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CONSIDERATION OF ACCEPTING THE CLIMATE CHANGE WORKING GROUP'S RECOMMENDATIONS FOR UPDATING THE CHULA VISTA CLIMATE ACTION PLAN
RESOLUTION NO. 2014-224 OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA ACCEPTING THE CLIMATE CHANGE WORKING GROUP'S RECOMMENDATIONS FOR NEW GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSION REDUCTION STRATEGIES AND DIRECTING STAFF TO UPDATE THE CLIMATE ACTION PLAN ACCORDINGLY FOR FUTURE CONSIDERATION
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
Recommended Action
Council adopt the resolution.
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SUMMARY
Since 2000, 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 emissions and lowering Chula Vista's vulnerability to expected climate change impacts. To align the CAP with new state planning and tracking tools, the City Council directed staff to reconvene a Climate Change Working Group to develop recommendations for updating the Climate Action Plan. As such, the group - comprised of residents, business, non-profit, and utility representatives - held 10 public meetings since February to evaluate over 170 different strategies and to ultimately recommend 12 action areas to expand the City's greenhouse gas reduction efforts. The recommended actions will need to be further refined by City staff to outline specific implementation steps, costs, and timelines and to be incorporated into an updated Climate Action Plan for future City Council review and consideration.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The Development Services Director has reviewed the proposed action for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that the action 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 contemplated action proposes adoption of climate protection strategies designed to reduce harmful greenhouse gas or "carbon" emissions. Thus, no further environmental review is necessary.
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
The Climate Change Working Group presented their recommendations to the Resource Conservation Commission (RCC) on November 10, 2014 for review and feedback. The RCC supported the recommendations and advised City Council to direct staff to update the Climate Action Plan accordingly for future consideration.
DISCUSSION
For almost 15 years, Chula Vista has been a nationally-recognized leader in implementing a Climate Action Plan (CAP) to address the threat of climate change to the local community. The current CAP includes 7 climate "mitigation" measures, which are designed to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and 11 climate "adaptation" measures, which are designed to lower Chula Vista's vulnerability to expected local climate change impacts. In addition to addressing climate change, these climate action measures create numerous community co-benefits such as utility cost savings, better air quality, reduced traffic congestion, local economic development, and improved quality of life.
To continue the City's leadership and align the Chula Vista CAP with new state guidance and tools, City Council adopted a "roadmap" in January 2014 (Resolution #2014-006) for formally updating the City's Climate Action Plan. Through the update process, the City would (1) redefine its baseline year for GHG emission purposes to 2005, (2) recalibrate its GHG reduction target in relation to the new baseline year, (3) quantity and select new greenhouse gas reduction strategies, and (4) create a single, updated Climate Action Plan document. A key component of the CAP update process was also reconvening a Climate Change Working Group (CCWG) to help evaluate and recommend new greenhouse gas emission reduction strategies.
As such, a Climate Change Working Group was reconvened in February 2014 and included residents, business, non-profit, education, and utility representatives. The CCWG, which was chaired by a Resource Conservation Commission member, met 10 times over a 9 month period to develop recommendations by consensus. In addition to their publicly-noticed meetings, the CCWG held a special public forum on October 14th to solicit additional community feedback. Through this process, the CCWG evaluated over 170 different options for new policies and programs that the City could adopt to help reach its GHG emission reduction goal. As a result, the CCWG has recommended 12 different action areas covering topics such as water conservation and reuse, renewable and efficient energy, zero waste, and smart growth and transportation.
If supported by City Council, staff will further develop the recommended actions over the next 6 months. Specifically, staff will outline potential implementation steps, costs, and timelines for each action as well as refine their associated greenhouse gas emission reduction estimates. This additional information will be incorporated into an updated Climate Action Plan for future City Council review and consideration.
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
Staff costs and resources required to further develop the Climate Change Working Group's recommended actions and update the Climate Action Plan would be supported by existing departmental budgets, the San Diego Gas & Electric Local Government Partnership program, the San Diego Foundation (in-kind), and University of San Diego's Energy Policy Initiatives Center (in-kind).
ONGOING FISCAL IMPACT
City staff will prepare and present an updated Climate Action Plan to the City Council in spring 2015 for consideration. Any ongoing fiscal impact associated with implementing the plan will be included to inform the City Council's decision at that time.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 1 - Climate Change Working Group's Recommendations
Attachment 2 - Climate Action Plan Update Roadmap
Staff Contact: Brendan Reed