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Environmental Advisory Board elects new chair, schedules racial equity training and approves administrative items
Summary
At its March 5 meeting the Environmental Advisory Board unanimously elected Alex as chair, approved a member leave of absence, scheduled a mandatory racial equity training for April, and discussed plant‑based catering outreach and upcoming agenda items.
The Environmental Advisory Board unanimously elected Alex as its next chair beginning with the April meeting and approved several administrative items on March 5, including a temporary leave of absence for a board member and a board‑wide racial equity training scheduled for April.
Jonathan, director of Climate Initiatives, summarized the board’s customary succession practice and opened a public hearing format before the board moved to a motion to appoint Alex. The motion passed unanimously. "Beginning in the April meeting, Alex, you shall take over as our next chair," Jonathan said after the vote.
The nut graf: the meeting also covered several routine but enforceable administrative items — a leave of absence for a member expecting twins, scheduling a 2.5‑hour racial equity training (with a required hour‑long preparatory video) in April, and a short update on a city effort to make council catering plant‑based by default.
Board members agreed to use the April meeting slot for the racial equity training; staff said the preparation includes a video of about one hour to watch before a 2.5‑hour session and that the training will not be recorded because it is not a public meeting. Jonathan said staff would treat the training as a special board activity and provide notice that the April meeting will not be a public meeting for regular board business.
On food and outreach, board member Hannah reported conversations with several council members and boards about making city council food plant‑based by default; she said administrative follow‑up with the appropriate city staff is required before any operational change. The board also reviewed upcoming calendar items: a March agenda item to review the 2952 Baseline site review application (Wellville development) and a March 20 City Council meeting for board and commission appointments.
Votes at a glance: - Motion to approve minutes (early in meeting): passed unanimously. - Motion to appoint Alex as board chair (effective April): passed unanimously. - Motion to grant a temporary leave of absence for a board member (no fixed dates specified): passed unanimously. - Motion to adjourn: passed unanimously.
Why it matters: these votes set leadership and training expectations for the board ahead of the March Council calendar and ensure staff and board members have clear next steps for council engagement and internal orientation.
