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Monast asked how will this database be used, noting that it would be a shame not to make <br />it broadly available. Bouma replied that the current intention is for the database to be <br />private while it is being updated and then it could be made public once members were <br />confident in its accuracy. <br /> <br />Marcoplos mentioned that the CARD would be useful in the Council’s communications <br />strategy and might be a way to reach out to the private sector. <br /> <br />Bouma said that news media might also be interested if we included member contact info <br />for follow-ups. <br /> <br />Hansley-Mace thought it could be put out as a model for other communities and it shows <br />shared goals and commitments. <br /> <br />Marcoplos offered that further discussions on the outreach strategy around the CARD could <br />be an agenda item next meeting. <br /> <br />The Identity and Standards Committee informed the Council that they have focused on <br />standards initially, as a good way to reinforce a community identity and create buy-in for <br />climate action. McCullough said that research has shown that appeals to identity such as <br />signing a pledge, or illustrating that a large percentage of people in favor of something are <br />good ways to motivate action. The LEED for Cities and Communities certification program <br />would be a way to attach an identity appeal to national standards. USGBC merged with <br />STAR Communities to create this set of standards and they have gone through an initial <br />beta test resulting in around 6 communities being certified. Other benefits to pursuing this <br />standard are the credibility of the USGBC and the vetting process they use for their <br />standards and the terms, actions, and metrics are already defined while preserving some <br />flexibility in their implementation. <br /> <br />McCullough and Bouma then described their effort to apply for a technical assistance grant <br />to facilitate Orange County’s certification under the LEED for Cities and Communities <br />standards. Much of this overarching set of standards relates directly or indirectly to <br />reducing the impacts of climate change and the technical assistance grant would help all <br />Council members learn from the certification process. <br /> <br />This committee also said that they are thinking about a potential name clarification and are <br />considering “Innovation and Standards” or “Unity and Standards,” as these would be a better <br />reflection of the committee’s purpose. The committee will decide and report to the Council. <br /> <br />Slade said that for buildings the USGBC has calculated the climate change impacts, of adopting their <br />standards. Have they considered this here? McCullough replied that climate and energy is a large <br />section of the points. The Council can look out for point shopping and focus our efforts on climate <br />change and equity. This will also enable education on linkages back to energy and climate from water <br />usage, other seemingly unrelated sections. <br /> <br />Marcoplos pointed out that it may also bring attention to land use planning which is often <br />overlooked in Climate Action Plans. <br />Trueblood asked which entity would gets certified? Bouma replied that it would be Orange County. <br />Trueblood followed up with a caution to research the annual requirements for the maintenance of <br />certification, and the be sure that we have identified who has the authority to enact what’s being <br />asked. Since most of the development is happening in the towns and the towns have jurisdiction over <br />things like road infrastructure, the towns may have to buy in. Her final note was to watch out for the <br />expectation that LEED certification will add costs, and to be clear that this is a policy initiative.