TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: David Morrison, Director of Planning, Building, and Environmental Services
REPORT BY: David Morrison, Director of Planning, Building, and Environmental Services
SUBJECT: Countywide Climate Action Committee Report
RECOMMENDATION
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Director of Planning, Building, and Environmental Services requests that the Board receive a report on the Countywide Climate Action Committee (CAC) and provide direction regarding possible future topics to be considered by the CAC.
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
As the County and other jurisdictions begin planning their budgets for the 2022-23 Fiscal Year, staff has requested input from the Climate Action Committee on potential actions to be accomplished in the coming year. This is necessary so that staff can provide estimates to each jurisdiction for their cost share next fiscal year, which is dependent on the number of hours required to meet the workload.
The CAC met on February 25, 2022, to begin discussing their priorities for the 2022-23 Fiscal Year. This item provides an opportunity for the full Board of Supervisors to provide direction to the County representatives on the CAC regarding regional climate action priorities.
PROCEDURAL REQUIREMENTS
1. Staff Report
2. Public Comment
3. Provide direction to staff.
FISCAL & STRATEGIC PLAN IMPACT
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Is there a Fiscal Impact? |
Yes |
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Is it currently budgeted? |
Yes |
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Where is it budgeted? |
PBES Natural Resources |
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Is it Mandatory or Discretionary? |
Discretionary |
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Discretionary Justification: |
Yes. The County funds 35% of the CAC operations, with the remaining 65% funded by the cities and town. Grant funding offsets a large portion of the cost of the GHG inventory. |
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Is the general fund affected? |
Yes |
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Future fiscal impact: |
To be determined, based on CAC direction |
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Consequences if not approved: |
The CAC may move forward in setting priorities for next year without the benefit of direction from the entire Board of Supervisors. |
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County Strategic Plan pillar addressed: |
Vibrant and Sustainable Environment |
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.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
In June 2019, the Cities of American Canyon, Calistoga, Napa, and St. Helena; the Town of Yountville; and Napa County all adopted Resolutions regarding the "Countywide Commitment to Address Climate Change." The Resolutions proposed to: (1) address climate change in their respective General Plans, consistent with State guidelines; (2) form a committee to identify countywide goals and strategies for addressing climate change, including an updated greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory, countywide GHG goals and timelines, and common GHG reduction standards for each jurisdiction to adopt independently; and (3) identify potential threats and funding to improve community resiliency.
Following the resolutions, all six jurisdictions came together to form the Climate Action Committee (CAC) consisting of two elected appointees from each of the jurisdictions for a total of 12 members. At the December 2020 meeting, the Committee agreed to create a more formal Climate Action Committee (CAC) that includes signing a Joint Powers Agreement (JPA). This is consistent with the June 2019 Resolution, which anticipated that the CAC would be collaborative, but that action would be taken separately by each local government. All six agencies approved the JPA in April and May of 2021.
On June 18, 2021, the County received a grant agreement from the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) in the amount of $50,000 to prepare a GHG inventory. The County entered into an agreement with Ascent consultants on November 16, 2021, to prepare the regional GHG inventory.
As the County and other jurisdictions begin planning their budgets for the 2022-23 Fiscal Year, staff has requested input from the Climate Action Committee on potential actions to be accomplished in the coming year. This is necessary so that staff can provide estimates to each jurisdiction for their cost share next fiscal year, which is dependent on the number of hours required to meet the workload.
The CAC met on February 25, 2022, to begin discussing their priorities for the 2022-23 Fiscal Year. This item provides an opportunity for the full Board of Supervisors to provide direction to the County representatives on the CAC regarding regional climate action priorities. Staff anticipates that the greenhouse gas inventory will be complete in summer 2022, but wanted to ensure that the Committee can move forward actions while waiting for the results of the GHG inventory.
To inform the discussion on potential actions, staff sent each CAC member a survey to fill out and asked
Committee members to prioritize the climate actions that they would like the CAC to work on in the coming fiscal year. The range of potential actions were developed based on prior CAC discussions and included:
• Create a building reach code to prohibit natural gas in new construction;
• Develop a model ordinance banning drive-through lanes in restaurants and other businesses;
• Develop a model ordinance banning new or expanded gas stations;
• Prepare a blueprint to install additional electric vehicle charging stations throughout the County;
• Streamline solar permits through use of the SolarApp+ program;
• Develop a program to increase solid waste diversion to 90 percent by 2030;
• Create a program and funding to convert agricultural equipment, off-road equipment, and freight from diesel to alternative fuel vehicles;
• Reduce traditional ag burning 50% by encouraging alternative methods;
• Support local agricultural producers to plan and implement carbon farm programs; and
• Require water and/or energy audits for major remodels/additions to existing structures.
The results of the survey are provided in Attachment A. The memo also includes a general estimate of the staff time and cost involved to implement each of the top five choices. Attachment B provides additional actions suggested by CAC members that were not included in staff’s survey.
Today’s direction may focus on the issues listed in Attachments A and/or B, as well as any additional priorities identified by the Board of Supervisors.