HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOARD STANDING COMMITTEES - 10232017 - Sustainability Cte Min PktRECORD OF
ACTION
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION
An Advisory Body to the Board of Supervisors
Monday, October 23, 2017
5:00 P.M.
30 Muir Road, Martinez
Victoria Smith, Member, District 2, Chair Wes Sullens, Member, District 4 Harry Thurston, At-Large, Community Group
John Sierra, Member, District 3, Vice Chair Travis Curran, Alternate, District 4 Kathy Cutting, At-Large, Business
Nick Despota, Member, District 1 Charles Davidson, Member, District 5 Nicholas Snyder, At-Large, Business
Reid Edwards, Alternate, District 2 Mark Thomson, Alternate, District 5 Doria Robinson, At-Large, Environmental Justice
Gretchen Logue, Alternate, District 3 Howdy Goudey, At-Large, Community Group Scott Warfe, At-Large, Education
Agenda
Items: Items may be taken out of order based on the business of the day and preference of the Commission
Present: Nick Despota, Member, District 1
Victoria Smith, Member, District 2 and Chair
Reid Edwards, Alternate, District 2
John Sierra, Member, District 3 and Vice-
Chair Gretchen Logue, Alternate, District 3
Wes Sullens, Member, District 4
Travis Curran, Alternate, District 4
Charles Davidson, Member, District
5 Mark Thomson, Alternate,
District 5 Nick Snyder, At-Large,
Business
Harry Thurston, At-Large, Community
Group Howdy Goudey, At-Large,
Community Group Scott Warfe, At-Large,
Education Institution
Not Present: Doria Robinson, At-Large, Environmental
Justice Kathy Cutting, At-Large, Business
Staff Present: Jody London, Sustainability
Coordinator Deidra Dingman,
Principal Planner
Tanya Drlik, Integrated Pest Management
Coordinator Attendees: Carol Weed
1.Call to Order
2.RECEIVE public comment on any item under the jurisdiction of the Commission and not on this
agenda (speakers may be limited to three minutes)
There was no public comment.
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3.APPROVE Record of Action for August 28, 2017 Sustainability Commission meeting.
The Record of Action was approved.
Motion: Thurston Second: Despota
4.APPOINT one member of the Sustainability Commission to the Contra Costa County
Integrated Pest Management Advisory Committee.
Tanya Drlik, the County’s Integrated Pest Management Coordinator, described Integrated Pest
Management (IPM) and the role of the IPM Advisory Committee in advising the Board of
Supervisors on implementation of the County’s IPM policy in County operations. There is
currently a vacancy designated for a representative of the Sustainability Commission. Gretchen
Logue volunteered to be the representative, and was unanimously approved
5.RECEIVE presentation on solid waste issues and the Climate Action Plan.
Deidra Dingman, Conservation Programs Manager for the County, provided an overview of
solid waste programs in Contra Costa County, and progress the County is making toward
meeting the solid waste goals in the Climate Action Plan. Dingman reviewed new regulations
from the State that are focused on organic materials because organics contain high levels of
methane, a potent greenhouse gas. She described how waste hauling operations in Contra
Costa County are implemented through franchise agreements into which local jurisdictions
enter with waste haulers. These agreements dictate the rates and services that each hauler will
provide. Agreements may differ between jurisdictions. There are several solid waste disposal
facilities that are under County control.
In terms of the Climate Action Plan measures for solid waste, curbside recycling is the largest
contributor to the progress in meeting the waste diversion goals. The goal for reducing
methane emissions may need to be revisited because statewide the experience is not as much
methane is being captured as anticipated.
Dingman suggested that the Commission can help by raising awareness and increasing participation
in existing waste reduction programs, and in building demand and acceptance for new programs
and services that are not yet in place, such as edible food waste recovery, food waste collection, and
increased organics processing capacity at facilities.
6.RECEIVE overview of the Idle Free Pledge and DISCUSS how the Sustainability
Commission can support it.
Jody London provided an overview of the Idle Free Pledge, by which individuals pledge to turn
off their vehicle’s engine if they will be stopped for 30 seconds or longer. The Board of
Supervisors adopted the Idle Free Pledge in April in conjunction with Earth Day. The
Commission discussed venues and avenues for reaching County residents. They suggested that
the County work with transit agencies, whose buses are observed idling at BART stations, and
determine whether it would be feasible to screen idle free information at gas stations. They also
suggested awards or other public recognition. Some expressed interest in focusing on a program
with potentially larger environmental impact.
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7.DISCUSS work plan for the Sustainability Commission.
The Commission discussed options for tracking progress on the County’s Climate Action
Plan. The group discussed how to structure meetings so there is more time for the
Commission to deliberate and take action. The Commission requested that staff reports be
provided in advance.
The Commission voted unanimously to form the following committees that will focus on
different aspects of the Climate Action Plan.
Water: John Sierra (lead), Gretchen Logue, Travis Curran
Communication; Nick Despota (lead), Reid Edwards, Travis Curran
Energy: Harry Thurston (lead), Charles Davidson, Howdy Goudey, Nicholas Snyder
Land Use and Transportation: Nicholas Snyder (lead), Scott Warfe, Gretchen Logue
Solid Waste: Gretchen Logue (lead), Reid Edwards, Harry Thurston, Victoria Smith, Wes Sullens
Motion: Sullens Second: Despota
8.RECEIVE update from the Chair of the Sustainability Commission.
Chair Victoria Smith reported on the September meeting of the Board of Supervisors Ad Hoc
Committee on Sustainability. She also reported that the Sustainability Commission Bylaws were
adopted by the Board of Supervisors on September 26, 2017.
9.RECEIVE update from the County’s Sustainability Coordinator.
Jody London reported on the projects on which she has been working, including a study of
renewable resource potential in Contra Costa County and how to modify County zoning to
facilitate installation of more renewable energy; the transition of nine jurisdictions in Contra
Costa County to MCE; the Adapting to Rising Tides study for eastern Contra Costa County; the
Resilient by Design challenge; a readiness plan for electric vehicle shared mobility; and staffing
the Sustainability Exchange, Ad Hoc Committee on Sustainability, and Sustainability
Commission.
10.ADOPT revised date for next meeting of December 4, 2017.
The Commission unanimously voted to move its next meeting to December
4, 2017. Motion: Warfe Second: Sullens.
11.ADJOURN
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