Climate Smart Communities
Sign in

Climate Smart Communities Certification Report

Download PDF Version

bronze Certified

This is the Climate Smart Communities Certification Report of Hudson, City (Columbia). Hudson, City (Columbia) is a bronze certified Climate Smart Community.

Hudson, City (Columbia) was certified on June 01, 2021 with 127 points earned from 23 completed actions. Listed below is information regarding Hudson, City (Columbia)’s Climate Smart Communities efforts and materials associated with its certified actions.

The certification for Hudson, City (Columbia) will expire on September 30, 2026.

Contact Information

The designated Climate Smart Communities contact for Hudson, City (Columbia) is:

Name:Tom O'Dowd
Title/Position:CAC Member / City of Hudson CAC
Address:520 Warren Street Hudson, NY 12534
Hudson, New York 12534

Actions Implemented

Each approved action and supporting documentation for which Hudson, City (Columbia) was approved for in 2021 appears below. Note: Standards for the actions below may have changed and the documentation listed may no longer satisfy requirements for that action.

  • 1. Build a climate-smart community.

    PE1 Action: CSC Task Force

    20 Points
    Bronze Mandatory Silver Mandatory

    Program Summary: The uploaded "Hudson Climate Smart Executive Order" document is the executive order establishing the Task Force. "Hudson_CSC Task Force_Meeting 1" and "Hudson_CSC Task Force_Meeting 2" are notes from the first two Task Force Meetings, which list participants present as the meetings were conducted virtually on April 23rd, 2020 and May 14th, 2020. Lastly, the document "Task Force Members" lists appointed members of the Task Force and their organizations.

    PE1 Action: CSC Coordinator

    10 Points
    Bronze Mandatory Silver Mandatory

    Program Summary: The uploaded 'Hudson Climate Smart Executive Order" is dated April 2nd, 2020 and establishes Michael Chameides as the Climate Smart Communities Coordinator.

    PE1 Action: National/Regional Climate Program

    3 Points

    Program Summary: The City of Hudson became a designated Clean Energy Community. Four High Impact Actions Have Been Completed, Including: -Unified Solar Permit -Energy Code Enforcement Training -Energize NY Finance -Benchmarking - Municipal Buildings A current list of designated communities can be found at the following link: https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/All-Programs/Programs/Clean-Energy-Communities/Designated-Clean-Energy-Communities

    PE1 Action: Partnerships with Other Entities

    3 Points

    Program Summary: The City of Hudson partnered with Cornell Cooperative Extension and Seton Health to coordinate and increase capacity to complete work in schools and communities for the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOT) 'Creating Healthy Schools and Communities" project. A goal of this project was to mobilize Hudson to educate community members and leaders on the benefits of adopting and implementing Complete Street policies, plans, and practices. These encourage alternative transportation use like walking and biking through creating a connected and accessible community, ultimately reducing GHG emissions. This goal was achieved when funding from this partnership was used to install crosswalks, additional bike parking, and bike fix-it stations throughout the city. Please find the Letter of Collaboration for this project uploaded, as well as examples of crosswalks and bike fix-it stations that were installed by Hudson's Department of Public Works. The duration of this partnership was from October 1, 2015, to September 30, 2020.

  • 3. Decrease energy use.

    PE3 Action: Interior Lighting Upgrades

    2 Points

    Program Summary: 12.32% of the lighting in the City of Hudson's municipal buildings have been converted to LED fixtures by square foot. Attached, find a resolution authorizing Lime Energy Services to upgrade fluorescent lights at 701 Union (City Police Station and Courthouse) to LED fixtures. This will result in an annual savings of $6,600 and 59,857.01 kWh. The square footage of the building is 12534 square feet. Please find a press release (1/24/2021) for the lighting upgrade, which took place in 2020 at https://cityofhudson.org/news_detail_T10_R340.php All of the municipally-owned properties in the City of Hudson amount to 99347 total square feet. You can find the square footage of each municipal building in the uploaded City of Hudson Municipal Buildings Energy Consumption Report on page two of the document.

    PE3 Action: Benchmarking - Municipal Buildings

    4 Points

    Program Summary: "City of Hudson Energy Benchmarking Resolution" is the resolution passed by the Common Council in 2017 establishing the City's energy benchmarking in government building policy. Also provided is the energy benchmarking report for the City of Hudson Municipal Buildings. This report can be found publicly available at http://www.cityofhudson.org/business/sustain.php and was posted in 2020 with the creation of this webpage.

    PE3 Action: Energy Code Enforcement Training

    5 Points

    Program Summary: Uploaded is a screenshot of the NYSERDA's Clean Energy Communities webpage accessed on 12/8/2020 that indicated that the city of Hudson is a designated Clean energy Community and completed the Energy Code Enforcement Training as a High Impact Action.

  • 5. Use climate-smart materials management.

    PE5 Action: Residential Organic Waste Program

    4 Points

    Program Summary: The City of Hudson provides seasonal yard debris pick-up. The Department of Public Works picks up leaves, yard trimmings, and brush as long as they are placed in paper leaf bags. Christmas tree pickup is also conducted throughout the city as crews are available. This information can be found on the city's website at: http://www.cityofhudson.org/departments/public_works_department/index.php Leaf pick-ups occur once a week for 5-6 weeks during the fall, Christmas trees are picked up for 4 weeks following the holidays, and general yard trimming collection starts in spring and continues for several months. Please find a detailed description of the program from DPW Superintendent Robert Perry uploaded below. Also find a photo of Christmas trees collected from the pick-up program below.

  • 6. Implement climate-smart land use.

    PE6 Action: Smart Growth Policies

    6 Points

    Program Summary: Please find a description of the incorporation of smart growth principles into land-use policies and regulations attached. Points requested for: Mix land uses; Diversity of housing opportunities and choices; Walkable neighborhoods; Foster distinctive, attractive communities with a strong sense of place; Preserve open space, farmland, natural beauty, and important natural areas; Promote density that facilitates non-car transportation options.

    PE6 Action: Unified Solar Permit

    5 Points

    Program Summary: Attached is a copy of the City of Hudson's resolution adopting the New York State Unified Solar Permit and a copy of the (October 2016) Unified Solar Permit being used by the City of Hudson. Also uploaded is a screenshot from NYSERDA's Clean Energy Community webpage accessed on 12/8/2020 which confirms that the City of Hudson is a designated Clean Energy Community and completed the Unified Solar Permit High Impact Action.

    PE6 Action: Infrastructure for Biking and Walking

    7 Points

    Program Summary: Expand and Improve Walking/Biking Paths The Empire State Trail is a multi-use path designed for pedestrians and cyclists that extends 750 miles from New York City to Canada. Trail construction occurred in the City of Hudson. Attached are pictures of the trail with its associated signage. Crosswalks were also added to several intersections in the city as part of the 'Healthy Schools and Communities' partnership project that occurred from 2015 to 2020. Photos can be found in the document "Healthy Schools and communities- pictures." Additional information about all sidewalk and walkway improvements can be found at: http://www.cityofhudson.org/departments/mayor_s_office/ada/sidewalks.php Improved Bike Parking At the City of Hudson Empire State Trailhead, a bike parking area with a bike repair station was added. Bike parking was also added to Public Square Park courtesy of Hudson's Rotary Club. Photos are uploaded as "Bicycle Infrastructure." A bike repair station located at a community bike co-op was also installed as part of the Healthy Schools and Communities grant. Photos can be found in the document "Healthy Schools and communities- pictures." Improved Pedestrian Signage Extensive pedestrian and bicycle signage were included in the construction of the Empire State Trail. Please see photos in the "Empire State Trail Photos" document.

    PE6 Action: Alternative-fuel Infrastructure

    8 Points
    Bronze Priority Silver Priority

    Program Summary: The City of Hudson installed 3 2-port electric vehicle charging stations. Attached, find the invoice for the installation of these stations. Also included is a photo from 8-1-2020 of the charging station in use.

    PE6 Action: Access to Public Transit

    6 Points

    Program Summary: The City requests points for the following tiers: Develop a shuttle system to trains (3 points). Improve walkways, sidewalks and/or bikeways to trains and buses (2 points), and ensuring adequate bike and car parking near bus stops (1 point). Please find an uploaded memo that describes how the City met each tier titles Memo Re: Climate Smart Communities Action 6.12. Please find the Columbia County shuttle's brochure, which lists routes and shuttle times here: https://www.columbiacountyny.com/uploads/1/0/6/8/106827239/public_transportation_-_shopping_shuttle_-_brochure_4-15-19.pdf While this is a County service, the City of Hudson promotes ridership. In 2018, the City added signs to increase awareness of the shuttle service. A discussion was held at the City Housing and Transporation Committee meeting regarding the signs. Notes from this meeting can be found here: https://cms3.revize.com/revize/hudsonny/Boards%20and%20Committees/Housing%20and%20Transportation/2018%20Minutes/Housing%20and%20Transportation%20Committee%20Meeting%20Apr4.18.pdf Pictures of the installed signage can be found in the uploaded memo.

    PE6 Action: Natural Resources Inventory

    10 Points
    Bronze Priority Silver Priority

    Program Summary: The City of Hudson's Conservation Advisory Council created a Natural Resources and Open Space Inventory in 2019. The full document can be found at http://cms3.revize.com/revize/hudsonny/2019%20Natural%20Resource%20and%20Open%20Space%20Inventory.pdf This Inventory was approved by the Common Council in June of 2019. A copy of the resolution is uploaded.

    PE6 Action: Local Forestry Program

    5 Points

    Program Summary: Large-scale Tree Planting The City of Hudson participates in a tree planting partnership project with the Galvan Foundation and Pondside Nursery http://galvanfreetrees.org/ To encourage the planting of appropriate street trees, the CAC devised, and the City adopted, an application and permit process for planting street trees, with an accompanying guide to appropriate urban species choices and proper planting and maintenance practices. Once tree species are selected, residents can request a tree through the Galvan Foundation and Pondside Nursery, at which point the City of Hudson DPW assists in tree plantings by making sidewalk cuts and assisting with installation. 133 trees were planted within the City between 2018 and 2019. The program did not run in 2020 due to COVID restrictions. Invoices for 2018 and 2019, a list of trees planted including tree locations (homeowner information redacted for privacy), and the Tree Guide and Application, which include detailed information about the program, have been uploaded to the portal. Canopy Inventory A street tree inventory can be found on page 47 of the City of Hudson's Natural Resource Inventory. A map of the city's forested habitats can be found on pages 22 and 23. Link to the NRI: http://cms3.revize.com/revize/hudsonny/2019%20Natural%20Resource%20and%20Open%20Space%20Inventory.pdf

  • 7. Enhance community resilience to climate change.

    PE7 Action: Evaluate Policies for Climate Resilience

    6 Points
    Bronze Priority Silver Priority

    Program Summary: The City of Hudson completed a Climate Smart Resiliency Planning Tool in 2018. Uploaded are the completed tool and summary report.

    PE7 Action: Climate-resilient Hazard Mitigation Plan

    4 Points

    Program Summary: Columbia County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan: https://gallatin.yourtownhub.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Columbia-County-HMP_Final_2018.pdf Find uploaded an explanation of how the plan addresses climate change and includes climate science projection and the City's 2018 resolution adopting the plan. Please also find documentation of FEMA approval, provided by the team at HazardMitigation@dhses.ny.gov.

    PE7 Action: Culverts & Dams

    4 Points

    Program Summary: Points (2) requested for conducting an assessment of all road-stream crossings that fall under the responsibility of the City of Hudson using the NAACC protocol. Points (2) requested for developing a road-stream crossing municipal management plan that prioritizes crossings for replacement based on threats to flooding and aquatic connectivity. This plan, completed in 2020, is uploaded below.

  • 8. Support a green innovation economy.

    PE8 Action: Farmers’ Markets

    3 Points

    Program Summary: The Hudson Farmers Market located at the city parking lot on Columbia Street. The outdoor market is held on Saturdays from 9 am to 1 pm, April through November. Hudson Farmers Market Website: http://www.hudsonfarmersmarketny.com/ Hudson Farmers Market Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/pg/hudsonny.market/posts/?ref=page_internal&mt_nav=0 The Hudson Farmers Market also develops a weekly email newsletter. Archived newsletters can be found at https://us4.campaign-archive.com/home/?u=313026ab00a4c55bff15199a0&id=8c1d94f756 The City of Hudson hosts the market in the City-owned lot behind City Hall (http://www.cityofhudson.org/covid-19/index.php), advertises the market on the City website, and the City's Parking Bureau addresses parking requirements to accommodate the market on the City's website (http://www.cityofhudson.org/departments/parking_bureau/index.php).

    PE8 Action: Brownfield Clean-up & Redevelopment

    3 Points

    Program Summary: Site Name: Foster Refrigeration Site Investigation Site Code: B00184 Develop a site-specific brownfield redevelopment plan or a strategy for multiple brownfield sites (3 points): Site Management Plan, September 2019: https://www.dec.ny.gov/data/DecDocs/B00184/Work%20Plan.ERP.B00184.2019-09-05.SMP_FINAL_no_EE.pdf This site has been restored to a community dog park. Please find recent photos of the site attached.

    PE8 Action: PACE Financing

    2 Points

    Program Summary: Uploaded are the local law and local law filing establishing and implementing the Energize NY Financing Program. Also included is a screenshot (from 12/8/20) of NYSERDA's website confirming that the city of Hudson is a designated Clean Energy Community and completed the Energize NY Financing high impact action.

  • 9. Inform and inspire the public.

    PE9 Action: Climate Change Education & Engagement

    4 Points
    Bronze Priority Silver Priority

    Program Summary: The city of Hudson is requesting 4 points for "Engagement strategy/activities for climate change adaptation." Uploaded is the city's Flood Preparedness Guide for Residents and Businesses, created in 2020. This document was edited to include that flooding is an impact of climate change. Also included is a description of the project, project steps, and how the creation and availability of this Flood Guide contribute to community-wide climate resilience.

    PE9 Action: Local Climate Action Website

    3 Points

    Program Summary: The following link is to the City of Hudson's Environmental Sustainability webpage, which was developed and launched with all new content 2020. This webpage includes a description of the local government’s efforts related to local climate change mitigation and adaptation, how residents and businesses can participate in those efforts, and a summary of actions that residents and businesses in the community can take to reduce their GHG emissions. These components can be on separate webpages. http://cityofhudson.org/business/sustain.php

Climate Smart Communities