The Town of Rochester Town Board held a Special Meeting for a presentation regarding the Climate Smart Communities Bard College Gap Analysis at 5:00pm via zoom meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81862333610?pwd=YTlLSkEwRWgwbUlkenREN2tBZ1pGdz09
Meeting ID: 818 6233 3610 Passcode: 799021
PRESENT:
Councilwoman Erin Enouen (5:05pm) Councilwoman Bea Haugen-Depuy( 5:20pm)
Councilman Chris Hewitt Councilman Adam Paddock (5:11pm)
Supervisor Michael Baden Town Clerk Kathleen Gundberg
ALSO PRESENT:
EUROPA MC GOVERN – UC DEPT. OF THE ENVIRONMENT
MONIQUE SEGARRA- PROFESSOR
JASMINE WIBISONO- STUDENT
BOBBY HOWE- STUDENT
SHAWN WALLBILION- STUDENT
LAWRENCE DEWITT
MADELINE RUSSO
CAROLINE RAMALEY
Overview:
3 students of Bard Center for Environmental Policy graduate students worked with the Town of Rochester Supervisor and Madeline Russo (Climate Smart Communities Task Force Coordinator) to produce a final gap analysis as a reference to use towards certification of Climate Smart Community program ( CSC). The CSC is a statewide program the Town of Rochester is participating in regarding climate scenarios and to protect the Town’s heritage.
Various Town documents used for the analysis were;
The Comprehensive Plan 2006 Flood Damage prevention 2009
Zoning/ Subdivision Ordinance 2014 Emergency Response & short-term recovery 2007
Open Space Plan 2018 Building conditions plan 2020
Natural Heritage Plan 2018 Historic Preservation Plan 2008
Historic Farm Study 2011 Groundwater protection plan 2006
Multiple key community stakeholders for the Town of Rochester were identified.
Strengths and gaps were identified in the Town documents.
The students gave 5 recommendations for the Town to consider in order to receive the bronze or silver status.
1. updating the Comprehensive plan
2. community greenhouse gas inventory and community climate action plan
3. multi hazard mitigation plan
4. implementing updated Floodplain and stormwater management plans
5. conduct public out reach
The students provided the Town with two grant funding opportunities;
NY RISING Communities
Hudson River Valley Greenway Grant and funding
The Town of Rochester is well on its way to becoming a bronze level climate smart community!
Supervisor Baden thanked the students, they out did themselves. Very appreciated thank you guys!
Any Board members have any questions?
Councilwoman Enouen stated, “ the presentation was great and learned a lot. I liked the focus on our emergency management plans, that is important to our community. I look forward to watching it again. Thank you so much!”
Councilman Hewitt stated, “ It was a wonderful presentation, do you have a sense of how many points until we can reach bronze status?”
Shawn stated that the Town has a lot of plans that can be applied so I would guess approximately 70 points towards the 100.”
Councilman Paddock stated, “ you all did a brilliant job. I’ve lived here for 45 years and just learned a lot. I was glad to see you tackling the plans and giving us a good place to start. Thank you for putting this together for us. Excellent Job!”
Councilwoman Haugen-Depuy stated, “ Thank you for the presentation I gained a lot of knowledge and was educated about a lot of the information you presented, so thanks again.”
Town Clerk Gundberg stated, “ fantastic job, sometimes when a plan is put forth its hard to see what the goal is or it may be complicated and you all broke it down, simplified it I learned a lot!”
Madeline Russo stated, “ I’m thrilled with how this turned out. With this check list we may be able to gain the 100 points needed for the bronze. What a great job you all did. I am currently sharing this with 5 counties, your efforts are going far and wide. Thank you again.”
Supervisor Baden adjourned the meeting at 5:55pm
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,
KATHLEEN A. GUNDBERG
TOWN CLERK