City Council Agenda and Packet 2023 11 06

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City Council Meeting Minutes March 21, 2023 Page 3 of 8 from the draft initiated ordinance. He wants people to do anything and everything we can, as best as we can, to impact climate change. This is a narrow measure not affecting all businesses in Louisville. He urged passing a stronger ordinance. RJ Harrington, Louisville, agreed the ordinance needs to be strengthened and he would like to reduce the cap to five stations. He asked have the ordinance reduce the cap by one each time a station closes. He stated that any dollar spent towards fossil fuels is a dollar away from renewables. Jojo Follmar, Louisville, encouraged a yes vote and asked to add the changes outlined by previous speakers as a way to transition away from fossil fuels in Louisville and create an easier transition to renewables. They agreed the cap should be lowered each time a station closes. Cathern Smith, Louisville, asked how many gas stations is enough; she stated she has never waited in line for gas and new stations are not needed. She stated this is needed due to climate change, due to the environmental consequences of a gas station's impacts on ozone noncompliance, and also to help reduce the impacts on air quality and human health. Shira Nathan, Lafayette, urged approval of the ordinance to stop contributing to the impacts of climate change. She urged the Council to adopt a stricter ordinance than what is presented. Tamar Krantz, Louisville, stated no new fossil fuel infrastructure should be added in Louisville. It won't solve climate change but we must take actions to reduce fossil fuel infrastructure. Gas stations are a major contributor to VOCs in our atmosphere. Sherry Sommer, Louisville, urged approval of the ordinance and also to think differently about what we can do about climate change. She stated this is not a divisive issue and people support these ways to address climate issues. We need to look forward and have solutions. Mike Deborski, stated business owners in town don't have the time to be here to speak this evening. The Chamber represents 295 local businesses but Eric speaks for many. These decisions affect businesses and are far reaching. He asked Council to take into account the impact of this ordinance on businesses and the optics of this for the larger business community. John Cowley, Louisville, stated he feels strongly that we don't need a new filling station at the entrance to town. He would rather see restaurants and other businesses in this location. He stated this is not antibusiness. Electric vehicles numbers are growing faster than the population of Louisville and fueling stations are facing a diminishing future. W.