TO: Napa County Climate Action Committee
FROM: David Morrison, Special Projects Director
REPORT BY: Ryan Melendez, Planner II - Sustainability
SUBJECT: Staff update on the status of the Regional Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (RCAAP) Development
RECOMMENDATION
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DISCUSSION: Staff recommends providing monthly updates to the status of the development of the RCAAP to the Climate Action Committee.
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BACKGROUND
At the October 6, 2022, meeting of the Napa County League of Governments (NCLOG), which includes representatives from all six jurisdictions, there was broad support for proceeding with a Regional Climate Action and Adaptation Plan to provide a policy and implementation framework for reducing GHG emissions. There was also general agreement that each jurisdiction should consider the proposal for a Regional Climate Action and Adaptation Plan at a future Council/Board meeting, to guide Climate Action Committee (CAC) representatives as they move forward. Over the next five months, all six jurisdictions approved the idea of moving forward with the preparation of a Regional Climate Action and Adaptation Plan.
At their May 26, 2023, meeting, the CAC made the preparation of the RCAAP its top priority for the 2023-2024 Fiscal Year. Over the next three months, County staff worked with staff from the cities/town, the Napa Valley Transportation Authority, and the Napa County Resource Conservation District to prepare the RFP, which was approved by the Board of Supervisors on September 12, 2023.
The RFP was released on September 15, 2023. The submittal period ended on October 27, 2023. staff unanimously recommended Ascent Environmental as the preferred consultant. The CAC unanimously affirmed staff’s recommendation of Ascent Environmental in a special meeting held on November 27, 2023.
At their December 19, 2023 meeting, the Napa County Board of Supervisors approved Agreement No. 240241B with Ascent Environmental, Inc. to prepare a RCAAP for a maximum of $599,600 for the term December 19, 2023 through December 31, 2025.
It should be noted that as a part of their scope of work, Ascent Environmental will evaluate the options that the jurisdictions have under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) for adoption of the RCAAP. If an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) is required, Ascent and staff estimate that there would be an additional $250,000 to $400,000 in costs. The cost of an EIR would be borne by the member jurisdictions unless additional funding is secured.
On Thursday January 11, 2024, Napa County held a kickoff meeting for the RCAAP development. Participants included consultants from Ascent, staff from Napa County, Napa RCD, the cities of Napa, St. Helena, and Calistoga. At this kickoff meeting, the RCAAP development team discussed the project overview, public outreach and engagement strategy, the data and document needs to help update GHG forecasts and targets, communication channels, and a standing meeting schedule to coordinate on plan development. The core development team decided to meet biweekly. Staff recommends giving regular updates to the CAC regarding the progress of the RCAAP development.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION: The proposed action is not a project as defined by 14 California Code of Regulations 15378 (State CEQA Guidelines) and therefore CEQA is not applicable.