Kingston Climate Smart Commission approves December minutes, elects Kevin McEvoy as 2025 secretary

The Kingston Climate Smart Commission on Jan. 22 approved amended minutes from its December 2024 meeting and elected Kevin McEvoy secretary for 2025, actions the panel took by voice vote during routine organizational business.

Julie Noble, sustainability coordinator for the City of Kingston, opened the meeting and led discussion about corrections to the December minutes, including clarifying a note that read “Hyatt reported AI policy going forward.” Noble said the phrasing did not capture who suggested establishing an AI policy and recommended changing the record to read that a commissioner “recommended the possibility of establishing an AI policy,” rather than asserting a formal report.

The commission then moved to elect a secretary for 2025. Haya Hubert put forward a motion to nominate Kevin McEvoy; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. Noble read the roll of members and noted several members were excused or nonvoting for the meeting.

Members also reviewed membership terms and openings. Noble listed several upcoming expirations: Zane (term ends March 2025), several members whose terms expired in 2024 (four members referenced), and noted Kevin McEvoy was reappointed through the end of 2026. She reminded members that appointed volunteers remain in place until they resign or are removed, but recommended reapplying through the city website to keep records current. Noble explained the staff process: applications are routed to the communications director, then to the sustainability coordinator and the mayor for reappointment consideration.

Commissioners discussed the commission's bylaw-like requirement that one nonvoting board member be under age 21; Noble asked the group to identify potential youth candidates ahead of March vacancies. The commission also clarified quorum rules: only appointed voting members count toward quorum (defined as a majority of voting members).

The commission scheduled its next regular meeting for Feb. 26 and agreed to revisit goal-setting at that meeting.

Votes at a glance

- Motion to approve December 2024 minutes as amended: approved by voice vote; no recorded opposition or abstentions. (Motion text: "accept the minutes as amended"; mover not specifically recorded in the transcript.) - Motion to elect Kevin McEvoy as secretary for 2025: motion moved by Haya Hubert; second recorded; approved by voice vote; no recorded opposition or abstentions.

Ending: The commission will reconvene Feb. 26 to continue organizational business and to begin work on 2025 goals.