Environmental Resilience Commission outlines draft action plan, seeks community input; draft due to council in December

The Environmental Resilience Commission (ERC) updated the Pullman City Council on its 2025 objectives, which include drafting an Environmental Resilience Action Plan, conducting community outreach, identifying grant opportunities, and developing metrics to measure greenhouse gas and resilience actions.

Larry Clark, speaking for the commission, said the ERC is consolidating prior work into a single action plan with measurable goals and practical policies. The commission has drafted the assessment of current initiatives and is planning community meetings, focus groups, and presentations to service organizations and regional partners including Washington State University and neighboring jurisdictions. Clark said the commission plans to present a draft of the action plan to the mayor and council in December 2025.

Commission priorities described to the council included: a timeline and inventory of current city initiatives; outreach and engagement at public events such as the Lentil Festival and Lehi Festival; collaboration with regional partners; creation of a youth advisory council with the Pullman School District; and a proposed framework for a permanent staff position to coordinate resilience across departments. Clark said the commission is identifying feasible grants and expects to forward grant proposals to the council for consideration.

The commission is exploring membership in a local government resilience organization (referred to in the presentation as “ICLE/I C L E E”), which staff estimated would cost approximately $1,200 for membership and provide technical support, metrics tools, and peer comparison data. Clark and council members noted the budget cycle means a new permanent staff position could not be funded immediately; the commission will forward a staffing framework for future budget consideration.

Council members asked when the draft would be available; Clark said a draft is expected in time to present at the council meeting in December. Councilor D’Alessara asked about the timing; Councilor Maguero and Councilor Fujairah asked about coordination with WSU and whether the commission will incorporate regional best practices. Clark said MRSC (Municipal Research Service Center) best-practice resources and national examples will inform the plan. No city action or funding was approved at this meeting; the ERC will continue community engagement and return with a draft.