DEPARTMENT: Office of Sustainability
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Douglas R. Melnick, AICP, ISSP-SA, CNU-A
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: All
SUBJECT: A briefing and presentation on the recommended candidates for the SA Climate Ready Technical and Community Advisory Committee, and the SA Climate Ready Climate Equity Advisory Committee.
SUMMARY:
In accordance with the SA Climate Ready Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP), the Technical and Community Advisory Committee and the SA Climate Ready Climate Equity Advisory Committee will assist in prioritizing strategies, provide input on implementation, and engage the community among other actions. Interviews with the candidates for both committees were carried out in late June, early July, and mid-August with a goal of convening the inaugural quarterly meeting for both committees in Fall 2020.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
On June 22, 2017, City Council passed Resolution No. 2017-06-22-0031R in support of the Paris Climate Agreement; directing city staff to develop a plan to help San Antonio meet the objectives of this agreement. On October 17, 2019, City Council adopted the SA Climate Ready Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP) by Ordinance 2019-10-17-0840.
In order to continue to receive community input for CAAP strategy prioritization and implementation, two externally recruited committees are being established: a Technical and Community Advisory Committee and a Climate Equity Advisory Committee. Members of both committees will be selected based on 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. The process and structure for the committees were approved by City Council on December 12, 2019 through Ordinance 2019-12-12-1066. Applications for both committees were released on January 21, 2020.
ISSUE:
The Technical and Community Advisory Committee will be comprised of 21 representatives, 15 at-large and 6 organizational members appointed by the Mayor and City Council, as recommended by the CHEC sub-committee, the City Manager’s Office, the Office of Equity, and the Office of Sustainability. Organizational members 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.
The Climate Equity Advisory Committee will be comprised of 11 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 CHEC sub-committee, the City Manager’s Office, the Office of Equity, and Office of Sustainability.
As the ordinance establishing both committees states that “committees shall represent those that 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, identities, and/or perspectives,” an extensive equity analysis was conducted throughout the review, interview, and selection process to ensure that the resulting committees have the most diverse representation possible, while maintaining the needed technical expertise.
All selected committee members will be required to attend a series of racial equity training and orientation webinars prior to the initial committee meetings.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with this briefing item.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the full slate of candidates for both the Technical and Community and the Climate Equity Advisory Committees. The recommended appointments will be submitted for full City Council consideration in September.