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Environmental Advisory Council lays out water, pollinator and solar priorities for 2026
Summary
The Environmental Advisory Council presented a program of work prioritizing a water‑quality study of Blue River tributaries, pursuit of Bee City USA certification, a pilot for solar‑covered parking, expanded composting, and a post‑World Cup evaluation of the e‑bike share program.
Jamie Klessner, chair of the Environmental Advisory Council, told the meeting the council’s top priority is a localized water‑quality study focused on lawn‑chemical runoff in the Blue River tributaries within the city. "The 1st thing, that rose to the top for us was the quality of water and we wanna do a water quality study...and we wanna focus on lawn chemical runoff," she said, and added the EAC hopes to partner with a university research group to supplement public‑works testing.
The EAC presented a multi‑year program of work that also asks the city to help form a standing committee to pursue Bee City USA certification alongside the Legacy of Greenery Committee, pursue a pilot for solar‑covered parking lots on city property to address heat‑island effects, and expand composting and solid‑waste initiatives. The council flagged an evaluation of the e‑bike share program after the 2026 World Cup events and Bike Walk KC data as a step toward expanding micromobility in parts of the city that need more active‑transportation options.
The EAC said many items will require staff partnerships and external funding; it plans outreach to the mayor and council and invited residents to attend future EAC meetings to follow progress. The presentation covered membership and meeting cadence (15–16 seats, typically 2nd Thursday) and invited the public to review the EAC’s full program on the city’s website.
