REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on a City Council Request (Council Policy 030) to add a 1.0 FTE Division Manager Position in the City Manager’s Office of Economic Development and Sustainability to serve as the Sustainability Manager
Report
BACKGROUND
The City’s sustainability work is guided by the Climate Action Plan (CAP), which the City Council adopted in June 2022, as well as related policies, programs, building standards, energy initiatives, transportation policies, water programs, and other City plans.
Since the CAP update, staff across City departments have continued advancing CAP initiatives while adapting to evolving State requirements, local policy direction, and emerging sustainability priorities. A key focus has been establishing a more integrated approach to sustainability implementation, with coordination across City departments. Sustainability initiatives are supported by several departments in the City including Silicon Valley Power (SVP), Public Works, Community Development, Water & Sewer, Parks and Recreation, and Library. The City Manager’s Office has a Director of Economic Development and Sustainability (Job Code 085) and a Management Analyst (Job Code 008) that coordinate interdepartmental work, track progress and drive new citywide initiatives.
On April 14, 2026, Councilmember Suds Jain submitted a written Council Policy 030 request, asking the City Council to consider the creation of a dedicated manager to oversee the City’s sustainability activities. At the City Council meeting on August 25, 2026, the City Council considered whether to place the written request on a future agenda. Several members of the public provided comments in support of agendizing the Council Policy 030 request for future Council consideration. The City Council unanimously approved a motion to place the written Council Policy 030 request regarding discussion of the creation of a sustainability manager position on a future Council agenda.
This report responds to that direction by providing an update on current sustainability work, staffing capacity, and seeks Council direction regarding the addition of a Division Manager (Job Code 136) position to serve as a Sustainability Manager.
DISCUSSION
CAP Progress
Since the CAP adoption, the City has advanced measures in transportation, building energy, waste diversion, water conservation, and community programs. Key actions include:
• Expanding SVP Energy-Efficiency and Incentive Programs - In recent years, SVP has broadened its energy-efficiency and incentive portfolio to support electrification and reach more residential and business/institutional customers.
Residential customers have rebates for heat pump water heaters, induction cooktops, electric dryers, smart electric panels, residential battery storage, and EV chargers, with higher-tiered incentives for income-qualified households. For businesses and institutions, SVP offers commercial electrification rebates, a commercial solar rebate for a third-party Strategic Energy Management Program for government, school, and nonprofit facilities. A Multifamily Boiler Electrification Pilot, offering up to $100,000 per complex, extends these options to multifamily housing. SVP also launched the new Multifamily and Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Electrification Program in summer 2026.
SVP also pairs incentives with education and workforce-development efforts, including induction cooking classes, school energy modules, trade school scholarships, and community outreach grants.
Beyond customer programs, SVP issued a Request For Proposals (RFP) for battery storage and is in the final stages of developing a utility-scale battery storage project, expected to come online in 2026. The project will support grid reliability and clean energy integration.
• Citywide LED Lighting Retrofit and Energy-Efficiency Upgrades - The City completed a rapid, citywide LED lighting retrofit at approximately 32 City facilities, including interior spaces and exterior lighting in parking lots and pedestrian pathways. The upgrades improved lighting quality, comfort, and safety; reduced energy use by an estimated $116,000 annually; and were partially financed through SVP loans with an anticipated five-year payback. The project also received funding from the General Fund Capital Projects Reserve. The project advanced the City’s sustainability goals through the responsible recycling of legacy bulbs and ballasts and meaningful reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. The project received the American Public Works Association (APWA) 2025 Project of the Year for Sustainability Award.
• Strengthening Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Requirements and Monitoring - The City has made progress in implementing the 2022 CAP’s TDM requirements for new development projects. These requirements include a 25% reduction in project-based vehicle miles traveled (VMT), as well as a 20% VMT reduction target for multifamily residential projects, with at least 10% achieved through active TDM measures. Projects are required to submit annual reports demonstrating compliance with applicable VMT-reduction targets. In 2024, the City worked with its consultants to develop a TDM Monitoring and Reporting Program that enables the City to collect property owner or operator -reported information on vehicle-travel reductions.
• Waste Diversion and Organics Compliance - The City continues to implement CAP waste diversion measures (M-1-1 through M-2-3) in alignment with State organics and recycling requirements. Organics and recyclables collection and diversion programs are in place for residential and commercial customers. The City provides SB 1383-compliant compost to residents at two free compost giveaway events per year. In 2026, the City began purchasing electricity derived from organic waste collected through curbside programs in accordance with SB 1383 procurement guidelines. The City participates in the countywide edible food recovery program in partnership with Joint Venture Silicon Valley and other countywide agencies. Staff are also reviewing related City Code provisions to determine if any updates are required. Staff anticipates presentation of any recommended amendments to the City Council for consideration in FY 2026/27.
• Water Conservation and Landscape Programs - The City continues to expand water conservation through landscape rebates and year-round community outreach, including approximately 10 outreach events annually. Outreach is also supported by utility bill inserts and conservation messaging in the City Manager's Weekly Updates. In addition, the City provides residents with indoor and outdoor water-conservation devices at no charge to help reduce water use, lower utility costs, and support long-term sustainability. Available items include efficient showerheads, faucet aerators, hose nozzles, and irrigation-related devices. The Water Utility also supports implementation of California’s AB 1572, the ban on watering non-functional turf with potable water, by promoting water-wise landscapes to reduce such irrigation. Lastly, the Water Rules and Regulations were updated to require that new developments use recycled water where feasible, expanding the use of recycled water in place of potable supply for non-potable needs.
• Reach Code Policy Evolution - In January 2025, the City Council indefinitely suspended enforcement of the all-electric Energy Code requirements and directed staff to explore alternative approaches to advance electrification and energy efficiency without directly prohibiting natural-gas infrastructure. During October and November 2025, the City Council provided additional directions for staff to research and develop alternative local Reach Code approaches. A potential approach is being studied to include zero nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions requirements, which is being evaluated alongside the Air District’s new rules to reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides from residential and commercial furnaces and water heaters in buildings in the Bay Area.
• Silicon Valley Power Sustainable Futures Program Development - Sustainability staff support the Silicon Valley Power Sustainable Futures (SVPSF) Program and the SVPSF Post-Baccalaureate Fellowship, established in 2022 and 2025, respectively. These programs help develop a pipeline of sustainability and clean-energy professionals at Mission College and Santa Clara University. City staff provide program oversight and mentorship; review student project proposals; connect fellows with City departments and subject-matter experts; facilitate access to City data and resources; and conduct regular coordination meetings to support project development.
• Data Center Carbon-Neutrality Compliance and Reporting - In early 2026, staff coordinated with Community Development to develop a consistent approach for implementing CAP Measure B-1-7 (carbon-neutral data centers). This work includes identifying applicable data centers and developing standardized procedures for compliance, documentation, annual reporting, and verification for current and future data center approvals.
Sustainability Staffing
The Director of Economic Development and Sustainability (Job Code 085) position was created and filled in 2025. Also supporting citywide sustainability work is a Management Analyst (Job Code 008) position, who joined the City in November 2025.
In addition to coordinating and communicating interdepartmental sustainability work listed above, the team is focused on the following work efforts:
• Launch of the CAP Dashboard,
• Update of the City’s greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory,
• Leading the coordinated work to update a public EV charging program,
• Development of sustainability aspects of the comprehensive work program to improve data center development regarding air quality, water conservation, and understanding applications for innovation in heat capture and back up generation technologies.
CAP Dashboard and GHG Inventory Status - A CAP Tracking Dashboard is a comprehensive platform that communicates progress toward the City’s CAP measures and GHG emissions reduction targets. It is intended to provide a transparent, accessible view of both City led actions and community-wide progress. Developing an effective CAP Tracking Dashboard is a substantial, multi-phase effort. Initial work included researching existing CAP dashboard models; consulting with subject-matter experts; evaluating available dashboard software platforms; assessing internal data availability; and coordinating with City departments to identify data sources, supporting narratives, visual design, and overall theme. Staff has established the desired outcomes and scope for the dashboard with dashboard visioning and wireframe development and completed consultant procurement. The dashboard is currently under development and anticipated to be launched in January 2027. As staff is desiring to utilize the most current data available, the launch may be postponed up to three months to incorporate 2025 GHG data versus utilizing 2024 data. The dashboard is being designed to align with the City’s existing technology environment, including Power BI, and will provide a foundation for more consistent measurement, tracking, and communication of CAP progress.
Public EV Charging Program - As shared at the June 6, 2026 City Council meeting, staff will be updating the public EV charging plan. Surveys on public usage interest were last done in 2019 and the EV market has changed dramatically in that time and so has the EV charging industry and infrastructure.
Comprehensive Work Program for Data Centers - Based on the City Council direction received at the October 6, 2026 Council meeting regarding the comprehensive work program for data centers, staff will be investigating emerging technologies and approaches to construct and operate data centers more sustainably. Specifically, staff will be exploring technologies that reduce dependence on diesel emergency backup generators, as well as approaches to data center heat capture, whereby excess heat is delivered to nearby buildings for space heating, domestic hot water, or industrial processes. Staff will provide updates on these and possibly other technologies to assess applicability to Santa Clara.
Division Manager Classification and Duties
The Division Manager classification is a general unclassified management classification that can be used in any City department to provide strategic leadership and oversight of a division’s programs, policies, and initiatives. In this assignment, the position would be responsible for planning, developing, coordinating, and directing Citywide sustainability efforts including Climate Action Plan activities, establishing sustainability program goals and objectives, developing and administering budgets, supervising staff, and overseeing contracts as applicable. The position would also collaborate with City departments and external stakeholders, advise executive management on policy development, ensure compliance with applicable regulations, and prepare and present reports and recommendations to the City Council to advance the City’s sustainability goals. If the City Council approves the position, the job announcement used for the recruitment will describe the specific sustainability programs and efforts outlined in this report that the position will oversee and manage.
Staff Recommendation
Santa Clara is positioned to have a robust sustainability work program given the City’s ambitious climate goals, unique electrical utility operations through SVP, and extensive recycled water infrastructure and conservation goals.
To support this work program staff supports the request to add a dedicated Division Manager (Job Code 136) to serve as a Sustainability Manager to focus exclusively on advancing the city’s multifaceted sustainability efforts.
The addition of a Sustainability Manager, proposed as 1.0 FTE Division Manager position, would report to the Director of Economic Development and Sustainability and provide oversight and implementation of sustainability efforts and supervision of the Sustainability Division. This role as a dedicated sustainability position, would advance the faster implementation and efficacy of Climate Action Plan activities.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(5) in that it is an administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes to the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
The addition of 1.0 FTE Division Manager (Job Code 136) position in the City Manager’s Office of Economic Development and Sustainability has a General Fund cost of approximately $315,000 annually. For FY 2026/27, assuming a hiring date of March 2027, the City Manager’s Office has sufficient savings to absorb the added cost. The cost of this position will be factored into the annual budget process.
COORDINATION
This report has been coordinated with the City Manager’s Office, Finance, and the City Attorney’s Office.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Approve adding a 1.0 FTE Division Manager (Job Code 136) position, in the City Manager’s Office of Economic Development and Sustainability to serve as Sustainability Manager.
Staff
Reviewed by: Reena Brilliot, Director of Economic Development and Sustainability
Approved by: Jovan Grogan, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. 030 Request
2. Climate Action Plan