CCMIN 11022021 - Laserfiche WebLink

Associate Planner Campbell reported the first item is to adopt all electric reach codes for new construction and exceptions would be considered. The next item is to prepare and implement an existing building electrification plan. She advised this action carried the most concern through the outreach process about mandating changes to existing buildings. She advised the regulatory aspects of this action were removed and the action now focuses on grid resilience, evaluation of existing buildings, municipal building electrification, outreach and education, and voluntary and incentive-based community building electrification. She noted the City will need to tackle emissions from natural gas in existing buildings which accounts for 20% of total emissions and progress towards this action should be carefully reviewed in the next CAP. She explained it is possible that voluntary incentive-based efforts will be successful, and it is also possible that regulatory levers would need to be considered at the next update if it is not effective. The next action is to modify the definition of a "covered project" in the Green Building section of the Municipal Code to capture more projects. Another item is to encourage solar and battery on new developments. Additional items include reducing consumption from single-use plastic, developing and implementing an Urban Forest Master Plan increasing carbon sequestration through trees, increasing carbon sequestration on public and private lands through compost and mulch, developing and implementing a zero-emissions vehicle infrastructure plan, electrifying municipal small engine equipment, expanding community small-engine electrification, requiring bicycle parking and amenities for new developments, developing and implementing a bicycle rack or bus program, increasing public transit ridership by improving access across the City, promoting Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) neighborhoods, and lastly developing and implementing a comprehensive public outreach and education program. Associate Planner Campbell provided an overview of secondary actions that would be implemented as time and resources allow. She reported the items require new construction to use the lowest global warming potential refrigerants, conduct energy benchmarking for City facilities and implement efficiency upgrades, promote community energy efficiency upgrades, explore opportunities to decrease the Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMTs) related to K-12 activities, adopt a City environmentally preferable purchasing policy, implement an embodied carbon reduction plan, track carbon sequestration technology developments, incentivize water efficiency retrofits, develop a green stormwater infrastructure plan, and expand wildfire prep prevention and education. Associate Planner Campbell reported the Committee on Energy and the Environment made a recommendation on the proposed CAP 2.0 action list at its meeting on August 11th and noted the committee's recommendation has one notable difference from the recommendation made by staff which is to create a new position that would be dedicated to supporting CAP 2.0 activities. She advised the implementation of CAP 2.0 along with the continued implementation of other climate-related tasks across the City will span across all City departments and require coordination. She explained having a specific staff person may facilitate successful implementation of the CAP and ensure its programs and policies remain on track. She reported staff suggested it is premature to commit to creating a new position and instead suggests the City Manager evaluate staffing needs and go from there. She advised the City Manager has the discretion to assign existing staffing resources but also to refer the creation of the new position if determined necessary to the City Council as part of the budget process at a future date. Staff seeks the City Council's direction on a set of actions included in the CAP 2.0 and recommends 15 primary and 10 secondary actions be included in the CAP 2.0. She explained once the City Council has provided direction a Draft CAP will be circulated for public review along with its accompanying CEQA document and then ultimately the final CAP will be reviewed and adopted by City Council. Mayor Brown opened the public hearing. Jocelyn Combs reported she sent a letter to the City Council and these comments are in addition to that letter. She advised man-made climate change is no longer a fringe issue and is a settled issue for most American's especially here in California. She requested the City allocate the resources and attention City Council Minutes Page 13 of 19 November 2,2021