WEBVTT
00:00:02.240 -->
00:00:05.839Hello, and welcome to Inside Arvada, the official podcast of the City of Arvada.
00:00:05.919 -->
00:00:07.440I'm Sean Star, one of your hosts.
00:00:07.599 -->
00:00:10.080Thank you so much for tuning in to today's episode.
00:00:10.240 -->
00:00:14.560We've got a good one on tap with our senior sustainability coordinator, Steven Russell.
00:00:14.800 -->
00:00:25.199Steven is a sustainability professional with over a decade of experience advancing climate action, community well-being, and organizational sustainability strategy across multiple sectors.
00:00:25.359 -->
00:00:27.920He's been in his role with the city for nine months now.
00:00:28.000 -->
00:00:29.440And before that, he worked at the U.S.
00:00:29.600 -->
00:00:30.719Department of Agriculture.
00:00:30.960 -->
00:00:38.159He also facilitated 40 plus municipal projects through Arizona State University's Sustainable Cities Network.
00:00:38.320 -->
00:00:44.240And he has also supported two other climate action plans with his work at the City of Tempe Sustainability Commission.
00:00:44.320 -->
00:00:46.719And as always, I'm joined by my co-host, Katie Patterson.
00:00:46.799 -->
00:00:47.119Hi, Katie.
00:00:47.520 -->
00:00:47.920Hey Sean.
00:00:48.079 -->
00:00:52.960Yeah, really awesome to get to work with you, Stephen, and really excited to have you on today.
00:00:53.359 -->
00:01:01.039I've gotten to help you kind of do this last round of community engagement and get this climate action climate and sustainability action plan.
00:01:01.200 -->
00:01:02.560We will definitely mess that up.
00:01:03.600 -->
00:01:05.200Kind of through to the finish line.
00:01:05.359 -->
00:01:06.640So thanks for being here.
00:01:07.359 -->
00:01:09.599To start us off, just tell us a little bit about yourself.
00:01:09.920 -->
00:01:12.959Yeah, well, um, first off, uh thank you so much for having me.
00:01:13.040 -->
00:01:14.959I'm really excited to be here today.
00:01:15.120 -->
00:01:18.959Um I work as the senior sustainability coordinator for the city of Arvada, right?
00:01:19.200 -->
00:01:23.200Supporting climate and sustainability initiatives for the organization.
00:01:23.599 -->
00:01:34.480Um I started last July, and uh since coming on, really my main focus has been working on that climate and sustainability action plan, CASIP or KSAP, if you're feeling spicy.
00:01:34.879 -->
00:01:40.959Um I've worked in sustainability practices for some time now, and uh, mostly in my hometown of Phoenix, Arizona.
00:01:41.120 -->
00:01:46.480Um, so I'm a relatively new transplant to the area, and let me tell you, I have loved getting to know Arvada.
00:01:46.879 -->
00:01:47.200Love it.
00:01:47.439 -->
00:01:58.239Um, one of the really cool things about doing this work as well has been uh learning about the existing sustainability initiatives that are really spread throughout the city at the department level, at the program level.
00:01:58.400 -->
00:02:07.040Um, because you know, really compared to some of the other communities that I've worked with, um, it is clear and apparent that sustainability is deeply embedded in the culture here.
00:02:07.200 -->
00:02:12.879Um, the city has been doing sustainability work for um over 15 years, as far as I can tell.
00:02:12.960 -->
00:02:16.719Um, and I'm only the second full-time uh sustainability coordinator.
00:02:16.879 -->
00:02:20.000So that's all happened pretty organically instead of top-down.
00:02:20.159 -->
00:02:20.879That's pretty cool to see.
00:02:21.199 -->
00:02:22.159Yeah, that's such a good point.
00:02:22.240 -->
00:02:28.319I hadn't really thought about that because um we've had this position now maybe three years or so.
00:02:28.479 -->
00:02:31.759Um, but yeah, they've been doing this for quite a bit longer.
00:02:32.080 -->
00:02:34.400And we'll get to talk about a little bit of that.
00:02:35.039 -->
00:02:45.520Tell us for people who aren't aware or don't have the background, what exactly is a climate action and sustainability plan and why is the city um working so hard to develop one?
00:02:45.919 -->
00:02:46.240Sure.
00:02:46.719 -->
00:02:52.960Um so the CASIP is our uh roadmap for climate and sustainability action, simply.
00:02:53.120 -->
00:03:01.039Um on the uh climate action side, that's where we're talking about greenhouse gas reductions and uh building resiliency for climate change impacts.
00:03:01.199 -->
00:03:10.560Um, whereas on the sustainability side, what we're talking about is uh using resources efficiently so that we're meeting today's needs without compromising the future.
00:03:10.960 -->
00:03:16.400And city governments actually have a pretty big role to play here in climate and sustainability action.
00:03:16.479 -->
00:03:27.439They shape things like land use, transportation, and infrastructure, and they tend to be large organizations, so large footprint and an opportunity to make an impact at a large scale.
00:03:27.759 -->
00:03:31.840Um, and this is actually um Irvada's second sustainability plan.
00:03:32.000 -->
00:03:36.800Um we're building on the Sustain Arvada plan, which was from about a decade ago.
00:03:36.879 -->
00:03:45.759Um, and that plan guided staff on making some early wins, um, but it's fallen a little bit out of date and off the radar, so it was time for an update.
00:03:45.919 -->
00:03:58.879Um, this CASIP is really focused largely on what the city can control directly and pivots to partnerships in the community for uh more citizen engagement and community engagement.
00:03:59.120 -->
00:04:12.560Um, this uh version of the CASIP uh targets a 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions uh by 2030 and a 75% cut by 2050 for the community-wide footprint.
00:04:12.639 -->
00:04:22.079Um whereas for the government operations, where we really have a lot more control, we're targeting that same 2030 target, um, but net zero emissions by 2050.
00:04:22.240 -->
00:04:26.480Um, you know, really looking to lead by example, and I'll talk more about that in a bit.
00:04:26.639 -->
00:04:37.839Um but the CASIP um, you know, gives the organization a shared direction, um, some kind of goals to get behind, um, and it also opens the doors to new networks and funding opportunities.
00:04:38.720 -->
00:04:56.000And kind of thinking about the the distinction you made there between climate action and sustainability action, is it fair to say that like some of those actions, and we'll get into what the goals are and things like that, are overlapping, that a sustainability action can also be a climate action.
00:04:56.160 -->
00:05:00.240Um like they're not necessarily distinct actions from one another.
00:05:00.560 -->
00:05:02.240Yeah, the Venn diagram's got some overlap.
00:05:02.879 -->
00:05:03.759Okay, okay.
00:05:04.079 -->
00:05:10.639Um Yeah, I think that can be kind of confusing, but like climate action is like reducing GHG emissions is the center there.
00:05:10.800 -->
00:05:14.480And then sustainability action um can be kind of more broad-ranging.
00:05:14.879 -->
00:05:17.120Yeah, a little bit more holistic approach.
00:05:17.279 -->
00:05:25.360Um, you know, you think more about community, um, you think about like more uh natural systems and um resident experience and things like that.
00:05:25.519 -->
00:05:29.519And then resiliency is also um something that really spans both.
00:05:29.600 -->
00:05:33.839Um, but we're kind of framing it mostly uh for the climate benefits.
00:05:34.399 -->
00:05:35.360That makes sense.
00:05:35.600 -->
00:05:39.759Um so tell us a little bit about where we're at now with the plan.
00:05:39.920 -->
00:05:50.560Um a while back we had your predecessor on to talk about some of this work, and a lot has happened and changed since that time, and you've done a ton of work to get us where we are today.
00:05:50.720 -->
00:05:52.560Um, so what's in the plan?
00:05:52.720 -->
00:05:54.240How is it structured?
00:05:54.399 -->
00:05:56.480Um, what can people expect to see?
00:05:56.800 -->
00:05:57.040Yeah.
00:05:57.360 -->
00:05:58.240Um well you're right.
00:05:58.319 -->
00:06:04.160The uh CASIP has been uh in development um since late 2023.
00:06:04.480 -->
00:06:17.680Um so the city initially worked with a consultant to build some of the foundation, um, talking about doing some greenhouse gas emissions inventories, um, some community engagement and kind of early outreach to set the value in direction.
00:06:17.759 -->
00:06:20.879Um, and then the city took the plan back in-house last year.
00:06:21.040 -->
00:06:32.240Um, when I came on board last summer, um, we started working on the climate plan again, starting off with a really heavy focus on strengthening the staff engagement component.
00:06:32.480 -->
00:06:53.439Um, so we held dozens of meetings, group discussions, and workshops with city staff and the Arvada Sustainability Advisory Committee and got to work in filling in some of the gaps, um, vetting some of the content uh across departments and really making sure that the plan reflects work that's currently happening and what's realistically achievable with a cross-departmental approach.
00:06:54.000 -->
00:06:58.240And like just to hit on that point, because these are the people who will operationalize this plan.
00:06:58.480 -->
00:06:58.560Yeah.
00:06:58.879 -->
00:07:08.720Um we need staff bought in and understanding what their role would look like and being able to create a plan that is responsive to the operations, right?
00:07:08.800 -->
00:07:09.839Aaron Powell Yeah, absolutely.
00:07:10.079 -->
00:07:19.920Um implementation really will hinge on um staff activity, and especially as um we're trying to take an approach that um involves kind of building on what's already happening.
00:07:20.000 -->
00:07:22.079Um, that buy-in is really important.
00:07:22.160 -->
00:07:31.360Um, and also, you know, good to ground truth some of this stuff and make sure that it actually really makes sense, um, that it's not going to create operational hiccups.
00:07:31.519 -->
00:07:34.240Um and so, yeah, that staff engagement was really important.
00:07:35.040 -->
00:07:40.560Um But in and beyond that, you know, we also just finished a uh public comment period.
00:07:40.639 -->
00:07:49.519Um so we did formal public comment, which was um super informative, and we logged about um 300 recommendations um on the text.
00:07:49.680 -->
00:07:51.279So um that's been great.
00:07:51.360 -->
00:07:53.759Um, it's also been a lot of work to implement.
00:07:53.920 -->
00:08:10.720Um but as a result of that additional vetting, the consultations with city council, and that public comment period, um, we believe we've produced a document that is comprehensive with some meaningful key priorities and um some strategies, metrics, et cetera, to guide the implementation.
00:08:11.279 -->
00:08:14.879And I just want to um kind of give you some accolade there.
00:08:15.040 -->
00:08:18.480Like you were very thoughtful in addressing every comment.
00:08:18.639 -->
00:08:35.919I think sometimes when we have engagement or feedback, maybe folks feel like it kind of goes into the ether and it's considered, um, but you know, and maybe not everything can be reflected directly in the plan, of course, but um the thoughtfulness you put into and the time you put into really being thoughtful about that.
00:08:36.000 -->
00:08:46.960Um I saw it firsthand, and so um I just want to reiterate that out to our community as well that you really did spend a lot of time and energy being thoughtful about how you could incorporate feedback.
00:08:47.519 -->
00:08:48.399I appreciate that, Katie.
00:08:48.639 -->
00:08:50.000Yeah, you've seen the spreadsheet.
00:08:50.480 -->
00:08:51.759Yep, I sure have.
00:08:52.399 -->
00:08:57.759And for the public, we have a web page dedicated to sustainability that talks all about the plan right now.
00:08:57.840 -->
00:09:06.080And you can go on arvatico.gov slash climateaction and you can read that draft of the plan right there on the webpage, and you can see everything that's included.
00:09:06.320 -->
00:09:08.399It's very thorough, it's very detailed.
00:09:08.480 -->
00:09:18.639It includes, what, 27 goals, 143 strategies, 146 proposed metrics, and 65 potential community partners for implementing what's in that plan.
00:09:18.799 -->
00:09:20.080So there is so much in there.
00:09:20.240 -->
00:09:24.639There's a nice executive summary that kind of breaks things down a little bit more digestively for folks.
00:09:24.960 -->
00:09:28.879But how is the city going to go about executing on this plan?
00:09:29.039 -->
00:09:33.759How do we prioritize all the information that's in this very thorough plan?
00:09:34.159 -->
00:09:34.320Yeah.
00:09:34.639 -->
00:09:55.039Well well, first I I'd like to address real quickly, just um for the folks at home um and uh anyone who's tuning in, you know, um that uh version that we have on the website, um, in a a month or two when we release the final version, we're gonna see a uh significantly improved document, um, which we kind of already believe was a pretty significant improvement.
00:09:55.279 -->
00:10:03.759But um we're we're gonna see uh sneak peek a little a few more strategies and goals um getting added in after all of this uh comment and feedback.
00:10:03.919 -->
00:10:08.320But um but to answer your question, you know, we've organized it into six action sectors.
00:10:08.399 -->
00:10:18.480Um so that's gonna be um the built environment, um, environmental stewardship, uh, management practices, uh, sustainable economy, transit, and utilities.
00:10:18.639 -->
00:10:19.840Did it without looking at my notes.
00:10:21.200 -->
00:10:23.840Um you know, we we really wanted to start off.
00:10:24.000 -->
00:10:29.759I kind of mentioned this earlier, but where the city has the most control, um, where we have kind of the most levers that we can pull.
00:10:29.840 -->
00:10:34.080Um so we're thinking things like fleet facilities operations.
00:10:34.559 -->
00:10:46.879Um, and we want to spend some time building up um some high impact wins there and uh really demonstrate to the community that, you know, the sustainability thing is doable and uh, you know, show them how it's done.
00:10:47.120 -->
00:10:50.720Um we we we see taking this in a phased approach.
00:10:50.799 -->
00:11:04.559Um, so we're talking about we and we explain an action uh planning process in the final draft of the CASIP that involves um prioritizing uh five to ten actions, which may be a combination of some of the key priorities and um strategies.
00:11:04.639 -->
00:11:11.519Um we're gonna do that on an annual basis to uh deliver success over time, ideally.
00:11:12.080 -->
00:11:20.559Um and we're gonna start, as I mentioned, with the city footprint and then over time uh move into the community footprint um uh in the future.
00:11:20.720 -->
00:11:23.039But again, we want to lead by example first.
00:11:23.440 -->
00:11:28.320Um I will say, since there are a lot of strategies, you know, we're treating the plan as a living document.
00:11:28.559 -->
00:11:39.679Um each year we will develop uh you know action plans with SMART goals, um, timelines, and funding strategies uh based on the available resources and staff capacity at the time.
00:11:39.759 -->
00:11:52.799Um we believe that that approach is gonna help us to stay flexible, um, ensure that we can deliver on as much of the uh proposed solutions as we've got in the plan while making sure that we have a sustainable approach, if you will.
00:11:53.840 -->
00:11:54.879Play on words.
00:11:55.120 -->
00:11:57.679Um yeah, I think that that's great to know.
00:11:57.759 -->
00:12:02.080Um so what are some of the key priority areas coming up here?
00:12:02.799 -->
00:12:06.639Well, Katie, um we're still finalizing the prioritization.
00:12:06.799 -->
00:12:11.840Um, but uh I'll say that, you know, so it's a it's a subjective scoring system.
00:12:12.000 -->
00:12:16.559So um we've involved uh multiple people to help us uh score those priorities.
00:12:16.639 -->
00:12:23.759Um I've got uh multiple members from the Avadic Sustainability Committee, uh, multiple folks on the project management team like yourselves.
00:12:23.919 -->
00:12:38.000Um and uh we're we're doing that to kind of normalize for any biases that folks might bring to those scoring and uh applying a weighting scheme as well that, you know, I'll be honest, has some kinks that we need to work out over time.
00:12:38.320 -->
00:12:43.600But um, from the community feedback, we can tell, you know, a couple things are really important to our VATINs.
00:12:43.679 -->
00:12:51.200Um, cost and uh effectiveness, uh, cost effectiveness, quality of life were two of the main priorities identified.
00:12:51.279 -->
00:12:52.320Um, great news.
00:12:52.399 -->
00:12:55.120Um, sustainable communities deliver a great quality of life.
00:12:55.200 -->
00:12:57.519So we're looking forward to really delivering on that one.
00:12:58.159 -->
00:13:03.120Can you really quickly just go through the five different um kind of rating criteria?
00:13:03.200 -->
00:13:13.919So there's five criteria that you're talking about here to use um to help prioritize the different goals and strategies that are in there, and that helps inform how we create priorities.
00:13:14.159 -->
00:13:14.240Yeah.
00:13:14.399 -->
00:13:15.679And you mentioned two of them just now.
00:13:15.840 -->
00:13:16.000Yeah.
00:13:16.480 -->
00:13:21.279So yeah, so from a high level, yeah, so quality of life and um cost and efficiency.
00:13:21.600 -->
00:13:30.639Um climate action, you know, um how how well does this priority deliver on um reductions to greenhouse gases or create climate resiliency?
00:13:31.120 -->
00:13:37.039Um natural resources, how effective are we in uh leveraging resources?
00:13:37.679 -->
00:13:41.200And the fifth one.
00:13:41.600 -->
00:13:41.919Thank you.
00:13:42.639 -->
00:13:43.039Oh my gosh.
00:13:43.440 -->
00:13:44.960Between the two of us, we'd get there.
00:13:45.919 -->
00:13:55.279Um Yeah, equity, making sure that you know, um, you know, equitable uh implementation of sustainability means making sure that everyone has a shot at um implementing these solutions.
00:13:55.360 -->
00:13:58.960And this is work that we need to do at scale, so it really requires the whole community.
00:13:59.120 -->
00:14:04.159And um equity and inclusion is uh is an important part of delivering on sustainability.
00:14:05.039 -->
00:14:06.559I'm gonna put you on the spot here a little bit.
00:14:06.799 -->
00:14:13.919I know that um you also worked on a waste diversion action plan that's been folded into the climate action and sustainability plan.
00:14:14.320 -->
00:14:21.759I know that you know composting is something that we heard from our community that they want included um as part of a city service.
00:14:22.000 -->
00:14:27.919Can you share a little bit of information on where we're at with potentially adding composting citywide?
00:14:28.399 -->
00:14:33.039Yeah, so um we're doing a lot of uh of work behind the scenes on that one.
00:14:33.200 -->
00:14:45.519Um that absolutely uh has risen to the top as a priority, um, both as you mentioned through the waste aversion action plan um as well as uh through the public comments, um, through council comments.
00:14:45.600 -->
00:14:51.600Um, compost is one of the most commonly uh uh referenced terms in all of that feedback that we've had.
00:14:51.759 -->
00:14:54.000So we're absolutely working on it right now.
00:14:54.159 -->
00:15:12.240And um I can't share too much in the details, but um I can say that um we've got some some great programs coming in, like the Extended Producer Responsibility Program that you may have heard of, um, that's going to provide a lot of resources to uh local governments and and waste haulers to um make recycling free.
00:15:12.320 -->
00:15:25.360Um, and uh we're considering you know using some of that savings um as an opportunity to offset potentially costs of uh other services like compost to kind of make it a revenue neutral um change to the waste hauling program.
00:15:25.600 -->
00:15:27.759Um but just ideas at this phase.
00:15:27.840 -->
00:15:37.039We're still kind of at the the drawing board and and collecting some numbers before we can really um verify what we're gonna do and and uh what that cost basis is gonna be.
00:15:37.120 -->
00:15:41.120But um, we're trying to roll out a composting program at the lowest cost possible.
00:15:41.519 -->
00:15:42.399Yeah, that's really exciting.
00:15:42.480 -->
00:15:50.799Because a little kind of sneak peek on behind the curtain, I was involved in the initial part of the plan, and then kind of when you came on, it shifted over towards infrastructure.
00:15:50.879 -->
00:15:53.519And so then Katie's kind of taking on the comms role of it.
00:15:53.600 -->
00:15:57.120But I do remember in that initial engagement period is composting is something we heard a lot.
00:15:57.200 -->
00:16:03.200So I'm glad it's something it sounds like you're working really hard on to you know make happen because it's what the people want.
00:16:03.519 -->
00:16:05.360Um and a huge opportunity.
00:16:05.519 -->
00:16:05.679Yeah.
00:16:06.000 -->
00:16:06.399My gosh.
00:16:06.480 -->
00:16:11.039Um food waste is one of the heavier uh waste streams that goes into the landfill.
00:16:11.200 -->
00:16:22.639Um and when you process uh organic material effectively, you significantly reduce the amount of methane that it off-gasses, um, versus if we just kind of haphazardly throw this stuff into a landfill.
00:16:22.720 -->
00:16:33.519That's why landfills are such a huge source of greenhouse gas emissions, because um an uncontrolled uh decomposition process like that involves all sorts of extra um methane emissions.
00:16:33.679 -->
00:16:36.240Um it's a it's a win kind of on all sides.
00:16:36.559 -->
00:16:36.720Yeah.
00:16:36.879 -->
00:16:41.679And you can do it on your own, but uh it'd be a lot easier if you can just kind of lump it in with all the other ways too.
00:16:42.639 -->
00:16:47.360Um so help us understand the sort of immediate next steps for the plan.
00:16:47.759 -->
00:16:49.679Specifically as it relates to council.
00:16:49.759 -->
00:17:02.000You've been keeping council updated pretty well throughout the past few years about where you're at with the plan, sharing plan, getting their feedback, but sounds like you'll be going back to council here soon to get it uh formally adopted.
00:17:02.159 -->
00:17:04.720So, how does that process work and what does that look like?
00:17:05.279 -->
00:17:11.759Um well, we're uh we're still in the process of incorporating um all of the feedback that we got from council and the public.
00:17:12.079 -->
00:17:19.920Um we received a ton of uh very thoughtful uh comments, which have been um really great to uh go through.
00:17:20.079 -->
00:17:24.480Um, but again, it takes time to implement those edits to um the plan.
00:17:24.799 -->
00:17:34.720Um I'm I'm burning down right now, but we uh after kind of going through and splitting out the comments for individual uh recommendations, it's it's over 300 recommendations on the text.
00:17:34.960 -->
00:17:37.200So it's quite a lot to kind of burn through.
00:17:37.359 -->
00:17:40.880Um we're also working with your team on doing a full design copy.
00:17:41.039 -->
00:17:52.640Um, you know, we want to make sure that the final version isn't just a Word document, that it you know looks nice, um, but that it's also clear, engaging, and um accessible with some good imagery and things like that.
00:17:52.799 -->
00:17:56.640Um so once we finish those processes, that's when we're gonna bring it back to council.
00:17:56.720 -->
00:17:57.920Um sooner than later.
00:17:58.000 -->
00:18:03.359I I don't have an exact date yet, but um, we're really hoping within the next couple months to uh bring it up.
00:18:03.519 -->
00:18:08.240Um and I will say in the meantime, um community members can stay engaged in this process.
00:18:08.400 -->
00:18:14.160We we finished the public comment, um, but um there's absolutely still opportunities to have your voice heard.
00:18:14.240 -->
00:18:30.559Um, so community members can um sign up for updates at the city's sustainability page, which again is ourvatico.gov slash climate action, one word, um, or share cut public comment um during a council business meeting um or uh via written comment over email.
00:18:30.720 -->
00:18:33.759Um And once you do have a date, we'll be sure to let folks know what that is too.
00:18:34.079 -->
00:18:35.920So of course we can share that information.
00:18:36.160 -->
00:18:39.680But yeah, the best way to stay up to date is that sustainability newsletter.
00:18:40.079 -->
00:18:40.319Yep.
00:18:40.559 -->
00:18:40.799Yeah.
00:18:41.039 -->
00:18:41.440Yep.
00:18:42.079 -->
00:18:50.319Um yeah, so later this uh spring or summer, and then um once it's adopted, what where do we go from there?
00:18:50.720 -->
00:18:51.920Oh, that's when the fun starts.
00:18:52.640 -->
00:19:04.799Um yeah, really once we set the intention, once we have the plan approved, um, once we've got that formal direction to go forward, that's when we get to start implementing these programs and um just just making the work happen.
00:19:05.359 -->
00:19:17.200And we'll um is that kind of I know it's still kind of getting flushed out, but recognizing there'll be like five or ten kind of actions in the next, probably really looking into 2027, since we'll be about halfway through the year already.
00:19:17.599 -->
00:19:28.720But um we can and this is part of my job too, but we can work together to help share with the community what those first year priorities are, that sort of thing, and and progress over time.
00:19:28.960 -->
00:19:34.559And we didn't really talk about progress over time and kind of reporting back out, but I know you have a plan for that too.
00:19:35.039 -->
00:19:36.000Yeah, absolutely.
00:19:36.160 -->
00:19:39.279Um the idea there is um to do annual reporting.
00:19:39.359 -->
00:19:47.599Um, so that's when I'm gonna write a ton of emails, um, reach out to all the staff and get uh updates on the various metrics that we've proposed tracking.
00:19:47.759 -->
00:19:52.000Um we plan to really kind of annually reassess where we are.
00:19:52.079 -->
00:20:01.119I'm I'm big on iterative improvement and um making adjustments and you know, as some of our council members say, like fail fast and um then adapt, right?
00:20:01.279 -->
00:20:07.359Um so we want to be uh quick to react when it looks like if if the metrics aren't headed in the right direction.
00:20:07.440 -->
00:20:16.319Um, and really the only way to do that is to make sure that we are doing um some really good, thorough and accountable annual uh reporting.
00:20:16.480 -->
00:20:24.880Um so yeah, we're we're looking at an annual process for that where we're going to do um a check on the metrics, um, propose uh updates.
00:20:25.039 -->
00:20:36.480Um I I love the idea, and this is what I've done with another community in the past of doing like topical updates when we um start to feel that something might be missing from the plan because sustainability is a big topic.
00:20:36.640 -->
00:20:39.200It's a big umbrella, and there's a lot that goes into it.
00:20:39.279 -->
00:20:45.759And um, you know, we could we could spend three more years on the plan and probably still have new content to develop.
00:20:45.920 -->
00:20:51.680Um, but really we gotta we gotta hit a plant, we gotta plant a flag at some point and uh get into implementation.
00:20:51.839 -->
00:21:01.279Um but I really believe in uh revisiting our plan frequently and making sure that we're uh keeping up to date with where the priorities are on council.
00:21:01.440 -->
00:21:08.000Um, you know, it's worth mentioning that, you know, at an early stage a program like this has to be kind of responsive to opportunities as well.
00:21:08.079 -->
00:21:17.440So we're gonna be a little opportunistic on um, you know, looking at, you know, there's this grant program or or this funding opportunity, and you know, what can we build around that?
00:21:17.680 -->
00:21:29.440Um but the uh only other thing I'll add is just that when it comes to prioritizing our actions, um, I also in this first year in particular, we have a lot of ongoing activities.
00:21:29.599 -->
00:21:36.000Um, you know, there's things like the uh the um the rollout of the smart water metering infrastructure, for example.
00:21:36.160 -->
00:21:37.680Um, you know, that's already in progress.
00:21:37.839 -->
00:21:48.880That's something that we want to support and see kind of come across the finish line so that residents have real time information on their water use and can make adjustments, especially as we're approaching a year where we're likely to see drought restrictions.
00:21:49.039 -->
00:21:59.759Um and so we're probably gonna capitalize on some kind of um ongoing activities and supporting those kind of first and uh and then you know uh do that annually.
00:22:00.319 -->
00:22:06.160Process where we reprioritize the goals, identify our priorities, run it by council, get some additional input.
00:22:06.319 -->
00:22:11.119You know, did we miss something that they've got the finger on the pulse and they know that this is important to the community?
00:22:11.200 -->
00:22:13.440You know, let's make sure we address that this year as well.
00:22:13.839 -->
00:22:15.599Yeah, that makes a ton of sense.
00:22:15.759 -->
00:22:24.559Um, well, I'm gonna uh before I move us into trivia, I have some great trivia that I already know you know some of the answers to because you've said them unknowingly.
00:22:24.799 -->
00:22:37.920Um but before we do that, um we've talked about how big of a concept sustainability and climate action is, um, and that I think inherently can come with misconceptions or um questions that folks have a lot.
00:22:38.000 -->
00:22:40.319What are some things that you maybe want to clear up for folks?
00:22:40.960 -->
00:22:42.000Great question.
00:22:42.240 -->
00:22:48.000Um and I have two answers uh for you, and surprisingly, both of them have to do with costs and benefits.
00:22:48.160 -->
00:22:58.880Um the first one is gonna be that there's a timing gap in between the initial investment in a sustainability and climate action and the eventual payoff that we receive.
00:22:59.039 -->
00:23:07.519Um and the you know, this is true in in all sorts of um program development and infrastructure and things like that, but it's really especially true for sustainability.
00:23:07.680 -->
00:23:13.680Um, we're talking about a lot of times like a higher cost up front, if you take, for example, installing solar panels.
00:23:13.920 -->
00:23:15.200It's a costly endeavor.
00:23:15.279 -->
00:23:22.079You know, that's that's going to uh put you back a pretty penny, um, but it's one of those things that's gonna pay out in dividends over time.
00:23:22.400 -->
00:23:27.039Um, you know, the way human psychology works, it's kind of tough to make that connection.
00:23:27.119 -->
00:23:34.000And I think a lot of people view sustainability as you know a high cost activity with no real um return on investment.
00:23:34.160 -->
00:23:46.240And um, you know, I really believe that a lot of the reason for that is just because of that time delay and it's um spread out over time kind of amortized um benefits that are a little bit tougher to tie to your initial investment.
00:23:47.039 -->
00:23:52.240Um then the other one that I would mention is uh intangible benefits.
00:23:52.319 -->
00:23:58.559And I'm I'm using air quotes there because when I say intangible, I'm really talking about just tough to quantify.
00:23:58.799 -->
00:24:05.680Um, because often the sustainability um benefits are um you know really actually quite tangible.
00:24:05.759 -->
00:24:09.200Um they're just really tough to put a dollar amount to, right?
00:24:09.359 -->
00:24:10.880Take trees, for example.
00:24:11.119 -->
00:24:22.799Um so trees reduce heat, they improve air quality, um, aid in the water cycle, support wildlife, um, and even have mental health benefits, not to mention all the carbon that they're actually actively pulling out of the atmosphere.
00:24:22.960 -->
00:24:26.720Every inch of growth is, you know, all of that is carbon storage.
00:24:27.039 -->
00:24:31.519Um those are real and measurable impacts that we can put a dollar value to.
00:24:31.680 -->
00:24:35.200You know, what's the cost of uh healthcare that's being offset here?
00:24:35.519 -->
00:24:40.640Um, you know, what's the uh what's the the the uh benefit to the air quality?
00:24:40.799 -->
00:24:45.359These are these are things that can be measured, and there's actually a lot of research behind it.
00:24:45.519 -->
00:24:51.039Um but uh you know, if we had all the money in the world, um, you know, it would be great to do this.
00:24:51.119 -->
00:24:56.640And I've done a project before doing like uh tree tags um where we put down the ecosystem services.
00:24:56.960 -->
00:25:04.480That's what that's called is the ecosystem services, the kind of passive uh benefits of a sustainability solution, particularly in green infrastructure.
00:25:04.720 -->
00:25:07.119Um and and it's they can be pretty massive.
00:25:07.200 -->
00:25:24.559And and when you really get into a true cost and benefit accounting um that takes into uh takes into account the amortized long-term values um and takes into account those difficult to quantify benefits, um, you know, the cost benefit formula really starts to look different.
00:25:25.039 -->
00:25:28.400And uh Yeah, it's hard to yeah, and I see what you're saying.
00:25:28.480 -->
00:25:49.599Like, okay, we spent$1,000 on trees, um, but then like the benefits are in all these kind of like hard-to-measure spaces um to say like, well, actually the cost benefit, you know, is$10,000 um over, you know, five years or or whatever, but like it's coming from different places.
00:25:49.759 -->
00:25:55.519It's it's in these kind of almost intangible feeling ways that we get benefits from that.
00:25:55.680 -->
00:25:57.599So that yeah, it makes sense.
00:25:58.160 -->
00:26:06.160Um and then we didn't talk about like how the community will will kind of feel this, this plan and the actions that we're starting to take.
00:26:06.319 -->
00:26:09.759Um what can folks expect to see?
00:26:10.160 -->
00:26:10.400Yeah.
00:26:10.720 -->
00:26:23.200Well, uh, I mean, a little bit to be determined, but I think that initially in this first phase at least, um, what residents are gonna experience is kind of the like um the impact through city operations.
00:26:23.440 -->
00:26:34.240Um so if you think about our uh bulky item um drop-off events, for example, um, you know, traditionally all that waste has has, well, not all, but the vast majority of that waste has gone to the landfill.
00:26:34.319 -->
00:26:42.000Um and uh, you know, through city operations, we can roll out new diversion opportunities, like for example, this year we'll be rolling out scrap metal.
00:26:42.079 -->
00:26:55.119Um and uh all of that waste diversion is something that falls you know under the city's footprint, um, but residents can kind of expect to see the city stepping up to take those actions to uh divert waste at the events, right?
00:26:56.079 -->
00:27:04.799Um we're you know also supportive of um the new building codes um that are gonna be that are being considered by council right now for approval.
00:27:04.880 -->
00:27:09.680And and you know, those are gonna set new standards um for new and renovated buildings.
00:27:09.759 -->
00:27:16.799And you know, I'll be honest, that's gonna have a cost to it to uh to developers and um homeowners who uh incur those.
00:27:16.880 -->
00:27:21.359Um but this is absolutely one of those areas where the benefits again pay out over time.
00:27:21.759 -->
00:27:30.640Um and uh building energy uh comprises 60% of the city's uh overall GHG emissions.
00:27:30.880 -->
00:27:36.400So anything that we can do in this area um is really gonna have a significant climate impact.
00:27:36.480 -->
00:27:41.440It is far and above the most impactful place we can divert or uh invest our energy.
00:27:42.559 -->
00:27:43.119Makes sense.
00:27:43.279 -->
00:27:44.480Well, this is exciting.
00:27:44.640 -->
00:27:46.000Um let's do some trivia.
00:27:46.240 -->
00:27:46.480All right.
00:27:46.720 -->
00:27:52.480So these are kind of all over the place, but what um we were just talking about trees, so great first trivia question.
00:27:52.720 -->
00:27:56.640What year did the city receive its first tree city USA certification?
00:28:00.400 -->
00:28:03.119Oh, you think it goes first.
00:28:03.599 -->
00:28:05.599Um let's see.
00:28:05.680 -->
00:28:07.359I I mean I have to do some math here.
00:28:07.440 -->
00:28:08.880I want to say 1991.
00:28:09.440 -->
00:28:10.319Do you have a guess?
00:28:11.279 -->
00:28:13.279Uh it's pretty close to that, yeah.
00:28:13.440 -->
00:28:14.799And 1988.
00:28:15.440 -->
00:28:16.9601991 was correct.
00:28:18.559 -->
00:28:25.440Um there's like a timeline at the front of the CASIP that um mentions that.
00:28:26.079 -->
00:28:36.000So then in 2023, the City of Arvada became the first Colorado municipality to achieve its energy saving goals through what U.S.
00:28:36.160 -->
00:28:44.799Department of Energy program bonus points if you know how much we reduced our energy consumption by in city facilities.
00:28:47.359 -->
00:28:49.200I do know this one, I think.
00:28:49.759 -->
00:28:50.240You do too.
00:28:50.319 -->
00:28:51.440I think you're maybe overthinking it.
00:28:51.759 -->
00:28:52.160I'm okay.
00:28:52.240 -->
00:28:54.160Maybe I'm over is it the Better Buildings Challenge?
00:28:54.400 -->
00:28:54.480Yeah.
00:28:54.720 -->
00:28:54.880Okay.
00:28:55.200 -->
00:28:56.319Yeah, Sean said it earlier.
00:28:58.799 -->
00:29:00.720They're not gonna remember the name of the program.
00:29:01.200 -->
00:29:02.559I forgot that was so recent.
00:29:02.720 -->
00:29:03.759I thought that was a while ago.
00:29:03.839 -->
00:29:09.119But um, and it it might have technically been awarded in 2024.
00:29:09.279 -->
00:29:12.240The 10-year mark was 2013 to 2023.
00:29:12.799 -->
00:29:14.079See, I wanted to say 2013.
00:29:14.160 -->
00:29:14.319Trevor Burrus, Jr.
00:29:14.480 -->
00:29:15.359Yeah, that's when it started.
00:29:15.519 -->
00:29:19.200So that's that was our like jumping off point for lack of a better term.
00:29:19.440 -->
00:29:24.640Um and do either of you know how much we reduced our energy consumption and city facilities is what we're talking about.
00:29:25.680 -->
00:29:26.880It was significant.
00:29:27.279 -->
00:29:32.240Um it was it was it around 30 percent, I think.
00:29:32.640 -->
00:29:34.559I was gonna say 50 percent, but No.
00:29:34.720 -->
00:29:34.799No.
00:29:35.039 -->
00:29:36.720Yeah, it was um 28 percent.
00:29:36.880 -->
00:29:43.440So the goal was to reduce our energy emissions in city facilities by 20 percent in 10 years, and we reached 28 percent.
00:29:43.680 -->
00:29:50.640Um and there are other cities in the in the program and some school districts and things, but uh we were the first municipality to achieve our goals.
00:29:50.960 -->
00:29:52.319So super awesome.
00:29:52.559 -->
00:30:00.000Um the city maintains a no-cost lease at the Jeff CO community solar garden.
00:30:00.400 -->
00:30:02.400We've maintained that since 2016.
00:30:02.720 -->
00:30:09.200How much energy cost has the city saved through this program on an annual basis?
00:30:09.920 -->
00:30:10.160I think.
00:30:10.559 -->
00:30:12.799Oh maybe Can we get a hand?
00:30:13.680 -->
00:30:14.240Yes.
00:30:14.480 -->
00:30:18.960Um is it A, I'm coming up with multiple choice on the fly.
00:30:19.119 -->
00:30:21.759Is it A five hundred thousand dollars?
00:30:22.079 -->
00:30:26.319Is it B one point two million dollars?
00:30:26.559 -->
00:30:29.839Is it C two point two million dollars?
00:30:30.160 -->
00:30:33.680Or D four point five million dollars?
00:30:34.880 -->
00:30:35.920It's not that last one.
00:30:36.559 -->
00:30:38.000That was like that one away.
00:30:38.480 -->
00:30:40.799Uh I'm gonna go with 1.2 million.
00:30:41.119 -->
00:30:43.200Uh that that was gonna be my guess too.
00:30:43.359 -->
00:30:47.279Um but just to keep it spicy, I'll go with uh option C.
00:30:47.680 -->
00:30:48.7992.2 million was correct.
00:30:49.039 -->
00:30:49.119Okay.
00:30:49.519 -->
00:30:49.920All right.
00:30:50.240 -->
00:30:51.519Um Yeah.
00:30:51.599 -->
00:30:54.079So 2.2 million in energy cost savings.
00:30:54.240 -->
00:30:56.240I believe that's annual cost savings.
00:30:56.559 -->
00:31:00.319Um I didn't write down my answer clearly enough.
00:31:00.640 -->
00:31:02.400Um yeah, super significant.
00:31:02.640 -->
00:31:07.759And then last but not least, what year was the Arvada Sustainability Advisory Committee established?
00:31:08.240 -->
00:31:09.519Oh, I know this one.
00:31:10.640 -->
00:31:11.6802010.
00:31:12.079 -->
00:31:12.480Very close.
00:31:12.799 -->
00:31:13.359It was 2011.
00:31:13.759 -->
00:31:14.559It was 2011, yeah.
00:31:14.799 -->
00:31:15.119Oh yeah.
00:31:16.000 -->
00:31:18.799So then they did their Sustain Arvada plan one later.
00:31:20.799 -->
00:31:24.480Yeah, there was a steering committee um before ASAC was formed.
00:31:24.640 -->
00:31:28.160Um, and that's who did the first piece of Sustain Arvada.
00:31:28.319 -->
00:31:33.279Sustain Arvada was implemented over um the course of two years in in three parts.
00:31:33.440 -->
00:31:36.160So um but yeah, ASAC 2011.
00:31:37.920 -->
00:31:39.440Well, Steven, thanks for joining us today.
00:31:39.759 -->
00:31:40.319Oh my gosh.
00:31:40.400 -->
00:31:41.440Thank you so much for having me.
00:31:41.519 -->
00:31:42.880It's been a pleasure.
00:31:45.599 -->
00:31:48.960All right, before we let you go, as a reminder, we love hearing from our listeners.
00:31:49.039 -->
00:31:56.799You can stay in touch by texting us using the link at the top of the show notes, and you can also reach out via email at podcast at Arvada.org.
00:31:56.960 -->
00:32:02.960We love hearing from our listeners about what they enjoy, episode ideas, and just general questions.
00:32:03.599 -->
00:32:04.799News and events coming up.
00:32:04.880 -->
00:32:10.480The Arvada Blonde Reservoir opens uh for the season the same day this episode comes out Wednesday, April 1st.
00:32:10.640 -->
00:32:12.960The reservoir is open seven days a week, 7 a.m.
00:32:13.119 -->
00:32:13.839to 7 p.m.
00:32:14.240 -->
00:32:19.519You can purchase season passes and daily passes at ArvadaCo.gov slash reservoir.
00:32:19.680 -->
00:32:25.440The Arvada Kite Festival is coming up here on Sunday, April 12th at Stanger Sports Complex from 11 a.m.
00:32:25.519 -->
00:32:26.319to 4 p.m.
00:32:26.640 -->
00:32:34.880This is the city's annual flagship community event celebrating the start of spring with all things kites, free activities, food trucks, and more.
00:32:35.039 -->
00:32:40.559You can learn more at the event webpage, arvataco.gov.gov slash kitefest.
00:32:40.880 -->
00:32:57.119Robbie Farrafino Park in Central Arvada is getting the new All Abilities Playground, and we're doing the community engagement for that project right now with a design workshop coming up on Tuesday, April 7th, and that'll be at nearby Warder Elementary School from 5.30 to 6.30 p.m.
00:32:57.440 -->
00:33:02.799And we're inviting community members to come and share what they want to see included in that new playground.
00:33:03.039 -->
00:33:07.440You can learn more on the webpage for that project at ArvataCo.gov slash Robbie.
00:33:08.400 -->
00:33:14.960And the first of three bulky item drop-off events is coming up on Saturday, April 25th from 9 a.m.
00:33:15.119 -->
00:33:15.759to 2 p.m.
00:33:15.920 -->
00:33:18.880at the North Area Athletic Complex or the NAC.
00:33:19.680 -->
00:33:23.680These events are open to all Arvada residents as a part of the waste hauling program.
00:33:24.000 -->
00:33:32.559Um and be sure to just check that list of acceptable items on the website and everything else you should know before you go at ArvadaCo.gov slash bulky items.
00:33:33.119 -->
00:33:39.759Um, and then that Steven actually kind of alluded to this, but Colorado is facing a significant potential drought year this year.
00:33:39.920 -->
00:33:45.039Um, probably not a surprise considering the lack of snow we had this winter for most folks.
00:33:45.279 -->
00:33:54.160But like many of our neighboring communities, the city is monitoring those drought conditions and follows a four-stage approach to water restrictions.
00:33:54.400 -->
00:34:00.799And so we've developed a webpage where we'll keep all of the most up-to-date information as it is kind of an evolving situation.
00:34:00.960 -->
00:34:04.160And so that's ArvadaCo.gov slash drought.
00:34:04.480 -->
00:34:07.839And thank you again to our guest today, Stephen Russell.
00:34:07.920 -->
00:34:11.039Be sure to listen to our next episode with Kelly Van Bruggen.
00:34:11.360 -->
00:34:16.559Um, she will be talking about the completion of the city's first transportation systems plan.
00:34:16.960 -->
00:34:21.440And today's podcast was edited and recorded by Arvada Media Services.
00:34:21.760 -->
00:34:41.920And today's fun fact is that in 2023, the city completed a community-wide inventory of greenhouse gas emissions finding that Arvada residents and businesses generated approximately 815,096 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, and that's equal to using almost 92 million gallons of gasoline.
00:34:42.159 -->
00:34:42.960Whoa!
