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CONSIDERATION OF APPROVING THE CITY OPERATIONS SUSTAINABILITY PLAN
RESOLUTION NO. 2014-141 OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA APPROVING THE CITY OPERATIONS SUSTAINABILITY PLAN
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
Recommended Action
Council adopt the resolution.
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SUMMARY
Sustainability is increasingly becoming a focal point for corporations wishing to create long-term consumer and employee value by taking into consideration how a business operates in the social, cultural, and economic environment. Since January, a multi-departmental "Green Team" has been working to identify opportunities to integrate innovative sustainable practices throughout the City's operations. The resulting City Operations Sustainability Plan sets numeric goals and identifies implementation strategies in 7 focus areas. The Plan, which would be implemented based on available funding, would help to lower long-term utility and fuel costs, create a healthier workplace, and contribute to cleaner air, water, and land in the community.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The Development Services Director has reviewed the proposed activity for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that the activity 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 proposed City Operations Sustainability Plan will result in the implementation of innovative sustainable practices throughout the City operations and facilities that will help ensure clean air, water, and land in the community. Actions will be designed to reduce energy and water consumption, encourage recycling and waste management, improve transportation strategies, purchase "green" cleaning products, encourage the use of energy-saving building features in new construction, and prevent pollution. Thus, no further environmental review is required.
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
Staff presented the draft City Operations Sustainability Plan to the Resource Conservation Commission at their May 12, 2014 meeting. Commission members unanimously recommended that City Council adopt the Plan.
DISCUSSION
Sustainability is increasingly becoming a focal point for corporations and organizations wishing to create long-term customer and employee value by taking into consideration how their enterprise operates in terms of social, economic, and environmental performance. Over 6,200 companies worldwide have created a sustainability strategy and conduct annual reports to assess their progress in pursuing this "Triple Bottom Line" approach. These sustainability-minded businesses have benefitted from fostering innovation in their company culture, reducing long-term utility and fuel costs, and creating a healthier workplace. For municipal operations, sustainability can be defined as the City's ability to provide high quality infrastructure, services, and programs in a manner, which balances the needs of current and future generations.
Since January, a multi-departmental "Green Team" has been working to identify opportunities for the City to "lead by example" in integrating innovative sustainable practices throughout its operations helping to ensure clean air, water, and land in the community. The team's efforts were also informed by participation in a 6-month corporate sustainability training organized by True Market Solutions and sponsored by San Diego Gas & Electric. Through the training series, City staff gained valuable insight from other companies in the region working to create and implement a sustainability action plan.
The resulting City Operations Sustainability Plan sets numeric goals for 2020 in 7 focus areas - Energy Use, Water Use, Green Purchasing, Recycling & Waste Reduction, Pollution Prevention, Transportation, and Green Buildings & Infrastructure. The Plan identifies implementation strategies and potential funding sources in each area to help reach the targets. In many cases, these strategies also assist Chula Vista in meeting current and pending State mandates. Finally, the Plan outlines opportunities to actively engage City employees and leaders, which will be critical to its successful implementation.
As mentioned, the City Operations Sustainability Plan identifies various potential funding sources that could support its implementation. These funding sources include new grant opportunities as well as existing program budgets that could be leveraged to accomplish the Plan's goals. The level of implementation will be dependent upon the City's ability to secure these funding sources. Nonetheless, the City Operations Sustainability Plan will serve as a powerful policy framework to guide the City of Chula Vista's sustainability efforts, represents a compilation of new and existing sustainability strategies (which are currently scattered throughout the municipal code and program documents), and reinforces the City's Continuous Improvement philosophy of tirelessly pursuing the "least waste way."
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 City Operations Sustainability Plan directly contributes to the Healthy Community goal as it seeks to implement strategies and programs that protect natural resources and promote sustainability.
CURRENT YEAR FISCAL IMPACT
Because the City Operations Sustainability Plan is a policy framework and will be implemented based on available funding, its adoption does not have a direct fiscal impact in the current fiscal year. It is anticipated that when individual implementation strategies or related projects are further developed and presented to City Council for consideration, any specific positive or negative fiscal impacts will be identified.
ONGOING FISCAL IMPACT
As mentioned above, the policy-level City Operations Sustainability Plan does not have an ongoing fiscal impact. Impacts from any specific implementation strategies will be evaluated as they are further developed and considered.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A - City Operations Sustainability Plan
Staff Contact: Brendan Reed & Lynn France