HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOARD STANDING COMMITTEES - 08272018 - Sustainability Cte Min PktRecord of Action CONTRA COSTA COUNTYSUSTAINABILITY COMMISSIONAn Advisory Body to the Board of SupervisorsMonday, August 27, 20185:00 P.M.30 Muir Road, Martinez Victoria Smith, Member, District 2, Chair Howdy Goudey, At-Large, Community, Vice Chair Nick Despota, Member, District 1 Shoshana Wechsler, Alternate, District 1
Ryan Buckley, Alternate, District 2
John Sierra, Member, District 3
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
Harry Thurston, At-Large, Community Group Kathy Cutting, At-Large, Business Nicholas Snyder, At-Large, Business Doria Robinson, At-Large, Environmental Justice
Kim Hazard, 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: Victoria Smith, Member, District 2, Chair
Howdy Goudey, At-Large, Community Group, Vice Chair
Nick Despota, Member, District 1
Shoshana Wechsler, Alternate, District 1
Ryan Buckley, Alternate, District 2
John Sierra, Member, District 3
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
Kathy Cutting, At-Large, Business
Nick Snyder, At-Large, Business
Harry Thurston, At-Large, Community Group
Absent: Kimberly Hazard, At-Large, Education/Research
Doria Robinson, At-Large, Environmental Justice
Staff Present: Jody London, Sustainability Coordinator
Will Nelson, Department of Conservation and
Development
Mitch Avalon, Contra Costa County Flood Control District
Tim Jensen, Contra Costa County Flood Control District
Jill Ray, Field Representative, Supervisor Andersen
Attendees: Marti Roach
Carol Weed
Jan Warren
1.Call to Order
2.Pledge of Allegiance
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3. Public Comment There was no public comment. 4. APPROVE Record of Action for June 25, 2018. The Record of Action was unanimously approved. MOTION: Thurston SECOND: Despota 5. ACCEPT Report on Update to County General Plan.
Will Nelson, who leads the County’s work on long-term planning, provided an overview of
the County General Plan, which identifies the land use designations for lands in the
County’s jurisdiction. There are State requirements for General Plans and elements of the
General Plan that are unique to Contra Costa County: growth management and the land
preservation plan and urban limit line. Nelson reported that the Board of Supervisors in
December authorized an update to the General Plan, which was last updated in 1991.
There are many new topics that must be included in the General Plan update. Some these
include using vehicles miles travelled instead of level of service when developing the
transportation element, equjty, sustainability, adaptation.
The project will also include updates to the County’s zoning ordinances and Climate Action
Plan. There will be a lot of public outreach for the General Plan update; specific details
are in development. Some topics, like sustainability, equity, and health, cut across all areas
of the General Plan and will be included throughout the document. Nelson suggested the
Sustainability Commission determine how it would like to be involved in the General Plan
update; one option would be to designate a member to participate on the Technical
Advisory Committee for the General Plan.
The Commission discussed its interest in being engaged early in the General Plan
development, appointing a liaison to the Technical Advisory Committee, and potentially co-
hosting a joint workshop with the Ad Hoc Committee on Sustainability.
6. ACCEPT Report on Proposed Ban of Polystyrene Food and Beverage Containers in
Unincorporated Communities.
Mitch Avalon from the Contra Costa County Flood Control District presented the initial
thinking from the Flood Control District for a ban on polystyrene (aka Styrofoam) in the
unincorporated County. Avalon explained that under its stormwater permit from the Regional
Water Quality Control Board, the County is required to reduce trash by 100% by 2022. Ten
of the 19 cities in Contra Costa County have some form of ban on polystyrene, so the County
wants to be consistent, recognizing there are differences between the cities. Avalon said he
will be bringing this draft policy to the Board’s Transportation, Water, and Infrastructure
Committee this fall. Avalon said he welcomes ideas on outreach around the ban.
Sustainability Commission members and alternates discussed how the ban would impact
entities that sell Styrofoam, like big box stores, or that use Styrofoam in their business, like
caterers. Avalon said that as envisioned, the ban would apply to any entity that sells food or
beverages. Stores could still sell Styrofoam. There were questions about how the ban would
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be enforced; Avalon said the County’s Environmental Health Department will enforce the ban, as it already inspects businesses for compliance with the stormwater permit. The Sustainability Commission members expressed interest in seeing the County take a more ambitious approach with the Styrofoam ban. They suggested staff research the cost-effectiveness of more comprehensive bans. The Commission members encouraged staff to consider special Styrofoam collections during the holidays. Members also encouraged staff to put more emphasis on use of compostable food and beverage containers, as well as re-usable containers. They suggested that reducing trash collection fees could be a motivating factor for businesses to use compostable products. They also suggested the County offer recognition programs for businesses that comply with the Styrofoam ban.
7. DISCUSS August 18 Sustainability Commission Retreat and ADOPT operating protocols as
needed.
Nick Despota presented recommended guidelines for presentations to the Commission,
something that was discussed at the August 18 retreat. The Commission voted unanimously
to adopt the guidelines, and asked that presenters be provided the guidelines going forward.
Motion: Sullens Second: Thurston
Doria Robinson reported that she has been in communication with the Climate Justice
Alliance and they are available to present to the Sustainability Commission on environmental
justice and equity.
8. RECEIVE Report from Sustainability Commission Chair and IDENTIFY TOPICS for next
report to Ad Hoc Committee on Sustainability.
Victoria Smith reported that both entities that the Sustainability Commission recommended for
Sustainability Leadership Awards – the Alhambra High School Public Health Academy and the
North Richmond Watershed Connections Project – have won. They will be recognized at the
Sustainable Contra Costa gala on September 20.
Chair Smith reported that at the last meeting of the Board of Supervisors Ad Hoc Committee on
Sustainability, the Committee considered the recommendation from the Sustainability
Commission to include in the County’s federal legislative platform support for a carbon fee and
dividend. The Committee agreed to support the concept of a carbon fee only.
The Committee also discussed how to advance the Idle Free Pledge in Contra Costa County,
including outreach to cities via the Mayors Conference, and County fleet.
Chair Smith asked the Sustainability Coordinator to include an agenda item to increase the
length of time for Commission meetings.
9. RECEIVE Reports from Sustainability Commission members and alternates, and PROVIDE
DIRECTION as needed.
Nick Despota provided more information on the Ad Hoc Committee on Sustainability’s
endorsement of a carbon fee.
Shoshana Wechsler described outreach by the City of Berkeley regarding the Bay Area
Regional Climate Emergency Town Hall Declaration.
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Charles Davidson asked if the Sustainability Commission can ask the Hazardous Materials Commission to investigate public health issues. 10. RECEIVE Report from Sustainability Coordinator. Jody London summarized the written report published with the agenda. 11. The next meeting is currently scheduled for October 22, 2018 12. Adjourn.
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