HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOARD STANDING COMMITTEES - 02022022 - Sustainability Cte MinPresent: Wes Sullens
Nick Despota
Mike Moore
Victoria Smith
Brandon Matson
Chuck Leonard
Marisha Farnsworth
Charles Davidson
Renee Fernandez-Lipp
Shoshana Wechsler
Howdy Goudey
Absent: Kim Hazard
Sarah Foster
Isabella Zizi
Luz Gomez
Chris Easter
Samantha Moy
Staff Present: Jody London, Sustainability Coordinator, Department of Conservation and
Development
Demian Hardman, Senior Planner, Department of Conservation and
Development
Savannah McCarthy, Climate Corps Fellow, Department of Conservation and
Development
Maureen Toms, Department of Conservation and Development
Attendees: Jan Callaghan
Carlyn Obringer
Carol Weed
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION
An Advisory Body to the Board of Supervisors
February 28, 2022, 5:00 P.M.
**Meeting Remotely Until Further Notice**
To slow the spread of COVID-19, in lieu of a public gathering, the Sustainability Commission meeting
will be accessible via live streaming to all members of the public as permitted by Government Code
section 54953(e).
PERSONS WHO WISH TO ADDRESS THE SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION DURING PUBLIC COMMENT
Mike Moore, Member, District 3, Chair
Nick Despota, Member, District 1, Vice Chair
Shoshana Wechsler, Alternate, District 1
Victoria Smith, Member, District 2,
Chris Easter, Alternate, District 2
Samantha Moy,Alternate,District3
Wes Sullens, Member, District 4
Brandon Matson, Alternate, District 4
Charles Davidson, Member, District 5
Renee Fernandez‐Lipp, Alternate, District 5
Luz Gomez, At‐Large, Community Group
Howdy Goudey, At‐Large, Community Group
Chuck Leonard, At‐Large, Business
Marisha Farnsworth, At‐Large, Business
Isabella Zizi, 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 business of the day & preference of the Commission.
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://cccounty-us.zoom.us/j/85863103248
Or Telephone, Dial:
USA 214 765 0478 US Toll
USA 888 278 0254 US Toll-free
Conference code: 841892
RECORD OF ACTION
1. Call to Order and Introductions
Wes Sullens calls meeting to order. No new members to introduce.
2. Public Comment
No public comment on items not on agenda.
3. APPROVE Record of Action for December 13, 2021, meeting
Moved: Smith Second: Moore
Minutes approved unanimously.
No public comment.
4. ELECT OFFICERS for the Sustainability Commission for 2022
Mike Moore for Chair.
Moved: Smith Second: Davidson
Nick Despota for vice chair.
Moves: Davidson Second: Moore
Officers elected unanimously.
No public comment.
5. ADOPT CALENDAR for 2022
Commission reviews calendar for coming year. The 4th meeting in December to be changed
to December 12th.
Smith concerned with CAP fire resilience, add this to the work plan. Fernandez-Lipp,
Davidson, Farnsworth expressed interest in adding this to the work plan. Davidson also
interested in air quality as it pertains to wildfire. County staff to follow up with a meeting to
continue this conversation.
Moved: Despota Second: Sullens
Calendar adopted unanimously.
6. RECEIVE UPDATE and DISCUSS Recommended Definition for “Sustainability”
Ad hoc working group of Matson, Leonard, and Fernandez-Lipp presents proposed
definition of sustainability. The group had two in-person meetings to discuss research on the
merits of the term. See PowerPoint attached to agenda.
Matson presents research on how other organizations define sustainability. With a group this
large, a working definition will help facilitate progress and collaboration.
Fernandez-Lipp presents ad hoc working groups recommended definition of sustainability:
“meeting the environmental health, social equity, and economic needs of the present without
compromising the ability of future generations to meet those same needs.” This proposed
definition was derived from the United Nations (UN’s) traditional definition compromising of
three pillars (social, environmental, and economic). Note that equity was a big part in the
formulation of this. Three recommendations for the Commission: adopt definition,
recommend that the Board adopts, then recommend this definition be used to advise the
Climate Action Plan (CAP) strategies. This is how the definition will be operationalized.
Leonard then provides clarification on this proposed definition, that it’s purposefully broad,
while also recognizing the goals of the County. It was intentionally created to be interpreted
and will serve as general guidelines for this Commission. Leonard encourages Commission
members to agree with this definition, reminding that UN’s adoption is sound.
Commission discussion:
Commission discusses potential interpretation of definition. Concerns include
misinterpretation of the definition, particularly that the economic category is problematic.
Questions arise such as: What are the economic needs of the present? What is economic
growth? Is this unbounded economic growth, which in that case is not sustainable? What are
the needs of the present? It is controversial, because what is economically advantageous for
one group may not be so for another. How will this change how we work as a Commission?
Would this change how we operate and make decisions? Because it has been brought down
from the UN level to that of the County, it may have some nuances attached. Overall, some
Commission members suggest that there be more discussion before adopting proposed
definition.
Others pointed out that this definition did what it was supposed to do: create conversation.
With so many educated opinions, group can revise definition forever and never find one that
everyone agrees on. It’s meant to be vague. The goal was just to put something together.
Questioning how it impacts the economy is the point. Moving forward, this definition
provides a constructive framework with these three pillars and will encourage thinking about
how actions affect this generation and future generations.
One member pointed out that the County has a definition of sustainability included in 2015
CAP: “Community use of natural resources in a way that doesn’t jeopardize the ability of
future generations to live and prosper.” In comparison, the 2015 definition is too vague; this
proposed one is so much better! In an effort of time, Commission should adopt definition and
move on.
There was no public comment.
The Commission asked the ad hoc working group to perform research to further this
conversation. The working group agreed to do additional research around definition of
sustainability that other jurisdictions use.
Moved: Despota Second: Sullens
Motion carries with one objection. Leonard votes nay, with the recommendation that other
members join on the ad hoc working group.
7. RECEIVE UPDATE and DISCUSS Recommendation from Green Building Working Group
Despota presented the report of the working group (Despota and Easter) on low-carbon
concrete, attached to the meeting agenda. He reminded the Commission that the present
report revisits its June 2021 report, which included five recommendations to the
Commission for the reduction of embodied carbon in the built environment. The
Commission adopted all but the low-carbon concrete recommendation, which it asked the
working group to research further.
Building codes regulating concrete mixes have lagged behind current technologies. But
Marin County and several Bay Area cities have recently adopted low-carbon concrete
building codes. Because public agencies purchase approximately one-third of all concrete,
they have significant market leverage.
Concrete, Despota said, has four basic ingredients: sand, water, limestone aggregate, and
cement. Of the four, cement contributes by far the greatest level of GHG emissions.
Therefore, the most efficient way to reduce concrete’s global warming potential (GWP) is
by substituting part of the cement with another material that has equivalent “binding”
capacity but is less carbon-intensive. (The other methods for reducing concrete’s GWP is
the use of a synthetic or recycled-concrete aggregate, and sequestering CO2 into concrete
during manufacturing and/or mixing.)
The most widely used “substitute cementious materials” (SCMs) are fly ash and slag. In a
2021 paper, the Sierra Club stated that handling of these finely ground materials presents a
potential PM2.5 health hazard. It also expressed concern about potentially monetizing a
byproduct of the fossil fuel industry.
While its concerns are not irrelevant, the Sierra Club paper presented no evidence to
support claims of health impacts resulting from mixing fly ash or slag into concrete. A
public health expert Despota consulted also stated that proper handling precautions must be
followed in the use of any finely-ground materials, including the “natural” SCMs the Sierra
Club recommended.
The concrete industry is strongly driven to bring less carbon-intensive products to market.
Therefore, the best regulatory approach must allow flexibility. A future-proofed building
code will set maximum permissible limits on either cement content of concrete, or the
calculated global warming potential of a project. How to design within those limits will be
the decisions of engineers, architects and developers, made in consideration of current
market conditions and technologies.
The Working Group therefore asks the Sustainability Commission to recommend to the
Board of Supervisors direct staff to study adoption of low-carbon concrete standards,
implemented through a reach code applicable to all new construction in unincorporated
Contra Costa County.
Commission comment:
Has this topic been revisited with County staff? Easter clarifies that County is
waiting for direction from CalTrans.
State agencies already buy low carbon materials through Buy Clean. Concrete not
on that list, but there is movement.
Caveat of public health. The safety of green cement. For plant that was close to
community, attorney general shut project down. Threshold of PM2.5 and smaller
was not met. Suggestion that this needs to be brought back to a public health
discussion. Can the facilities be covered? Need to isolate the public from these
projects, including trucks driving to and from them. Consider this caveat without
damaging this proposal.
Investigate the potential of recycled materials such as crushed rocks as aggregates
rather than synthetic materials. Policy signals need to direct low carbon concrete in
the right direction.
Public comment: Jan Callaghan, appreciate watching out for health impacts of PM 2.5
because we have too much of it in County. Thank you for considering these health impacts,
especially the disadvantaged communities!
Motion for the Commission to recommend to the Board of Supervisors that staff be directed
to study the adoption of low-carbon concrete standards, and that those standards be
implemented through reach codes that would apply to all new construction in
unincorporated Contra Costa County.
Moved: Sullens Seconds: Farnsworth
The motion was adopted unanimously.
8. RECEIVE UPDATE on Status of In-Person Meetings of Sustainability Commission and
DISCUSS Options
Jody London summarized the current ability of the Board of Supervisors and advisory
bodies to meet remotely. Remote meetings were first allowed under the Governor’s
emergency declaration and continued with Assembly Bill 361. The Board of Supervisors on
a monthly basis approves the conduct of remote meetings for the Board of Supervisors and
advisory bodies. This is required under law to be revisited on a monthly basis.
London reviewed the requirements for remote meetings that will go into effect when the
emergency declaration ends. These are included in the staff report. London noted that the
Board of Supervisors is clear that even when meetings return to in person, the public should
be able to continue to participate remotely.
The Commissioners took a poll on whether members prefer meeting remotely or in person.
There was no consensus. See attachment for poll results (Attachment A).
There was no public comment.
9. RECEIVE UPDATE on and DISCUSS Implementation of Climate Emergency Resolution
London provided an update on the Interdepartmental Climate Action Task Force. The Green
Government Group (G3) Champion Program is in process of launching. The G3 Champions
will help County departments implement best practices from the County’s Green Business
Program. The California Green Business Program has developed a dashboard specific to
Contra Costa County to track greenhouse gas reductions and other metrics. Other updates
include the new energy manager in the Public Works Department started last week; the
Economic Transition earmark request was approved last week in the Omnibus
Appropriations bill; there are staff changes in the County’s economic development group;
and the all-electric ordinance was adopted by the Board of Supervisors in January and goes
next to the California Energy Commission for approval.
Commission comment: What are examples of Green Business Program Best Practices?
London said she would forward information.
There was no public comment.
10. RECEIVE Reports from Sustainability Commission members and alternates, and PROVIDE
DIRECTION as needed
Goudey attended an MCE Power Hour last week. Goudey encourages other Commission
members to join this noontime talks that outline a lot of MCE’s programs. Topics include
EV charging, demand response, etc. See following for more information:
o Community Power Coalition (representatives of community groups can join) to
join contact: engagement@mceCleanEnergy.org
o Links to past Community Power Coalition presentation slides
https://www.mcecleanenergy.org/energy-equity/#communitypower
o Powerhour talks get announced on their Facebook page and email list for
Community Power Coalition https://m.facebook.com/mceCleanEnergy/
o Energy 101 informational web pages on various topics
https://www.mcecleanenergy.org/category/energy-101/
Despota announced that a youth march and rally for No-Drilling Contra Costa is
happening on Saturday March 12th from 1-3 in Antioch. This is a chance to support young
people who are rallying to stop extractive industries in the County. Despota encourages
group to attend. See Attachment B for more information.
Davidson provided information during the meeting in the Zoom chat, which is provided in
Attachment B.
Moore followed up on the Bay Conservation and Development Commission and Delta
Stewardship Council presentation from the December meeting. The Board of Supervisors
voted to support the Bay Adapt platform sponsored by BCDC in February. Moore
encouraged others to sign up for stakeholder meetings and encouraged people to reach out
to him directly to Moore to coordinate meeting attendance.
Moore reviewed a written report he included with the agenda that suggests the
Sustainability Commission recommend the Board implement the findings from the 2019 UC
Berkeley Goldman School of Public Policy report to form a working group in Contra Costa
County to develop a work plan for adapting to rising tides.
Moves: Moore Seconds: Smith
Motion passes unanimously.
Staff will work with the Chair to convey this recommendation to the Board.
There was no public comment.
11. RECEIVE Report from Sustainability Coordinator
In addition to the written report published in the agenda, Jody London, Sustainability
Coordinator, notes that the County is getting attention for the all-electric ordinance. There
is exciting work in the Health Services Department, where the new position of Chief of
Climate and Health was recently created. Health Services is joining Practice Green Health,
a network of healthcare organizations that focuses on reducing medical waste. Other
updates include the County has applied for a grant from the Bay Area Air Quality Air
Management District for filters for clean air centers; the Sustainability Group in the
Department of Conservation and Development is bringing on two new Planners (one of
whom was the Climate Corps Fellow last year); and Public Works hired a new Energy
Manager. London also acknowledged a correction on the December 2021 minutes (2021
versus 2022 Electrification Reach Code).
12. RECEIVE Report from Sustainability Commission Chair and IDENTIFY TOPICS for next
report to Sustainability Committee
Despota noted topics include the definition of Sustainability and low carbon concrete.
Davidson recommended the Commission consider the SB9 housing element, and issues with
more expensive, larger houses being in demand, as a topic. Moore recommended Davidson
share more on this next meeting.
13. The next meeting is currently scheduled for April 25, 2022.
14. Adjourn.
Attachment a:
Poll Results: In-person Meetings
37%
27%
36%
Poll 1: In general (i.e., when we are past the
pandemic), if State law is modified to permit
remote meetings, what is your preference for
Sustainability Commission meeting format?
I prefer to attend meetings in
person
I prefer to attend meetings
remotely
I prefer some meetings in person,
some meetings remotely
37%
9%18%
18%
18%
Poll 2: Under what circumstances would you be
comfortable returning to in‐person
Sustainability Commission meetings? Please
check all that apply (multiple choice)
Emergency Declaration has been lifted
Emergency Declaration has been
lifted;Everyone is wearing a mask
Emergency Declaration has been lifted;Social
distancing is maintained where
possible;Others in the room have provided
proof of vaccination
Emergency Declaration has been lifted;Social
distancing is maintained where
possible;Everyone is wearing a mask
Emergency Declaration has been lifted;Social
distancing is maintained where
possible;Everyone is wearing a mask;Others in
the room have provided proof of vaccination