HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOARD STANDING COMMITTEES - 04222019 - Sustainability Cte Min Pkt
Present: Nick Despota, Vice-Chair, Member, District 1
Victoria Smith, Member, District 2
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
Harry Thurston, At-Large, Community Group
Kim Hazard, At-Large, Education
Absent: Shoshana Wechsler, Alternate, District 1
Charles Davidson, Member, District 5
Staff Present: Jody London, Sustainability Coordinator
Will Nelson, Department of Conservation and Development
Jessica Barrett, CivicSpark Fellow, Department of Conservation and
Development
Michael Kent, Hazardous Materials Ombudsman
Chris Wiler, Field Representative, Supervisor Mitchoff
Dom Pruett, Field Representative, Supervisor Andersen
Warren Lai, Deputy Director, Department of Public Works
Attendees: Marti Roach, Carol Weed, Jan Warren, Eli Krispi, Tammy Seale, Devin Jackson,
Lynn McGuiren, Ogie Strogatz, Rick Bikoff, Andrew Chahour, Sara Gurdian,
Felipe Solis
1. Call to Order and Introductions
2. Pledge of Allegiance
Record of Action
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION
An Advisory Body to the Board of Supervisors
April 22, 2019
5:00 P.M.
30 Muir Road, Martinez, CA
Nick Despota, Vice-Chair, Member, District 1
Shoshana Wechsler, Alternate, District 1
Victoria Smith, Member, District 2
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
Vacant, Alternate, District 5
Harry Thurston, At-Large, Community Group
Vacant, At-Large, Business
Vacant, At-Large, Business
Vacant, At-Large, Environmental Justice
Kim Hazard, At-Large, Education
Vacant, At-Large, Community Group
Agenda
Items:
Items may be taken out of order based on the business of the day and preference of the
Committee
3. Public Comment
Andrew Chahour commented that there are new weed abatement standards in Contra Costa
County that he believes could impact fire prevention efforts. The new standards increase the
setback requirement. Will Nelson said that the updated General Plan, expected to be complete by
the end of 2020, will include measures related to fire, and pointed out that some codes are
mandated by the State. Michael Kent said that the County’s Integrated Pest Management
Advisory Board looks at issues related to roadside maintenance in the unincorporated County.
4. APPROVE Record of Action for February 25, 2019 meeting.
The Record of Action was approved unanimously.
Motion: Smith Second: Hazard
5. RECEIVE Presentation on Emissions Inventory for 2019 Climate Action Plan Update
Tammy Seale and Eli Krispi from PlaceWorks, the consultants on the County’s General Plan
and Climate Action Plan (CAP) updates, discussed the importance of the CAP as a strategic
implementation document that complements the General Plan. The General Plan provides vision
and goals and extends through 2040; the CAP is focused on a 5-10 year horizon and is more
action-oriented. The CAP should be flexible and easy to revise, providing more opportunity for
impact.
Seale noted that the scope of the CAP Update has expanded to include an update to the County
Operations CAP.
Seale reviewed the timeline for CAP activities. In April and May the team will host community
meetings for the General Plan and CAP. They are all listed at EnvisionContraCosta2040.org
and will include information and gather community input on issues related to the CAP. There
also will be community meetings on specific topics, including climate action, later in Q2 and Q3.
This evening PlaceWorks is presenting the initial emissions inventory. At the June Sustainability
Commission meeting PlaceWorks will present the preliminary results of the vulnerability
assessment, which looks at areas of particularly sensitivity. At the August meeting will begin
opportunities to identify specific measures for the CAP.
Krispi reviewed the process for developing the emissions inventory. Overall, emissions in the
unincorporated County using the new baseline year of 2017 are down 13% from the first
inventory conducted in 2005. He observed that emissions in most sectors have decreased, and
that on-road transportation continues to be by far the largest source of emissions. He also noted
that the non-residential building data is incomplete because of challenges obtaining the data
from PG&E. PlaceWorks is using 2013 building data as a placeholder. Jody London observed
that this is an ongoing, statewide problem.
On the question of emissions from large industrial sources, the County has little control over
these stationary sources, which are regulated by the State and regional agencies including the
Bay Area Air Quality Management District and Regional Water Quality Control Board. The
State does not require that local CAPs include large stationary sources. Commission members
expressed interest in seeing them included for comparison.
Krispi reviewed the process and methodology for developing the emissions forecast. He noted
that there are some reductions mandated by the State that are factored in to the inventory. In
terms of setting target dates, PlaceWorks recommends setting targets for 2030 and 2050,
consistent with State targets and guidance.
Commission members asked for data on sensitive communities, which would allow the
Commission to consider how to ensure those communities are able to take advantage of
programs that can reduce emissions, for example energy efficiency. Commission members
suggested they might form working groups to collaborate with the consultants on
recommendations for specific sectors.
Marti Roach offered public comment, suggesting the Commission might want to discuss options
for higher target and what has been done elsewhere.
6. CONSIDER proposal from Member, District 1, to Recommend the Use of Carbon-Neutral
Building Materials in County Projects.
Nick Despota described a proposal for the Board of Supervisors to use the County’s
procurement process to specify the use of manufactured limestone aggregates that contain
captured and sequestered carbon dioxide for concrete in County-funded projects. Warren Lai,
Deputy Director, Contra Costa County Public Works Department, explained to the Commission
that the County uses concrete in horizontal projects (i.e., roads) and vertical projects (i.e.,
buildings). Lai described the process of adopting materials specifications and the County’s
reliance on standard-setting entities like CalTrans. Lai also described the process the County
uses to vet new materials. He said the County look for opportunities to use recycled materials
on-site and avoid transportation costs.
Commission members discussed potential opportunities to learn from work occurring in other
counties, particularly Alameda and Marin. They also expressed concern about the wording of
the current proposal.
The Commission voted unanimously to direct Nick Despota and Wes Sullens to explore the
proposal with County staff.
Motion: Smith Second: Sullens
7. ADOPT Environmental Justice Rubric Developed by the Commission’s Environmental Justice
Working Group and RECOMMEND Its Use in Updating the County’s General Plan.
The Commission discussed the proposed rubric. Will Nelson, County staff, clarified that the
General Plan is a land-use planning document. Michael Kent, County staff, recalled that when
the County adopted an Environmental Justice policy in 2003, there was someone in the County
Administrator’s Office who was charged to work with all departments on how to implement the
policy. That position was not refilled after the Great Recession. Kent noted that the Hazardous
Materials Commission has investigated and reported back to the Board of Supervisors on this
topic several times. After further discussion, the group determined that it will further refine this
proposal and bring it back at the next meeting.
8. DISCUSS Community Organizations to Consult in Preparation of the County’s General Plan
Update and PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS to Staff.
The group discussed the importance of having broad participation in the General Plan and
Climate Action Plan updates. Will Nelson said there is interest in identifying more contacts with
non-governmental organizations, etc. The group directed the Sustainability Coordinator to set
up an online document where members can post suggestions.
9. RECEIVE Reports from Sustainability Commission members and alternates, and PROVIDE
DIRECTION as needed.
Victoria Smith reported that she participated in the first meeting of the Technical Advisory
Working Group for the General Plan Update.
Gretchen Logue reported that Tanya Drlik, the County’s Integrated Pest Management
Coordinator, has retired. A search is ongoing for her replacement.
Ryan Buckley reported that the Outreach working group is organizing to conduct an inventory of
environmental groups in the County and will report back.
10. RECEIVE Report from Sustainability Coordinator.
Jody London summarized the written report included with the agenda. The Commission directed
London to send a letter of support from the Sustainability Commission to the California Public
Utilities Commission regarding the value of the Bay Area Regional Energy Network.
11. RECEIVE Report from Sustainability Commission Chair and IDENTIFY TOPICS for next
report to Ad Hoc Committee on Sustainability.
The group recommended the following items be highlighted for the Board of Supervisors
Sustainability Committee:
• Environmental justice rubric and potential applicability to the Climate Action Plan and
General Plan updates.
• Emissions inventory presentation. Note that the Commission is still working on this and
will want more detailed demographic information.
12. The next meeting is currently scheduled for June 24, 2019.
13. Adjourn