate and sustainability goals, including the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan and any
related or updated plan hereafter
V. recommend to City Council updates to the Climate Action and Adaptation
One of the first key duties of the CAC will be to review the accelerated actions contained in this report and make
recommendations to the City Council on any modifications needed to achieve the City Council’s GHG emissions
reduction goals. Once a final work plan is determined, the CAC will be asked to help shape those actions,
promote our programs and messaging to the community, and track our progress toward our stated goals.
The Commission has already began meeting and will have a full slate of members by the end of the year. The
Commission will be supported by the newly created Division of Climate Action and Outreach in the City Manager’s
Office as described in the following section.
27
City Staff
For Iowa City to meet the expectations that were established in the climate crisis declaration, climate action must
become part of the culture of the entire organization. Building this culture is a long-term effort and work to
accelerate climate awareness within the organization has already commenced. As this awareness builds and
expectations are established, the City Council and public will notice shifts in project design, service delivery,
procurement and other aspects of the operation.
While all employees will share a responsibility in this effort, it is important to build a dedicated team that can
champion climate action both inside the organization and throughout the community. Thus, it is desired to create
a formal Division of Climate Action and Outreach within the City Manager’s Office. This office would join
Equity/Human Rights, Human Resources, Communications, and Economic Development as standalone divisions in
the City Manager’s Office. Representatives of these offices will be empowered to work across City Departments
and Divisions and will be also be represented in Department Head meetings and other strategic work groups in the
city organization.
The Division of Climate Action and Outreach is intended to be fully staffed with three positions no later than July
1, 2020. Official titles and job descriptions will be developed in the coming months; however, a brief description of
the expected duties is outlined below:
• Climate Action Coordinator (existing position):
o Action plan implementation coordination
o Climate Action Commission support
o Strategic external / internal stakeholder relationships
o Leading practice and policy research
o Incentive program management
o Grant writing
o Outreach assistance
• Climate Action Engagement Specialist (re-imagined duties of a position to soon be vacated by retirement):
o Community awareness, education and marketing
o Neighborhood outreach
o Volunteer event coordination
o Climate festival planning
o Oversight of the Green AmeriCorps program
• Climate Action Analyst (new position funded by previously allocated energy manager position):
o Data collection and analysis
o Reporting
o Equity Analysis
o Incentive program management
o Grant writing
o Outreach assistance
28
All three positions will report directly to the Assistant City Manager, who will be responsible for leading Climate
Action efforts across the entire City organization. Other interns, work study students or seasonal hourly positions
may supplement staffing throughout the year.
One challenge in creating a new division is that City Hall is currently at full occupancy. Thus, there are some space
needs constraints that need to be considered. In the short-term, staff is confident we can find a temporary solution
within the walls of City Hall. However, a more permanent solution will likely need to be pursued in the coming
years. To that end, staff has initiated preliminary discussions with the University of Iowa about co -locating the
Division of Climate Action and Outreach with the University of Iowa’s Office of Sustainability and the Environment.
Both the City and University recognize the potential benefits of co-locating these teams in office space that is easily
accessible to both the campus and general commun ity and we have agreed to continue those discussions and
explore possibilities.
As existing staff capacity and future budgets allow, the City’s climate action efforts can be greatly supplemented
by redefining duties of existing staff and by making strateg ic additions throughout the organization. One example
of shifting duties will take place immediately with our Economic Development Coordinator position. That position
will assume responsibility for specific climate action related activities, including the building emission reduction
incentive program in our industrial sector, as well as our soon to be proposed green business program. An example
of new staff additions that can play an important role in accelerating our progress is in our Forestry operation. In
order to increase community tree planting on public and private properties , new Forestry staff will be required.
Other similar staff additions will be considered as we expand our efforts in the coming years and build off the
momentum that the community and Council have created in the last several months.
Since last fall, City staff from nearly all departments and divisions have been meeting regularly to explore
opportunities to implement Climate Action Plan objectives within City operations and facilities. The staff , led by
the Sustainability Coordinator, agreed upon Climate Plan-inspired projects to initiate at a staff level. Some of these
ideas, like an idling reduction policy and expansion of composting at City buildings, have been started. The staff
committee is about to begin development of a sustainable operations guide and assist with creating a green
procurement policy (Actions 5.3 and 5.7).
29
Public Funding
As indicated in the City Council August 2019 declaration of Climate Crisis, additional dollars will need to be
dedicated to our climate efforts if we are to meet our goals. Local government funds will be needed to support
public education/advocacy efforts, incentive programs, public projects and community -led carbon reduction
efforts. In addition to funds that can support new efforts, the City Council should expect to see additional funding
requests to support the climate enhancement effo rts of existing city efforts. For example, housing rehabilitation
projects will require additional funds to further energy efficiency and electrification goals. Similarly, public facility
projects will require larger upfront dollar commitments if we are to push toward net-zero standards. Below is a
review of available funding sources and a recommendation for the upcoming FY 2021 budget.
Local Option Sales Tax (LOST)
Iowa City is the lone metropolitan area in the State of Iowa without a Local Option Sales Tax (LOST). The community
passed a four-year LOST after the 2008 flood that aided the City in completing the Gateway Project and expanding
our South Wastewater Treatment Plant to allow for the creation of the new Riverfront Crossings Park. A LOST
requires 50% voter approval and could generate upward s of $8-$10 million per year. State law requires that 50%
of proceeds be dedicated to property tax relief. The remaining balance can be spent in accordance with the
approved ballot language.
Utility Tax
State law allows City Council’s to adopt up to a 5% tax on gas and electric utilities. Iowa City currently has a 1%
utility tax that generates approximately $900,000 per year. The City Council may designate these funds for any
purpose. Iowa City uses current proceeds to support our Fire Department operations , as well as improvements to
our roadways and rights-of-ways.
G.O. Bonds
The City can bond for climate action activities within parameters set by state law. Generally speaking, such bonds
geared toward investment in private property (incentive programs) would be limited to $750,000 before triggering
the need for a referendum. Depending on specific uses, those bonds would likely be taxable and subject to higher
interest rates. Given bond limitations and costs of borrowing, staff does not believe General Obligation (G.O.)
bonds are the best path forward for these types of uses. Instead, G.O. bo nds should be used to enhance future
capital projects by supplementing project budgets so that appropriate climate action aspects can be incorporated.
Examples may include additional tree planting and water quality measures, building improvements, enhanced
bicycle, pedestrian and transit accommodations, etc.
Emergency Property Tax Levy
Cities in Iowa have the ability to raise property taxes through an Emergency Levy. The cap on the Emergency Levy
is $.27/per $1,000 in property value. Iowa City has historically not used the Emergency Levy, but could do so and
raise upwards of $1 million in revenue annually for climate change initiatives.
30
Tax Increment Financing (TIF)
Tax Increment Financing (TIF) can support climate change activities in limited circumstances. In most instances, TIF
is only a viable tool if the investment made increases property values and creates the ‘increment’ between the old
property value and the new property value. However, in some cases natural growth in property taxes across an
entire district can create increment. This increment could be used to create incentives programs that leverage
private dollars and ultimately help reduce the city’s overall emissions.
Other (Grants and Enterprise Funds)
The City operates a number of enterprise funds and has access to state and federal grants that could also contribute
to our climate action initiatives. For example, stormwater, refuse/landfill and parking funds could be used to
expand water quality, waste and transportation initiatives. Simi larly, state and federal grants can be accessed for
specific projects that improve neighborhoods and transportation networks. While none of these funding sources
are likely to be significant in the overall revenue mix, they can play a key role in advancing some objectives. Staff
will evaluate these in the upcoming and future budgets and make recommendations that will help support key
initiatives in this report.
Recommendations for the upcoming FY 2021 Budget (July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021)
City staff began the FY 2021 budget process back in August with a City Council work session discussion on priorities.
Our final budget recommendations to the City Council will be published and made available to the Council and
general public in mid to late December. While it is too early in the process to provide specific details on our
recommendations, we have developed a general framework for funding our climate action activities in the coming
fiscal year.
The staff in the Division of Climate Action and Outreach will be funded through the General Fund, thus ensuring
stability in funding from year to year. However, staff will be recommending that the bulk of climate action activities
(education, incentives, etc.) be funded through the use of the Emergency Levy. Th is property tax source will raise
approximately $1 million dollars annually to support the actions in this report. The majority, if not all of these
actions, will be scalable in nature and could be supplemented in the future if proven successful or similar ly, could
be scaled back should future Councils determine the Emergency Levy is needed to address other pressing matters
facing the community. Staff also is hopeful that the increase in the Emergency Lev y can be offset by a continued
reduction in our Debt Service Levy. Thus, the community’s overall tax rate should decline slightly or at minimum
remain status quo.
While the Emergency Levy will serve as the foundation for climate action funding, there are several other funding
sources that will contribute directly to actions that need financial support. Specifically, staff will be recommending
the use of stormwater utility funds for supplemental tree planting. Likewise, our recommendation will be to
convert the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) neighborhood set-aside to a low-to-moderate income
neighborhood-based climate action set-aside ($75,000). The FY 2021 budget will also supplement certain capital
projects (G.O. Bonds) with extra resources to incorporate more climate conscious designs. Staff will be
recommending the use of TIF dollars for a new/existing building incentive program targeting some of our industrial
properties that account for a significant portion of our community emissions. If successful, this program can be
31
expanded to other building types. Finally, staff will outline how parking funds could be used to pay for
enhancements in our public transit system that will help us reach our goal of doubling our ridership by 2028.
Specifics on all of these funding strategies will be outlined in the forthcoming budget recommendation this
December.
32
Getting to 2030: Greenhouse Gas Emissions Scenarios
In the simplest terms, Iowa City must reduce community carbon emissions from 1,020,073 metric tonnes of CO2e to 756,091
metric tonnes of CO2e by the end of 2030. Annual emissions are calculated for the prior year, so the most current and
complete information is from 2018, leaving us with just over a decade to continually and methodically reduce carbon
emissions. This calculated reduction of 263,982 metric tonnes will require a minimum annual decrease of approximately
22,000 metric tonnes (2-2.5% of total emissions).
This report highlights the necessity of a comprehensive and immediate strategy to reduce emissions. All major sectors of
buildings – residential, commercial, and industrial – must act to reduce CO2e by approximately 20% over the next decade.
Transportation options will need to expand and improve, in order for our residents to feel comfortable replacing 25% of their
personal vehicle car miles with bus transit, bicycling, walking, or private adoption of electric vehicles.
The City of Iowa City will also target a 20% reduction in municipal operation emissions over the next decade. Advancing public
and private tree plantings will play a small, but important role in continued reduction of emissions. The University of Iowa
continues to aim to reduce use of coal at its power plant. Even if they implement no other solution but replacing coal with
natural gas, this action brings our community closer to our goals. We note that although MidAmerican Energy’s continued
investment in renewable energy sources will help us make tremendous progress, our calculations below focus upon
reductions proposed outside of their investment that will help us reach our goal.
As illustrated in the chart on the next page, emissions are generated throughout the community and calculations show that
without action from each of these areas, carbon emissions targets cannot be reached by 2030. A few points of emphasis
include:
• Our primary focus needs to be on individual actions by community members, improvements to existing buildings,
and in our transportation sector.
• Further, over time our community focus must zero in on the most impactful actions (replacing natural gas, improving
alternative transportation options) and target the highest emitters (industry and commercial). While actions of all
sizes will continue to be helpful, our community must now move beyond accomplishing only “low hanging fruit” such
as lighting retrofits to significantly reduce carbon levels.
• Although we need a rapid transformation in this crisis, reduction targets are currently achievable at 2% increments.
Over time, the City has seen reductions at these levels, and with a concentration upon accelerating these initiatives,
increasing market demand for improved energy technology, and reducing overall energy usage, we should strive to
exceed our 45% community-wide reduction target by the end of 2030.
33
A summary of how Iowa City could reach the targets for carbon emissions reduction is shown below.
2018 Emissions: 1,020,073 2030 Target Emissions: 756,091
Total Reduction Needed: 263,982 21,999 (Annual) Includes an annual population
growth of 1.5% through 2030
12 Year Projection:
2018
GHG Reduction Reduced GHG
Approximate
number of
energy accounts
in Iowa City
Average Per Unit
Metric Tonnes
Reduction
Needed by 2030
Buildings 697,955 20-22% 145,043
Industrial Buildings 272,582 22% 59,968 20 2,998.4
Commercial Buildings 200,816 20% 40,163 2,000 20.1
Residential Buildings 224,557 20% 44,911 30,000 1.5
Transportation 158,746 25% 39,687 Replace 25% of personal vehicle
miles
Bus ridership doubled
Electric vehicle
adoption
Increased walking
Increased biking
Increase in fuel-efficient vehicles
U of I Power Plant
Coal and Natural Gas 142,691 50% 71,346
Municipal
Operations 44,194 20% 8,839
Plant trees
residential,
businesses, etc.
Plant 10,000
(1-2”) trees 150
(Resource cited CUFR Tree Carbon
Calculator – US Department of
Agriculture Forest Service)
*All CO2e shown in Metric Tonnes Total 265,063
Note that energy usage slightly fluctuates each year, typically because of weather patterns but the goal is to co ntinually
demonstrate meaningful decreases in average carbon emissions over the next decade. The scenario above is intended to
show the level of emissions generated by each major sector. If our community sees significant emissions reduction in one
area, we can adjust the percentage reduction targets based on that success and refocus community efforts on decreasing
carbon emissions in other areas.
34
Analysis and assumptions have been made for each of the major categories identified in the charts above. This report and
suggested initiatives support this analysis:
Industrial and Commercial Buildings
• Iowa City buildings identified as Industrial have more than seven times more emissions from electricity than from
natural gas and buildings identified as Commercial have more than 2.5 times emissions from electricity, than natural
gas. Significant gains toward community goals can be made by incentivizing increased efficiency and pursuing
electrification projects.
• Encouraging Iowa City Industrial and Commercial buildings to track or benchmark energy usage would also be a
positive step towards emissions reduction.
Residential Buildings
• Residential buildings generate 1.5 more emissions from electricity usage than from natural gas, however reduction
in natural gas use will be critical, in accelerating emissions reduction by 2030 and in reducing carbon emissions to
net-zero by 2050.
• An emphasis on improved insulation and switching gas appliances to electric co uld improve energy efficiency by
nearly 50% in many homes. Technology furthering these goals continues to improve over time.
• Rental and multi-family properties are the most challenging to track and reduce energy consumption, therefore
establishing partnerships and creating programs to assist with these efforts will be needed.
0
200000
400000
600000
800000
1000000
1200000
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030
Reductions Needed to Keep Pace with 2030 Target
Buildings Transportation Power Plant Trees Emissions Reduction Trend Line
35
Transportation
• The community (as a whole) must replace 1 out of every 4 personal vehicle miles with an alternative method (bus,
walk, bike, EV); although the City’s role will be to make it easier to access and provide transportation infrastructure,
community partners can lead by encouraging their employees and customers to increasingly adopt alternative
transportation options.
• If just 30 new electric cars replace aging or existing vehicles in Iowa City, or 30 people begin to ride the bus, bike, or
walk for all trips, it would mean a reduction in 150 metric tonnes of emissions, equivalent to planting about 10,000
trees.
• National level data shows significant greenhouse gas emission savings by use of public transportation as an
alternative to driving.
Municipal Operations
• Iowa City Landfill emissions are projected to be 65% of municipal operations in 2025, therefore finding a way to
capture and/or reuse methane could be the City’s most impactful project.
• Recycling and composting activities will also help reduce City-generated emissions but as the Landfill takes in
materials from all over Johnson County, impacts may be limited.
• The City can lead the way by making our buildings and vehicles more efficient, but the City acting alone will not be
enough to get us to our goal; the total of all City-generated emissions (buildings, transportation, landfill, and other
sources) is about 6% of all emissions generated by residential, commercial, and industrial buildings combined.
Planting Trees
• Trees have many benefits, like establishing shade canopies and wind breaks, and are critical for our adaption goals,
but sources vary greatly regarding the true GHG reductions from carbon sequestration. For example, if 10,000 trees
were planted, the City’s annual estimate of emissions reduction from carbon sequestration would start from
approximately 150 metric tonnes or more, depending on the species planted.
36
Closing Summary and Acknowledgements
Through its August 6, 2019 declaration of a climate crisis and simultaneous establishment of goals to reduce
citywide carbon emissions 45% by 2030 and approach net-zero by 2050, the City Council indicated a clear desire
for Iowa City to be a nationwide leader in local climate action. This report briefly summarizes the City’s climate
action planning in recent years and sets forth 64 actions that accelerate our path to meet the City’s carbon
emissions reduction targets. Of these 64 actions, approximately half will be dedicated actions beginning in 2020.
The table below summarizes the number and type of proposed actions:
Initiative
Type Buildings Transportation Waste Adaptation Sustainable
Lifestyle
Total
Initiatives
Education 2 1 1 1 2 1 4 2 1 15
Incentives 4 4 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 16
Regulations 2 3 1 1 2 1 1 11
City Policy 2 2 1 1 1 2 9
Projects 1 1 1 1 2 1 3 1 2 13
Key: Green - 2020 / Blue - 2021 - 2023 / Orange – 2024-2025 64
Number Proposed in Each Start Year: 2020 – 29 / 2021 – 26 / 2024 - 9
In order to carryout these actions, the City will need strong political leadership, an engaged Climate Action
Commission and dedicated staff that can work across all departments and create strong relationships with external
stakeholders and the general public. In order to jump-start this effort, this report recommends the creation of an
Office of Climate Action and Outreach that will reside in the City Manager’s Office. A core team of three staff
members will be assembled to help focus on the implementation of the 64 actions in this report.
Prior to moving to implementation, it is important that the residents and businesses of Iowa City, the Climate
Action Commission and the City Council all have ample opportunity to weigh in with their thoughts and ideas on
how best to move forward. This report is intended to serve as a starting place for accelerated action, but
community engagement is critical to our success. The public must feel that they have ownership in these actions if
we expect to reach our long-term targets. It is recommended that the Climate Action Commission consider this
report and that they initiate opportunities for public comment before sending their recommendations rela ted to
the report to the City Council.
In closing, staff would like to acknowledge the efforts of many in the community , including those on the Climate
Action Commission, that have shared their ideas throughout the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan proces s, and
in recent months as the City Council considered revised emission targets and accelerated actions. Your involvement
has provided a strong foundation for our future work and will be critical in sustaining that effort in the years ahead.
37
Appendix
Actions by Type
Type Description Plan Area
Education Promote Energy Efficiency and Performance Tips to the Public *(Next Step) Buildings
Education Partner with Stakeholders to Promote Green Building and Rehabilitation *(New) Buildings
Education
Encourage the Local Realtor Community to Include Energy Performance in the
Multiple Listing Services (MLS) Property Inventory *(New) Buildings
Education Significant Transportation Education and Outreach Campaigns *(New) Transportation
Education Launch an Eco-Driving Campaign Alongside Employers *(New) Transportation
Education Engage the Public to Compost Organic Waste *(Next Step) Waste
Education
Education Campaigns for Neighborhoods to Reduce Waste/Consumption at the
Source *(Next Step) Waste
Education Develop a Climate Ambassador Team *(New) Adaptation
Education Establish "Resilience Hubs" *(New) Adaptation
Education Educate and Coordinate with Local Agencies on Health Impacts *(Next Step) Adaptation
Education
Concentrated Education Campaign for Private Properties about Native Plantings,
Permeable Pavement, Rain Gardens, Soil Health, Rain Barrels and Cisterns *(Next
Step) Adaptation
Education Coordinated Efforts with Local Emergency Agencies *(Next Step) Adaptation
Education Host Sustainability Forum and Events *(Next Step) Sustainable Lifestyle
Education Launch a Green Business Program: “Climate Action at Work” *(New) Sustainable Lifestyle
Education Local procurement campaign - buy-in from local commercial groups *(New) Sustainable Lifestyle
Incentives Offer Free Home Energy Tests through Green Iowa AmeriCorps *(Next Step) Buildings
Incentives Enhance Energy Standards for City Rehabilitation Projects *(Next Step) Buildings
Incentives Coordinate Neighborhood Energy Blitz Events *(New) Buildings
Incentives
Launch a TIF-funded climate action incentive program aimed at reducing industrial
energy consumption *(New) Buildings
Incentives
Consider a Building Permit Fee Rebate Program for Enhanced Energy Standards
*(New) Buildings
Incentives
Develop or Partner with Local Stakeholders on a Comprehensive Climate Action
Rehabilitation Program *(New) Buildings
Incentives Initiate a Net-Zero House Design Competition *(New) Buildings
Incentives Complete a Net-Zero Demonstration Rehabilitation Project *(New) Buildings
Incentives
Incentivize Energy Enhancements and Building Re- and Retro-Commissioning for
Participants in the Energy Benchmarking Program *(New) Buildings
Incentives Launch an Electrification Incentive Program *(New) Buildings
Incentives Incentivize Public Transit Options *(New) Transportation
Incentives Explore Electric Vehicle (EV) Incentives Based on the Readiness Plan *(New) Transportation
Incentives Incentivize Construction Waste Diversion *(Next Step) Waste
Incentives
Partner with ProjectGreen on a Tree Planting Partnership; Incentives for Private Tree
Planting *(New) Adaptation
Incentives Expand Community Climate Action Grants *(Next Step) Sustainable Lifestyle
Incentives
Incentives for the Public to Create and Maintain Local Food Production and
Community Gardens *(Next Step) Sustainable Lifestyle
38
Regulation Create a More Robust Energy Code Inspection Program *(New) Buildings
Regulation Incorporate Stricter Energy Standards into Tax Increment Financing Policies *(New) Buildings
Regulation Incorporate Strict Energy Standards into Height and Density Bonuses *(New) Buildings
Regulation Initiate Energy Benchmarking Requirements *(New) Buildings
Regulation
Develop Climate Action Requirements for all Existing and Future Rental Permits
*(New) Buildings
Regulation
Review Parking Regulations and Consider Innovative Ways to Encourage Alternative
Modes of Travel *(New) Transportation
Regulation Require Climate Change Analysis for New Subdivisions and Rezonings *(New) Transportation
Regulation
Develop a Policy/Ordinance Requiring Specific Demolition or Deconstruction
Recycling Standards/Procedures *(New) Waste
Regulation Mandating signage to assist waste collection *(New) Waste
Regulation Street Tree Ordinance *(Next Step) Adaptation
Regulation
Increase Tree Planting Requirements in Landscaping Standards, Parking Lot Standards
and Upon Renewal of Rental Permits *(New) Adaptation
Policy Advocate for Local Control of Energy Codes *(New) Buildings
Policy Advocate for Aggressive Energy Code Development and Adoptio n *(New) Buildings
Policy Establish an Electric and Fuel-Efficient Vehicle Purchasing Policy *(New) Transportation
Policy Track Adherence to City Idling Policy *(Next Step) Transportation
Policy
Review Transportation Subsidies, Work Schedules and Tele-Work Policies for City
Employees *(New) Transportation
Policy
Require All Park/Public Space Rentals to Recycle and Use "Green" Event Best
Practices *(New) Waste
Policy
Develop Review Standards for New City Facility Construction and Major
Rehabilitation that Accounts for Climate Adaptation Principles *(New) Adaptation
Policy Develop a Green Procurement Policy *(New) Sustainable Lifestyle
Policy
Develop a City Sustainability Operations Guide and Make Available to Organizations
Throughout Iowa City *(New) Sustainable Lifestyle
Projects Solar Partnership with MidAmerican *(New) Buildings
Projects Net-Zero Public Housing *(New) Buildings
Projects Municipal Building Efficiency and Electrification *(New) Buildings
Projects
Complete the Transit Study and Implement Recommendations to Bolster Service and
Increase Ridership *(Next Step) Transportation
Projects
Complete Electric Vehicle (EV) Readiness Plan and Implement Recommendations
*(Next Step) Transportation
Projects
Achieve Gold Friendly Bicycle Friendly Community Status and Begin Work Toward
Platinum Status *(Next Step) Transportation
Projects Initiate a Methane Feasibility Study *(Next Step) Waste
Projects
Flood Mitigation and Stormwater Management Programs/Projects; Buyouts *(Next
Step) Adaptation
Projects Continue Implementation of the Natural Areas Management Plan *(Next Step) Adaptation
Projects Expand Public Tree Planting *(Next Step) Adaptation
Projects
Equity Review of Neighborhood and Population Outreach; Develop Outreach Plan for
Populations Highly Impacted by Climate Change *(Next Step) Adaptation
Projects Develop a Climate Action Strategic Communications Plan *(Next Step) Sustainable Lifestyle
Projects Community Garden Expansions/Additions *(Next Step) Sustainable Lifestyle
STAFF PRESENTATION CONCLUDED