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Phone 952.447.9800 / Fax 952.447.4245 / www.cityofpriorlake.com
4646 Dakota Street SE
Prior Lake, MN 55372
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
MEETING DATE: APRIL 24, 2017
AGENDA #: 5J
PREPARED BY: FRANK BOYLES, CITY MANAGER
PRESENTED BY: FRANK BOYLES
AGENDA ITEM: CONSIDER APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION OF ENDORSEMENT FOR THE
UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO ADDRESS CLIMATE RISKS
DISCUSSION: Introduction
The purpose of this agenda item is to have the City Council consider adoption of a
resolution regarding climate change risks to be submitted to the city’s
congressional delegation.
History
A member of the City Council has requested that the council consider adoption of
the resolution identified above. Local persons have assisted in drafting the
resolution and may wish to speak to it at tonight’s forum.
Current Circumstances
The resolution could be adopted as is or with amendments assuming the council
supports its thesis.
Conclusion
Councilors should determine if they wish to approve or oppose any kind of
resolution. If so, the council should be comfortable with the language.
ISSUES: As stated above.
FINANCIAL
IMPACT:
Negligible for adoption and distribution of the resolution.
ALTERNATIVES: 1. Adopt the resolution as proposed as part of the consent agenda.
2. Remove the item from the consent agenda for additional discussion.
RECOMMENDED
MOTION:
As determined by the City Council.
4646 Dakota Street SE
Prior Lake, MN 55372
RESOLUTION 17-___
A RESOLUTION OF ENDORSEMENT FOR THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO
ADDRESS CLIMATE RISKS
Motion By: Second By:
WHEREAS, the 2040 Strategic Vision plan states, “The City’s lakes, parks and natural amenities
are key to preserving the quality of life in Prior Lake for our residents and visitors. Our
natural resources are our legacy”i and;
WHEREAS, there is scientific agreement from credentialed climate scientists that climate change
is the result of human activityii; and
WHEREAS,
continuing to use fossil fuels at current rate will increase the long-term damage of
climate change which will become more and more difficult and expensive to reverse or
even slow; and
WHEREAS, NASA and NOAA data show that 2016 was the warmest year on record globallyiii; and
WHEREAS, the Minneapolis metro area is the 8th fastest warming city in the United States since
1965iv; and
WHEREAS, Minnesota winters have warmed an average of almost 6 degrees Fahrenheit since
1970v; and
WHEREAS, the 2014 National Climate Assessment states that Minnesota has experienced a 37%
increase in heavy rainfall events, due to a warmer climate vi; and
WHEREAS, these events lead to flooding and infrastructure damage that the City of Prior Lake
taxpayers pay to repairvii; and
WHEREAS, ticks capable of carrying the bacteria that cause Lyme disease and other pathogens
have shown earlier seasonal activity in Minnesota in response to increasing
temperatures associated with climate change and increasing health risks to its
citizensviii; and
WHEREAS, the costs are real, they are growing, and they are already burdening businesses,
taxpayers, municipal budgets, familiesix and our healthx; and
WHEREAS, it’s estimated 68% of Scott County residents say global warming will harm future
generations and 72% support regulating carbon dioxide emissions as a pollutant xi; and
WHEREAS, continued warming poses risks to Prior Lake in the form of water and ice qualityxii, and
flood risks to the City of Prior Lake; and
WHEREAS, those risks, if realized, directly hurt the City of Prior Lake, the businesses and
residents that depend on Prior Lake for recreational activities and adversely impact
the 2040 Strategic Vision plan; and
WHEREAS, these climate risks can be mitigated with national policies that are pro-job, pro-
economic growth, pro-competition that allow the City of Prior Lake, Minnesota and the
2
United States to transition to a 100% clean, renewable energy futurexiii and uphold the
2040 Strategic Vision plan;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF PRIOR LAKE,
MINNESOTA strongly urges the United States Congress and President of the United States of
America to take prompt and effective policy measures to address climate change. The Prior
Lake City Council supports Congress reducing greenhouse gas emissions in a clear,
transparent, and effective way.
PASSED AND ADOPTED THIS 24th DAY OF APRIL 2017.
VOTE Briggs McGuire Thompson Burkart Braid
Aye ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Nay ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Abstain ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Absent ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
______________________________
Frank Boyles, City Manager
i http://156.99.83.130/Weblink8External/DocView.aspx?id=423514&dbid=0
ii https://climate.nasa.gov/scientific-consensus/ and http://nas-sites.org/americasclimatechoices/more-resources-on-climate-
change/climate-change-evidence-and-causes/
iii https://climate.nasa.gov/news/2537/nasa-noaa-data-show-2016-warmest-year-on-record-globally
iv http://www.climatecentral.org/news/fastest-warming-cities-20535
v http://www.rcc-acis.org/
vi http://nca2014.globalchange.gov/
vii http://www.plslwd.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/July24CityFloodUpdateMeeting.pdf
viii https://health2016.globalchange.gov/executive-summary#finding-46
ix http://www.startribune.com/state-asks-insurers-are-you-ready-for-climate-change/219134871/
xhttp://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2017/03/15/climate-change-making-us-sick-top-us-doctors-say/99218946/ and
https://medsocietiesforclimatehealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/medical_alert.pdf
xi http://climatecommunication.yale.edu/visualizations-data/ycom-us-2016/
xii https://www.pca.state.mn.us/sites/default/files/p-gen4-07.pdf
xiii http://thesolutionsproject.org/infographic/#mn and http://thesolutionsproject.org/