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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOARD STANDING COMMITTEES - 10222018 - Sustainability Cte Min PktRecord of Action CONTRA COSTA COUNTY SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION An Advisory Body to the Board of Supervisors Monday, October 22, 2018 5:00 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 Travis Curran, Alternate, District 4 Charles Davidson, Member, District 5 Nick Snyder, At-Large, Business Harry Thurston, At-Large, Community Group Kimberly Hazard, At-Large, Education/Research Absent: Wes Sullens, Member, District 4 Mark Thomson, Alternate, District 5 Doria Robinson, At-Large, Environmental Justice Kathy Cutting, At-Large, Business Staff Present: Jody London, Sustainability Coordinator Jill Ray, Field Representative, Supervisor Andersen Attendees: Carol Weed Jan Warren Vivian Huang Marti Roach 1.Call to Order 2.Pledge of Allegiance 3.Public Comment There was no public comment. DRAFT 4.APPROVE Record of Action for August 27, 2018. The Record of Action was unanimously approved. MOTION: Despota SECOND: Thurston 5.REVIEW Draft 2018 Annual Report and 2019 Work Plan The Commission discussed the draft Annual Report and Work Plan developed by staff. The Commission asked that the Annual Report include information about the Retreat, including goals and commitments from Commission members. The Commission also would like the report to reflect more information on accomplishments of the Commission. 6.REVIEW Draft Climate Action Plan Progress Report The Commission discussed the draft report developed by staff. Members expressed interest in seeing a graphic representation of progress to date. The asked for clarification on education and outreach activities related to energy efficiency and more detail on Contra Costa enrollment in MCE, and greenhouse gas emissions related to participation in MCE. The Commission is thinking about how its work relates to the recently released Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report. The Commission would like to see County departments measuring their progress in meeting Climate Action Plan goals. 7.RECEIVE Presentation on Environmental Justice and Climate Action Planning Vivian Huang from the Asian Pacific Environmental Network (APEN) presented to the Commission on environmental justice and climate action planning. The slides used are attached to these minutes. Huang started with an overview of APEN, which organizes and builds leadership capacity in communities of color. In Contra Costa County, APEN works primarily in Richmond, with Lao and Mien communities. APEN fosters language justice by providing translation services, often into multiple languages. APEN helps build political power statewide by hosting candidate forums, registering voters, and organizing phone banks on ballot measures. APEN performs policy work at the local and State levels. Some examples of this include Assembly Bill 693, solar energy for multifamily affordable housing. APEN is in exploring how to bring more distributed generation to the communities it serves. APEN works with other networks as well. APEN thinks about the environment as where people live, work, and play, not someplace far away from daily life. Huang provided an overview of the history of environmental justice, which has its roots in the civil rights and environmental movements of the 1960s and 1970s. 1991 was the first National People of Color Environmental Justice summit, which produced 17 principles. It is important to think about power, systemic change, fair distribution of power, and the value of community organizing. When considering climate justice, it is important to look at and address the underlying economy. It is important to make sure that those who are the most impacted are able to drive solutions, and to address harm that has already occurred. Huang described the Just Transition framework that is being used at the national level. The environmental justice movement is working to develop a regenerative economy that focuses on restoration, repairs, resilience, social equity, and self-determination. Important outcomes include housing, community energy, zero waste, and related objectives. Sustainability Commission members expressed interest in seeing more involvement by groups like APEN in eastern Contra Costa County and in the upcoming General Plan update. The group discussed whether there is value in the Sustainability Commission adopting environmental justice or equity principles. The group also discussed how to ensure representation from environmental justice organizations in County planning projects like the General Plan update, Climate Action Plan update, Electric Vehicle Readiness Blueprint. One member suggested using community health as an organizing tool, and proposed the Sustainability Commission form a working group on equity. The Commission asked if the consultants preparing the Climate Action Plan update can be invited to the December 10 meeting, as well as the County’s Hazardous Materials Ombudsman. 8.RECEIVE Reports from Sustainability Commission members and alternates, and PROVIDE DIRECTION as needed. Shoshana Wechsler thanked Marti Roach for organizing a response to the consultants developing a report on the Northern Waterfront Economic Development Initiative. There is concern that the Strategic Action Plan is not sufficiently considering climate issues, and asked for County leadership in recognizing that local governments need to take action regarding climate change. The letter is attached to the minutes. The Commission expressed interest in having the County’s Economic Development Manager provide an overview of the County’s economic development strategies and priorities. 9.RECEIVE Report from Sustainability Coordinator. Jody London summarized the written report published with the agenda. 10.RECEIVE Report from Sustainability Commission Chair and IDENTIFY TOPICS for next report to Ad Hoc Committee on Sustainability. Victoria Smith reported that at the September meeting of the Ad Hoc Committee on Sustainability, the Committee received a report on asthma in Contra Costa County. Asthma is more present in low-income and African American communities. Supervisor Gioia said he expects to see these issues being addressed in the health sections of the General Plan update. The Committee directed staff to explore a healthy homes initiative. The Commission asked that the next report to the Ad Hoc Committee reflect the presentation at this meeting on environmental justice principles. The Commission also would like to have better tools for measuring and quantifying greenhouse gas emissions. 11.The next meeting is currently scheduled for December 10, 2018 12.Adjourn.