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HomeMy WebLinkAboutagenda.council.worksession.20160315 CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION March 15, 2016 4:00 PM, City Council Chambers MEETING AGENDA I. ACRA 2016 Supplemental Budget Request II. ACRA Space Needs III. Compact of Colorado Mayors discussion P1 1 MEMORANDUM To: City Council Cc: Randy Ready Don Taylor From: Debbie Braun, President Julia Theisen, VP sales and marketing Date: March 11, 2016 Re: 2016 Destination Marketing - Supplemental Budget The lodging tax revenue dedicated to destination marketing generated $217,600 over the projected budget for 2015. Please find attached a budget for approval of these marketing funds. The budget will also be reviewed at the March 15th council meeting. Last fall, the City finance manager requested that we change how lodging tax revenues are paid to ACRA for destination marketing. This request enables the City to pay ACRA the lodging tax as the City receives it rather than a projected amount paid upfront. Therefore, no revenue was received in January or February this year. Due to this change ACRA used cash reserves in Q1 until the January lodging tax check is received in March. The attached budget replenishes the reserve. This reserve has been historically used for cash flow, capital projects, or in the event that the fund comes in lower than projected. The attached budget has been reviewed and approved by ACRA’s Marketing Advisory Committee. The allocations on the budget were selected to achieve strategies and goals as outlined on ACRA’s 2016 program of work to strengthen our existing programs to achieve maximum results. Key initiatives for this budget a more robust campaign for our spring and fall seasons which have been identified as growth periods as well as advertising specific to attracting group business year round. Other initiatives include hosting the Colorado Welcome Center managers for a first- hand experience in Aspen, updating our website and new creative assets. We believe that the supplemental budget will broaden our existing programs for our integrated marketing campaign that will result in maximum return for our tourism economy. Please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions on this information. P2 I. 2 $217.6K Fund Balance from 2015 $120K To replace funds spent in transition in Q1 $20K Advertising for spring / fall seasons $10K additional advertising for each season to promote Aspen Spring – build on the promotion of Secret Season, a Buy 2, get 3 nights at participating hotels with a $50 credit towards outdoor activity Fall - build on Fall in Love with Aspen campaign $15K Advertising – specific media buys targeting group business year round with an emphasis on need periods $7500 Additional Visitor Research for Non Winter guests Partner with RFTA and Forest Service to gain more information on visitors to Maroon Bells this fall season 30K Defy Ordinary Creative – refresh the creative campaign with new assets to include creative concepts, photo shoot and production costs 5K Colorado Welcome Centers FAM – invite key staff from 10 Colorado Welcome Centers to experience Aspen first hand. Build on success of this program which was last implemented in 2013. 10K Website – server enhancements to accommodate growing visitors and content 10K Seasonal Marketing- take advantage of advertising and PR opportunities that are presented this spring to promote Aspen in key markets P3 I. Page 1 of 1 MEMORANDUM TO: Mayor and City Council FROM: Jeff Pendarvis, Capital Asset Project Manager THROUGH: Jack Wheeler, Capital Asset Director DATE OF MEMO: March 11, 2016 MEETING DATE: March 15, 2016 RE: Civic Space Relocation Project (CBRP) – Office space for ACRA REQUEST OF COUNCIL: Staff requests City Council discussion of the multiple options and provide direction for temporary and long term office space and visitor center for ACRA. PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION: Council were informed of the discussion in a work session on March 7, 2016. As part of the March 7, 2016 update, Staff informed Council that next steps were to finalize the temporary solution and a long term solution. BACKGROUND: ACRA currently is housed in offices owned by the COA and have been give notice to vacate through the terms of the lease. ACRA will need to move out for the construction phase of the new city hall to be located in the Galena Plaza/Rio Grande Parking structure. DISCUSSION: ACRA needs to maintain a visitor’s center to serve the visiting public that is visible and accessible to the Rio Grande offices – this would need to be a minimum of 400 square feet and have additional space needs of about 2,300 for their office and administrational operation. FINANCIAL/BUDGET IMPACTS: There will a financial impact, at this time, there are multiple variables for the costs of the various options. RECOMMENDED ACTION: Staff recommends City Council discuss and give direction to Staff. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS: ATTACHMENTS: P4 II. Page 1 of 3 MEMORANDUM TO: Mayor and City Council FROM: Ashley Perl, Climate Action Manager DATE OF MEMO: March 11, 2016 MEETING DATE: March 15, 2016 RE: Compact of Colorado Mayors REQUEST OF COUNCIL: Staff is presenting an idea for engaging Colorado mayors in climate action, and requesting feedback from City Council about this idea and direction on next steps. BACKGROUND: The City of Aspen created the Canary Initiative in 2004, and by doing so, committed resources and staff time to fighting climate change. Since the beginning, the Canary Initiative has worked on the following mission: - Reduce greenhouse gas emissions locally - Track local greenhouse gas emissions - Support state, federal and international policy efforts that reduce global greenhouse gas emissions - Prepare Aspen for a changing climate future, by understanding how a warming climate will impact Aspen and planning how Aspen can be resilient to those changes DISCUSSION: As part of the City of Aspen’s efforts to ‘support state, federal and international policy’, staff worked with the US State Department in 2015 to secure credentials for Mayor Steve Skadron to attend the COP21 event in Paris. COP21 was the 21st Conference of Parties, an international United Nations event with the goal of setting binding greenhouse gas reduction targets for all countries. Aspen’s Mayor was able to attend the ‘Blue Zone’ events where the international negotiations took place, but what was possibly the more impactful experience was the Mayor’s participation in some of the ‘side events’, hosted by outside organizations. These side events provided an opportunity to share the stories and voices of those impacted by a changing climate, and rallied the international community to take action to fight climate change. Although the Blue Zone negotiations were a success and all nations agreed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to a level that will keep global temperatures ‘well below’ 2 degrees Celsius, many feel that the actions and commitments that occurred outside of the Blue Zone were equally impactful. P5 III. Page 2 of 3 One such side event was the Climate Summit for Local Leaders, hosted by Mayor Hidalgo of Paris and Michael Bloomberg, the U.N. Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Cities and Climate Change. This was a gathering of 200 mayors from cities all over the world. Mayors not only built lasting relationships that will lead to collaboration, but mayors also received resources and messages from private industry leaders to help mayors take action in their local municipalities. To receive an invitation to this prestigious event, mayors and elected officials had to have signed the Compact of Mayors, as Aspen did in 2015. Attachment A explains the Compact of Mayors in detail. In short, the Compact of Mayors is a commitment by more than 400 international cities to act on climate. It is the single largest cooperative effort among mayors and city officials to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, track progress, and prepare for the impacts of climate change. Using the Compact of Mayors as a guide, organizers of the Climate Summit for Local Leaders, sent these key messages to Mayor Skadron and other attendees of the event: - Collaboration at the local and national levels is critical to fighting climate change - Urgency is needed to reverse the catastrophic effects of a warming climate - Local mayors, governments and non-profit organizations can accomplish more at the local level than can be accomplished at the national and international levels As one can imagine, this experience and the message was impactful, and Mayor Skadron has said he was deeply moved to act on climate in a way that Aspen has not previously considered because of what he heard at this event. After returning from COP21, Mayor Skadron approached staff of the City’s Canary Initiative with an idea to further climate action in Colorado. The Mayor described his idea as a replication of the Climate Summit for Local Leaders, with a strong message that would be similar to that of the Compact of Mayors. Staff worked with the Mayor briefly to expand on this idea further, but City staff felt that it was not appropriate to spend additional time on this idea without first checking in with City Council. Working together, the Mayor and staff were able to create a possible plan for what we have referred to as the Compact of Colorado Mayors. The goal of the Compact would be to engage mayors from all over Colorado, and ask them to sign a commitment to act on climate. This compact, showing commitments from mayors and cities of many types, would send a powerful message to Colorado lawmakers. Additionally, any mayor signing the Compact would be invited to attend a one-day event in Aspen that would give them information, resources, and the connections needed to fight climate change in their town. This event has tentatively been referred to as the Climate Action Rally or the Climate Mayors Forum. Attachment B describes the event in detail. There are many additional questions that need to be answered about the possible Compact of Colorado Mayors and corresponding gathering, but staff was not able to spend the additional time needed without direction from City Council. FINANCIAL/BUDGET IMPACTS: The current proposal for the rally/forum includes a cocktail reception and a lunch for the mayors. It is anticipated that the City of Aspen or a local partner would sponsor these two events. P6 III. Page 3 of 3 Attending mayors would be responsible for the cost of their lodging and transportation. Additional costs and efforts to contact mayors and organize the Compact and the event could be met with a combination of City of Aspen staff time and possibly a hired local partner. The Mountain Pact, a climate organization based in Lake Tahoe that serves mountain communities, has offered to find speakers and organize the agenda at no or little cost to Aspen. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS: Colorado and the United States are currently at a turning point in our approach to fighting climate change. The United States was a signatory on the binding international commitment to keep global greenhouse gas emissions at a level that keeps global temperatures well below 2 degrees Celsius. It is anticipated that the EPA’s Clean Power Plan would help the US achieve those commitments. However, the future of the Clean Power Plan is in flux with the recent ruling of a stay from the Supreme Court. With this turn of event, now, more than ever, the federal government is looking to states and cities to help solve the global climate crisis, and we are finding that cities are ready to take action. International analysts agree that an aggressive federal policy to limit greenhouse gas emissions will achieve GHG reductions of a great magnitude, but the remainder of the work to prevent the catastrophic changes to our climate will need to happen on a small scale, in individual cities. With this in mind, Mayor Steve Skadron feels it is time to engage Colorado cities to take action. Aspen has a long way to go to achieving our own GHG reduction goals, but we do have numerous programs that can act as a model for what is possible in other cities. Aspen’s actions and voice will be more impactful when combined with all the voices, stories and actions of our neighbors. It is only through collaboration, significant local action, and leadership that we, as a city, a state, a nation and a globe can solve this most pressing issue of our day. RECOMMENDED ACTION: Staff recommends City Council consider the draft plan for the Compact of Colorado Mayors, provide input, and direct staff to continue researching the details of the Compact to see what is possible. ALTERNATIVES: City Council can choose not to support the concept of the Compact of Colorado Mayors or can choose to alter the concept. ATTACHMENTS: Attachment A: International Compact of Mayors Attachment B: DRAFT: Compact of Colorado Mayors and Climate Action Rally P7 III. P 8 I I I . 2 Cities around the world are already acting—many in very significant ways—to reduce emissions and adapt to climate change, but their progress too often goes unrecognized and is not measured or reported consistently. Sharing the impact of these current efforts and catalyzing new action is imperative, in part because a new climate change agreement will soon be negotiated in Paris. In Paris in December 2015, the United Nations will hold its 21st annual Conference of the Parties (COP 21), with the aim of achieving a universal agreement on climate among nation states. Real momentum can occur only when nations and cities collaborate. Cities have an enormous opportunity to make even more of an impact. The potential impact of cities taking climate action in three sectors alone—buildings, transportation and waste—would make an impact greater than the total emissions of the United States and the 28 member states of the European Union combined. SITUATION ANALYSIS P 9 I I I . 3 The Compact of Mayors is a global coalition of mayors and city officials committing to reduce local greenhouse gas emissions, enhance resilience to climate change and track their progress publicly. It is an agreement by city networks – and then by their members – to fight climate change in a consistent and complimentary manner to national efforts. WHAT IS THE COMPACT OF MAYORS? •The Compact collects the significant climate action data that cities are already reporting in a consistent, transparent manner and makes that data available in a single place. •The Compact builds on existing cooperative efforts, partnering with other initiatives to better measure and communicate the impact of city action. •The Compact represents the greatest opportunity to bring attention to, and quantify, city action, both in the lead-up to Paris and beyond. P 1 0 I I I . 4 The Compact of Mayors was launched at the 2014 United Nations Climate Summit. It was formed by: •UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon •Michael R. Bloomberg, U.N. Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Cities and Climate Change •ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI) •C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group (C40) •United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) •United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) THE HISTORY OF THE COMPACT OF MAYORS The Compact of Mayors was formally signed into action in September 2014 with a statement that read in part: “The Compact of Mayors is an agreement by city networks—and then by their members—to undertake a transparent and supportive approach to reduce city-level emissions, to reduce vulnerability and to enhance resilience to climate change, in a consistent and complimentary manner to national level climate protection efforts. The Compact of Mayors builds on the ongoing efforts of Mayors that increasingly set ambitious, voluntary city climate commitments or targets for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction and to address climate risk; report on progress towards achieving those targets by meeting robust, rigorous and consistent reporting standards (as established through City Networks); and make that information publically available by reporting through a recognized city platform.” P 1 1 I I I . 5 WHY COMMIT TO THE COMPACT OF MAYORS? Compact of Mayors benefits: •New and widespread recognition of innovative and impactful city action already underway for years •Platform to demonstrate commitment to be part of the global solution •Consistent, standardized and reliable assessment of city impact and progress toward meeting commitments •Evidence of the greenhouse gas impact of city action •Increased investor confidence and capital flows into cities •Mechanism for national governments to recognize and resource local commitments P 1 2 I I I . 6 EXISTING CLIMATE GOALS SUPPORTED BY COMPACT OF MAYORS The Compact of Mayors recognizes many existing initiatives to gather the impact of efforts already underway. The following are just a few of the major climate initiatives that complement and are in alignment with the Compact of Mayors’ requirements: THE MEXICO CITY PACT DURBAN ADAPTATION CHARTER (SOUTH AFRICA) LOCAL GOVERNMENT CLIMATE ROADMAP MAYORS NATIONAL CLIMATE ACTION AGENDA (U.S.) P 1 3 I I I . 7 WHAT MAKES THE COMPACT OF MAYORS UNIQUE? BUILDS ON INITIATIVES FOR GREATER IMPACT AND RECOGNITION: The Compact is the broadest coalition to unite cities, networks and other global partners with a common aim—to support more climate action in cities, and share the impact of city action with the international community. STANDARDIZES MEASUREMENT AND REPORTING: For the first time, the Compact will standardize the way city climate data is reported, establishing a universal approach to data collection. The data can be aggregated to highlight the collective impact of city actions, which will increase global and investor confidence. MAKES DATA AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC: Cities primarily report their climate data/actions through two major platforms—CDP (www.cdp.net) and carbonn Climate Registry (carbonn.org)—both of which are partners to the Compact. The Compact will make this data centrally and publicly available through the carbonn Climate Registry to highlight commitments and allow for easy searchability. . P 1 4 I I I . 8 Measurement, planning and reporting are critical to achieving climate goals, and Bloomberg’s guiding maxim underscores the mission of the Compact of Mayors. With the use of consistent, transparent measurements, the Compact aims to get cities around the world on a common platform so that the impact of their collective actions on greenhouse gas emissions can be accurately captured. MEASUREMENT “If you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it.” —MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG P 1 5 I I I . 9 Any city or town in the world may commit to the Compact of Mayors—regardless of size or location. A city has up to three years to meet a series of requirements and fully comply, culminating in the creation of a full climate action and adaptation plan, and it will be recognized as each step is met. Many cities have already completed some of the activities and can be compliant in fewer than three years. To commit to the Compact, a city must: HOW TO PARTICIPATE IN THE COMPACT OF MAYORS REGISTER COMMITMENT. A mayor may register on either of the Compact’s standard reporting platforms—carbonn Climate Registry or CDP—or email a letter of intent to info@ compactofmayors.org. Following its submission, a city will be contacted by the Compact support team. TAKE INVENTORY. Within one year, a mayor must assess the current impacts of climate change in his/her city. To do so, the city must 1) Build and complete a community-wide GHG inventory with a breakdown of emissions for buildings and transport sectors, using the GPC standard; (2) Identify climate hazards; and (3) Report on both via the CDP or carbonn Climate Registry questionnaires. CREATE REDUCTION TARGETS AND ESTABLISH A SYSTEM OF MEASUREMENT. Within two years, the registered city must update its GHG inventory to also include a breakdown of emissions from waste sector.; set a target to reduce its GHG emissions; conduct a climate change vulnerability assessment consistent with Compact guidance; and report in its chosen platform. ESTABLISH AN ACTION PLAN. Within three years, a city’s strategic action plan must show how it will deliver on its commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change. P 1 6 I I I . 10 COMMITTED AND COMPLIANT BADGES Upon registering its commitment to the Compact of Mayors, a city will receive an official “Committed” badge. Upon completing all requirements, a city will receive a “Compliant” badge. A new “Compliant” badge will be issued each year that compliance is maintained through annual reporting. These badges may be publicly displayed online and in print materials. To join the Compact, a city leader must engage in the following four phases over a 3 year period. Each phase has a 2 step process: Mitigation and Adaptation. Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3 Phase 4 Compliant Establish An Action Plan Within three years, a city’s strategic action plan must show how it will deliver on its commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climage change. P 1 7 I I I . 11 MITIGATION ADAPTATION REGISTER COMMITMENT. A city may register at carbonn Climate Registry or CDP or email a letter of intent to join to info@compactofmayors.org. (A template letter is available for download on www.compactofmayors.org.) STEP 1 — COMMITMENT •Cities commit to: >Reduce local GHG emissions. >Measure community emissions inventory using the GPC – a consistent and robust standard. >Set data-based targets for the future. >Develop climate action plans to deliver on city targets. •Cities commit to: >Address the impacts of climate change. >Identify climate hazards. >Assess vulnerabilities. >Develop climate adaptation plans. MITIGATION ADAPTATION P 1 8 I I I . 12 TAKE INVENTORY. STEP 2 — INVENTORY MITIGATION ADAPTATION •Build and complete a community-wide GHG inventory using the GPC Standard. •Report via CDP or carbonn Climate Registry. In year one, cities only need to report on emissions in two sectors: stationary energy and inboundary travel. In year two, they must report on all sectors. •Identify climate hazards •Report hazards via the CDP or carbonn Climate Registry questionnaires. P 1 9 I I I . 13 MITIGATION ADAPTATION SET REDUCTION TARGETS. STEP 3 — TARGET •Update GHG inventory to also include a breakdown of emissions from waste sector. •Set GHG reduction target. •Report in chosen platform. •Assess climate change vulnerability utilizing Compact guidance. •Report in chosen platform. P 2 0 I I I . 14 CREATE EITHER A JOINT OR INDIVIDUAL ACTION PLAN TO ADDRESS CLIMATE MITIGATION AND ADAPTATION. STEP 4 — PLAN MITIGATION ADAPTATION •Develop climate action plan demonstrating how city will deliver on its commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. •Report in chosen platform. •Develop a climate change adaptation plan demonstrating how the city will adjust to actual or expected climate change impacts. •Report in chosen platform. Once Step 4 has been completed, a city will have met all of the Compact of Mayors requirements and will be fully compliant. To maintain compliance, a city will report its progress on mitigation and adaptation annually. P 2 1 I I I . 15 HOW TO REPORT: REPORTING VIA CDP 1. Register your commitment. 2. Report your inventory and climate risk. 3. Report your target. 4. Upload your climate action plan. P 2 2 I I I . 16 HOW TO REPORT: REPORTING VIA CARBONN CLIMATE REGISTRY 1. Register your commitment. 2. Report your inventory and climate risk. 3. Report your target. 4. Upload your climate action plan. Step 1: Go to www.carbonn.org Step 2: Login or Register Step 3: Tick box - intent to comply with Compact of Mayors, add date and upload commitment letter. P 2 3 I I I . 17 HOW DOES THE COMPACT OF MAYORS SHOWCASE CITY ACTION? Once cities input their data into carbonn Climate Registry or CDP, data is: •Consolidated in the Compact’s central database, the carbonn Climate Registry, accessible through… •Aggregated to show the collective impact of all Compact commitments: >A summary number of GHG impact of all city commitments, globally >A summary number of population covered by city commitments, globally •Shared with the UNFCCC NAZCA (The Non-state Actor Zone for Climate Action) website via the carbonn Climate Registry database as an input into the official UN climate negotiation process A city profile: Including highlights around commitment status, key actions taken and a mayoral profile. A searchable database: All city Compact data will be made available publicly through a consolidated database; every city will input the same data. P 2 4 I I I . 18 RESOURCES FOR CITIES Tools for compliance Technical support and training Direct support Measurement and planning tools for cities at each step of process: GHG inventory, climate action planning, risk assessment framework and more Materials and guidance documents covering GPC inventories, climate action planning, risk assessment, etc. info@compactofmayors.org P 2 5 I I I . 19 Once a city commits to the Compact of Mayors, we will work with you to tell your story, including: A press release announcing participation Media relations >Statements >Commentary >Media interviews >Op-eds A letter to share with mayors in your network Social media templates A city profile on the Compact of Mayors website: www.compactofmayors.org TELL YOUR STORY P 2 6 I I I . 20 SEPTEMBER 2014 Compact of Mayors launched THE ROAD TO COP 21 JULY 1-2 World Summit of Territorial Climate Action with Civil Society (Lyon) MAY 20-21 Business & Climate Summit (Paris) SEPT. 25-27 UN Summit: Post 2015 Development Agenda (NYC) JULY 13-16 Conference on Financing for Development (Addis Ababa) JUNE 29 UNGA Event on Climate Change (NYC) SEPT. 21-27 Climate week (NYC) MARCH 27 C40 Latin American Mayors Forum (Buenos Aires) SEPT. 20-23 Bogota Climate Summit (Bogota) NOV. 30-DEC. 11 UNFCCC COP21 (Paris) NOV. 30-DEC. 11 Local Government Pavilion at COP21 (Le Bourget, France) WEEK OF DEC. 5 UCLG World Council (Paris) WEEK OF DEC. 5 Cities and Local Governments Day (Paris) JUNE 8-10 ICLEI Resilient Cities Congress (Bonn) JUNE 8-10 World Cities Summit Mayors Forum (NYC) MAY 27-28 Global Infrastructure Basel Summit JUNE 1-11 UNFCCC Climate Change Conference (Bonn) APRIL 8-12 ICLEI World Congress (Seoul) P 2 7 I I I . 21 COMPACT OF MAYORS PARTNERS Michael R. Bloomberg is an entrepreneur and philanthropist who served three terms as mayor of New York City, from 2002 through 2013. In 2014, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon appointed Bloomberg to be Special Envoy for Cities and Climate Change, for which he is focusing on helping cities and countries set and achieve more ambitious goals for mitigating and adapting to climate change. The C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, now in its 10th year, connects more than 75 of the world’s greatest cities, representing 500+ million people and one quarter of the global economy. Created and led by cities, C40 is focused on tackling climate change and driving urban action that reduces greenhouse gas emissions and climate risks, while increasing the health, wellbeing and economic opportunities of urban citizens. The current chair of the C40 is Rio de Janeiro Mayor Eduardo Paes; three-term Mayor of New York City Michael R. Bloomberg serves as president of the board. Created in 2004, United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) is the united voice and world advocate of local and regional self-government. Members of UCLG are present in 140 countries, and are organized into seven regional sections, a Forum of Regions, and a metropolitan section. UCLG’s membership includes over 1,000 cities and regions, as well as 155 local government associations. ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability is a global association of over 1,000 cities, towns and metropolises committed to building a sustainable future. ICLEI has around 300 urban development professionals working in 17 secretariats and offices, supporting cities and regions to become sustainable, low-carbon, resilient, biodiverse, resource-efficient and productive, ecomobile, smart, and healthy and happy. More than 20% of the world’s urban population benefit from ICLEI’s work which is global in scope and impact, and yet very local in implementation. The United Nations Human Settlements Programme, UN-Habitat, is the United Nations agency for sustainable urban development. It is mandated to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities while advocating adequate shelter for all. Founding Partners Other Partners Reporting Partners Endorsing partners Funding Partners City, Local and Regional Government Networks P 2 8 I I I . www.compactofmayors.org info@compactofmayors.org P 2 9 I I I . Compact of Colorado Mayors This is a proposal from City of Aspen Mayor Steve Skadron that aims to unite the mayors of Colorado towns and cities in an effort to fight climate change. Goal of the Compact: Create a group of Colorado Mayors dedicated to fighting climate change in their communities, and use this collective voice to drive climate action policies at the state and federal levels. The compact will be an agreement that mayors sign, committing to a series of actions. The first action will be to attend the Climate Mayors Forum/ Climate Action Rally in Aspen in 2016. Other commitments may include: a. Committing to having at least one conversation about climate change with other local elected officials or with their community b. Starting one public action campaign to reduce energy in their community c. Engaging in a local, state or federal policy that has the potential to reduce energy or greenhouse gas emissions Once signatories are final, the Compact will be shared with State and Federal lawmakers to show that Colorado towns are united and support the State and Federal government in taking action to reduce the emissions that cause climate change. Climate Mayors Forum/ Climate Action Rally: A gathering of Colorado mayors designed to equip mayors to be ‘climate mayors’ as they deem appropriate for their community. The event will consist of a series of presentations and workshops that will provide mayors with the resources and information they need to tackle climate change in their communities. The goal is for mayors to leave feeling prepared, well-trained and connected to others with similar goals. Target Audience: Mayors of Colorado towns, specifically resort towns, but also larger front- range cities Approach: Identify Mayors that are likely to participate and extend personal invitations to them. Ask these initial cities to recommend other cities and extend a second phase of invitations. The invitations and approach should replicate the ‘first-rate’ aspects of the Paris Mayors convening – individual invites that lead to lasting relationships between mayors of CO cities. P30 III. Forum/Rally Details: Location: TBD, Aspen Lodging: Local hotel. Request a special rate for 1 night ($150-180) Agenda and Speaker Coordination: Diana Madson, Mountain Pact Additional Events Offsite: Cocktail Reception & Lunch Night 1: Attendees arrive, check-in Cocktail Reception hosted by City of Aspen. Sponsorship? Welcome from the Mayor and opportunity for networking Attendees stay at designated hotel or hotel of their choosing Day 1: Breakfast at hotel or own their own Registration with photo opportunity and recognition board Welcome to Aspen – Keynote Speaker – CO Governor? Vision/Why we are here – Mayor Skadron Why should Mayors care about climate? Understanding how a changing climate is already impacting Colorado – NOAA Does my voice matter? How to be heard at the state and federal levels – update on upcoming state and federal policies and programs relevant to CO towns Lunch – Provided by City of Aspen (or other sponsor) – Offsite Location Continuation of Day 1: What is a carbon fee? – Presentation on the Citizens Climate Lobby and other citizen organizations How to talk about climate in your town – Presentation from climate communications specialist Where to start – Examples of ‘plug and play’ programs that mayors can implement in their town to reduce energy Energy Smart Colorado Other? Event will conclude with a call to action and a request that all Mayors sign the Compact P31 III.