City planning staff presented draft climate policies and fresh engagement findings to the Spokane Climate Resilience & Sustainability Board on Jan. 8, saying focus groups and cross‑departmental review have shaped new policy ideas the board will consider before a planned Feb. 12 vote.

Lisa (staff lead) told the board the city conducted four Phase 2 focus groups (youth climate justice, food security and under‑resourced communities) in November and December and engaged about 35–40 participants. She said common themes included residents experiencing climate impacts as everyday well‑being issues, broad support for local climate leadership and education, and concern that new requirements could create maintenance or cost burdens, particularly for lower‑income residents.

The packet brings together policy ideas across sectors. On buildings and energy, staff highlighted a proposal to monitor progress toward the municipal net‑zero greenhouse‑gas target and to support small‑scale renewables and green roofs downtown. On ecosystems, the draft emphasizes long‑term tree health and park maintenance. In land use, staff clarified an item aimed at applying or extending existing parking maximums to new development in order to limit parking supply.

Board members asked staff to refine language on several points. Member Carrie Brooks and others flagged two policies highlighted in the packet as possibly redundant; Lisa said staff are conducting a multi‑criteria (MCPA) review to flag redundancies and will share an early look with the board before the joint meeting with the Plan Commission on Feb. 20. The chair and staff said the board will receive the consolidated slate of policies ahead of a planned full‑slate vote at the Feb. 12 meeting.

On waste management, members questioned the relevance of a local packaging‑reduction policy in light of the state Recycling Reform Act; staff recommended consolidating overlapping waste policies and invited specific written edits. Board members were encouraged to submit final wording suggestions promptly so the slate can be finalized before the February vote.

Staff also reminded members that the Plan Spokane draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) has opened for public comment. The EIS page and a story map are available at planspokane.org, and staff said the city will host an informational "lunch and learn" and circulate a recording to help members prepare for the joint meeting.

The board did not take formal action on any policy during the Jan. 8 meeting; staff asked members to send edits and suggestions to Climateplanning@spokanecity.org for incorporation ahead of the Feb. 20 joint session.