The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutBOARD STANDING COMMITTEES - 02262018 - Sustainability Cte Min PktCONTRA COSTA COUNTY SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION An Advisory Body to the Board of Supervisors RECORD OF ACTION February 26, 2018 5:00 P.M. 30 Muir Road, Martinez, CA Victoria Smith, Member, District 2, Chair John Sierra, Member, District 3, Vice Chair Nick Despota, Member, District 1 Reid Edwards, Alternate, District 2 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 Howdy Goudey, At-Large, Community Group Harry Thurston, At-Large, Community Group Kathy Cutting, At-Large, Business Nicholas Snyder, At-Large, Business Doria Robinson, At-Large, Environmental Justice 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 John Sierra, Member, District 3 and Vice-Chair Gretchen Logue, Alternate, District 3 Wes Sullens, Member, District 4 Charles Davidson, Member, District 5 Mark Thomson, Alternate, District 5 Nick Snyder, At-Large, Business Howdy Goudey, At-Large, Community Group Doria Robinson, At-Large, Environmental Justice Kathy Cutting, At-Large, Business Not Present: Travis Curran, Alternate, District 4 Scott Warfe, At-Large, Education Institution Harry Thurston, At-Large, Community Group Reid Edwards, Alternate, District 2 Staff Present: Brian Balbas, Director, Public Works Joe Yee, Deputy Director, Public Works Stephen Kowalewski, Deputy Director, Public Works Frank DiMassa, Energy Manager, Public Works Michelle Krosowski, County Library Jody London, Sustainability Coordinator Deidre Hodgers, Administrative Aide Attendees: Carol Weed Jan Warren 1.Call to Order and Introductions 2.Pledge of Allegiance 3.Public comment on any item under the jurisdiction of the Commission and not on this agenda (speakers may be limited to three minutes). Michelle Krosowski from the County Library described the Library’s interest in opportunities to partner with other County agencies to connect people and share affordable resources about 04-23-18 Sustainability Commission Mtg Agenda Packet - Pg 4 of 57 sustainability with communities (education programs, classes, etc.). Commission members clarified that there are 26 branches of the Library. John Sierra noted that there are Tool Lending Libraries that will allow you to check out tools to assess your home for energy efficiency among other things. Jody London reported that the Bay Area Regional Energy Network is in the process of putting together these type of toolkits for County residents and is eager to partner with the Library. 4.APPROVE Record of Action for December 4, 2018 Sustainability Commission meeting. The Record of Action was approved unanimously. Motion: Smith Second: Despota 5.ELECT Sustainability Commission Officers for 2018 The Sustainability Commission unanimously elected a Chair and Vice Chair for 2018. Victoria Smith is the Chair and Howdy Goudey is the Vice Chair. 6.RECEIVE presentation on Climate Action Plan implementation from Director of Public Works Department or designee Brian Balbas (Director), Joe Yee (Deputy Director), Steve Kowalewski (Deputy Director), and Frank Di Massa (Energy Manager) gave a presentation on implementation by the Public Works Department of the Climate Action Plan. They discussed their accomplishments and opportunities to do more in the areas of Energy Efficiency; Urban Forestry and Paving and Roofing Materials; Expanded Pedestrian, Bicycle and Transit; Environmental Purchasing Policy; Waste Reduction; Water Conservation; and the Distributed Energy Resources Plan. DER encompasses solar PV, energy efficiency, electric vehicles, energy storage, and automated demand response. This plan will seek to work with PG&E and third parties to secure positive cash flow and offer cost and energy saving benefits. Commission members discussed with Public Works staff a range of topics, including potential impact of new Federal tariffs on solar panels, how the Public Works Department interfaces with cities, electric vehicle (EV) charging rate structures and potential EV rebates for County residents, whether and how Public Works is using results from the Adapting to Rising Tides study for western and central Contra Costa County, whether the County is pursuing LEED certification for new County buildings or performing case studies, whether the County is pursuing low interest loans from the California Energy Commission for energy projects, ideas on how to reach County residents and community groups, interest from the Commission in advising Public Works as it develops a tree plan, suggestions on resources for designing and constructing low-carbon buildings. Members of the public discussed with Public Works whether the County is using white roofs, low-albedo paving, and energy storage. 7.RECEIVE report from Sustainability Commission Chair Chair Victoria Smith thanked John Sierra for his service as Vice- Chair. She reported on the January meeting of the Ad Hoc Committee on Sustainability. She stated that staff recently submitted two grants for funding to develop an electric vehicle readiness blueprint for the entire County, and that the Committee discussed whether the County should enroll its facilities in MCE’s Deep Green product. Chair Smith reported that she has been working with staff on various administrative matters. 8. RECEIVE reports from Sustainability Commission Members and Alternates, and PROVIDE DIRECTION as needed. Nick Despota reported that Supervisors Glover and Gioia are interested in communication with residents on sustainability. He recommended that the Commission advise the Supervisors on how to tie communications with Climate Action Plan measures and the 04-23-18 Sustainability Commission Mtg Agenda Packet - Pg 5 of 57 motivations and interests of County residents. Gretchen Logue, Mark Thomson, Howdy Goudey, and Shoshana Wechsler expressed interest in this topic. Kathy Cutting provided a report on the Adapting to Rising Tides. See attached document. She mentioned the Resilient by Design challenge and Measure AA as additional initiatives related to sea level rise. Nick Snyder reported that he is a member of the Resilient by Design Community Advisory Group. Charles Davidson reported he is interested in legacy industrial facilities, particularly the Selby Slag Superfund site. He suggested the Commission should look at those projects and relay comments back to regulatory agencies. Gretchen Logue provided an update on the Integrated Pest Management Advisory Board. Logue also reported on a conversation she had with Sustainability Commission members Wes Sullens and Harry Thurston about solid waste issues. They identified several topics of potential interest, including: Countywide Styrofoam ban. Brian Balbas said the Board has directed Public Works to develop a plastic bag and polystyrene ban. This is coming through the County’s Clean Water Program and includes the Flood Control District and the Cities. Greater re-use of items, potentially through retail exchanges. The group discussed Fix- It Clinics, which the County Library is interested in exploring. Point of sale outreach to educate consumers about waste reduction. One option might be a forum with businesses on how to conduct outreach and brainstorm strategies. Howdy Goudy reported he is researching issues related to commercial and multifamily recycling. There are some State laws coming into effect, which may mean no local action is needed. Howdy is also interested in sub-metering of utilities for multifamily housing. He noted that MCE is rolling out in April and it is important for the Sustainability Commission to be a positive voice to combat the misinformation. APPROVE meeting calendar and topics for 2018. The Commission unanimously approved the calendar and topics, with a meeting on December 10 instead of December 24. The Commission is interested in having a retreat over the summer. 8.The next meeting is currently scheduled for April 23, 2018, 5:00 P.M. – 7:00 P.M. 9.ADJOURN The Sustainability Commission will provide reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities planning to attend Commission meetings. Contact the staff person listed below at least 72 hours before the meeting. Any disclosable public records related to an open session item on a regular meeting agenda and distributed by the County to a majority of members of the Commission less than 96 hours prior to that meeting are available for public inspection at 30 Muir Road, Martinez, CA during normal business hours. Staff reports related to items on the agenda are also accessible on line at www.co.contra-costa.ca.us. Public comment may be submitted via electronic mail on agenda items at least one full work day prior to the published meeting time. For Additional Information Contact: Jody London, Commission Staff Phone (925) 674-7871, Fax (925) 674-7250 jody.london@dcd.cccounty.us 04-23-18 Sustainability Commission Mtg Agenda Packet - Pg 6 of 57