Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the City Resilience Updates topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
City staff update committee on electric ferry procurement, greenhouse‑gas plan and bans on plastic bags and gas leaf blowers
Summary
City staff briefed the Environmental Matters Committee on electric‑ferry procurement, a greenhouse‑gas inventory and local rule rollouts, and said operations and maintenance costs for new services will be proposed in the FY26 budget.
City resilience and fleet staff briefed the Environmental Matters Committee on a collection of resilience, transportation and sustainability items on Jan. 9, including procurement for an electric ferry, a greenhouse‑gas inventory RFP, and implementation plans for recent solid‑waste and equipment bans.
Ferry procurement and landings: Jackie (Resilience office) told the committee final vendor interviews are finishing this week and the city expects to shortlist design‑builders and “hopefully be under contract by early February” for an electric ferry. The procurement covers design/build for up to two vessels, landing‑site improvements and charging infrastructure; it does not cover operations or ongoing maintenance.
“Five‑Street Landing is the most problematic,” staff said, noting flooding, bulkhead issues and grading/drainage complications. City Dock was described as ready to receive ferry passengers with vessel ramps; charging specifications will follow ferry selection. Staff said operations will likely be run by a third‑party operator under a future RFP and that harbor operations and maintenance costs will be proposed for the FY26 budget.
Greenhouse‑gas work: The city has issued an RFP for an updated greenhouse‑gas inventory and a first greenhouse‑gas reduction plan. The project budget is $50,000 and will update community and city facility emissions while producing recommended reductions and actions.
Plastic‑bag ban and leaf‑blower phase‑in: Staff reported the city will put reusable bags into distribution at churches, buses and food centers ahead of an effective Jan. 22 plastic‑bag ban. “We plan to distribute them at least one week in advance,” a staff member said. The gas‑powered leaf‑blower ban is in effect but citations will not be issued until April 1 while the city continues outreach. The Resilience Authority is reviewing whether to administer a voucher program for low‑income residents; if the authority declines, city staff will implement vouchers by March.
Hawkins Cove and stormwater: Stormwater program staff said Hawkins Cove restoration remains in design and likely will be phased based on funding and the time required for waterway permits. Staff also said they will include stormwater operations and potential maintenance/credit program changes in future reports and the rate study timeline.
Ending: Staff said the ferry, charging and operational cost estimates will be included in the FY26 budget process; they asked committee members to expect further briefings as vendors and technical work are selected.
