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City sustainability staff announce grant changes, Earth Day event, intern for climate-resiliency work and staffing change in urban forestry
Summary
Staff reported the sustainability grant program has been reduced to $500 per award, an Earth Day celebration is planned for April 26, the city secured a paid intern through ICLE to work on community climate-resiliency efforts starting in May, and the urban forester will be leaving the city, which affects the tree-ordinance work in progress.
Sustainability staff provided multiple city updates covering grants, outreach and staffing.
The sustainability grant program launched April 1; per staff the award level was reduced from $1,000 last year to $500 this year. Staff said the smaller award still funds neighborhood projects but advised commissioners to contact staff for project ideas.
Staff announced an Earth Day celebration on April 26 featuring a local brewer, live music and outreach tables; commissioners were invited to staff a commission table.
The city's internal green team is organizing staff-focused initiatives including an e-waste drive (April 1'14) and an upcoming review of sustainable procurement. Staff also reported the city received a paid intern through the nonprofit ICLE to support a community climate-resiliency project. "Our intern's name is Colton... He's a grad student at DU," staff said; the intern will work approximately 30 hours per week from May through November to compile resident feedback and feasibility analysis.
Staff additionally reported that Evan, the city's urban forester, is leaving the city this month to move abroad; parks staff will recruit a replacement. The departure has delayed final steps on a draft tree ordinance that the commission and parks staff had been developing together.
Depot Park maintenance and other items Commissioner Dana asked that Depot Park landscaping maintenance be put on the next meeting agenda; staff acknowledged the request and said they would follow up on volunteer and maintenance options.
Induction stove demo Commissioner Christine Brinker requested a demonstration of induction cooking funded through the sustainability grant. Staff said chef Andrew had agreed to do a live demo and could attend the May meeting to demonstrate and prepare crepes.
Ending Staff encouraged commissioners to sign up for Earth Day outreach, indicated recruitment would begin for the urban-forester vacancy, and said the ICLE-funded intern will produce midterm findings for staff leadership in May.
