DEPARTMENT: Office of Sustainability
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Douglas R. Melnick, AICP, ISSP-SA, CNU-A
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: All
SUBJECT:
SA Climate Ready Advisory Committees Creation, Selection Process and Timeline
SUMMARY:
An update and a request for action on the SA Climate Ready Advisory Committees creation, selection process and timeline
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The City Council adopted SA Climate Ready, Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP) on October 17, 2019 through Ordinance 2019-10-17-0840.
In order to effectively implement the SA Climate Ready Plan, two externally-recruited committees were recommended to be established: a Technical and Community Advisory Committee and a Climate Equity Advisory Committee. Members of both committees will be selected based on the following criteria:
• Technical expertise in elements related to climate mitigation and adaptation or other important areas related to plan implementation;
• Representation of important perspectives; and
• The ability to collaborate.
As the SA Climate Ready Plan is centered in equity, membership in both committees shall also represent those who live and work within the City of San Antonio, inclusive of indigenous persons, communities of color, low-income residents, LGTBQIA+ persons, persons of varying ages, persons with disabilities, and other marginalized communities who hold diverse expertise and/or perspectives.
Staff proposes that a 15-Member Technical and Community Advisory Committee be comprised of nine (9) at-large and six (6) organizational members appointed by the Mayor and City Council, as recommended by the City Manager and the Office of Sustainability. Members should possess the following desired technical expertise and perspectives and may have more than one area of expertise or perspective:
• Energy Generation/Distribution; High Performance/Green Buildings; Vehicle Technology; Active Transportation/Mobility/Accessibility; Food Systems; Urban Planning and Land Use; Historic Preservation/Cultural Heritage; Waste and Consumption; Natural Systems: Water/Green Infrastructure/Forestry/Biodiversity; Public Health; Climate Science; Neighborhoods; Business and Industry; Social/Environmental/Climate/Racial Justice; Environmental Advocacy.
Organizational Members may include CPS Energy; San Antonio Water System; VIA Metropolitan Transit; San Antonio River Authority; Joint Base San Antonio; and the Chair/Vice-Chair of the SA Climate Ready Climate Equity Advisory Committee.
Staff proposes that an 11 at-large Climate Equity Advisory Committee be comprised of representatives from community-based organizations and other key stakeholders representing the interests of low-income populations, communities of color, and other marginalized populations. Members will be appointed by the Mayor and City Council as recommended by the City Manager and the Office of Sustainability and possess the following desired technical expertise, identities and perspectives:
• Social Justice, Environmental Justice, and Climate Justice; Affordable Housing and Houselessness/Homelessness; Public Health; Food Security; Disability and Mobility Justice; Immigrant Rights; Workforce Development; and the Chair/Vice-Chair of the SA Climate Ready Technical and Community Advisory Committee
The Office of Sustainability anticipates issuing a call for applications in mid-December 2019 with a goal of Council consideration of committee members in February 2020. Advisory Committee meetings will be scheduled on a quarterly basis beginning in March 2020.
ISSUE:
In order to effectively implement the SA Climate Ready Plan, two externally-recruited committees are recommended to be established: a Technical and Community Advisory Committee and a Climate Equity Advisory Committee. This briefing will outline the committee creation, member selection process and timeline.
ALTERNATIVES:
Community Health and Equity Committee can decide not to recommend committee creation and formation at this time.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There are no fiscal impacts.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that Community Health and Equity Committee approve the committee creation, structure and timeline as proposed by staff and forward for City Council consideration.