2025 Candidate Questionnaire on
Environmental Sustainability
Candidate Responses: Melanie Houston
[email protected]
Environmental Sustainability
Candidate Responses: Melanie Houston
[email protected]
- Background
What would you like Grandview residents to know about your background, as it relates to the environment, climate, and conservation? If applicable, please describe any relevant educational, career, or service experience you have.
In my professional capacity, I serve as the Vice President of Programs for the Ohio Environmental Council and the OEC’s 501(c)(4) affiliated organization, the OEC Action Fund. In this role, I am responsible for leading and supporting the organization’s policy and field programs and serve as a member of the OEC’s leadership team. I work to grow the organization’s effectiveness by sustaining and building strong partnerships to achieve policies that advance clean energy, protected public lands, a healthy democracy, and safe and affordable water for all Ohioans. I also lead the organization’s strategic planning and annual planning efforts across departments.
Over my nearly 13 years at the OEC, I have led numerous climate and water campaigns for the OEC, including work to secure a landmark bill in 2016 to better protect Ohioans’ drinking water from lead contamination. I have briefed congressional and state lawmakers, advised the White House Council on Environmental Quality, and testified in front of committees of the Ohio General Assembly. I graduated with honors from Denison University and earned a Master of Science degree from The Ohio State University. - Priorities
If elected, what are the top environment-related priorities you will pursue, if any?- A Grandview Heights Climate Action Plan: I will work with Power a Clean Future Ohio and the administration to inventory our Greenhouse Gas Emissions and develop a climate action plan to address those emissions. I would also like to see our Climate Action Plan include a section on climate resiliency and preparedness.
- Investing in updating water infrastructure, including lead service line replacement. During my first two terms on city council, I invested a significant amount of time in educating the administration on the issue of lead service lines in our community. I also advocated for the administration to set aside American Rescue Plan Act grant dollars for the city-owned portion of the lead service line (LSL) as well as homeowner’s portion of the LSL. I will continue to advocate for our city to more aggressively replace the toxic lead service lines in our community and to better coordinate the public and private side coordination of LSL replacement on behalf of residents.
- Transition to Electric Vehicles (EV) & Charging Station Installation in Grandview: During my second term on city council, I advocated frequently for the administration to invest in adding electric vehicles to our city fleet and to seek funding for installing EV charging stations, including at the new municipal building. Every budget cycle, I have advocated for the city to invest in adding EV vehicles to our fleet. To date, the city has purchased one hybrid vehicle. Moving forward, I intend to work with my council colleague and partners to quantify the long-term cost savings and environmental benefits that EV investments could provide to our city.
- A Grandview Heights Climate Action Plan: I will work with Power a Clean Future Ohio and the administration to inventory our Greenhouse Gas Emissions and develop a climate action plan to address those emissions. I would also like to see our Climate Action Plan include a section on climate resiliency and preparedness.
- Climate Action Plan
Several cities/municipalities across Central Ohio have adopted climate action plans, which principally are done to assess their greenhouse gas emissions, identify steps to mitigate these emissions, and enact a plan to implement those steps. Should Grandview pursue a climate action plan? Please elaborate on your position.
Yes, Grandview Heights should pursue a Climate Action Plan, and as I noted above, this will be one of my top priorities in a third term. - City-Resident Partnerships
How well does the City work with residents to source community input in guiding policies and programs relating to sustainability? As a councilmember, would you seek any changes in our current partnerships?
The city has improved its communications with residents over the past several years, with a new website (https://growingtogether.grandviewheights.gov/) focused on educating the community on planning efforts, infrastructure projects and capital improvement projects. We also have a 311 app which allows the city to push out notifications to residents and allows residents to put in requests for assistance from the city on a variety of issues. Still, I think that we can be doing more as a city to engage residents in our city business and to work with organizations such as Sustainable Grandview as partners. Our highly-educated community is such an amazing asset and braintrust that we could be tapping more often.
My own personal approach to local leadership is to listen to community input, and, when possible, involve the community in the process. One example of this was when some of our fellow community members were dealing with a problematic short-term rental property during my first term in office. I used my committee chair role to organize a public hearing and stakeholder input session which included community members, the short-term rental property owner, voices from the hotel industry and other voices. All attendees had the opportunity to listen, learn, and share their perspectives in a respectful way. This dialogue then helped to inform the legislation that I co-authored. - Renewable Energy Aggregation
In November of 2023, Grandview Heights voters passed Issue 23, which authorized the city to implement an electric aggregation program for residences and businesses, featuring 100% renewable electricity. Do you support the continuation of this program, and would you make any changes to it?
Yes, I support the continuation of this program, and I also support finding ways to improve the program over time, such as sourcing our renewable energy from Ohio-based projects if and when that might be possible.
For background knowledge for readers, in 2023, I introduced and carried to the finish line the legislation to put clean energy aggregation on the ballot in Grandview Heights. After getting the legislation passed with unanimous support, I led the “Yes” campaign for the Clean Energy Aggregation ballot issue (Issue 23). With strong voter support, the city was able to move forward with hiring a consultant to go to the market for Renewable Energy Credits in 2024. The program has been a tremendous success: we were able to secure a 100% renewable energy supply for our community while saving residents money on their electric bills during a period of rapid inflation. - Biodiversity Loss
Many residents are concerned about biodiversity loss and wildlife decline. For some examples, it has been estimated that birds have declined by about 30% and insects by as much as 75% in the past several decades. Do you believe that Grandview Heights can or should take part in addressing this issue? If so, please elaborate.
Yes, I do believe that Grandview Heights and other local governments can play a significant role in addressing biodiversity loss. Developing a climate action plan will be a first important step. Other potential opportunities to address biodiversity include pollinator habitat/gardens on portions of our city land, restoring or creating a small wetland in our community (which can also provide climate resiliency/flood reduction), and creating better corridors for wildlife in our community. We could also look at new opportunities to partner with the Franklin County Soil and Water Conservation District beyond the current backyard conservation program, which is largely centered around rain barrel education and distribution. - Plants
Related to Question 6, a growing scientific literature has demonstrated the importance of native trees and plants in supporting our ecosystem, while exotic invasive species pose significant threats. What steps, if any, should the City take to promote native plants and control invasives, both on public and private property?
As I noted above, the city can and should explore the planting of native plants and the removal of invasive species in our green spaces and public lands. We may also want to consider giveaway programs or other incentives for native plants each spring. We have done a recent tree give-away thanks to Council Member Michelle Kozak’s leadership. In addition to providing benefits to pollinators, native plants also provide climate resiliency/flood reduction/water quality improvement services by absorbing more water in their roots during large rain events. Community members may have noticed that the city of Columbus has been constructing and planting rain gardens on Third Avenue. The purpose of these gardens is to capture more water in the soil and to have less runoff water flowing into the storm drains during large rain events. - Walking, Biking, and Transit
Do you believe Grandview is a safe and easy place to walk, bike, and take public transit? Should we take steps to provide safer routes for walking and biking? Should we work to broaden public transit options? Are you happy with our sidewalks? Who should be responsible for maintaining sidewalks? What is your position on e-bikes and scooters?
Yes, overall Grandview is a very walkable and bikeable community with great public transit options. I was disappointed that COTA eliminated one route on the #75 bus line last May due to low ridership. I had been taking my son to school via this bus several times a week. In the past when this line was eliminated, I had worked with my council member colleague, Chris Smith, and other community members to temporarily restore the line.
Regarding biking in our community, I do it fairly often, but I do not always feel safe on the street. I sometimes ride on the sidewalks, especially when I’m taking my son to school because he is not ready to ride on the road. But bikes and walkers both on the sidewalk can be difficult. I see an opportunity for the city to invest, over-time, in more protected bike lanes on our city streets.
Regarding sidewalks, I am generally pleased with our sidewalks and think that the city is doing a good job of balancing the maintenance, repair and replacement of sidewalks. The city is responsible for administering the repair and replacement program, but residents are currently responsible for the cost of replacement. I understand that this cost can be a burden to residents. I do think that the city has found creative ways to allow residents to spread out the costs. I have recently advocated for the city to provide ample notice to residents regarding upcoming sidewalk repairs so that residents have more time to plan for these larger costs. - Waste
Is Grandview doing well at diverting waste from the landfill? Should we try a curbside compost pilot program like other cities have done? Please elaborate on your positions.
Grandview has made great strides regarding waste diversion over the past several years. This includes a drop-off compost program that has been very successful; an annual fall pumpkin collection; and a newer e-waste drop off day. I don’t have our total waste diversion numbers at my fingertips, but I know the administration has been tracking these figures. A curbside compost program which is a part of our suite of city services would certainly further increase our waste diversion numbers. I also think it would be well-received by the community. I recently signed up for a curbside compost program because I find it to be more enjoyable and manageable. The challenges for the city are costs, logistics, and staffing resources. I would certainly support discussions regarding how we could make a curbside compost program work. - Lawn Care
Quite a few of our members want to know your thoughts about gas-powered lawn equipment, particularly leaf blowers. It has been estimated that using a gas-powered leaf blower for 30 minutes produces about the same pollution as driving a large pickup truck from Texas to Alaska. They are also loud, often exceeding 90 decibels. Since 1990, leaf blower usage has doubled, and there has been a trend toward more powerful models. Some of our members state that they cannot enjoy outdoor spaces during the day due to the air and noise pollution. For similar reasons, over 100 cities in the US have enacted bans and/or restrictions on gas-powered leaf blowers. Please share your thoughts about this issue.
I imagine that this will be a controversial issue with some individuals appreciating the ability to use their gas-powered leaf blowers and others appreciating electric leaf blowers or an old-fashioned rake. I personally do not own a leaf blower and have a great appreciation for reduced air and noise pollution for the health of community members. I would certainly be willing to open up a dialogue regarding bans or restrictions on gas-powered leaf blowers in Grandview. As a part of that, I would prioritize hearing from community members across the spectrum through public hearings and/or testimony.
