Budget includes goals for meeting climate plan

There is a new addition to the City of Whitefish’s annual budget document.

A memo outlining the goals of each city department as it pertains to the city’s Climate Action Plan implementation was included in the fiscal year 2020 budget. City Council approved the budget last week.

The city in 2018 adopted its Climate Action Plan that sets a path for Whitefish to make the transition to a clean energy economy and points to steps to improve local resilience to climate change impacts. The city in the plan committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 26% by 2025 and prepare for the effects of climate change.

The goals memo describes projects and tasks identified to complete throughout fiscal year 2020.

The Police Department plans to use an electric assist bicycle to patrol walking paths and in addition use bikes and motorcycles for patrol when the weather permits. The department has budgeted for the purchase of two vehicles in the FY20 budget and says it continues to purchase fuel efficient vehicles and continues to explore the use of hybrid or electric vehicles.

The Building Department has also budgeted for a new vehicle this year and intends to purchase a fuel-efficient hybrid truck. The building department also plans to recommend adoption by the city of the 2018 Energy Conservation Code requiring higher standards of energy efficiency in new buildings.

The Planning Department continues to review public transportation in the city and looks for ways to improve alternative transportation options. Landscaping and tree retention ordinances will be reviewed by staff, according to the memo, with the intention to require drought-resistant plants to promote water conservation and a tree retention ordinance.

The Parks and Recreation department continues to look at ways to enhance the city’s transportation infrastructure for bicycle and pedestrian path connections to encourage alternative transportation.

In an effort to increase efficiencies in the city’s irrigation system, the parks department plans to work with a consultant to complete an irrigation system audit. The department also will continue to plant native, drought-tolerant tree species in boulevards and public spaces.

The Public Works Department is working with the Western Transportation Institute to finalize a transit plan and develop a transit hub as part of the Depot Park master plan.

Water conservation remains a priority, the memo notes. Consultants are planned to begin looking at feasibility studies for groundwater sources development for the city and initiatives from the climate plan are expected to be incorporated into the expansion of the water plant. In addition, the department continues replacing cast iron water mains in the city to reduce leakage and water loss.

Construction on the new wastewater treatment plant is expected to create a highly efficient plant to minimize greenhouse gas emissions. Also, a study is being completed to look at installing solar panels at the new plant.

The department also plans to continue LED lighting upgrades in residential areas for street lights.

The administration department of the city — human resources, finance and City Clerk’s office will continue with exploring ways to reduce the use of paper including increasing online options for submittals to the city. Also, a purchasing policy is expected to be implemented that will assist city departments in making purchases aligned with the goals of the climate action plan. The administration and Public Works also plan to complete an automatic meter reading project that is expected to significantly reduce city vehicle trips to read water meters.

The Municipal Court and the library both plan to keep energy efficiency as a priority in operations through items such as recycling, use of energy efficient lights and temperature control.

The climate action plan was a joint effort by the city and Whitefish School District, working with the nonprofit Climate Smart Glacier Country.

The plan focuses mainly on city municipal operations and school district operations, though it does encourage partnerships and personal action by residents and visitors to support the community’s transition to a clean energy economy.