Wilmington City Council held its final regular meeting of 2022 on Tuesday, Dec. 6. First up, council received the Greenhouse Gas Emissions annual report (watch the full presentation).
As a regional leader in addressing climate change, the city is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and has set ambitious goals for its municipal operations since 2009.
“Buildings and facilities, we’ve seen a 26% reduction since 2017. We think this is largely related to the energy efficiency projects that we are doing within our existing buildings. Again, with our streetlights and area lights, we’ve estimated about a 58% reduction in our emissions based on just those street and area lot streetlights and area lights,” said Dave Mayes, the city’s Public Services director.
Next, council heard findings and recommendations for the city’s Parks, Recreation and Open Space Comprehensive Plan (watch the full presentation).
This study will help shape a plan for the future of Wilmington’s park and recreation system.
“So, the positive outcomes we saw is interest in health and wellness, outdoor adventure, satisfaction with the park system in general, frequent visitation, dedicated staff, greenways and greenway connections and community connections being core to your park system. And then, opportunities for more pickleball, everybody wants more pickleball. And, it is making the national news” said Rachel Cotter, the city’s director of Civic Spaces.
Also, council appropriated $20,000 from a state grant to install two electric vehicle chargers in the Convention Center parking deck.
These stations will expand the city’s zero emission vehicle charging network, while helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The city currently offers charging stations in the Market Street parking deck, the 2nd Street parking deck, and the Riverplace parking deck.
City council will meet again on January 10th at 6:30pm. For more on this meeting, visit wilmingtonnc.gov.