HomeMy WebLinkAboutMS Sustainability Subcommittee PrioritiesCITY OF Agenda Item No: 5. a
Meeting Date: March 18, 2013
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
Department: CITY MANAGER
Prepared by: Cory Bytof,
Sustainability and Volunteer Program
Coordinator
-�L-
City Manager Approval. A4-Cl4b,
SUBJECT: INFORMATIONAL REPORT ON CITY COUNCIL SUSTAINABILITY
SUBCOMMITTEE 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 the
Sustainability Program. The City Council Sustainability Subcommittee was formed in January
2012 by Mayor Phillips and Council Member Connolly with the purpose of reviewing and
considering progress and priorities in the implementation of the CCAP. This year, Council
Member Colin replaced Mayor Phillips on the Subcommittee.
The Subcommittee meets quarterly, with additional meetings as needed to address specific
initiatives of high importance. For instance, in 2012 the Subcommittee convened additional
meetings about restructuring the refuse hauler contract with Marin Sanitary Service,
participation in the Solar SEED Fund, and single use bag and takeout container ordinances.
The Subcommittee members also chair quarterly public CCAP implementation forums,
comprised of staff and interested members of the community.
ANALYSIS:
The CCAP sets out goals and implementation strategies for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG)
emissions in accordance with State objectives. The target reductions in our CCAP require a
25% reduction of 2005 emissions by 2020 and an 80% reduction by 2050. Since its inception
the Sustainability Subcommittee has provided guidance and support to the City's Sustainability
Program by helping set agendas for community meetings and reviewing and setting priorities
for work projects. The 2013 priorities for the Sustainability Subcommittee are shown in
Attachment A. Goals are prioritized as low, medium or high taking into account past
FOR CITY CLERK ONLY
File No.: 13- 1
Council Meeting: -t, {f. -oto
Disposition:
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 2
accomplishments, community input, and available resources and staffing. The high priorities
identified by the Subcommittee continue several GHG reduction efforts that were started in
2012 and identify some new efforts as well, particularly in the area of climate change
adaptation.
RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:
Accept report.
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.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A: 2013 San Rafael City Council Sustainability Subcommittee Priorities
San Rafael City Council AdHoc Sustainability Suboomrndteepdmritiom
February 2013
Objectives aeper CCAP: Reduce greenhouse gas emissions; Sustainable use of environmental resources;
Sustainable use of community resources, Sustainable economy,
°
Our Lifestyles — transit -oriented development, non'auko.energy efficient vehicles, waste reduction
°
Our Buildings — resource & energy conservation, renewable energy, waba conservation
°
Our Environment — urban forestry, local food, habitat protection, adaptation to climate change
° DurEoonomy—gnsenbuoineooen.aooia|equity
Our Lifestyles
°
MSS transparency reforms, cost savings, and recycling revenue fund
°
Commercial / Multi -family recycling ordinance outreach
°
Polystyrene ban
°
Electrical Vehicle charging stations
°
SMART Station Area P|one
2013 Goals:
° High priority
MSS refuse rate structure analysis & zero waste implementation
° High priority
Ban non -recyclable single use bags
° High priority
SMART Rail Planning (nngoing)
° High priority
Ped/Bike Infrastructure (Public Works)
° Medium
Household Hazardous Waste program (ongoing)
° Low
Employee Commute alternatives
Potential Future Programs:
° Implement pertinent outcomes ofrate structure analysis
2012 Accomplishments:
° HVAC Installation & financing otCity Hall
° LED installation & financing inCity buildings (ongoing)
" K8OUwith Solar SEED Project
° Elimination of water coolers and installation of bottle filler on public fountain at City Hall
° Joined Ca)ifonniaF|RST commercial PACE program
2013Goals:
° High priority Solar installation parking QarogenandohybuUdingu(fduneQoe|0oue||power0oW1EA)
~ Medium Green Building Regulations (ongoing)
• Medium Investigate Deep Green power option for City facilities and accounts
Our Environment
2012 Accomplishments:
° EcoFair2012
° Resilient Neighborhoods (ongoing)
2013 Goals:
, High priority Investigate feasibility ofoClimate Vulnerability Assessment
° High priority Updote, tracking ofGHG inventory
° Medium Resilient Neighborhoods (ongoing)
" Medium Ordinance updates: parking lot landscape, electric vehicle charging,
solar, water conservation, & permit process for backyard chickens and beekeeping
• Medium EnoFair/Looa|Food event
ATTACHMENT
Potential Future Programs:
0 General Plan review to apply a lens of sustainability throughout
Our Economy
°
San Rafael Airport Solar Feed -In Tariff
°
Participation inVenture Greenhouse (ongoing)
°
Resilient business greening for profit ' and participation byFire Dept and Public Works
°
Participation onChamber Green Business Committee (ongoinO)
2013 Goals:
°
Medium Participation inVenture Greenhouse (ongoing)
° Low Promote Green Business Program
° Low Increase Chamber participation and collaboration
Community Outreach and Empowerment
°
Resilient Neighborhoods (ongoing)
° CCAPQuarterly meetings (omgoing)
,
City Green Team (ongoing energy and materials reduction)
°
Utilized Snapshot and press hnpromote sustainability efforts
° EcoFairMarin festival booth
°
Advocated for Statewide bag ban
°
Staff onsteering committee for Marin Climate Energy Partnership
°
Facilitated two City employee EuoTaomathrough Resilient Neighborhoods
°
Received Interim Recognition through the Beacon Award
2013 Goals
° Medium Increase Resilient Neighborhoods outreach and team aignupo
° Medium Develop cohesive outreach program, including web site updates (including links to
sustainability sites such aaMarin ReLeof)
°
Medium CCAPQuarterly meetings (onguing)
Summary of 2013 High Priority Goals (in no particular order)
° MSS refuse rate structure analysis & zero waste implementation
° Ban non -recyclable single use bags
°
SMART Rail Planning (ongoing)
°
Ped/Bike Infrastructure (Public Works)
° Updete, tracking ofGHG inventory
° Investigate feasibility ofaClimate Vulnerability Assessment
° Solar installation parking garages and city buildings (future goal to oo|| power to MEA)
ATTACHMENT
CITY OF SAN RAFAEL
INSTRUCTIONS: USE THIS FORM WITH EACH SUBMITTAL OF A CONTRACT, AGREEMENT,
ORDINANCE OR RESOLUTION BEFORE APPROVAL BY COUNCIL / AGENCY.
SRRA / SRCC AGENDA ITEM NO. 5.a
DATE OF MEETING: March 18, 2013
DEPARTMENT: City Manager
DATE: March 8 2013
TITLE OF DOCUMENT:
INFORMATIONAL REPORT ON CITY COUNCIL SUSTAINABILITY SUBCOMMITTEE
PRIORITIES
rtmnt Hemi (signature)
(LOWER HALF OF FORM FOR APPROVALS ONLY)
APPROVED AS COUNCIL / AGENCY APPROVED AS TO FORM:
AGENDA ITEM:
City Manager (signature) City Attorney (signature)
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