DEPARTMENT: Office of Sustainability
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Douglas R. Melnick, AICP, ISSP-SA, CNU-A
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: All
SUBJECT:
An Ordinance establishing the SA Climate Ready Technical and Community Advisory Committee, and the SA Climate Ready Climate Equity Advisory Committee and sunsetting the Citizens Environmental Advisory Committee (CEAC).
SUMMARY:
In accordance with the SA Climate Ready Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP), this Ordinance establishes the SA Climate Ready Technical and Community Advisory Committee, and the SA Climate Ready Climate Equity Advisory Committee that will provide input to plan implementation, and sunsets the Citizens Environmental Advisory Committee (CEAC).
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The Citizens Environmental Advisory Committee (CEAC) was created on April 2, 2009 by Ordinance No. 2009-04-09-0247 with a revision on the composition, appointment and terms on May 14, 2009 by Ordinance No. 2009-05-14-0388.
The purpose of the CEAC was to involve the community in advancing the City of San Antonio “Mission Verde Plan” into the future. The committee has provided recommendations on effective environmental programs and policies to City staff and City Council and served as a forum for the community to offer input concerning environmental sustainability.
The SA Tomorrow Sustainability Plan was adopted by City Council on August 11, 2016, by Ordinance 2016-08-11-0590, with the objectives to guide the City toward smart, sustainable growth as it prepares for a million more people by 2040, incorporating the objectives of the Mission Verde Plan and provide the foundation for future climate action planning.
The San Antonio City Council passed Resolution No. 2017-06-22-0031R in support of the Paris Climate Agreement on June 22, 2017. The Council directed city staff to develop a plan to help San Antonio meets the objectives of this agreement and the Council adopted the SA Climate Ready Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP) on October 17, 2019 by 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
? An interest in collaboration to bring about successful outcomes.
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 21 member Technical and Community Advisory Committee be comprised of fifteen (15) 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; Educational Institutions; 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 member 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; Small Business; Educational Attainment; 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 the complete slate of committee members in February 2020. Advisory Committee meetings will be scheduled on a quarterly basis beginning in March 2020.
The above process and structure was presented to the Community Health and Equity Committee at their November 18, 2019 meeting and was approved by the committee to forward to the full City Council for consideration.
ISSUE:
The Citizens Environmental Advisory Committee (CEAC) has completed their responsibilities to oversee the advancement of the City of San Antonio “Mission Verde Plan”. 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.
ALTERNATIVES:
City Council can decide not to sunset the CEAC and not to approve the SA Climate Ready recommended advisory committees creation and formation at this time.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There are no fiscal impacts.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that City Council approve the ordinance establishing the SA Climate Ready Technical and Community Advisory Committee and the SA Climate Ready Climate Equity Advisory Committee and to sunset the Citizens Environmental Advisory Committee (CEAC).