On November 15, 2016, the Board of Supervisors approved the creation of the Contra Costa County Sustainability Commission. The function of the Sustainability Commission is 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.
On March 14, 2017, the Board of Supervisors created an additional seat on the Sustainability Commission for one member who is a resident of Contra Costa County and represents an education institution in Contra Costa County or a research institution in Contra Costa County or a neighboring County. The Board of Supervisors also authorized the creation of alternate seats for representatives on the Sustainability Commission appointed by individual members of the Board of Supervisors.
On May 6, 2019, the Sustainability Committee interviewed candidates for four 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 determined to recommend 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. The Committee did not discuss term duration. Staff is recommending the initial term of this seat expire March 31, 2021, with subsequent four-year terms, so that it is staggered with the term of the other environmental justice seat, which expires March 31, 2023.
With the creation of the second environmental justice seat, the composition of the Sustainability Commission will be as follows (11 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.
- One member representing an education or research institution.
Failure to create an additional environmental justice seat on the Sustainability Commission will deprive the Board of Supervisors and staff of representation and input from the diverse communities in the County.