|
REGULAR MEETING April 22, 2019
<br /> residents, we see the challenges have grown more complex and more urgent. So, must our
<br /> responses be more direct,more comprehensive, and more quickly implemented. This resolution is
<br /> a sensible next step for Council that builds on those past actions while rising to the seriousness and
<br /> immediacy of a changing climate. This resolution was developed based on two(2)public hearings
<br /> on climate science and climate policy from local experts, citizen testimony and feedback, review
<br /> of more than a dozen other communities' climate legislation, review of policy recommendations
<br /> from well-respected associations of local government, and a desire to collaborate closely with the
<br /> Administration to develop goals and plans with the highest potential for success. This resolution
<br /> will serve as a guidepost for future action by leaders on the Council, leaders in the Administration
<br /> and leaders in the community. Thank you to Mayor Pete Buttigieg for his strong commitment and
<br /> leadership, to Eric Horvath, the many Sustainability Office advisors, our steadfast youth leaders,
<br /> countless active community members, each of you Council Members, and past members and staff
<br /> for your tireless efforts to build a sustainable community where both our current and future
<br /> residents can thrive. Thank you.
<br /> Genevieve Miller, Deputy Chief of Staff for the Mayor of the City of South Bend with offices
<br /> located on the 14th floor of the County-City Building, South Bend, IN, served as a presenter for
<br /> this bill. Ms. Miller stated, On behalf of the Mayor, I want to thank the Common Council for
<br /> convening two (2) public meetings and sponsoring this resolution. You've done more than
<br /> spotlight the importance of climate action. You've demonstrated a clear commitment to seeing the
<br /> work through. I also want to thank Therese Dorau for your diligent work, year round, as Director
<br /> of Sustainability. Your efforts have guided this City towards a brighter future by overseeing
<br /> projects like installing downtown electric vehicle charges, building two (2) LEAD-Certified fire
<br /> stations,joining the Global Covenant of Mayors, and improving our public green spaces. Public
<br /> action remains a Mayoral priority, and thanks to strong coordination between the Council and the
<br /> Administration, we are living that commitment out each day. Thank you.
<br /> Councilmember Jo M. Broden stated, We ask for your favorable vote.
<br /> Councilmember Jake Teshka stated, I would just like to reiterate something I said in Committee.
<br /> That is, first(1st) of all, I think it is important for this to be bipartisan. There is only one (1) option
<br /> here. Secondly, I think there are many folks in our community, our State and in our country, who
<br /> might fall somewhere outside of this spectrum. We talked about this in Committee,but some folks
<br /> might say, look, I don't know whether our actions are contributing to climate change or whether
<br /> this is a cyclical thing, or what effect it has, and I think it is important to say we can find common
<br /> ground just by way of the fact we share this space. We share this planet. I think this is something
<br /> that people from all different kind of mindsets and starting points can get behind and say, yes, we
<br /> can do a better job as a City and as a community in the way we care for our planet and in the things
<br /> that we do. I would just invite those that may look at the title of this resolution and hear the things
<br /> we've been talking about and maybe instinctually have a fearful reaction, to please embrace this.
<br /> Embrace this process as we move through this.This is a process.There will be further debate down
<br /> the road in terms of actual policy and ordinances and things we do from here. So,we can certainly
<br /> have a much more robust debate on that,but I think this is something that,together as a community,
<br /> whether you're Republican, Democrat, Independent or somewhere else on the spectrum, this is
<br /> something we can get behind and say we want to have a better and cleaner community for our
<br /> children, grandchildren and those that come after us. Thirdly, I've heard a couple times through
<br /> this process, what is little South Bend going to do about Climate Change when you have actors
<br /> like China in the world, putting out all of these emissions and all of these things. I would respond
<br /> to those folks, with that type of mentality, nothing would get done ever in this world. There has to
<br /> be communities like ours, people who take that first (1st) or second (2nd) step and build on that
<br /> momentum. For any movement or any good thing to get done, it's not easy but it's worth
<br /> accomplishing. We have to take a step out in faith and do what we can do and do the things we
<br /> have power over. So, I would ask Council for a favorable vote on this resolution as well.
<br /> Councilmember Karen White stated, As a co-sponsor, again, it is my honor to be so. I would like
<br /> to thank the Office of Sustainability, Therese, that overview really was so important because it
<br /> also points to the work that had been done up to this point. So, I really appreciate that, all the work
<br /> that has gone before and the work that will be coming before us. I would also like to recognize
<br /> former Councilmember Randy Kelly. He had a passion to move forward on this and I would like
<br /> 8
<br />
|