HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOARD STANDING COMMITTEES - 08242019 - Sustainability Cte Min Pkt
Record of Action
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION
An Advisory Body to the Board of Supervisors
August 24, 2019
5:00 P.M.
30 Muir Road, Martinez
Howdy Goudey, Chair, At-Large, Community
Group
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
Vacant, Alternate, District 3
Wes Sullens, Member, District 4
Travis Curran, Alternate, District 4
Charles Davidson, Member, District 5
Reneé Fernandez-Lipp, Alternate, District 5
Harry Thurston, At-Large, Community Group
Russell Driver, At-Large, Business
Nicholas Snyder, At-Large, Business
Doria Robinson, At-Large, Environmental Justice
Sarah Foster, 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
Committee
Present: Howdy Goudey, Chair, At-Large, Community Group
Charles Davidson, Member, District 5
Shoshana Wechsler, Alternate, District 1
Victoria Smith, Member, District 2
Ryan Buckley, Alternate, District 2
John Sierra, Member, District 3
Wes Sullens, Member, District 4
Russell Driver, At-Large, Business
Nicholas Snyder, At-Large, Business
Doria Robinson, At-Large, Environmental Justice
Harry Thurston, At-Large, Community Group
Kim Hazard, At-Large, Education
Sarah Foster, At-Large, Environmental Justice
Reneé Fernandez-Lipp, Alternate, District 5
Absent: Travis Curran, Alternate, District 4, Nick Despota, Vice-Chair, Member, District 1
Staff Present: Demian Hardman, Senior Energy Planner, Department of Conservation and Development
Jody London, Sustainability Coordinator, Department of Conservation and Development
Dan Peddycord, Public Health Director, Contra Costa Health Services
Frank Di Massa, Department of Conservation and Development
Will Nelson, Principal Planner, Department of Conservation and Development
Cindy Cortez, Department of Conservation and Development
Chris Farnitano, Health Officer, Contra Costa Health Services
Attendees: Devin Jackson, Mike Moore, Zoe Siegel, Cheryl Brown, Eli Krispi, Joanna Jansen, Jan
Warren
1. Call to Order and Introductions
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Public Comment
Zoe Siegel, Greenbelt Alliance, commented on the role of the Commission in the implementation of the
Climate Action Plan.
4. APPROVE Record of Action for August 26, 2019 meeting.
Motion: Kim Hazard. Second: Harry Thurston. Vote: Unanimous.
5. RECEIVE Presentation on Upcoming General Plan Meeting on Environmental Justice,
Health and Sustainability and PROVIDE SUGGESTIONS, as needed.
Joanna Jansen, PlaceWorks, presented an update on the November 18 General Plan meeting on
environmental justice, sustainability, and health. Jansen asked the Commission for feedback on the draft
meeting approach and invitation included in the agenda.
The Commission suggested staff and consultants use the environmental justice assessment tool adopted at
the previous Commission meeting.
Commission members discussed the proposed approach. They recommended:
• Using additional data sources besides CalEnviroScreen 3.0, such as California Healthy Places
Index.
• Announcing meetings and community events at public hearings and in social media platforms to
increase community engagement, and considering youth as intended audience during meetings.
• Considering the feasibility of having actionable environmental justice approaches and tools.
6. RECEIVE Presentation on Community Outreach Meetings for the Climate Action Plan
and DISCUSS Draft Vision, Goals, and Strategies.
Eli Krispi from PlaceWorks reviewed goal topics in the 2015 Climate Action Plan. Topics include:
• Energy Efficiency
• Renewable Energy
• Land Use and Transportation
• Solid Waste
• Water Conservation
• Government Operations
New goal topics for possible inclusion in the updated CAP include:
• Clean and Efficient Built Environments
• Carbon Free Energy
• Resilient Communities
• Resilient Natural Infrastructure
• No-waste Contra Costa
• Reduce Water Use and Increase Drought Resilience
• Clean Transportation System and Infrastructure
• Clean Transportation Network and Infrastructure
• Climate Equity
• Sustainable Agriculture Lands
Krispi explained that the vision statement is usually intended to provide overarching direction to the
Climate Action Plan.
Jody London emphasized the need to have measures that can be quantified and evaluated.
Commission members recommended using less technical wording in the CAP’s goals, keeping in mind
how this will be accessible to the General Public as the intended audience. They also recommended that
the health goal be a more featured element in the CAP.
7. RECOMMEND the Board of Supervisors refer to its Sustainability Committee
deliberation on adoption of a Climate Emergency Resolution.
Motion: Sarah Foster. Second: Russell Driver. Vote: Unanimous.
The Commission recommended the following:
(1) Establishing an advisory group that will help the County anticipate and plan for an economy
that is less dependent on fossil fuel extraction and processing and helps plan for a transition
from a fossil-fuel dependent economy. As the State of California adopts policies and goals for
reducing pollution and addressing climate change, the County should consider what this will
mean for County revenues, jobs,
health, and infrastructure.
(2) Directing the County Administrator to establish an interdepartmental task force that will
focus on implementing the County’s Climate Action Plan and identifying additional actions,
policies, and programs the County can undertake to reduce and adapt to the impacts of a
changing climate.
(3) Identifying potential resources to support work in Contra Costa County to reduce and adapt
to a changing climate. The Sustainability Commission advises that the Board refer this topic to
the Sustainability Committee and direct the Department of Conservation and Development to
prepare report to the Sustainability Committee to evaluate whether the County should adopt a
Climate Emergency Resolution.
8. RECEIVE Reports from Sustainability Commission members and alternates, and
PROVIDE DECTION as needed.
Reneé Fernandez-Lipp recommended the State of the Estuary Conference as a source for identifying
local groups to collaborate in the creation of the CAP and the Climate Emergency Resolution.
Russell Driver observed that, in light of the recent PG&E power shutoff, the public is rushing to install
conventional diesel powered generators to prepare for power outages, and is not likely to look at
renewable fuels unless funding is available.
9. RECEIVE Report from Sustainability Coordinator.
Jody London reviewed the report included in the agenda.
10. RECEIVE Report from Sustainability Commission Chair and IDENTIFY TOPICS for
next report to Ad Hoc Committee on Sustainability.
The Commission discussed the polystyrene ban recently adopted by the Board of Supervisors. Howdy
Goudey noted the commitment to ban Styrofoam use must be responsive to changing markets and
suggested reusable food ware should be a requirement.
11. The next meeting is currently scheduled for December 9, 2019.
12. Adjourn