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CONSIDERATION OF ADOPTING THE 2017 CLIMATE ACTION PLAN
RESOLUTION NO. 2017-228 OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA ADOPTING THE 2017 CLIMATE ACTION PLAN
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
Recommended Action
Council adopt the resolution.
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SUMMARY
Since 2000, the City of Chula Vista has been a nationally-recognized leader in implementing a Climate Action Plan (CAP) to address the local threat of climate change by reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and lowering Chula Vista’s vulnerability to expected climate change impacts. By 2020, when the CAP is fully implemented, the new actions, or equivalent actions, are anticipated to reduce approximately 200,000 Metric tons of Carbon Dioxide equivalent (MTCO2e), allowing the City to comply with state greenhouse gas goals and improve the quality of life for our residences. If approved, staff will work to implement the strategies and will return to the City Council with specific policies and ordinances for consideration.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Environmental Notice
Environmental Notice
The Project qualifies for a Class 8 Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15308 Actions by Regulatory Agencies for Protection of the Environment] of the California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines.
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Environmental Determination
The Director of Development Services has reviewed the proposed project for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that the project qualifies for a Class 8 Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15308 [Actions by Regulatory Agencies for Protection of the Environment] of the state CEQA Guidelines because the proposal seeks to implement a Climate Action Plan to address the local threat of climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Thus, no further environmental review is necessary.
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
City staff presented the draft 2017 CAP to the Sustainability Commission (SSC) on August 14, 2017. The SSC recommended that the City Council adopt the updated 2017 Climate Action Plan and directed City staff to begin implementation based on available funding.
City staff also presented the draft 2017 CAP Appendix A to the Sustainability Commission (SSC) on May 8th, and the draft 2017 CAP to the Chula Vista Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors meeting and the Planning Commission on August 9, 2017 for review and feedback.
DISCUSSION
For the last 20 years, the City of Chula Vista has been diligent in taking action to address the threat of climate change to the local community. Chula Vista has historically been engaged in multiple climate change forums including the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, ICLEI Cities for Climate Protection Campaign and the Conference of Mayor’s Climate Protection Agreement. The City actions began in 2000 with the adoption of the first Climate Action Plan in San Diego County (originally called the C02 Reduction Plan). Since then the City has subsequently adopted the Climate Mitigation Plan in 2008, the Climate Adaptation Plan in 2011, the City Operations Sustainability Plan in 2014 and the Water Stewardship Plan in 2016. The City continues to be recognized as a leader in Climate Action planning and most recently received the 2014 EPA Climate Leadership Award for Organizational Leadership and the 2016 Institute for Local Governments Platinum Beacon Award for Greenhouse Gas Reductions. In 2017, Chula Vista was highlighted in the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) case study for its work on climate action planning and the implementation of the City Operations Sustainability Plan.
The 2017 Climate Action Plan being presented today is the next step in the City’s effort to demonstrate climate leadership, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help the state reach its ambitious climate goals. In addition to consolidating previous CAP actions, which included 7 climate “mitigation” measures (designed to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions) and 11 climate “adaptation” measures (designed to lower Chula Vista’s vulnerability to expected local climate change impacts), there are 11 new mitigation measures, listed below, included in the 2017 CAP.
• Water Education & Enforcement
• Water Efficiency Upgrades
• Water Reuse Plan & System Installations
• Zero Waste Plan
• Energy Education & Enforcement
• Clean Energy Sources
• Energy Efficiency Upgrades
• Robust Urban Forests
• Complete Streets & Neighborhoods
• Transportation Demand Management
• Alternative Fuel Vehicle Readiness
Climate Change Working Group (CCWG):
In 2005, the Climate Change Working Group (CCWG) was developed at the direction of the City Council. The City Council directed staff to convene a group of interested stakeholders comprised of residents, businesses, non-profits, academia, utility representatives and community-group representatives to develop recommendations, based on consensus, to reduce the community’s greenhouse gas emissions. The CCWG process ensures involvement of all stakeholders in the development of recommendations for City Council consideration. The CCWG was chaired by a member of the Sustainability Commission which met 10 times over a 9-month period to develop the proposed recommendations. The actions included in the proposed 2017 CAP were selected by a wide range of community stakeholders and reflect an ambitious, but pragmatic, approach to climate planning. These 11 new mitigation measures were adopted by the City Council in November of 2014. Due to staffing issues and departmental reorganizations, the development of the CAP was delayed however, staff continued to pursue the implementations actions identified in appendix A of the 2017 CAP. In March 2017, the CCWG was reconvened to review the implementation actions and recommendations that were previously adopted in 2014 and that are now incorporated into the 2017 CAP Appendix A. City efforts to implement the eleven (11) new mitigation measures and the seven (7) previous mitigation measures have continued. Staff has worked to implement early implementation actions such as:
• Adopting a complete streets policy in 2015.
• Creating preferred parking spots at City facilities for alternative fuel vehicles including the installation of electric vehicle charging stations.
• Adopting an update to the Landscape Water Conservation Ordinances.
• Adopting new policies to reduce landscape runoff.
• Converting to over-the-counter and online permits for solar projects.
• Expanding Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) providers.
• Adopting the Water Stewardship Plan in November of 2016.
Renewable and Efficient Energy Objective:
To help achieve goals of increasing the amount of renewable energy the Chula Vista community uses, City staff continues to build upon work included in past CAPs, such as solar photovoltaic (PV) pre-wiring requirements, and a new initiative that would seek to require solar PV panels on all new homes. Staff continues to work with the existing energy providers on options to increase the amount of renewable energy to the grid. The 2017 Cap has a goal of 50% of electricity from clean sources by 2020 and 70% by 2035.
In addition, Community Choice Aggregation (CCA), which is currently being analyzed by other jurisdictions in San Diego County, is another option to increase available renewable energy. Staff will stay involved in the analysis being completed in other jurisdictions. The recent feasibility report released by the City of San Diego contains valuable information and staff will continue to monitor the progress of San Diego’s efforts before bringing forward any recommendations for a Chula Vista Technical/Feasibility study or the possibility of participating in a regional JPA to administer a CCA.
The City’s goals for increasing the amount of renewable energy over time currently exceeds the state renewable portfolio standards, but staff will continue to follow legislation, such as SB100, that aims to move utilities in the State closer to the City’s goals and potentially up to 100% clean energy by 2045. By evaluating all of the options listed above, staff will be able to identify the most cost effective path to achieve our clean energy goals.
Smart Growth and Transportation:
Staff continues efforts to ensure that residents will be able to pick from various transportation modes such as walking, biking, transit or driving. In an effort to ensure easier access to transit options, several sidewalk projects, totaling over 5 miles, were recently constructed in established neighborhoods including near the Broadway transit/commercial corridor. Since 2011, when the Bikeway Master Plan was approved, an additional 33 bicycle facilities have been completed citywide consisting of bike paths, bike lanes and bike routes, totaling 37 miles. These improvements will also complement the South Bay Rapid Transit, which when completed will provide a 26-mile long, limited-stop bus service through eastern Chula Vista, from the East Otay Mesa Port of Entry to downtown San Diego. Most recently the city has prepared a Traffic Signal Master Plan that will implement advanced transportation technologies and Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) to reduce traffic congestion and greenhouse gas emissions. The City is currently a 100% planned community and has embraced “smart growth” design principles around transit facilities in the Urban Core Specific Plan (2007), the Eastern Urban Center (2009) and the Palomar Gateway Specific Plan (2014).
City of Chula Vista’s Smart Cities Efforts:
In essence, a “Smart City” is a “Sustainable City”. The City of Chula Vista is proud to be recognized locally, nationally and internationally for our efforts and vision to become a smart city that uses innovative technologies to improve government efficiency, enhance city operations and advance sustainability efforts. To accomplish this goal, the City is developing a Smart Cities Strategic Action Plan (SCSAP) that will serve as a roadmap and help realize its vision of becoming a smart city.
At the center of Chula Vista’s smart cities efforts is the assessment of innovative approaches for energy efficiency and sustainability. In 2016, the City of Chula Vista and the Port of San Diego embarked on a joint project to complete an energy and smart waterfront assessment for the Chula Vista Bayfront. The agencies hired Black and Veatch to conduct the study. The Bayfront development has some of the most aggressive energy efficiency targets for a project of its size and scope. In order to achieve its ambitious sustainability goals, the development will look to incorporate smart city technology and act as a test bed for innovative technology solutions that could be expanded Citywide and in the region. The Office of Sustainability through the Chief Sustainability Officer is responsible for coordinating the development of the Smart Cities Strategic Action Plan throughout the City.
The proposed 2017 CAP complements the smart cities efforts and provides an opportunity to leverage both efforts to ensure greater success. The deployment of robust sensor networks, innovative energy efficiency technologies, building and asset management systems, smart irrigation controllers, adaptive lighting, enhanced data reporting tools and other smart cities technologies will help the City reduce energy consumption, increase water conservation effectiveness and reduce GHG emissions across the City.
Social Justice:
Ensuring that the climate actions benefit all residents, especially those living in disadvantaged neighborhoods, staff has utilized the “Green Homes for All” program, in partnership with the City’s Housing Division, to develop eight (8) of the eleven (11) new GHG reduction measures. The City working with local non-profits provided no-cost Home Energy & Water Evaluations that assisted disadvantaged residents by reducing utility bills and improving the health of homes. In 2016, more than 2,080 households enrolled in the Energy Savings Assistance Program resulting in those homes being weatherized, cutting costs on heating and air conditioning for our most vulnerable families. In addition, the removal of the South Bay Power Plant, the adoption of regulations on the proper placement of peaker and base load facilities and the allocation of Measure P infrastructure projects in our disadvantaged communities continues to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by providing facilities that support multi-modal forms of transportation and enhanced public amenities like parks and recreational facilities.
The attached 2017 CAP includes information about past climate actions taken, the regulatory framework of state and federal polices and the institutionalized work the City is doing to create clean water, clean air and clean land. More detailed implementation actions for each measure, including information about performance metrics, estimated GHG reductions, timelines, funding and responsible City Departments are included in Appendix A. The new mitigation measures are anticipated to reduce MTCO2e GHG emissions (approximately 0.7 MT of per capita reductions and 19% below the business-as-usual, or BAU, emissions), by approximately 200,000 MTCO2e in 2020. In addition, these climate action measures create numerous community benefits such as utility cost savings, better air quality, reduced traffic congestion, local economic development and improved quality of life for Chula Vista residents. The proposed CAP is consistent with previous climate actions taken by the City of Chula Vista in that it is a living planning document that is able to be easily updated and is built on a foundation of promoting consensus and outreach. The CAP is focused on providing a path for City leaders, residents and businesses to reduce emissions and is not a document to aid in development streamlining. The City of Chula Vista is a fully planned community and each planning document considered by the City has evaluated GHG impacts and provided appropriate mitigation measures to address these impacts in accordance with the requirements of CEQA.
DECISION-MAKER CONFLICT
Staff has reviewed the decision contemplated by this action and has determined that it is not site specific and consequently, the 500-foot rule found in California Code of Regulations section 18704.2 (a)(1), is not applicable to this decision. Staff is not independently aware, and has not been informed by any City Council member, of any other fact that may constitute a basis for a decision maker conflict of interest in this matter.
LINK TO STRATEGIC GOALS
The City’s Strategic Plan has five major goals: Operational Excellence, Economic Vitality, Healthy Community, Strong and Secure Neighborhoods and a Connected Community. The Climate Action Plan update process is identified under the Strategic Plan’s Healthy Community goal as a near-term priority.
CURRENT YEAR FISCAL IMPACT
The Climate Action Plan is being implemented using existing departmental budgets and external funding sources (such as, City’s Local Government Partnership with San Diego Gas & Electric and the California Public Utilities Commission and AB939 waste management fees), resulting in no new fiscal impact in the current year.
ONGOING FISCAL IMPACT
There is no new, ongoing fiscal impact due to implementation of the Climate Action Plan since it is being implemented using existing budgets and external funding sources. Any recommended updates to the Climate Action Plan will be presented to City Council for consideration in the future along with any associated fiscal impact.
ATTACHMENTS
1) 2017 Climate Action Plan
2) 2017 Climate Action Plan: Appendix A
3) 2017 Climate Action Plan: Appendix B
4) Comment letter from Climate Action Campaign
5) Comment letter from San Diego Gas & Electric
Staff Contact: Cory Downs, Conservation Specialist II