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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCM Citizen of the Year 2017; Tamra Peters & Bill Carney4 '' SAN RAFAEL THE CITY WITH A MISSION Agenda Item No: 4.c Meeting Date: February 6, 2017 SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT Department: CITY MANAGER Prepared by: Rebecca Woodbury City Manager Approval: Senior Management Analyst TOPIC: Citizen of the Year SUBJECT: Resolution of Appreciation to Recipient of the Richard P. O'Brien and Mary Ferrario O'Brien Citizen of the Year Award - 2017 RECOMMENDATION: Adopt Resolution of Appreciation DISCUSSION: In March 2001, J. Michael Mahoney established an endowment in honor of former Planning Commissioner Richard O'Brien and his wife, Mary Ferrario O'Brien. The endowment funds an annual "Citizen of the Year" award. The purpose of this award is to recognize an individual in the San Rafael community who has made exceptional contributions to the City, making it a better place to live or work. In addition to public recognition, the endowment provides a cash award to the recipient. In September 2001, the City Council adopted procedures for the "Citizen of the Year" award program and process. The procedures include the appointment of a Section Committee to review nominations from the public and recommend an award recipient to the City Council. The Selection Committee includes two City Council members, two Planning Commissioners, a member of the O'Brien family, a representative from the San Rafael Chamber of Commerce, and neighborhood community representatives (e.g., Federation of San Rafael Neighborhoods). The call for nominations was initiated in December 2016. Once the current year nominations have been submitted, they are reviewed along with the nominations submitted over the past three years (in this case 2014, 2015 and 2016). Last year's Citizen of the Year recipient (David Haydon — 2016) was eliminated from the pool of eligible candidates. This year, a total of 12 candidates were considered. Of this total, 5 nominations were submitted to the City this year and 7 were carried over from the past three years. On January 25, 2017, the Selection Committee met to review and consider the nominations. The Committee selected Bill Carney & Tamra Peters as the sixteenth recipient of the award. As summarized in the attached Resolution and nomination materials, Bill Carney & Tamra Peters were selected as Citizen of the Year due to their unwavering efforts to bring about widespread change in making our community more sustainable and resilient. Over the years they have worked to organize many educational FOR CITY CLERK ONLY File No.: File 262 x 102 Council Meeting: 02/06/2017 Disposition: Resolution 14269 SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 2 events in the community, advocated at the local and national level for environmental causes, and volunteered countless hours to helping San Rafael develop and implement our Climate Change Action Plan. If approved by the City Council, Bill Carney & Tamra Peters will be recognized at this year's State of the City Dinner, which is scheduled for Thursday, March 16, 2017. COMMUNITY OUTREACH: The call for nominations for Citizen of the Year was advertised in Snapshot (the City Manager's e -newsletter), the City website, NextDoor social media, and with neighborhood associations. FISCAL IMPACT: As the Citizen of the Year Award program is privately funded, there is no financial impact to the City of San Rafael. However, the recipient of this award receives a check in the amount of $2,500 from the Richard P. O'Brien and Mary Ferrario O'Brien Citizen of the Year Fund, which is administered by the Marin Community Foundation. OPTIONS: 1. Adopt the Resolution of Appreciation conferring the Citizen of the Year Award to Bill Carney & Tamra Peters. 2. Return the recommendation to the Selection Committee for reconsideration. RECOMMENDED ACTION: Adopt the Resolution of Appreciation. ATTACHMENTS: 1. Resolution of Appreciation 2. Nomination materials for Bill Carney & Tamra Peters RESOLUTION 14269 PTx RA hFq�` ' 2 �i City of San Rafael Richard P. O'Brien and Mary Ferrario O'Brien Citizens of the Year Award Presented to Tamra Peters & Bill Carney WHEREAS, Tamra Peters & Bill Carney's commitment and passion for San Rafael's future is unwavering; and WHEREAS, Tamra & Bill have devoted countless hours to help educate and advocate for a more sustainable San Rafael community and planet; and WHEREAS, Tamra & Bill volunteer an estimated 60 hours per week to the San Rafael community, benefiting our parks, open space and numerous City committees and projects; and WHEREAS, Tamra's program, Resilient Neighborhoods, brings neighbors together to reduce household emissions, prepare for emergencies and build community. Together 283 households (105 in San Rafael) in Marin have reduced over 3 million carbon emissions (1 million in San Rafael); and WHEREAS, Bill's work with Sustainable San Rafael has heightened the community's awareness and proactive efforts to mitigate impacts of climate change; and WHEREAS, Tamra & Bill have been instrumental in the development and implementation of San Rafael's Climate Action Plan and two Station Area Plans, various land use and zoning changes, and transportation projects; and WHEREAS, both Tamra & Bill consistently step up and serve on civic committees, such as Bill's service on San Rafael's Advisory Committee for Economic Development and Affordable Housing, advisory groups for electric vehicles, solar projects; and Tamra's service on Marin County Fair planning committee; and WHEREAS, Tamra & Bill have organized numerous community events, such as the Lead on Climate events and actions, featuring state and local leaders, helping educate and draw awareness to climate change and the actions we, as the community, must take to ensure a healthy tomorrow. NOW, THEREFORE LET IT BE RESOLVED, that the San Rafael City Council expresses its sincere appreciation for Tamra Peters & Bill Ca ney's efforts on behalf of our community an hereby awards them the Richard P. O'Brien and he Mary Fe rio O'Brien Citizens of the Year Award. Ma o Councilme rs Ci M ager Attested by my hand this 6'r04 day of %::�-4wu04r2y ) 201 :�L City Clerk ATTACHMENT 2 2016 CITIZEN OF THE YEAR NOMINATION RECEIVED: 1/5/2016 NOMINEE: TAMRA PETERS & WILLIAM CARNEY NOMINATOR: Jimmy Fishbob Geraghty 1. WHAT CONTRIBUTIONS HAS THIS INDIVIDUAL MADE TO THE COMMUNITY THAT ARE BEYOND THE SCOPE OF NORMAL CIVIC RESPONSIBILITIES? • As Citizen Couple of the Year they have contributed greatly to civic debate, sustainability, and community. • Through programs such as Resilient Neighborhoods (www.resilientnei.Rhborhoods.or.R/), Sustainable Marin (http://sustainablemarin.org), and Sustainable San Rafael (htto://sustainablesanrafael.orR) they have spearheaded carbon reduction, candidate debates, forums on sustainability, most recently a packed house at Angelica Hall dealing with Leadership on Climate Change. • Tamra Peters has: ■ In 2003 - After completing the CERT course in San Rafael, Tamra developed an emergency preparedness plan for Gerstle Park. It was adopted by the Gerstle Park Neighborhood Association. ■ In 2006- Organized an event to inform people about climate change, showing Al Gore's film, An Inconvenient Truth. 150 people attended and the event was covered by the Marin IJ. ■ In 2007, she put together a 5 program series called "How to live Sustainability, What You and Your Family Can Do" with 7 speakers. It was filmed and aired on public access television in San Rafael and throughout Marin. ■ Since 2007, Tamra has served on the board of Sustainable Marin. ■ She worked as an advocate in San Rafael and elsewhere to promote the approval of the Marin Energy Authority and other issues. ATTACHMENT 2 ■ In 2010- she helped create and then facilitated a one -day event called Chautauqua, which brought 75 people from Marin's environment and sustainability community together to share their activities and look at mutual goals. ■ She helped Bill and SSR organize many events to draw attention to the problem of climate change including her favorite event in 2009. ■ The Sustainables, working with 350.org., organized a beach party on Lindaro Street at 2nd, an area predicted to be underwater in 2050 if nothing is done. Over 100 people showed up on the street with surfboards, wearing snorkels and holding signs like "beachfront property for sale." Four Marin Academy students wore bikinis with the numbers 350 painted on their bellies. The event was covered in both the I.J. and the San Francisco Chronicle — a fun way to call attention to a difficult and alarming problem. ■ 2008 -Tamra was selected to be on the citizens committee to plan the Marin County Fair that year. The Fair won an award and was designated the "Greenest County Fair in the World.' ■ 2008 — Tamra ran the presidential election's swing state phone bank on 4th Street in San Rafael. 1,300 San Rafael and other local callers made over 126,000 phone calls and the San Rafael phone bank was one of 250 from around the country designated for the national GOTV effort in the last days of the race. Tamra (and Bill who wrote an inspiring and motivating weekly newsletter ran also ran an overflow phone bank at their home. Both Tamra and Bill were awarded 'Volunteer of the Year' by the Marin Democratic Party. ■ 2010 —Tamra spearheaded the effort to get Unity In Marin certified as a Bay Area Green Business. It became the first place of worship to be certified in the entire Bay Area outside of Santa Clara County and provided leadership for other Marin churches to do the same. ■ 2010-2013 —Resilient Neighborhoods Program. Over this period of time, Tamra has been working an average 35 hour week for the last 2+ years as she conceived of, built --with the help of Bob Brown, Kiki La Porta and Bill Carney --and then rolled out the Resilient Neighborhoods Program that has spread throughout Marin. The Program goal is to help residents reduce their carbon emissions and to build resilience in communities by promoting strong local economies, disaster preparedness and new connections among residents. The program is done by a team of 5 or more people, who get their households to go on a 'low carbon diet to reduce 5,000 lbs. in 60 days" and take other actions as well. Teams have formed from neighbors, friends, interested citizens, employees who meet during their lunch hour, and church congregants. ATTACHMENT 2 ■ A pilot program was tested in 2012 with four program partners, Dominican University had 4 Green ■ MBA students help develop the materials, Sustainable Marin has been the program's fiscal sponsor since the beginning, Marin County's, Energy Upgrade CA program paid for materials and has provided an additional small grant this year and the City of San Rafael has been a stalwart backer the whole time, with the guidance and assistance of Bob Brown and now Cory Bytof and by providing staff assistance from Climate Corps Bay Area Fellows for the past two years. Aside from that, the program is completely volunteer -based. ■ The City of San Rafael has put together 3 employee teams with team members, Cory Bytof, Jim Schutz and Paul Jensen. Councilman Kate Colin's daughter Jessie, also put together a team. ■ Results to dates with 2 more teams finishing in January, will be 140 households, 320 people, reducing 1.7 million pounds of carbon and taking additional actions to build community resilience. Because RN keeps data on actions taken, results can be reported back to municipalities. ■ San Rafael residents can take credit for 40% of Marin's total carbon reduction. ■ Since 2012 since, RN's has involved over 600 people from 220 households in reducing 2,670,000 lbs. of carbon in Marin County. 43% of the households have been in San Rafael where 1,170,000 carbon lbs have been reduced. ■ In 2014, a team was piloted with 14 year old students at Marin School of Environmental Leadership. In 2015, the entire Freshman class did the program. The students divided into 3 teams and reported that their families reduced 160,000 lbs. of carbon. ■ Resilient Neighborhoods won 2nd place in National Malcolm Stewart Impact! Award competition that recognizes high impact, volunteer driven projects. ■ In 2014-130 people -51 households - reduced 705,780 lbs of carbon and took emergency preparedness and other actions. ■ Tamra was a presenter at Earth Day Marin ■ Tamra participates regularly in San Rafael's quarterly CCAP meetings. ■ In 2015, 218 people, 44 households, 240,7856 pounds of CO2 reduced. ■ She served on Sustainable Marin's board for 6 years. ■ In 2015 Marin Climate and Energy Partners funded a full time position to help Tamra with outreach. ■ Time to Lead on Climate Event — RN was one of 12 partners that put on the event at Dominican that 800 people attended. ■ In 2015, Marin County funded a study to survey the long-term effects on energy efficiency actions done by previous households who had done the program. The ATTACHMENT 2 conclusion: "We believe the survey results show Resilient Neighborhoods does achieve important long-term positive impacts in energy savings. Findings show that 100% of participants are maintaining the energy-saving behaviors they started during the program, like reducing hot dryer loads and turning down the thermostat. So it seems likely that these energy savings will continue over time." ■ Two-thirds of pledged actions were taken. Most of the actions needed only to be done once to achieve ongoing savings, like adding insulation, replacing heating ducts or buying an energy efficient furnace or refrigerator. When asked why some pledged actions had not been taken, 46% of households said it was because they forgot. Most of these households said that a reminder would have motivated them to take the action. In response, RN will initiate a process of sending a 6 -month reminder and possibly another one a year after completion of the program. ■ The program's clear carbon reduction numbers associated with each action and the carbon -neutral strategy taught led 75% of respondents to continue taking actions beyond those they had originally pledged, including getting Energy Upgrade CA home assessments, weatherizing their homes, adding solar PV panels and purchasing electric appliances and electric vehicles. ■ The survey confirms that over the 2 % years, a significant amount of CO2 was reduced through energy efficiency actions and energy-related behavior change, and that program graduates continue to take more actions. Although not part of this report, Resilient Neighborhoods households also achieved additional CO2 emission reductions from transportation, waste, consumption and water conservation actions." • William Carney has contributed: ■ President, Sustainable San Rafael, 2009 – present. ■ Adoption and quarterly implementation of Climate Change Action Plan. ■ Initiation of Marin Clean Energy, including San Rafael approval. ■ Continued progress towards Zero Waste goals. ■ Adoption of Green Building standards. ■ First EV charging stations in public garages in Marin. ■ Support of Solar SEED installations, especially on City garages. ■ Signature public educational forums sparking climate action—including 2015 ■ 'Time to Lead on Climate,' 2013-14 'Choosing the Future We Want,' 2013 'Hell ■ & High Water,' and many more. ■ Bi -monthly SSR Enews building an informed and active citizenry. ■ Sits on TAM EV advisory group and Marin BOS solar advisory group. ■ Partnerships with wide range of Marin environmental, economic and social equity organizations to coalesce climate action and awareness. ATTACHMENT 2 ■ Frequent contributor to the public conversation on sustainability and development issues, both at public meetings and in the media ■ Citizen's Advisory Committee on Economic Development & Affordable Housing. ■ Chair, 2014 — present. ■ Led Downtown Station Area Plan drafting and implementation efforts. ■ Facilitate public comment on significant San Rafael developments and initiatives. ■ Coalition for a Livable Marin (CALM), Steering Committee 2014 — present. ■ Helped form advocacy group for a vibrant, inclusive and sustainable built environment to complement Marin's treasured natural environment. ■ Modeled civil civic discourse on volatile development issues. 2. WHAT IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY DID THIS INDIVIDUAL'S ACTIVITIES MAKE? HOW HAS THIS PERSON MADE A DIFFERENCE? • They have expanded the sustainability tent through education, committee and organizational participation and government engagement. In an era of over- consumption and entitlement they have shone a light on a new path. • Tamra Peters ■ Neighborhoods, business and organizations became more resilient, prepared for emergencies while learning how to reduce energy consumption, lowering their carbon footprint. • William Carney ■ The Climate Change Action Plan is now an important touchstone in local decision- making, both in San Rafael and other Marin jurisdictions. ■ The Downtown Station Area Plan is widely cited in development decisions such as the SMART design, BioMarin, Whistlestop. ■ San Rafael's garages have EV charging stations, which are about to be solar - powered. ■ Marin Clean Energy is the foundation of climate -friendly households and transportation decisions in Marin. ■ Climate Change is now identified as a significant public issue in San Rafael and Marin. 3. DISCUSS THE TIME AND ENERGY THIS PERSON HAS DEVOTED TO COMMUNITY PROJECTS OR EFFORTS. • Tamra Peters ■ 2014 Tamra reports to the City of SR her volunteer working hours. She reported working 1619 hours in 2014 and 1,621 hours in 2015. (An average of 31 hours a week over 52 weeks) ATTACHMENT 2 ■ Time is spent recruiting teams outreach, leading the five meetings per team and all the other organization functions that a successful program requires. These hours are only for her volunteer work for Resilient Neighborhoods • William Carney ■ Approximately half-time on volunteer civic activities. (On a good day, the rest is writing and walking.) 4. DISCUSS THE CHALLENGES MET AND OVERCOME BY THIS INDIVIDUAL. • Tamra Peters ■ RN receives considerably less than $10,000 a year for expenses. It's only with the help from the city of SR with its support for help from Climate Corps Bay Area Fellows and other tasks that RN has been able to accomplish what it has. • William Carney ■ Getting through entrenched preconceptions about emergent issues like climate and sustainability in order to reach widely beneficial solutions. 5. TO WHAT EXTENT HAS THIS INDIVIDUAL'S EFFORTS BEEN PREVIOUSLY RECOGNIZED BY THE COMMUNITY? • Tamra was recognized with 3 other SR City volunteers in 2014. • William is frequently thanked at public meetings Richard P. O'Brien Citizen of the Year Award Nomination Form Nominee Name: Bill Carney. and Tamra Peters Address: San Rafael, CA 94901 Phone: ( Nominator Name: Bob Brown Address: Novato, CA 94949 Phone: ( Selection Criteria, On an attached sheet, please answer as many of the questions below which apply to the candidate you are nominating: 1. What contributions has this individual made to the community that are beyond the scope of normal civic responsibilities? 2. What impact on the community did this individual's activities make? How has this person made a difference? 3. Discuss the time and energy this person has devoted to community projects or efforts. 4. Discuss the challenges met and overcome by this individual. 5. To what extent has this individual's efforts been previously recognized by the community? Nominations must be returned to the Community Development Department (P.O. Box 151560, San Rafael, CA 94915-1560 or FAX: 485-3184) no later than Monday. January 6. 2014 by 5:00am. Questions may be directed to the Community Development Director at (415) 485-5064. O'Brien Citizen of the Year Award nomination: Bill Carney and Tamra Peters 1, What contributions has this individual made to the community that are beyond the scope of normal civic responsibilities? Bill Carney and Tamra Peters have constituted San Rafael's sustainability power couple over the past several years. Bill has been president for the past five years of Sustainable San Rafael, an all -volunteer group of San Rafael residents dedicated to advocacy and education to help bring about a healthy and aware community. In this capacity he has been responsible for several community educational forums, candidates forums, climate change demonstrations and staffing of booths at the Marin EcoFair, Earth jln�r nAArjn u :Zpr ritrir n�on!Z}� til L.. nIsr instrumental, 1 :w the yuM' n_F__I�; rl: s and ot:.. r «...,...,_.: amental, : ". -tion o San O . , .:iinir�s? Change Action Plan (CLAP), serving on topical green teams to develop sustainability policies and programs to meet the City's greenhouse gas reduction goals, and helping to edit the final document. Bill has continued to participate actively in quarterly (CCAP) implementation meetings, with particularly emphasis on responses to sea level rise and achieving the City's Zero Waste goals. Bill has also served on the Citizens Advisory Committee on Economic Development and Affordable Housing, currently as chair, and spearheaded that Committee's work on the SMART station area plan for downtown. Bill champions sustainable living and the need to address climate change locally through ongoing e -newsletters and op-ed and letters to the editor in the local media. In addition, his leadership and collaborative efforts with other groups and organizations such as Bill McKibben's 350.org, Organizing for America, and Marin -based groups such as Marin Environmental Housing Collaborative (MEHC), Marin League of Women Voters, Marin Conservation League and others, have expanded the audience for issues of environmental, economic, and social sustainability. Tamra has been the guiding force behind the Resilient Neighborhoods program which provides the means for neighbors to gather in small teams to reexamine household practices to reduce greenhouse gas production and to better prepare for emergencies. In addition, collaborating with Marin Co. Community Development Agency, Resilient Neighborhoods has increased the reach and uptake of Energy Upgrade California rebates and incentives for home energy audits and retrofits. Resilient Neighborhoods has become one of the City's principal means of achieving its greenhouse gas reduction targets at the household level. Tamra, as Program Director, developed the program, trains team leaders, and coordinates volunteers. To date over 46 San Rafael households have completed the program, as well as 6 San Rafael business teams, reducing 871,000 pounds of annual greenhouse gas emissions, including two EcoTeams composed of San Rafael City employees. in addition, Tamra has conducted a corporate team at Autodesk and one at Marin Clean Energy. Over an 18 -month period in 2012 and 2013, Tamra logged nearly 3,000 hours as a volunteer, devoting nearly 35 hours weekly to Resilient Neighborhoods. Tamra has served on the board of Sustainable Marin since 2009 and formerly served on the board and as president of the Strong Foundation, providing grants for environmental work. Tamra and Bili formed and led the ECOS group at Unity of Marin for several years, bringing environmental and spiritual programs including educational activities, ecological outings, and inspiring presentations to the Unity community and beyond. 2. What impact on the community did this individual's activities make? How has this person made a difference? Bill was instrumental in the creation of the Climate Change Action plan in 2008-2009. Bill and Tamra have been San Rafael's greatest assets in achieving the greenhouse gas reductions called for in the City's Climate -Change Action Plan. They keep issues of sustainability (land use/transportation solutions, energy efficiency, renewable energy, waste reduction, water conservation and sea level rise) at the forefront of the City's policy considerations, in addition to their tireless efforts at educating and mobilizing the public. As noted above, Tamra's work can be quantified into the reduction of 400 metric tons of CO2 annually. If everyone had such an impact on the reduction of greenhouse gases, the threat of climate change would be eradicated. B. Discuss the time and energy this person has devoted to community projects or efforts. .Both Bill and Tamra work nearly full-time as volunteers directing the efforts of Sustainable San Rafael and the Resilient Neighborhoods program. As noted above, Tamra logged nearly 3,000 volunteer hours over 18 months. Bill's hours, although not formally tracked, are commensurate. In addition, they motivate and coordinate numerous volunteers in a variety of capacities each year. 4. Discuss the challenges met and overcome by this individual. Being catalysts for widespread societal change is exceptionally difficult. There are those who deny that climate change is real or manmade, and an even larger proportion of the community who simply don't find the time to consider ways to minimize their environmental footprint. Bill and Tamra are unfazed by antipathy or apathy, and continue to define ways to motivate politicians, neighbors and employees towards more sustainable choices. This includes participating on panels or speaking out at public meetings where audiences can range from supportive to antagonistic. Carrying on in their community -serving efforts despite the rigorous demands of their leadership positions, Tamra and Bili continue to lead by example with good humor and wisdom. 5. To what extent has this individual's efforts been previously recognized by the community? To our knowledge, these exemplary individuals have not been recognized for their unflagging work for the betterment of our community. It is well past time they received the acknowledgement they deserve. 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:) --> CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEMS 4 AGENDA ITEM APPROVAL PROCESS 4 [DEPT - AGENDA TOPIC] Agenda Item # Date of Meeting: 2/6/2017 From: Rebecca Woodbury Department: City Manager's Office Date: 1/31/2017 Topic: Citizen of the Year Subject: Resolution of Appreciation to Recipient of the Richard P. O'Brien and Mary Ferrario O'Brien Citizen of the Year Award - 2017 Type: ® Resolution ❑ Ordinance ❑ Professional Services Agreement ❑ Other: APPROVALS ® Finance Director Remarks: MM - approved 1/31/17 ® City Attorney Remarks: LG -Approved 1/31/17. ® Author, review and accept City Attorney / Finance changes Remarks: ® City Manager Remarks: