CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT. Honorable Mayor and City Council Members

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1 NG CITY COUNCIL AGENDA PORT TO: FROM: Agenda Item No.: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members Joan Halgren, Sustainability Commission Member Tina Folch, Sustainability Commission Staff Liaison 9 - D Meeting Date: April 10, 2017 ACTION QUESTED: Sustainability Commission Request for Adoption of Letter to Congress Endorsing Action on Climate Change ATTACHMENTS: 1. Citizen' s Climate Lobby Sample Community Leader' s Letter to Congress 2. Letter addressed to Congressman Jason Lewis 3. Letter addressed to Senator Amy Klobuchar 4. Letter addressed to Senator Al Franken BACKGROUND: At the March 28th Sustainability Commission meeting, the group approved a request to the City Council requesting that they adopt the attached sample letter to Congress asking for them to support climate change action. The letter coincidentally harmonizes with the recognition of Earth Day on Saturday, April 22. DISCUSSION: As the Red Wing celebrates Earth Day this year, we also note the many progressive achievements our city has made to reduce the risks associated with climate change, like our endeavors to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by utilizing clean energy methods. To date, we can be proud of the many activities accomplished such as applying solar panels on the rooftops of our public buildings, supporting the creation of solar gardens, installing LED street lighting; plus, exploring future opportunities, like the installation of wind turbines and plug- in power stations for battery-operated cars. Yet, while we relish our home -town success, we cannot rest. We need to safe -guard our progress by aligning our sustainability principles with those of our nation to ensure a workable, unified effort, as we successfully mitigate the impact of climate change on our planet, economy, infrastructure, health, and national security. We can accomplish this 9- D Page I 1

2 by encouraging our lawmakers in Washington, D. C. to recognize the risks posed by climate change and to support legislative policies that will effectively, clearly and transparently help to reduce toxic greenhouse gas emissions. By endorsing and signing the Community Leader' s Letter to Congress, the Red Wing validates its willingness and commitment to join, in tandem, with our national leaders ( impacting both the public and private sectors) to manifest climate solutions that will help create a resilient Earth for generations to come. FUNDING: NA ONGOING OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE COSTS: NA ALTERNATIVES: 1. Accept the Letter to Congress 2. Do not accept the Letter to Congress and provide direction to Staff. COMMENDATION: Adopt the Letter to Congress 9- D Page 12

3 Community Leader' s Letter to Congress Organization/ Individual Endorsing Action on Climate Change WHEAS... The costs of climate change including destabilized weather patterns, rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and other serious impacts - now pose a substantial threat to the health, prosperity, and security of Americans. The costs are real, they are growing, and they are already burdening businesses, taxpayers, municipal budgets, and families. Our economy, infrastructure, public safety, and health are directly at risk. Prudent action now will be far less costly than the consequences of delayed response and will create a more stable business environment for our nation. THEFO... I/ we urge Congress to sponsor and/ or support measures that will: Acknowledge the serious threat posed by climate change Reduce greenhouse gas emissions in a clear, transparent, and effective way Organization ( e. g. business, congregation) Signing as an... Individual ( e. g. elected official, business owner) Organization Name (e. g. Citizens' Climate Lobby) Full Name (e. g. Mark Reynolds) Contact Name (e. g. Mark Reynolds) Title (e. g. Executive Director) Contact Title (e.g. Executive Director) Organization (e. g. Citizens' Climate Lobby) Address: City: State: ZIP: Signed*: Date: 1 affirm 1 have the authority to sign on behalf of this individual/ organization Signature is: Public Private - will not be shared with anyone outside of Citizens' Climate and Congress www. www. citizensclimatelobby. citizensclimatelobby. orq/ orq/ leaders leaders II endorse@citzensclimatelobby. endorse@citzensclimatelobby. org org L: L: Citizens' Citizens' Climate Climate Lobby Lobby

4 April 10, 2017 Congressman Jason Lewis District Office 2805 Cliff Road, Suite 200 Burnsville, MN Subject: Red Wing Endorsing Action on Climate Change Dear Congressman Jason Lewis: The costs of climate change including destabilized weather patterns, rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and other serious impacts - now pose a substantial threat to the health, prosperity, and security of Americans. The costs are real, they are growing, and they are already burdening businesses, taxpayers, municipal budgets, and families. Our economy, infrastructure, public safety, and health are directly at risk. Prudent action now will be far less costly than the consequences of delayed response and will create a more stable business environment for our nation. The Red Wing Council urges Congress to sponsor and/ or support measures that will: Acknowledge the serious threat posed by climate change; and Reduce greenhouse gas emissions in a clear, transparent, and effective way. Thank you for your service to our community and Minnesota. Should you want to discuss this matter, please feel free to contact me at Sincerely, Mayor Sean Dowse 315 West 411 Street Red Wing, MN Website: www. red- wing.org Phone: sean. dowse(@ci. red- winv.rnn. us

5 April 10, 2017 Senator Amy Klobuchar Southern Office 1200 Washington Ave. South, Room 250 Minneapolis, MN Subject: Red Wing Endorsing Action on Climate Change Dear Senator Klobuchar: The costs of climate change including destabilized weather patterns, rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and other serious impacts - now pose a substantial threat to the health, prosperity, and security of Americans. The costs are real, they are growing, and they are already burdening businesses, taxpayers, municipal budgets, and families. Our economy, infrastructure, public safety, and health are directly at risk. Prudent action now will be far less costly than the consequences of delayed response and will create a more stable business environment for our nation. The Red Wing Council urges Congress to sponsor and/ or support measures that will: Acknowledge the serious threat posed by climate change; and Reduce greenhouse gas emissions in a clear, transparent, and effective way. Thank you for your service to our community and Minnesota. Should you want to discuss this matter, please feel free to contact me at Sincerely, Mayor Sean Dowse 315 West 411 Street Red Wing, MN Website: www. red- wing.org Phone: sean. dowse(@ci. red- winv.rnn. us

6 April 10, 2017 Senator Al Franken St. Paul Office 60 Plato Blvd. East, Suite 220 St. Paul, Minnesota Subject: Red Wing Endorsing Action on Climate Change Dear Senator Franken: The costs of climate change including destabilized weather patterns, rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and other serious impacts - now pose a substantial threat to the health, prosperity, and security of Americans. The costs are real, they are growing, and they are already burdening businesses, taxpayers, municipal budgets, and families. Our economy, infrastructure, public safety, and health are directly at risk. Prudent action now will be far less costly than the consequences of delayed response and will create a more stable business environment for our nation. The Red Wing Council urges Congress to sponsor and/ or support measures that will: Acknowledge the serious threat posed by climate change; and Reduce greenhouse gas emissions in a clear, transparent, and effective way. Thank you for your service to our community and Minnesota. Should you want to discuss this matter, please feel free to contact me at Sincerely, Mayor Sean Dowse 315 West 411 Street Red Wing, MN Website: www. red- wing.org Phone: sean. dowse(@ci. red- winv.rnn. us