Bothell planners outline Climate Action Plan kickoff, updated greenhouse-gas inventory and community engagement

The Bothell Planning Commission on Jan. 15 received a briefing on the city’s Climate Action Plan kickoff, in which staff described a project to update greenhouse-gas (GHG) inventories, prioritize emissions-reduction strategies and pursue community outreach over the coming year.

Long Range Planner Cameron Colvin told commissioners the study session’s purpose was “to provide you all with an overview of the climate action plan and anticipated schedule and scope, and provide an opportunity for initial questions and and feedback.” The city expects to complete the plan by the end of 2025 and to deliver interim materials to the Washington State Department of Commerce as required by state guidance.

Colvin said the plan will build on Bothell’s new climate chapter in the comprehensive plan and a climate vulnerability assessment that mapped local risks such as urban heat islands, floodplains near manufactured-home communities along the Sammamish River, and socially vulnerable neighborhoods. He told the commission the plan will pair a communitywide GHG inventory with a narrower municipal inventory that isolates emissions under city control.

Emily Nielsen, the city’s climate action CIVASPARK fellow, described the inventory work: “As part of the information gathering phase, the city wants to know how much it’s emitting and where those emissions are coming from.” Nielsen said Bothell has contracted with Cascadia Consulting through the regional K4C collaboration to produce updated communitywide inventories for 2022–23 and to align those results with the city’s 2019 inventory.

Staff said the plan will use the inventory to model how statewide policies such as the Clean Energy Transformation Act affect local emissions and to identify local code or program gaps that the city can address. Prioritization of actions will consider estimated emissions impact, cost and implementation feasibility; staff described a standard implementation matrix to track responsible parties, timelines and funding needs.

The city has launched an advisory committee of 23 members that includes students, residents with professional climate expertise and representatives from community organizations. Nielsen said staff plan three public surveys and a series of workshops and tabling events; the first survey is posted on EngageBothell and will run into February. Staff described outreach strategies to boost participation among underrepresented groups, including direct engagement and door-to-door contact.

Commissioners pressed staff on equity and outreach to vulnerable groups. Commissioner Robson asked whether renters, mobile-home residents, disabled people and people experiencing homelessness were represented on the advisory committee; staff said the application did not ask all of those questions explicitly but that renters are on the committee and that outreach strategies would target underserved communities. Commissioner Sills asked whether the first survey addresses municipal actions or only communitywide actions; staff said the first survey focuses on communitywide barriers and behavior, with municipal measures to be shared after the municipal GHG inventory is complete.

On funding, staff said the project is supported by a Climate Commitment Act grant that also funds the city’s urban forestry plan and fleet electrification study. In response to a question about long-term implementation funding, staff said project development is fully funded and that later implementation will be shaped by council priorities and available grants or other funding sources.

Next steps include completing the updated inventories, continuing outreach and producing a prioritized list of strategies for the commission’s and city council’s review. Staff directed residents to EngageBothell for the first survey and for updates on advisory-committee meetings and workshops.