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1.
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Introductions |
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2.
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Public comment on any item under the jurisdiction of the Committee and not on this agenda (speakers may be limited to three minutes). |
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There was no public comment. |
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3.
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APPROVE Record of Action from May 23, 2022, Meeting of the Sustainability Committee.
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Record of Action Approved. |
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Attachments: |
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05-23-22 Meeting Record
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05-23-22 Ltr 350 CCCounty
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4.
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RECEIVE Report on Electric Vehicle Charging Stations.
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Brendan Havenar-Daughton, County Energy Manager, gave a presentation on electric vehicle (EV) policy. He provided an overview of the County’s EV policy, Electric Vehicle Charging Stations scope of work, map of County-owned chargers, fleet replacement schedule, and change management.
The Committee requested clarification on charging costs to the County and the public as well as approximate installation cost and specific charger types to be installed. Havenar-Daughton said he would need to look further into the accounting side and that at this point, the Level 2 ChargePoint charging stations require a credit card.
Havenar-Daughton provided a high-level overview of the scope of work as well as the Phase 1 locations the County would be focusing on first.
The Committee asked whether the Phase 1 sites correspond with locations where most of the fleet is housed and pointed out that this Committee would like to look at the fleet turnover data and determine a timeline to implement Phase 1.
Public Comment:
Howdy Goudey shared his concern that the $2.5 million is too high for 50 proposed charging stations and that the goal should be to seek lower cost solutions. He also urged potentially delaying EV procurement until later in the timeline so that comparable vehicle replacements are available. |
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Attachments: |
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07-11-22 EVSE Sustainabilty Ctte
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5.
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RECEIVE Report from the Chief Climate and Health Policy Officer.
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Dan Peddycord, Chief Climate and Health Policy Officer, presented on the health impacts of climate change highlighting the four overarching problem areas: rising temperatures, increasingly extreme weather, rising sea levels, and increasing greenhouse gases (GHG) in the atmosphere. He pointed out that a major symptom of these problem areas is an increase in mental health issues which oftentimes lead to violence, depression, and suicide. These symptoms could potentially further health inequity in the County.
Peddycord explained that Contra Costa Health Services (CCHS) has joined the Practice Green Health organization which supports the healthcare industry in its efforts to reduce GHG emissions. CCHS is also exploring carbon sequestration strategies and drafting a Green Business Plan as well as a departmental Climate Action Plan (CAP) which would focus on equity and environmental justice.
The Committee requested information on the clean air centers. Peddycord responded, highlighting a grant totaling $650,000 from the California Air Resources Board which will be used primarily for purchasing portable air filters, rehabilitating Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems, and replacing HVAC filters. He anticipates portable air filters will ship out to County partners in a few weeks.
Public Comment:
Denice Dennis inquired about the Green and Healthy Homes Initiative (GHHI), pointing out that there is great opportunity to integrate building electrification. Jody London, County Sustainability Coordinator, said the County has an ongoing Asthma Program, funded through several grants, that is focused on helping people with high rates of visits to the Emergency Room for asthma with the County’s low-income weatherization program and related energy efficiency programs. Additionally, the Department of Conservation and Development (DCD) [JL1] is working on how existing buildings can be converted to all-electric. Demian Hardman-Saldana, Senior Planner, added that the Sustainability Team has been participating in a working group hosted by the Rocky Mountain Institute and Emerald Cities Collaborative to develop a roadmap to convert existing buildings to all-electric.
Betty Lobos commented that the climate agenda includes mitigating climate impacts in vulnerable communities and supporting carbon sequestration. She asked if more trees could be planted in vulnerable communities? Peddycord responded that it is included in CCHS’s climate agenda. London added that the County has a grant for an ongoing carbon sequestration study for all the land use types in the County. It should be completed by March 2023. A next step will be to obtain funding to develop a tree master plan. |
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Attachments: |
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Presentation on Human Influenced Climate Change
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6.
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RECEIVE Report from Chief Assistant County Administrator.
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Tim Ewell, Chief Assistant County Administrator, presented on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) policies and the public finance market. Ewell’s presentation focused on how the County uses private finance markets to issue bonds and secure debt to fund County projects. What are the appropriate ESG disclosures for the County to make to investors? Ewell illustrated this in the context of which issues have a nexus to credit (which he loosely defined as identifying the specific risks that are ESG related that may impair the issuer or the County’s ability to repay their bonds). Essentially, what are the material risks that would be disclosable to a reasonable investor? Ewell said that County departments that are involved in ESG issues need to coordinate to understand environmental risks.
Ewell highlighted each component of ESG to illustrate how issuers consider them. He described “Labeled Bonds” as a process that evaluates the projects that are slated to be funded by bond proceeds. These can include ESG bonds, Green Bonds, and Sustainable bonds. Labeling bonds has an associated cost and that is factored in when determining whether to label a bond. Ewell pointed out that it is essential that the final decision on bonds be linked with the values of the County.
Public Comment:
Denice Dennis pointed out that this presentation focuses on bonds that the County is selling, and asked if there is any push to apply ESG standards to bonds the County is buying? Supervisor Gioia explained that there are two categories of County investments: The Contra Costa County Employees Retirement Association (CCCERA) retirement funds which are managed by the CCCERA Board, not the Board of Supervisors. Ewell then spoke to the second category of County investment, those that are managed by the County Treasurer, an elected official. London added that both investment areas are being included in the Climate Action Plan update.
Anonymous Caller commented on agenda items #4 and #5 in addition to the current agenda item #6 due to technical difficulties. The caller expressed concern regarding the cost of fleet conversion to EV vehicles and issuing bonds to fund the project. Caller shared concern that reducing carbon would hurt quality of life as the County is trying to do too much all at once. The Committee responded, noting that the County has a AAA credit rating which is the highest credit rating possible in government. This is due to staff and the Board of Supervisors operating under the shared goal of making the most fiscally and responsible decisions. |
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Attachments: |
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Presentation from Chief Assistant County Administrator
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7.
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RECEIVE Referral from Board of Supervisors Regarding Low-Carbon Concrete Standards and PROVIDE DIRECTION.
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London reported that the Committee has received a referral from the Board of Supervisors to address a recommendation from the Sustainability Commission regarding on the potential to use low-carbon concrete in Contra Costa County. London said that staff is ready to do the work for this. The Committee directed staff to proceed.
Public Comment:
Mike Moore responded, expressing enthusiasm that low-carbon concrete is a priority and appreciated Nick Despota and Chris Easter from the Sustainability Commission for their work on this.
Anonymous Caller requested disclosure to public on what is low-carbon concrete. Caller stated that the approach in conveying this topic to the public is insufficient.
Denice Dennis commented that the report from the Sustainability Commission references a Sierra Club study that looked at fly ash and health risks for workers and residents in the cement manufacturing process. The Sierra Club study stated that use of products could monetize a product of the fossil fuel industry. Dennis encouraged staff to make sure the report includes health impacts. |
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Attachments: |
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Sustainability Commission Recommendations re Studying Low Carbon Concrete
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Referral from Board of Supervisors
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8.
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Receive Report.
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Mike Moore highlighted a pending Sustainability Commission recommendation for a cross-sector working group to study impacts of rising tides in the County. Moore continued by highlighting the presentations to the Commission on June 27, 2022, from Havenar-Daughton, Peddycord, and Ewell on the same topics as presented today. Moore drew attention to a question raised at the Sustainability Commission during public comment regarding the County’s investment in fossil fuels and suggested that it may be a good idea to have the County Treasurer present on the County’s investment strategy.
Moore highlighted that the June meeting included an update on the status of the Climate Action Plan. This included a discussion of how different counties approach measuring GHG reductions: absolute or per capita. The research revealed that counties use both.
Moore also mentioned two court cases that affect the County regarding sustainability:
- Appeal in Contra Cost County Superior Court of May 3, 2022 decision from the Board of Supervisors to support the Planning Commission’s decision to allow the conversion from petroleum to renewable fuels at the Marathon and Phillips 66 refineries. The judge and case number have been assigned and the case will convene on July 27, 2022.
- The California Supreme Court case regarding Chevron vs Monterey County will determine whether a county can institute a ban on oil and gas drilling.
The Committee noted that the Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC) has conducted a shoreline vulnerability assessment of Contra Costa County and the next step is to assemble a working group to explore potentially implementing a similar ban on oil and gas drilling in the County. London noted that County sustainability staff, led by Ryan Hernandez, is actively working on this. The Committee suggested scheduling a presentation at an upcoming Sustainability Commission meeting.
Public Comment:
Anonymous Caller expressed concern that the work being done by County sustainability staff is un-sustainable. |
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9.
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RECEIVE report from Sustainability Coordinator.
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Jody London, Sustainability Coordinator, referred to the written report published with the agenda.
Public Comment:
Anonymous Caller expressed concern that the agenda is lacking substance and staff should provide an oral report |
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10.
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The next meeting is currently scheduled for September 19, 2022. |
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11.
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Adjourn |