On November 15, 2016, the Board of Supervisors (Board) approved the creation of a Contra Costa County Sustainability Commission. The function of the Sustainability Commission is to:
- 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.
- 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.
The Sustainability Commission has twelve members and five alternates members, selected as follows:
- Five District representatives and five alternates nominated by individual members of the Board of Supervisors (representatives and alternates must be a resident of that district);
- 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
- Two members representing environmental justice issues and who live in disadvantaged communities, and who represent the geographic diversity of the County.
The terms for each At-Large seat were established by the Board when it made initial appointments to the Sustainability Commission on March 14, 2017. The terms of the appointments were staggered to maintain continuity on the Sustainability Commission.
Four of the At-Large seats expire on March 31, 2021: At-Large, Community Group Seat #2, At-Large, Business Seat #1, At-Large, Environmental Justice Seat #2, and At-Large, Education or Research Institution. The Department of Conservation and Development (DCD) advertised the opportunities to serve starting on January 7, 2021 and accepted applications through February 12, 2021.
11 people submitted applications to serve in the vacant At-Large seats described above, including the incumbents in the business, environmental justice, and education/research seats. Four (4) applied for the seat representing business; four (4) applied for the seat representing a community group; two (2) applied for the environmental justice seat. Only the incumbent applied for the education/research seat.
Attachment A shows the current members of the Sustainability Commission. Attachment B shows the applicants sorted alphabetically by interest group. Attachment C is a summary of the applications. Attachment D is all the eligible applications received by the Clerk of the Board, with personal contact information redacted.
The Sustainability Committee interviewed applicants on February 22, 2021, and recommends that the Board of Supervisors make the following at-large appointments to the Sustainability Commission, with the noted terms of service:
- Community Group seat #2: Luz Gomez, through March 31, 2025
- At-Large, Commercial Seat #1: Charles Leonard, through March 31, 2025
- Environmental Justice seat #2: Sarah Foster, through March 31, 2025
- Education or Research Institution: Kimberly Hazard, through March 31, 2025
If the recommendations are not approved, At-Large appointments will not be made to the Sustainability Commission.
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’s Report Card: Communities that are Safe and Provide a High Quality of Life for Children and Families. The Sustainability Commission provides advice to the Board that can improve environmental conditions for children and their parents and caregivers in Contra Costa County.