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Home My WebLink AboutCM Sustainability PrioritiesWry of Agenda Item No: 6_a Meeting Date: February 16, 2016 SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT Department: CITY MANAGER Prepared by: Cory Bytof, City Manager Approval: Sustainability and Volunteer Program Coordinator TOPIC: 2016 SUSTAINABILITY PRIORITIES SUBJECT: INFORMATIONAL REPORT ON PROPOSED 2016 CITY COUNCIL SUSTAINABILITY PRIORITIES RECOMMENDATION: Accept informational report BACKGROUND: The San Rafael Climate Change Action Plan (CCAP), adopted by the City Council in 2009 and subsequently incorporated into the City's General Plan in 2011, is the guiding document for our sustainability efforts. It was developed through extensive public input via a seventeen -member 'Green Ribbon Committee', co-chaired by then Planning Commissioner Kate Colin and local business owner Jennifer Islas. Dozens of individuals, businesses, and organizational representatives took part in the process, which was developed over a ten-month period. Subsequent to the adoption of the CCAP by the City Council, the City has hosted quarterly community forums to provide updates on implementation and solicit community input on our work plans. A City Council Sustainability Subcommittee was formed in January 2012 by Mayor Phillips and then Councilmember Damon Connolly with the purpose of reviewing and considering progress and priorities in the implementation of the CCAP. Councilmember Colin replaced Mayor Phillips on the Subcommittee in 2013. Last year the Subcommittee was replaced with a Liaison structure, owing to the fact that the CCAP implementation has become firmly established as a part of the City's daily operations. Councilmember Colin is the City Council Liaison. The Liaison meets quarterly with primary staff involved with implementing the CCAP as well as the president of Sustainable San Rafael, with occasional additional meetings as needed to address specific initiatives of high importance. For instance, in the past the then Subcommittee convened additional meetings about the refuse hauler rate structure study with Marin Sanitary FOR CITY CLERK ONLY File No.: 13-1 Council Meeting: 02/16/2016 Disposition: Accepted Report SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 2 Service (MSS), the single use bag ordinance, and a water conservation pilot program. The Liaison also chairs quarterly public CCAP implementation forums, comprised of staff and interested members of the community. The Liaison's role is critical in helping staff prioritize requests from the public and in shaping projects and programs for City Council action. ANALYSIS: The CCAP sets out goals and implementation strategies for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in accordance with State objectives vis-a-vis AB32, the Global Warming Solutions Act signed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2006. The target reductions in our CCAP require a 25% reduction of 2005 emissions by 2020 and an 80% reduction by 2050. The Sustainability Liaison provides guidance and support to the City's sustainability programs and activities by helping set agendas for community meetings and reviewing and setting priorities for work projects. The proposed 2016 priorities for the sustainability program are shown in Attachment A. Activities are prioritized as low, medium or high taking into account past accomplishments and community input, as well as available staffing and resources. The high priorities identified by the Liaison with input from community members and staff are listed on the bottom of page two. They continue several GHG reduction efforts that were started in 2015 and identify some new efforts as well, particularly in the area of climate change adaptation. For example, two of the high priorities this year are to finalize a Local Hazard Mitigation Plan with the Office of Emergency Services, and to participate in the county -wide climate vulnerability assessment which just got underway. COMMUNITY OUTREACH: The structure of the sustainability program includes regular and frequent community engagement, including: - Meeting with President of Sustainable San Rafael on a quarterly basis to review priorities and set agendas for quarterly CCAP implementation update meetings - Hosting quarterly public CCAP implementation update meetings, which are attended by members of the public and various community groups and agencies - Sending updates and requests for input several times each year through email to any member of the public who wishes to receive them - Convening project specific working groups and events to engage members of the public in priority activities - Engaging community members as volunteers in sustainability projects FISCAL IMPACT: No new funding is being proposed. Each item in the priority list has its own fiscal impact and would either be supported by General Fund expenditures allocated in department budgets or through grant seeking or other sources. RECOMMENDED ACTIONS: Accept report. ATTACHMENTS: Attachment A: Proposed 2016 San Rafael Sustainability Program Priorities ATTACHMENT A City of San Rafael Sustainability Program Priorities for 2016 San Rafael's Climate Change Action Plan is organized by: • Our Lifestyles—transit-oriented development, non -auto, energy efficient vehicles, waste reduction • Our Buildings — resource & energy conservation, renewable energy, water conservation • Our Environment— urban forestry, local food, habitat protection, adaptation to climate change • Our Economy—green businesses, social equity OUR LIFESTYLES 2015 Accomplishments • Implemented changes in bill format, messaging, bundle for residential, recycling cart fees, & per -gallon analysis • Installed and opened multi -use path along Netherton to Transit Center • Continued zero waste and bag reduction outreach, including creation of new Waste -Wise Business Spotlight, conducting reusable bag outreach in the Canal Neighborhood, and instituting composting at City Hall 2016 Goals • High priority Review MSS outreach and billing analysis with Franchisors' Group in spring and make recommendations to Council • High priority Work with SMART, TAM and Marin Transit to enhance low -carbon transit connectivity and public outreach • Medium Install green sharrows in high traffic locations for bike safety. Identify one bike lane to make a greenway. Prioritize connections to adjacent communities and SMART connectivity. • Medium Investigate updating City refuse ordinance to be consistent with state regulations and to mandate back -haul and self -haul diversion data. Consider mandatory recycling ordinance. • Low Investigate potential for reuse facilities for domestic and construction materials Ongoing Efforts • Support efforts of Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee, and assist with implementation of Bicycle Pedestrian Master Plan • Install electric vehicle charging stations annually as parking lots are renovated • Support implementation of commercial composting and Food to Energy programs • Conduct outreach to reduce single -use bag use and support single -use bag ordinance OUR BUILDINGS 2016 Goals: • High priority Complete construction of solar power systems on City facilities as part of Solar SEED Project • High priority Implement LEED certification for new public safety facility • High priority Recommend to move some or all of city facilities and infrastructure to Deep Green power through the Fiscal Year 2016-17 budget process 19111:1" TiRTO L ►] �l Tl l TH 2015 Accomplishments: • Secured FEMA grant for completion of Local Hazard Mitigation Plan 2016 Goals: • High priority Develop Local Hazard Mitigation Plan with a climate overlay • High priority Work with County to complete county -wide vulnerability assessment and engage residents in the process, especially in underserved communities 1 ATTACHMENT A OUR ECONOMY 2015 Accomplishments: • Continued to support Chamber Green Business Committee and programs including development of new Green Briefs sustainability workshops and lectures Ongoing Efforts • Support Chamber Green Business Committee and green business events COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND EMPOWERMENT 2015 Accomplishments • Secured funding for FT Resilient Neighborhoods assistant to promote and amplify the program • Secured funding and agency commitments for water conservation program • Continued to promote and develop City Green Team and Employee Commute Program, including popular Earth Day events and waste reduction efforts at City events • Chaired steering committee for Marin Climate Energy Partnership 2016 Goals • High priority Implement community -wide Water Conservation engagement program • Medium Apply for Gold Level Beacon Award for Sustainability Ongoing Efforts • Support Chamber Green Business Committee and green business events • Support Resilient Neighborhoods program • CCAP Quarterly meetings • City Green Team and Employee Commute Program • Participate in Marin Climate Energy Partnership in leadership capacity MONITORING 2015 Accomplishments • Completed two-year Greenhouse Gas Reduction Strategy report 2016 Goals • High Priority Complete annual Greenhouse Gas Reduction Strategy report • Medium Begin preparation of 5 -year greenhouse gas inventory with an eye toward updating the Climate Action Plan Ongoing Efforts • Meet annual commitments of Compact of Mayors SUMMARY OF 2016 HIGH PRIORITY GOALS • Review MSS outreach & billing analysis with Franchisors' Group in spring, and make recommendations to Council • Work with SMART, TAM and Marin Transit to enhance low -carbon transit connectivity and public outreach • Complete construction of solar power systems on City facilities as part of Solar SEED Project • Implement LEED certification for new public safety facility • Recommend to move some or all of city facilities and infrastructure to Deep Green power through the Fiscal Year 2016-17 budget process • Develop Local Hazard Mitigation Plan with a climate overlay • Work with County to complete county -wide vulnerability assessment and engage residents in the process, especially in underserved communities • Implement community -wide Water Conservation engagement program • Complete annual Greenhouse Gas Reduction Strategy report 2 ROUTING SLIP / APPROVAL FORM INSTRUCTIONS: Use this cover sheet with each submittal of a staff report before approval by the City Council. Save staff report (including this cover sheet) along with all related attachments in the Team Drive (T:) 4 CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEMS 4 AGENDA ITEM APPROVAL PROCESS 4 [DEPT - AGENDA TOPIC] Agenda Item # Date of Meeting: Click here to enter a date. From: Cory Bytof Department: City Manager Date: 2/16/2016 Topic: Sustainability Priorities Subject: INFORMATIONAL REPORT ON PROPOSED 2016 CITY COUNCIL SUSTAINABILITY PRIORITIES Type: ❑ Resolution ❑ Ordinance ❑ Professional Services Agreement ® Other: APPROVALS ® Finance Director Remarks: MM - Approved ® City Attorney Remarks: LG -Approved 2/3/16. ® Author, review and accept City Attorney / Finance changes Remarks: ® City Manager Remarks: