HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Resolution 12725 (SR Climate Change Action Plan)RESOLUTION NO. 12725
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN RAFAEL TO
ADOPT THE SAN RAFAEL CLIMATE CHANGE A CTION PLAN
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN RAFAEL RESOLVES as follows:
WHEREAS, in June 2006, Mayor Boro signed the U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate
Protection Agreement on behalf of the City Council, committing the City to limiting greenhouse
gas emissions in accordance with the provisions of the Kyoto Protocol; and
WHEREAS, on September 27, 2006, Governor Schwarzenegger signed AB 32, the
California Global Warming Solutions Act, requiring that local governments respond to
prescribed reduction levels in greenhouse gas emissions; and
WHEREAS, on December 12, 2008 the California Air Resources Board adopted an AB
32 Scoping Plan which requires that cities achieve a 15% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions
by 2020; and
WHEREAS, on February 4, 2008 the City Council adopted a work program for the
preparation of a Climate Change Action Plan "to address both actions the City Council and City
Manager could direct to reduce the carbon footprint of City operations, and the community -at -
large can undertake to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of San Rafael households and
businesses;" and
WHEREAS, on April 6, 2008 the City Council appointed 17 San Rafael residents and
business owners to serve as a Green Ribbon Committee to "prepare a recommended Climate
Change Action Plan for the City and community of San Rafael that will achieve a feasible and
sustainable reduction in carbon emissions as well as deliver realistic and timely net financial
benefits," and appointed 16 San Rafael residents to participate in four topical Green Teams in the
areas of Energy Conservation, Waste Reduction, Transportation/Land Use/Green Building/Urban
Forestry and Adaptation; and
WHEREAS, between May 2008 and March 2009, the Green Ribbon Committee met six
times, conducted community outreach which included a Vision Green community workshop on
July 26, 2008 and an Open House on January 21, 2009, and were supported by the analysis and
recommendations conducted by the four Green Teams which met numerous times during the
planning process; and
WHEREAS, on April 20, 2009, the Green Ribbon Committee presented its
recommended San Rafael Climate Change Action Plan to the City Council that contained a
proposed greenhouse gas reduction goal of 25% by the year 2020 and 80% by 2050, and 48
proposed programs; and
WHEREAS, on April 20, 2009 the City Council held a duly -noticed public hearing to
receive and consider comments on the San Rafael Climate Change Action Plan; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of San
Rafael does hereby adopt the San Rafael Climate Change Action Plan, and directs the
Community Development Department to prepare amendments to General Plan 2020 to
incorporate relevant policy objectives and programs from the Climate Change Action Plan.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council finds that the San Rafael Climate
Change Action Plan is consistent with the goals and policies of General Plan 2020 in that the
proposals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, reduce waste generation, encourage energy
savings, reduce water consumption, reduce use of single -occupant vehicles, increase use of transit
and alternative transportation modes, encourage more efficient and less consumptive land use
patterns, and promote "green" business and job opportunities are consistent and complimentary
with General Plan 2020 goals and policies including: Goal 32 Resources Used Wisely, CON 17
Resource -efficient Organizations and Businesses, CON -18 Resource -Efficient Building Design,
CON -19 Energy Resources, CON -20 Water Conservation, CON -21 Waste Reduction/Recycling,
CON -22 Resource Efficiency in Site Development, CON -23 Energy-efficient Transportation
Programs, CON -24 Energy, Water and Resource -Efficiency in Government, Goal 33 Clean Air
and Waterways, C-1 1 Alternative Transportation Mode Users, C-13 School -Related Automobile
Traffic, C-14 Transit Network, C-17 Regional Transit Options, C-18 Local Transit Options, C-20
Intermodal Transit Hubs, C-26 Bicycle Plan Implementation, C-27 Pedestrian Plan
Implementation, EV -2 Seek, Retain and Promote Businesses that Enhance San Rafael, EV -7
Environmentally -Friendly Business Practices, EV -11 Promotion of Workplace Alternatives, EV -
12 Workforce Housing, LU -15 Convenience Shopping, and H-22 Infill Near Transit.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council finds that the proposed Plan
adoption is exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA),
since it qualifies under the California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3, Section 15262
which exempts planning studies for possible future actions (ordinances, programs, funding)
which will require the subsequent preparation of environmental review documents.
I, ESTHER BEIRNE, Clerk of the City of San Rafael, hereby certify that the foregoing
Resolution was duly and regularly introduced and adopted at a regular meeting of the City
Council of said City held on Monday, the 20°i day of April, 2009 by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: Brockbank, Connolly, Heller, Miller & Mayor Boro
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
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ESTHER BEIRNE, City Clerk