REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on the overview of the new Sustainability Program and Provide Feedback on Program Priorities [Council Pillar: Sustainability]
Report
BACKGROUND
State, federal, and even international environmental mandates and policies are clear indicators of the commitment local jurisdictions will need to make towards sustainable solutions to the everyday needs of our communities.
There is a clear push for climate action and energy innovation with mandates such as the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (Assembly Bill 32 or AB32), aimed at reducing Statewide GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions to 1990 levels by the year 2020. This was followed by the 2016 Senate Bill 32 expanding on AB 32 by requiring further reduction of GHG emissions to 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030. Additionally, State Executive Orders were passed in 2005 and 2012 targeting reductions in GHG emissions to 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050. And, the latest California Executive Order (B-55-18) calls for Carbon neutrality by 2045.
During the 2019 Operational and Strategic Priority Setting Sessions, the City Council identified various areas of need related to Sustainability. In February of 2019, the City of Santa Clara adopted Sustainability as one of the City Council’s seven strategic pillars. Sustainability is of particular importance as the City addresses the growing challenges related to Climate Change, energy use, transportation, waste management, water conservation, sustainable development, and overall operations. These growing challenges and mandates also offer the City an opportunity to build upon past and current sustainability efforts while looking toward new and innovative approaches to supporting a healthy, livable community and environment.
DISCUSSION
Topics such as climate action planning, Silicon Valley Power energy initiatives and incentive programs, organics and recycling mandates, along with water, sewer, transportation and development, require an increased effort in coordination and collaboration between departments, policy makers, and the community in order to effectively and efficiently meet critical climate targets and adapt to robust policy changes. While many of these regulatory challenges will require a new way of creatively folding sustainability into our mode of operating, they also provide a path to protect our community’s health and environmental and economic vitality.
In 2019, City Council approved a new position to establish and coordinate new and existing sustainability efforts and to address the needs of the newly added City Sustainability Policy Priority. Recruitment and interviews for the position were conducted October through December of 2019 and the new Sustainability Manager began February of 2020.
With the Sustainability position now in place, the City is taking a cross-departmental approach to achieve the ambitious goals set forth by state and federal regulations and is committed to building community, business, and policy maker involvement along the way. This includes establishing an integrated approach to prioritizing and implementing all sustainability efforts city-wide.
In the coming six months, the City will be assessing existing sustainability efforts, exploring and implementing new initiatives, and developing a collaborative, community-wide network to continue to advance the City of Santa Clara in Sustainability and Climate Action. This includes:
• Establish internal Sustainability Working Group
• Initiate Climate Action Plan Update (including developing a community engagement process)
• Explore and propose new building electrification reach codes
• Establish community engagement/feedback opportunities as we develop a Sustainability Strategy
• Expand energy incentives
• Develop greening options for City facilities and operations such as waste reduction, green purchasing, building and custodial greening, lighting retrofit projects, etc.
• Collaborate with regional sustainability groups to explore and develop and propose policies and programs around Vehicle Miles Traveled, Electric Vehicle Charging, Microtransit, and other transportation related opportunities
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(a) as it has no potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no additional fiscal impact to Sustainability at this point. There may be a need to consider consultant services for components of a Sustainability Plan or for community outreach as the program develops in future budget cycles.
COORDINATION
The Sustainability Program will be developed and implemented in collaboration with several City departments including, but not limited to, City Manager’s Office, Community Development, Silicon Valley Power, Water and Sewer, Public Works, Parks and Recreation, and Finance.
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 <mailto:clerk@santaclaraca.gov>.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Note and file the overview of Sustainability Program and Provide Feedback on Program Priorities.
Staff
Reviewed by: Manuel Pineda, Assistant City Manager
Approved by: Deanna J. Santana, City Manager