HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOARD STANDING COMMITTEES - 06252018 - Sustainability Cte Min PktRECORD OF
ACTION
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION
An Advisory Body to the Board of Supervisors
June 25.2018
5:00 P.M.
30 Muir Road, Martinez
Present: Victoria Smith, Member, District 2, Chair
Howdy Goudey, At-Large, Community Group, Vice-Chair
Nick Despota, Member, District 1
Gretchen Logue, Alternate, District 3
Travis Curran, Alternate, District 4
Mark Thomson, Alternate, District 5
Harry Thurston, At-Large, Community Group
Kathy Cutting, At-Large, Business
Kim Hazard, At-Large, Education Institution
Not Present: Shoshana Wechsler, Alternate, District 1
John Sierra, Member, District 3
Wes Sullens, Member, District 4
Charles Davidson, Member, District 5
Doria Robinson, At-Large, Environmental Justice
Nick Snyder, At-Large, Business
Vacant, Alternate, District 2
Staff Present: Jody London, Sustainability Coordinator
Jill Ray, Field Representative, Office of Supervisor Andersen
Jocelyn Thai, Intern, Office of Supervisor Mitchoff
Attendees: Clifton Louie
Doug Merrill
Michael Kent
Jimmy Weir
Adam Fullerton
Philip Kreychik
Elizabeth Lobos
Carol Weed
1.Call to Order and Introductions
2.Pledge of Allegiance
3.Public Comment
There was no public comment.
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4.APPROVE Record of Action for February 26, 2018 meeting.
The record of action was approved.
Motion: Mark Thomson Second: Kathy Cutting Abstain: Nick Despota, Kim Hazard
5.RECEIVE presentation on Renewable Resource Potential Study.
Philip Kreychik, Meister Consultants, provided an overview of the approach being used to
assess the potential for renewable resources in Contra Costa County, particularly solar, wind,
biomass, and biogas. The methodology differs by technology, as described in the presentation
included in the agenda. The study is designed to assess the degree to which renewable energy
resources in Contra Costa County can contribute to sustainability goals; assess priority
locations and regions for renewable energy development; assess tradeoffs and long-term
planning considerations; and identify options for participation in MCE’s feed-in tariff.
6.RECEIVE presentation on Adapting to Rising Tides, Eastern Contra Costa County.
Adam Fullerton from the Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC) provided
an overview of the Adapting to Rising Tides study BCDC is performing in Eastern Contra
Costa County. The State in January released new projections for sea level rise as the climate
becomes hotter. Under the medium scenario, the State anticipates four feet of sea level rise
unless we take action, both immediate and longer term. Some anticipated impacts in Contra
Costa County include more frequent, longer duration, and extensive flooding; shoreline
erosion; salt water intrusion from the Bay into the Delta and potentially in to groundwater
supplies; and flooding on contaminated lands. The ART study will provide a tool for
collaboration among stakeholders. The Commission discussed education and stakeholder
engagement opportunities and strategies, and clarified the outcomes of the ART study.
Betty Lobos, Carol Weed, and Jimmy Weir provided public comment.
7.RECEIVE presentation on Carbon Fee and Dividend, and PROVIDE DIRECTION as needed
Michael Kent from the Citizens Climate Lobby described the goals and mechanics of the carbon
fee and dividend proposal. The carbon fee and dividend would assess a fee on all fossil fuels
that emit carbon. It would return a portion of the fee to all Americans in equal payments per
person. It also would include a border fee adjustment to stop businesses from relocating. The
Commission discussed how the fee would operate and what its impacts would be on Contra
Costa County residents. The Commission voted to forward a recommendation to the Board of
Supervisors Ad Hoc Committee on Sustainability that the County include support for a carbon
fee and dividend in its Federal legislative platform. Nick Despota volunteered to take the lead
in developing materials to bring to the Ad Hoc Committee on Sustainability.
Motion: Howdy Goudey Second: Nick Despota
Aye: Goudey, Despota, Cutting, Hazard, Curran, Thurston, Thomson, Logue
No: Smith
8.RECEIVE report from Sustainability Commission Chair.
Chair Victoria Smith reported that the Supervisors’ Ad Hoc Committee on Sustainability at its
May meeting recommended that Kim Hazard be appointed to the At-Large, Education/Research
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seat. The Committee provided direction to staff to bring forward Board policy
recommendations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from warehouses operating in the
County. The Committee also received an update on the Distributed Energy Resources (DER)
Plan, including possible partnership with PG&E to install electric vehicle chargers at some
County facilities. The Committee directed that the DER plan go to the full Board.
9.RECEIVE report from Sustainability Commission members and alternates, and PROVIDE
DIRECTION as needed.
Howdy Goudey reported that he helped organize a Fix-it Clinic June 9 at the El Cerrito
Library. The Fix-it Clinic is an event where volunteers hold people fix things. The El
Cerrito clinic addressed 35 broken household items, of which 22 were repaired and
guidance was provided by more than 13 coaches for the others. The Library will hold
additional clinics in Antioch on July 14, Hercules on July 21, San Pablo on September 8,
and El Cerrito on October 27.
Nick Despota reported that he, Howdy Goudey, Gretchen Logue, and Shoshana Wechsler
have been working with Jody London, the County Sustainability Coordinator, on guidelines
and ideas for messaging on sustainability.
10.RECEIVE report from Sustainability Coordinator.
Jody London summarized the written report provided in the agenda
11.DISCUSS priorities for August 18, 2018 Sustainability Commission retreat.
The Commissioners discussed their interests and goals for the retreat, which include looking
at how the group works together and gets things done; focusing explicitly on the Climate
Action Plan and whether the County is making progress toward those goals; developing a
deliverable, perhaps a best practices document for different sectors.
12.DISCUSS nominations for Sustainable Contra Costa Leadership in Sustainability and Green
Buildings Awards
The Commission unanimously directed staff to submit nominations for the North Richmond
Urban Greening, Resiliency Planning, and Watersheds Connection Project in the Leadership
in Sustainable Communities category, and the Alhambra High School. Public Health
Academy students for the Rising Star award.
Motion: Smith Second: Cutting
13.The next meeting is currently scheduled for June 25, 2018 from 5:00-7:00 P.M.
14.ADJOURN
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