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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOARD STANDING COMMITTEES - 02252019 - Sustainability Cte Min Pkt Sustainability Commission Minutes Feb. 25, 2019 Roll Call: Public: Devin Jackson, Richard Jackson, Marti Roach, Jacenda Davis, Jana Corey, Shirley Shelangloski, Gabrielle Lichtenstein, Carol Weed, Jan Warren Staff: Demian Hardman, Michael Kent, Jody London, Chris Wikler, Gayle Israel Members: All except Shoshana, Gretchen, Mark 3. Public Comment Gabrielle Lichtenstein from MCE announced that MCE is holding an inclusion period through June 30, 2019, for the six Contra Costa cities that are not MCE members. Due to changes in regulations, cities that elect to join now will be eligible to transfer service in 2021. 4 Record of Action approved unanimously. Motion: Despota Second: Snyder 5 Elect Officers Chair: Howdy Goudey Motion: Thurston Second: Sullens unanimous Vice Chair: Nick Despota volunteers vote: unanimous 6. Cleaner Contra Costa Challenge Jacenda Davis, Sustainability Coordinator for Sustainable Contra Costa, provided an overview of the Cleaner Contra Costa Challenge. The purpose of the Cleaner Contra Costa Challenge is to encourage County residents to create a cleaner, healthier community and empower residents to help stop damage to the climate. The project is being operated through a two-year grant from the Bay Area Air Quality Management District. During the pilot period, the project will test outreach and engagement strategies in Antioch, Walnut Creek, and San Pablo. Davis demonstrated the online platform that residents will use to participate in the Challenge, and discussed the goals and strategies for the program. 7. Presentation on Sustainability, Health, and Planning for the Built Environment Dr. Richard Jackson, Professor Emeritus in the UCLA School of Public Health, discussed how planning for sustainability can have positive impacts on public health. The slides he presented are attached. 8. Update on EV Readiness Blueprint Jody London, County Sustainability Coordinator, provided an overview of the Electric Vehicle (EV) Readiness Blueprint. The Blueprint is being developed with a grant from the California Energy Commission. The Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) is the lead agency for the project, which is due to be completed by July 1, 2019 so CCTA can apply for Phase 2 implementation funds. Sustainability Commission members asked whether the Blueprint would include an assessment of jobs created from EV deployment, and expressed interest in attending project workshops and also seeing more outreach directly to community members. 9. Receive Report from the Commission’s Environmental Justice working group. Nick Despota provided an update and recommendations from the working group focused on environmental justice and the Climate Action Plan (see report included with agenda). The working group recommends that the County use a rubric for assessing whether projects and policies meeting the County’s environmental justice goals, adopted in 2007. The working group is particularly interested in seeing this rubric used in development of the County’s updated General Plan. The Commission agreed to review this more carefully and discuss again at its April meeting. 10. Receive Report from the Commission’s outreach working group. Travis Curran and Ryan Buckley reviewed a draft presentation on sustainability and the Climate Action Plan that Sustainability Commissioners could deliver to community and business groups. The Commission’s outreach working group will provide an update to the Commission on its continued work at a future meeting. 11. Receive Report on Co-Hosting Workshop on Environmental Justice and General Plans, and Provide Direction, as needed Michael Kent, County Hazardous Materials Ombudsman, reported that the Hazardous Materials Commission is going to host a workshop with the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research on new regulations regarding environmental justice and general plans. The workshop will likely be at the end of March. Kent invited the Sustainability Commission to co-host the workshop. The Sustainability Commission voted unanimously to co-host the workshop. Motion: Kim Hazard Second: Wes Sullens 12. Receive Reports from Sustainability Commission members and alternates, and Provide Direction as needed. Charles Davidson reported on an event at Rodeo Hills Elementary School, 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., March 7, regarding the proposed expansion of the Phillips 66 refinery. 13. RECEIVE Report from Sustainability Coordinator. Jody London referred the group to the written report provided in the agenda. London announced that three at-large seats and the appointed seats and alternates in District 1 and 4 expire March 31, 2019. Applications for the at-large seats have closed, and candidates will be interviewed at the March 25 meeting of the Sustainability Committee. London announced that Kathy Cutting, who held the Business, At-Large seat that expires March 31, 2021, resigned that day. The position will be advertised after the Board of Supervisors declares the vacancy, which will happen next month. 14. RECEIVE Report from Sustainability Commission Chair and IDENTIFY TOPICS for next report to the Sustainability Committee The group suggested the next report to the Board of Supervisors Sustainability Committee include information on the presentation from Dr. Jackson, the Cleaner Contra Costa Challenge, and the recommendations about environmental justice.