Prescott City councilors back citizen working group to pursue energy savings and resilience projects

Prescott — On Jan. 14, 2025, Prescott City Council directed staff to pursue a citizen working group to research and advance sustainability and resiliency projects after a presentation from local advocates and technical experts.

The request came during a study session presentation by Patrick Grady, board president of the Quad City Climate Collaborative, and board member Kristin Law. Grady told the council, “We’re here today to talk about the potential of creating a citizen advisory working group to address sustainability and resiliency.” The presenters asked the council to support either (1) a formal advisory committee to the council or (2) a working group that would report to city administration; council members expressed majority support for the second option.

The proposal is framed as a volunteer, unpaid body that would “augment city resources” and assist staff in implementing priorities in the city’s 2025 general plan and the city’s strategic plan, particularly items tied to the natural environment and energy use. Grady and Law said the group would focus on research and fact-based recommendations, energy audits and efficiency…