Mayor & Council Work Session: April 27, 2026

The Gaithersburg Mayor and Council held a work session on April 27, 2026, focused on the city's Climate Action Plan (CAP). The session featured presentations from environmental consultants and the city's sustainability administrator, discussing the year-long CAP development process divided into four phases: baseline assessment, stakeholder engagement, drafting the CAP and action roadmap, and finalization. Key procurement-related topics included potential investments in solar energy at city facilities, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and policies such as plastic bag bans. The council discussed prioritization criteria for climate strategies, including greenhouse gas reduction potential, cost, staff capacity, community support, equity, and resilience. Emphasis was placed on actionable, visible projects that could generate community momentum and equitable solutions targeting vulnerable populations. The session also addressed integration with existing city and county policies and the importance of practical, implementable solutions. Next steps involve forming working groups and expanding community engagement to refine and implement the CAP.