Council accepts state-funded climate planning grant and authorizes SSG amendment

The City of Airway Heights Council voted unanimously June 8 to accept a Department of Commerce grant and to amend the city's contract with Sustainable Solutions Group (SSG) to complete the second phase of state-required climate planning. Planning Director Heather Troutman said the second part of the work will address greenhouse-gas emission reductions and vehicle-miles-traveled (VMT) reduction measures and that the state grant will cover the full cost.

"We are expecting to receive funding from the state to cover a 100% of the 2nd part of the project for the greenhouse gas emissions and vehicle miles traveled," Troutman said. Staff told council the grant includes public engagement, methodologies to measure and report on progress, and a requirement to report on methodology effectiveness five years after the plan's passage. Council approved the amendment and grant acceptance without dissent; staff said some local match funding was reserved to recoup administrative costs.