Agenda

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C. 25

To:	Board of Supervisors
From:	John Kopchik, Director, Conservation & Development Department
Date:	October 8, 2019

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

APPOINT Sarah Foster to At Large Environmental Justice Seat #2 on the Sustainability Commission

APPROVE	OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR	RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On: 10/08/2019

APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED

OTHER

Clerks Notes:

VOTE OF SUPERVISORS

AYE:

John Gioia, District I Supervisor
Candace Andersen, District II Supervisor
Diane Burgis, District III Supervisor
Karen Mitchoff, District IV Supervisor
Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor

Contact:

Jody London, 925-674-7871

I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: October 8, 2019
David Twa,

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

APPOINT Sarah Foster to At Large Environmental Justice #2 seat on the Sustainability Commission for a term ending March 31, 2021, as recommended by the Sustainability Committee.

FISCAL IMPACT:

None.

BACKGROUND:

On November 15, 2016, the Board of Supervisors approved the creation of a Contra Costa County Sustainability Commission. The function of the Sustainability Commission is to: (1) Provide advice to staff and the Board on successful implementation of the Climate Action Plan, including suggestions on how that work can be performed more efficiently and effectively; (2) Advise the Board on opportunities to realize equity and fairness across the diverse communities of Contra Costa County in sustainability programs that support the Climate Action Plan; and (3) Provide suggestions to staff and the Board on how to better engage Contra Costa County residents and businesses on sustainability issues and implementation of the Climate Action Plan.

BACKGROUND: (CONT'D)

On May 6, 2019, the Sustainability Committee interviewed candidates for vacancies in At-Large seats on the Sustainability Commission. During its deliberations, the Sustainability Committee noted the importance of having greater representation on the Sustainability Commission from frontline communities that bear a disproportionate burden of exposure to pollution and impacts of a changing climate. The Sustainability Committee recommended that the Board create an additional seat for a member representing environmental justice issues and who lives in a frontline community (also sometimes referred to as a "disadvantaged" community). The Committee also stated the additional environmental justice seat should help the Commission reflect the geographic diversity of the County. On August 6, 2019, the Board of Supervisors approved the creation of this additional seat, with a term extending to March 31, 2021.

With the creation of the second environmental justice seat, the composition of the Sustainability Commission is as follows (12 members, 5 alternates): Five members - one member from each Supervisorial district (must be a resident of that district), nominated by the Supervisor for that district, and approved by the Board of Supervisors; Five alternate members - one alternate member from each Supervisorial district (must be a resident of that district), nominated by the Supervisor for that district, and approved by the Board of Supervisors; Two members representing community groups whose mission includes sustainability and/or environmental issues; Two members representing commercial groups or organizations whole business focuses on sustainability and/or environmental issues.; Two members representing environmental justice issues and who live in frontline, or "disadvantaged", communities, and who reflect the geographic diversity of the County; and One member representing an education or research institution.

The Department of Conservation and Development advertised this vacancy, as well as vacancies in the District 3 and District 5 alternate seats, and accepted applications through September 16, 2019. The solicitation notice is included as Attachment A.

Three people timely submitted applications to serve in the vacant At-Large, Environmental Justice, #2 seat described above. Attachment B shows the current members of the Sustainability Commission. Attachment C is a summary of the applications received for the At-Large, Environmental Justice seat.

On September 26, 2019, the Sustainability Committee interviewed the applicants for the At-Large, Environmental Justice #2 seat. The Sustainability Committee recommends the appointment of Sarah Foster to this seat.

CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:

Failure to fill the vacancy limits the ability of the Sustainability Commission to fulfill its purpose.