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Appendix A: Council Resolutions & Mayor’s Proclamation ---PAGE BREAK--- A Proclamation of the City of Whitefish, Montana Upholding the Pari s Climate Agreement WHEREAS, there is a global scientific consensus that the earth' s climate is warming and that it is extremely likely that warming trends are due to human activities, chiefly the burning of fossil fuels; and WHEREAS, climate change poses a major threat to the health and livelihood of American cities, including the City of Whitefish , with impacts as far-ranging as increasing flooding, drought, reduced water supply, wildfires , compromised public health, habitat loss, and invasive species; and WHEREAS , climate change, if unchecked, will have mounting impacts on human health, natural systems, and infrastructure which will create new costs for individuals, businesses and governments; and WHEREAS , on December 12, 2015, a total of 196 nations, including the United States, made a historic pact in Paris, France to adopt green energy sources, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, limit the global temperature increase to no more than 2 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels, and to pursue efforts to limit the increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels; and WHEREAS , as part of the Paris Climate Agreement , the United States committed to reducing its carbon emissions by 26 to 28°/o from 2005 levels by 2025; and WHEREAS , on June 1, 2017, President Donald Trump announced that the United States will withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement ; and WHEREAS , since President Trump' s announcement , over 200 American cities have committed to upholding the Paris Climate Agreement ---PAGE BREAK--- even in the absence of federal leadership; and WHEREAS, like those cities, the City of Whitefish believes that meaningful action is needed at all levels of government to mitigate and adapt to climate change, protect the public trust, ensure a resilient community, and leave a healthy environment and atmosphere for future generations ; and WHEREAS, the City of Whitefish recognizes that energy conservation and other actions to address climate change can complement economic development and offer the community opportunities for new technology, new business ventures and more. NOW, THEREFORE, I, John Muhlfeld, Mayor of Whitefish, Montana, do hereby proclaim that: The City of Whitefish adopts, honors and commits to upholding the goals enshrined in the Paris Climate Agreement. The City of Whitefish commits to making the mitigation of climate change a priority. The City of Whitefish will increase its efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions, create a clean energy economy, and stand for environmental justice. DECLARED this 19th day of June 2017 by the Mayor of Whitefish. ATTEST: Michelle Hawke, City Clerk ---PAGE BREAK--- - 1 - RESOLUTION NO. 16-64 A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Whitefish, Montana, establishing the Whitefish Climate Action Plan Committee. BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Whitefish, Montana, as follows: Section 1: There is hereby established the Whitefish Climate Action Plan Committee (the "Committee"). Section 2: Members of the Committee shall be appointed by the Mayor with the consent of the City Council. Appointments shall be made by a simple majority of the City Council in attendance at a special or regular session. Committee members shall receive no compensation. Section 3: The general purpose of the Committee will be to work with City Staff, including Energy Corps member Rachel Sussman, and the Climate Smart Glacier Country partnership to evaluate the City's energy use and propose specific projects, benchmarks and other recommendations to conserve energy in the City. The Committee may also propose actions to enhance community resilience and prepare for the effects of climate change. Section 4: The Committee will consist of seven individuals with representation as follows: up to two City Councilors; and five or six individuals who are either City residents or who have technical expertise in the areas of energy use, energy conservation, and/or climate change. The Committee members shall select a Chairperson and a Vice-Chairperson from the members of the Committee. The Committee shall appoint one member as Secretary of the Committee, who shall keep minutes of all meetings and submit them to the City Clerk. A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum. The Committee shall meet as often as necessary to accomplish its general purpose, as described above, but not less than once a month. The Committee shall cease to exist as provided in Section 5. Section 5: The Committee will begin its deliberations as soon as practical after its creation. The Committee shall meet with the goals of having a draft Climate Action Plan available for public review and comment by June of 2017 and a final Climate Action Plan and recommendation ready to present to the City Council in August or September of 2017. The Committee shall be disbanded as of the date the City Council passes a resolution adopting the Climate Action Plan. Section 6: A member of the Committee may be removed by the City Council, after a hearing for misconduct or nonperformance of duty. Absences from three consecutive meetings, including regular and special work sessions, or absences from more than fifty percent (50%) of such meetings held during the calendar year shall constitute grounds for removal. The circumstances of the absences shall be considered by the City Council prior to removal. Any person who knows in advance of his or her inability to attend a specific meeting shall notify the Chairperson of the Committee at least twenty-four (24) hours prior to any scheduled meeting. Section 7: Any vacancy occurring on the Committee will be filled in the same manner that the initial position was filled. ---PAGE BREAK--- - 2 - Section 8: The Committee will not have authority to make any expenditure on behalf of the City or disburse any funds provided by the City or to obligate the City for any funds. Section 9: The Committee will have no authority to direct City staff with respect to any matter, but may request information and assistance from City staff. Section 10: This Resolution will take effect immediately upon its adoption by the City Council, and signing by the Mayor thereof. PASSED AND ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WHITEFISH , MONTANA , ON THIS 5TH DAY OF DECEMBER, 2016. ATTEST: Michelle Howke, City Clerk ---PAGE BREAK--- RESOLUTION NO. 17-m A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Whitefish, Montana, expanding the Whitefish Climate Action Plan Committee. WHEREAS, the City Council established the seven member Whitefish Climate Action Plan Committee by Resolution No. 16-64 on December 5, 2016; and WHEREAS, the City Council desires to be able to appoint two additional members and one alternate member to the Whitefish Climate Action Committee. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Whitefish, Montana, as follows: Section 1: The Committee will consist of nine members with representation as follows: one City Councilor, eight members who are either City residents or who have technical expertise in the areas of energy use, energy conservation, and/or climate change; and one alternate member. Section 2: This Resolution will take effect immediately upon its adoption by the City Council, and signing by the Mayor thereof. PASSED AND ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WHITEFISH, MONTANA, ON THIS 6TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2017. ATTEST: Michelle Hawke, City Clerk