Agenda

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D. 7

To:	Board of Supervisors
From:	John Kopchik, Director, Conservation & Development Department
Date:	November 15, 2016

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

Contra Costa County Sustainability Commission

APPROVE	OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR	RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On: 11/15/2016

APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED

OTHER

Clerks Notes:

VOTE OF SUPERVISORS

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: November 15, 2016
David Twa,

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

CREATE a Sustainability Commission to advise the Board on issues related to the County’s Climate Action Plan and opportunities to realize equity and fairness across the diverse communities of Contra Costa County in sustainability programs that support the Climate Action Plan, and 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, as recommended by the Ad Hoc Sustainability Committee.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The fiscal impact of establishing a Sustainability Commission will consist of in-kind time and resources from the County to staff the Sustainability Commission. These services will be provided by the Sustainability Coordinator, who is based in the Department of Conservation and Development (DCD). Costs for the Sustainability Coordinator are covered by General Fund revenues approved for this purpose in the County's FY 2016-17 Budget.

BACKGROUND:

In December 2015, the Board of Supervisors adopted the County’s Climate Action Plan (CAP). The CAP establishes goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Contra Costa County by 2020 and 2035. These emission reduction goals are in six sectors: energy efficiency, renewable energy, land use and transportation, waste, water, and government operations. The goals encompass the unincorporated areas of the County and County government operations.

Contra Costa County residents, community groups, and businesses have deep interest, expertise, and experience in sustainability issues. Some gravitate more to specific aspects of sustainability and the CAP, and/or work on these issues in a region of the County. As the County deepens its work on sustainability, it can take advantage of the human resources within the County to advise the Board on successful implementation of the CAP, including suggestions on how that work can be performed more efficiently and effectively and engage more of the County’s residents.

The Board's Ad Hoc Sustainability Committee approved this recommendation on October 24, 2016. Supervisor Glover was not in attendance.

Below are details on the Sustainability Commission’s recommended function, composition, and other operating protocols.

Function: The function of the Sustainability Commission will be to:

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.
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.
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.

Sunset Date: None.

Reports To: Board of Supervisors.

Membership: Ten members, selected as follows:

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;
Two members representing community groups whose mission includes sustainability and/or environmental issues;
Two members representing commercial groups or organizations whose business focuses on sustainability and/or environmental issues; and
One member representing environmental justice issues and who lives in a disadvantaged community.

Committee meetings operate under the County’s Better Government Ordinance and are open to the public.

Office Term: Two years, with initial terms being staggered in order to maintain continuity of committee deliberations.

Term Limits: None.

Meeting Time: To be determined.

Compensation: None.

Process for Selecting Members: The five Members from each Supervisorial district will be nominated directly by each Supervisor and approved by the Board of Supervisors. The five Members representing community groups, commercial groups or organizations, and environmental justice issues will apply through the Clerk of the Board's Office and then be interviewed by the Ad Hoc Sustainability Committee or other Committee designated by the Board. The Ad Hoc Sustainability Committee will forward to the Board for approval the recommended candidates for those five seats.

CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:

If the Board does not create a Sustainability Commission, the Board will not benefit from such community engagement in the County’s sustainability policies.

CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT:

While this is not a direct service program for children and youth up to the age of 18, the goals of the Climate Action Plan have a direct impact on outcome 5 in the Children Report Card: Communities that are Safe and Provide a High Quality of Life for Children and Families. The Sustainability Commission will provide advice to the Board that can improve environmental conditions for children and their parents and caregivers in Contra Costa County.

CLERK'S ADDENDUM

Jan Warren, Interfaith Climate Action Network of CCC did not wish to speak but left written comments for consideration (attached).