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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 07 - 2020-21 Climate Action Progress Report Department Name: Administration Cost Center: 1005 For Agenda of: May 18, 2021 Placement: Consent Estimated Time: N/A FROM: Greg Hermann, Deputy City Manager Prepared By: Robert Hill, Sustainability and Natural Resource Official Chris Read, Sustainability Manager Shannon Pressler, CivicSpark Fellow SUBJECT: 2020-21 CLIMATE ACTION PROGRESS REPORT RECOMMENDATION Receive and file 2020-21 Climate Action Progress Report. DISCUSSION The 2020-21 Climate Action Progress Report (Report) provides a snapshot of the work accomplished to advance Council’s Climate Action Major City Goal in calendar year 2020 and early 2021 (Attachment A). The Report reflects on a challenging yet successful year for climate action, provides an update on major accomplishments and notable progress, and offers a high- level glimpse of the Office of Sustainability’s workplan in 2021 and beyond. The plan also includes a comprehensive overview of the implementation status of each action from the Climate Action Plan for Community Recovery. The Report highlights key Climate Action Plan implementation milestones achieved by staff in calendar year 2020 and early 2021. Foundational actions that were completed in 2020 include the adoption of the Clean Energy Choice Program for New Buildings (Climate Action Plan Action “Green Buildings 1.1”) and the launch Central Coast Community Energy (3CE, formerly Monterrey Bay Community Power) to receive clean electricity (Climate Action Plan Action “Clean Energy 1.1”). Other key initiated Climate Action Plan actions include: • Lead by Example 1.1 – Staff convened the Green Team to collaboratively develop a plan to achieve the Council-adopted goal of carbon neutral City operations by 2030. The plan is expected to be presented to Council for adoption in Summer of 2021. The City was also successful in “doing while planning” and completed several important projects (e.g., LED lighting retrofits at both Palm Street garages, solar powered electric vehicle chargers at City Hall, purchase of two electric buses, etc.). • Buildings 2.1 – Staff convened a cohort of peer leadership cities in the central coast and initiated research to assess the feasibility of a strategic and equity focused building retrofit program. Item 7 Packet Page 7 Of the 27 foundational actions and five administrative actions included in the City’s Climate Action Plan, three are completed, two are ongoing, 15 are initiated, nine are planned, and three are on hold. Of the Planned, Ongoing, and Initiated actions, 18 are proposed to be explicitly included in the 21-23 Financial Plan. In 2020, staff also supported the initiation of the Resilient SLO Project. While not included as a CAP foundational action, Resilient SLO is a planning initiative to adapt and build resilience to the impacts of climate change. The project, funded through a Caltrans Adaptation Planning Grant, will be completed in partnership with the Local Government Commission with support from a consulting team at Ascent Environmental. Staff completed extensive foundational project work in calendar year 2020, including the development of a Baseline Conditions Report, a baseline assessment of current natural hazards impacting the city, and the formation of the Resilience Roundtable community stakeholder group. As discussed in Attachment A, 2020 also provided substantial challenges due to the COVID-19 crisis. Office of Sustainability staff were redirected to emergency response services for the majority of 2020 which had a staff time and resource impact on planned activities. Entering the 21-23 Financial Plan budget cycle, the City will begin accelerated implementation of the CAP. The projects initiated in 2021 will be foundational for continued progress toward the Council adopted goal of communitywide carbon neutrality by 2035 and municipal operations carbon neutrality by 2030. Staff also anticipate further integrating climate resilience into the City’s operating practices and anticipates completing Resilient SLO through adoption of the updated Safety Element in late 2021. Policy Context Council adopted the Climate Action Plan for Community Recovery and the related carbon neutral by 2035 Goal in August of 2020. The Plan includes an actual to regularly report on climate actin progress to Council. Public Engagement The 2020-21 Climate Action Progress Report is a summary of actions initiated or completed. Public engagement has been completed or is planned for each of these initiatives. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW The California Environmental Quality Act does not apply to the recommended action in this report, because the action does not constitute a “Project” under CEQA Guidelines Sec. 15378. FISCAL IMPACT Budgeted: N/A Budget Year: N/A Funding Identified: N/A Item 7 Packet Page 8 Fiscal Analysis: Funding Sources Total Budget Available Current Funding Request Remaining Balance Annual Ongoing Cost General Fund $ State Federal Fees Other: Total $ All tasks and work items described in this Council Agenda Report and Attachment A are supported by annual program budget appropriations and have been included in the Administration department budget request for the 2021-23 Financial Plan. ALTERNATIVES Council could direct staff to return with more information. Attachments: a - COUNCIL READING FILE - 2020-21 Climate Action Progress Report Item 7 Packet Page 9 BLANK PAGE This page is intended to be blank so that you can print double-sided. Item 7 Packet Page 10 PAGE i CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO CLIMATE ACTION MAY 2021 2020-21 PROGRESS REPORT CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO CLIMATE ACTION MAY 2021 2020-21 PROGRESS REPORT TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................................... 1 Overview ................................................................................................................................ 1 The Office of Sustainability ..................................................................................................... 1 Climate Action Major City Goals ............................................................................................. 2 Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion ............................................................................................... 2 Awards and Recognition ......................................................................................................... 3 2020-21 CLIMATE ACTION HIGHLIGHTS ................................................................................ 5 Climate Action Plan for Community Recovery ........................................................................ 5 Central Coast Community Energy (3CE) ................................................................................ 6 Clean Energy Choice Program for New Buildings ................................................................... 6 Open Space and Trail Creation .............................................................................................. 7 Lead by Example: Carbon Neutral Municipal Operations ........................................................ 8 Supporting Work Outside of the Climate Action Plan .............................................................. 9 Resilient SLO ........................................................................................................................10 LOOKING AHEAD TO A CARBON NEUTRAL 2035 .................................................................11 ATTACHMENT A. CLIMATE ACTION PLAN FOR COMMUNITY RECOVERY IMPLEMENTATION PROGRESS ..................................................................................... - 12 - MAY 2021 CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO CLIMATE ACTION MAY 2021 2020-21 PROGRESS REPORT PAGE 1 INTRODUCTION Overview The Climate Action 2020-21 Progress Report (Report) provides a snapshot of the City’s climate action and sustainability work completed in 2020 and the beginning of 2021. The report is intended to act as a “check-in” in advance of the next Climate Action Plan Update, scheduled for 2023. The Report reflects on a challenging yet successful year for climate action, provides an update on major accomplishments and notable progress, and offers a high-level glimpse of the City’s climate action workplan in 2021 and beyond. The Report is organized into three chapters, including 1) Introduction; 2) 2020-21 Climate Action Highlights; and 3) Looking Ahead to a Carbon Neutral Future. These chapters highlight key programs and projects. The report also includes a comprehensive overview of the implementation status of each action from the Climate Action Plan for Community Recovery (Attachment A). The Office of Sustainability The Office of Sustainability was formed in 2018 with the idea that a dedicated resource could initiate transformative climate action, resilience, and natural resources work while also supporting departments across the agency to accelerate the City’s sustainability objectives. The Office of Sustainability’s vision is that the City of San Luis Obispo is a thriving, resilient, equitable, and sustainable community. Located in the Administration Department, the Office of Sustainability has four focus areas: natural resources, creeks and watersheds, community partnerships, and climate action (Figure 1). While the Office of Sustainability is involved in several projects in each of these areas, this Report focuses on recent climate action initiatives. The Office of Sustainability is responsible for initiating or collaborating on most of the City’s sustainability programs. However, sustainability is deeply embedded in all departments and occurs throughout the City. CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO CLIMATE ACTION MAY 2021 2020-21 PROGRESS REPORT PAGE 2 Figure 1. Office of Sustainability Focus Areas Climate Action Major City Goals A driving force for climate action and sustainability work at the City has been the community’s prioritization of climate action as a Major City Goal in its two-year financial plans. This report focuses primarily on the actions taken in 2020 and early 2021 as staff worked to implement the 2019-21 Climate Action Major City Goal. Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Diversity, equity, and inclusion are core values for the City and the Office of Sustainability has made a conscious effort to center these considerations in all climate action work. Staff strive to operationalize equity in all programs, policies, and decisions. Equity is essential for all aspects of City operations; it has an especially strong nexus with climate change and sustainability. Climate change impacts are fundamentally inequitable in severity and distribution; they are most harmful to low income, disadvantaged, and already vulnerable groups that have contributed the least to global greenhouse gas emissions. The Office of Sustainability is committed to assessing all actions through an equity lens to reduce disproportionate burden of climate impacts, ensure that sustainability policies do not adversely impact vulnerable communities, and seek opportunities to elevate disadvantaged communities through climate work. Climate Action Manages and implements the City's Climate Action Plan with a goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2035; supports climate adaptation and community resilience efforts. Open Space Maintains the Greenbelt, conducts land conservation planning, management, and acquisitions, and supports development review. Creeks and Watersheds Manages and implements storm-water management, flood control, and habitat restoration projects; supports regulatory compliance. Community Partnerships Manages community partnerships with arts, culture, history, environmental, social, civic, and business groups. CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO CLIMATE ACTION MAY 2021 2020-21 PROGRESS REPORT PAGE 3 Awards and Recognition In 2020 and early 2021, the City received numerous awards and recognition for its climate action and sustainability work. Notable awards include: • Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) “A” List City. • US Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Award Honorable Mention. • American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) #1 small city in the US in the community energy challenge. • Institute for Local Government “Beacon Award” winner for community climate action. • American Planning Association Central Coast Section Award for Excellence in Green Planning for the Climate Action Plan for Community Recovery and Award for Excellence in Transportation Planning for the Active Transportation Plan. CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO CLIMATE ACTION MAY 2021 2020-21 PROGRESS REPORT PAGE 5 2020-21 CLIMATE ACTION HIGHLIGHTS The COVID-19 crisis presented a unique set of challenges and opportunities for community climate action. Despite drastic changes to how collaboration occurred, budget restrictions, and prolonged project timelines, staff were still able to reach major milestones in implementing the Climate Major City Goal and laying the foundations to achieve Council’s carbon neutrality goal. This section highlights the Climate Action Plan for Community Recovery (CAP), Central Coast Community Energy, the Clean Energy Choice Program for New Buildings, open space and trail creation, and Lead by Example. This section also provides an overview of Resilient SLO, a comprehensive climate change adaptation and community resilience project. Climate Action Plan for Community Recovery City Council adopted the Climate Action Plan for Community Recovery (CAP) in August of 2020. The CAP contains quantified strategies to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that effectively lay the groundwork to achieve Council’s adopted goal of community carbon neutrality by 2035. It also serves as the City’s CEQA Qualified Community GHG Reduction Strategy. Foundational actions detailed in the CAP include a combination of programs, projects, and initiatives that stimulate emissions reductions across six decarbonization pillars. The CAP was drafted amidst a robust community outreach process, and the City will continue engagement throughout the implementation process. Equity Lens Each foundational action includes specific equity considerations to leverage opportunities that enhance community health, safety, and wellbeing while ensuring that all costs and benefits of climate actions are fairly distributed throughout the community. These considerations will allow the City to implement programs and projects that best serve the city’s most vulnerable populations. CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO CLIMATE ACTION MAY 2021 2020-21 PROGRESS REPORT PAGE 6 The City anticipates updating the CAP every three years to expand existing foundational actions and add new ones based on emerging emissions reduction strategies and technologies. The next CAP update is planned for 2023. Attachment A shows the implementation progress for actions identified in the Climate Action Plan for Community Recovery. Of the 27 Foundational Actions and 5 Administrative Actions described below, three are completed, eight are ongoing, nine are initiated, 10 are planned, and two are on hold. Many of these actions are explicitly committed to in the proposed 21-23 Financial Plan. Central Coast Community Energy (3CE) On January 1, 2020, the City began receiving energy from Central Coast Community Energy, formerly Monterey Bay Community Power, a Community Choice Energy program that provides clean electricity with a rate savings. Central Coast Community Energy brings local control, freedom of choice, and competition into the electricity marketplace by allowing City to pool the electricity demand of their communities and purchase power with higher renewable content and lower greenhouse gas emissions. The City of San Luis Obispo currently sits on the Operations, Policy, and Executive Committee board and actively supports Central Coast Community Energy’s staff as they develop energy policy and programs. Notable programs currently available include incentives for electric vehicles, incentives for electric vehicle chargers, and incentives for developing all-new electric housing. Clean Energy Choice Program for New Buildings In June 2020, City Council adopted a resolution and implementing ordinance to establish a Clean Energy Choice Program for new buildings. The Clean Energy Choice Program for New Buildings, effective September 2020, encourages clean, efficient, and cost effective all-electric new buildings through incentives and local amendments to the California Energy Code. When paired with cost comparable modern electric appliances and clean electricity from Central Coast Community Energy (formerly Monterey Bay Community Power), all-electric new buildings produce nearly no greenhouse gas emissions, are cost effective, and help achieve the community's climate action goals. At the time of this report, the program is being successfully implemented and staff anticipates providing a program progress report to City Council in Fall of 2021. CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO CLIMATE ACTION MAY 2021 2020-21 PROGRESS REPORT PAGE 7 Open Space and Trail Creation The City continued its commitment to open space protection in 2020. The City Council adopted the Miossi Open Space Conservation Plan inventoried important natural and cultural resource values within the property and identified protective measures, while also planning appropriate locations for trail corridors for passive recreational purposes. Ranger Service staff have installed standard open space amenities (educational kiosk, trailhead improvements, etc.) and two new trails and the property is now open and available to the public. The City was also awarded a $3 million grant from the State of California’s Department of Conservation through their Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation program in furtherance of the City’s ongoing efforts towards a voluntary conservation easement agreement for the Miossi Brothers La Cuesta Ranch; this work will continue in 2021. The City partnered with the Coastal San Luis Resource Conservation District to prepare what are known as “carbon farm plans” designed to identify carbon sequestration potential and opportunities for improved soil health at both Johnson Ranch Open Space and City Farm. While this work was substantially delayed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it will continue in 2021 and 2022 consistent with the time horizons identified in the Climate Action Plan. Also in 2020, beginning efforts towards the City’s goal of planting 10,000 trees by 2035 took place. The City’s long-standing partnership with ECOSLO helped support their implementation and completion of a California ReLeaf grant to plant new trees, while volunteer groups and citizen efforts to plant trees occurred throughout the City over the course of the year. Work began on the Urban Forest Master Plan that was also identified in the Climate Action Plan with the assistance of a graduate student in the City and Regional Planning Department at Cal Poly through his “professional project” in fulfillment of his master’s degree requirements; a City staff member and City Tree Committee member are serving on the graduate committee for this project, which is anticipated to be completed in Fall 2021. CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO CLIMATE ACTION MAY 2021 2020-21 PROGRESS REPORT PAGE 8 Lead by Example: Carbon Neutral Municipal Operations City staff reconvened the Green Team for the Lead by Example initiative in the Fall of 2020. Staff engaged with participants from each department to introduce the council-adopted goal of carbon neutral City operations by 2030, collaboratively identify priorities, develop near and long-term emissions reduction measures, and execute tasks. The Lead by Example initiative was not structured like a traditional planning effort, and instead focused on immediate action that would build the foundation for later plan development. The culmination of Lead by Example is the Carbon Neutral City Operations Plan, which is currently being drafted and is set for approval by the end of Q2 2021. Near-term tasks staff supported under Lead by Example include the CIP proposal process, the Fleet Replacement Policy Update, and the employee bicycle payroll financing program. Other recent “Lead by Example” projects: • Lighting retrofits at both Palm Street parking garages. The projects were funded using 0% interest on-bill financing and will save the City an estimated $41,140 per year. • Access the state’s Self Generation Incentive Program to cover the full cost of over $1 million for a large battery storage facility at the Water Treatment Plant. • Acquired APCD grant support for the purchase of solar powered EV charger at City Hall which has been charging the City’s plug in hybrid fleet vehicles. Staff are continuing to support near- and mid-term priority projects and tasks identified through Green Team working group meetings. Building on the foundation established in 2019, staff are focusing on projects included in 2021-23 Financial Plan Capital Improvement Project requests and those that are immediately implementable. A selection of projects includes identification of priority EV fleet charging needs across key City facilities and update of the Sustainable Purchasing Policy CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO CLIMATE ACTION MAY 2021 2020-21 PROGRESS REPORT PAGE 9 Staff are also completing Lead by Example: Carbon Neutral City Operations Plan, which will be provided to Council for review and adoption in summer of 2021. The plan provides a framework for achieving the Council- adopted goal of carbon neutral operations by 2030. The plan quantifies greenhouse gas emissions and reduction measures in six key sectors that broadly encompass city operations. The City’s cross- departmental Green Team was instrumental in identifying the emissions reduction measures needed to achieve carbon neutrality in each sector. Through the Green Team, staff from each department participated in the planning of emissions reduction measures, and will participate in implementation, to achieve a truly all- City approach to municipal carbon neutrality. Supporting Work Outside of the Climate Action Plan In addition to the projects, programs, and policies explicitly mentioned in the Climate Action Plan, staff have supported sustainability initiatives in other activities whose connections may not be as explicit. These activities include supporting implementation of San Luis Ranch and Avila Ranch development agreements, supporting environmental review of projects such as Froom Ranch, integrating climate and equity into comprehensive planning efforts like the Active Transportation Plan and Parks and Recreation Master Plan, supporting the integration of climate and equity as policy priorities in the financial planning process, grant writing, and supporting COVID response and recovery activities including OPEN SLO. These tasks implement or align with sustainability and climate objectives and to actively support cross departmental collaboration. Equity Lens While the Carbon Neutral City Operations Plan focuses on emissions created by the City as a “business”, many emissions sectors and GHG reduction actions present clear opportunities to advance equity throughout the City organization and the community. For example, actions designed to reduce emissions related to employee commute, public transit, and the City’s open space and urban forest system can have co-benefits for the health, safety, and wellbeing of the community’s most vulnerable populations. In the Plan, staff include specific equity considerations for key actions in order to maximize those co- benefits. CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO CLIMATE ACTION MAY 2021 2020-21 PROGRESS REPORT PAGE 10 Resilient SLO In 2020, the City initiated Resilient SLO, a planning initiative to adapt and build resilience to the impacts of climate change. Resilient SLO will include a comprehensive climate vulnerability assessment of the city’s physical assets, and social and economic conditions; the development of adaptation strategies; robust community engagement; educational activities for residents and trainings for staff; an update to the General Plan-Safety Element; and an Implementation Guide to integrate strategies into work plans and policies. In 2020, foundational project work was completed, including the development of a Baseline Conditions Report, a baseline assessment of current natural hazards impacting the city, and the formation of the Resilience Roundtable. The Resilience Roundtable is an ad-hoc community stakeholder group that provides critical community expertise and input throughout the project. Community engagement, an essential component of the project, was also initiated. Initial community engagement activities included a community priorities survey, which gathered input on community concerns and priorities, and the collection of community Stories of Resilience. These actions lay the framework for key project activities in 2021 and completion in January 2022. In January 2021, the project held a virtual project kickoff and community event Stories of a Resilient SLO. With over 100 attendees, the event introduced concepts of resilience and the project to the community. Staff is currently developing, with input from the Resilience Roundtable a hazards and vulnerabilities report which will assess climate risks to the city’s physical, social, and economic systems. Based on the findings of the hazards and vulnerabilities report, and informed by community input, climate adaptation strategies will be developed in summer 2021. The resulting update to the General Plan-Safety Element will take a comprehensive approach to community resilience and help the city prepare for the increasing severity of climate-related hazards. Equity Lens Resilient SLO includes a robust community engagement strategy to ensure that the project is informed by community priorities and needs. Reaching the City’s most vulnerable and under- resourced populations is a high priority for the project team. In recognition that traditional community engagement approaches have limited success in engaging marginalized communities, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, the project team is using a variety of innovative engagement strategies to meet the community where they are. Engagement includes a community roundtable composed of community experts, virtual community events, and direct relationship building with community-based organizations that serve the City’s most vulnerable populations. CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO CLIMATE ACTION MAY 2021 2020-21 PROGRESS REPORT PAGE 11 LOOKING AHEAD TO A CARBON NEUTRAL 2035 Entering the 21-23 Financial Plan cycle, the City will begin accelerated implementation of the 2020 Climate Action Plan with the recognition that the coming years will be critical in achieving the City’s ambitious carbon neutrality goal. The projects tackled in 2021 will be foundational for continued progress, as will continued cross-departmental collaboration through the city’s Green Team. Staff also expect to integrate climate resilience into their work with the anticipated adoption of the updated Safety Element in late 2021. While the actions identified in the 2020 Climate Action Plan for Community Recovery will significantly reduce emissions, they should be viewed as foundational actions that must be built upon with subsequent updates to the Climate Action Plan. The pathway identified in the 2020 Climate Action Plan for Community Recovery will leave an estimated 111,030 MTCO2e of emissions in 2035 to offset or reduce. Reaching true carbon neutrality may require an innovative transformative approach. Success will depend on sustained support for ambitious climate action in subsequent planning updates and Financial Plan cycles, and active exploration of emerging opportunities in a rapidly evolving field. As our community emerges from a global pandemic, there may be unique opportunities to pursue economic recovery while advancing climate action, resilience, and community equity. Staff will continue to look for new opportunities for transformative action that works towards these objectives in synergy. To achieve one of the most ambitious climate neutrality goals in the nation, the City will need to continue serving as a leader and innovator over the next decade. While challenging, the years ahead offer tremendous opportunity to enhance community-wellbeing while pursuing a livable, clean, and carbon-free future. The Office of Sustainability looks forward to continued collaboration, co- learning, and leadership in pursuit of a carbon neutral San Luis Obispo. CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO CLIMATE ACTION MAY 2021 2020-21 PROGRESS REPORT PAGE - 12 - ATTACHMENT A. CLIMATE ACTION PLAN FOR COMMUNITY RECOVERY IMPLEMENTATION PROGRESS The below table provides an overview of actions committed to in the Climate Action Plan for Community Recovery. Provided details for each action include a description, the department responsible for leading initiation and implementation, the status of the action, and general progress. For the “Current Status” column, actions are categorized as follows: • Completed – This action has been initiated and implemented. • Ongoing – This action has been initiated and implementation is ongoing. • Initiated – This action is currently being initiated and is in the planning stages. Implementation has not yet begun. • Planned – This action is planned but has not yet been initiated. • On Hold – This action has encountered uncertainties or barriers resulting in the need for a new or altered strategic approach. Additional support is being sought to re-assess feasibility. Of the 27 Foundational Actions and five Administrative Actions described below, three are completed, eight are ongoing, nine are initiated, 10 are planned, and two are on hold. Many of these actions are explicitly committed to in the proposed 21-23 Financial Plan. Foundational Action Action Description Responsible Department Current Status Action Progress Lead by Example 1.1 Adopt a municipal carbon neutrality plan in 2021 Administration Initiated (21-23 FP) Staff are on track to have Lead by Example: A Plan for Carbon Neutral City Operations approved by Council in July of 2021. Staff convened the Green Team to complete this work, including staff from the Utilities department, Public Works, Finance, and Human Resources. The Green Team convened three times as a full group (supported by 18 sector-based working group meetings) to develop the plan and begin immediate implementation. Lead by Example 2.1 Include carbon neutrality, social equity, and a focus on developing a green local economy in the updated Economic Development Strategic Plan Administration Planned The Economic Development Strategic Plan is included as a funded item in the proposed 2021-23 Financial Plan. Lead by Example 3.1 Research methods to support local contractors and labor Administration Planned The proposed 2021-23 Financial Plan includes a work task to establish an internal working group to research methods to support local contractors, local vendors and labor through workforce agreements, local purchasing requirements, alternative project delivery methods and other options to support local businesses and employees. CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO CLIMATE ACTION MAY 2021 2020-21 PROGRESS REPORT PAGE - 13 - Foundational Action Action Description Responsible Department Current Status Action Progress Lead by Example 4.1 Create a formal approach to support and empower community collaboration for climate action Administration Ongoing The City continues to support the Climate Coalition as an organization to provide access to community members to participate in meaningful climate action while also acting as a connector between the region’s community-based organizations. Energy 1.1 Launch Monterey Bay Community Power and achieve a 98% participation rate while advocating for programs that support equity and achieve maximum local benefit Community Development Ongoing (21-23 FP) The City officially joined Central Coast Community Energy (formerly Monterey Bay Community Power) in December of 2018 and began receiving service on January 1, 2020. Staff provide ongoing support to local Operations and Policy Board members and are in regular contact with 3CE staff regarding program development. Energy 2.1 Work with MBCP and PG&E to develop a regional grid reliability strategy Administration Ongoing Staff have met with PG&E and multiple occasions to better understand grid resilience issues and identify areas for collaboration. This work is ongoing through the Resilient SLO project. Energy 3.1 Partner with SoCal Gas to research options for reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with the existing natural gas grid Administration Ongoing Staff have facilitated ongoing conversations with SoCal Gas to identify opportunities for collaboration in grid decarbonization and resilience. Buildings 1.1 Adopt and implement the Clean Energy Choice Program for New Buildings and review opportunities for improvement in the 2022 code cycle Administration, Community Development Ongoing (21-23 FP) The Clean Energy Choice Program for new buildings was adopted in July 2020, approved by the CEC, and effective as of September 1, 2020. Staff will report implementation progress to Council in September of 2021 and will initiate the code update in Spring of 2022. Buildings 2.1 Conduct comprehensive retrofit program study and develop and implement a strategic and equity focused building retrofit program by 2021 Administration, Community Development Initiated (21-23 FP) Staff have initiated the program, which will be referred to as “Better Buildings SLO”. Staff have taken a number of initial steps including project work with a cohort of peer cities and other external partners . Staff are seeking supplemental funding for technical work to be included in 2021-23 FP. Connected 1.1 Establish a consistent method for tracking and reporting mode split metrics Public Works Planned (21-23 FP) Staff has requested an increase in operational budget for transportation tracking methods and has included this task in its work item as part of the proposed 2021-23 Financial Plan. Connected 1.2 Research and develop an approach to a “Mobility as a Service” platform for people to easily use all modes of low carbon mobility in the City Administration, Public Works Planned (21-23 FP) Staff has requested funding to conduct a Mobility as a Service feasibility study as part of the proposed 2021-23 Financial Plan. CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO CLIMATE ACTION MAY 2021 2020-21 PROGRESS REPORT PAGE - 14 - Foundational Action Action Description Responsible Department Current Status Action Progress Connected 2.1 Complete Active Transportation plan and begin implementation immediately Public Works Completed (21-23 FP) The City adopted the Active Transportation Plan in February 2021 and staff have proposed approximately $12 million in active transportation projects in the 2021-23 Financial Plan. Connected 2.2 Launch micro mobility program by 2021 Public Works On Hold In December 2020, Council directed staff to pause this work until the micro mobility market has stabilized in a post-COVID world. Staff continues to monitor best practices and will consider pursuing a program as part of the 2023-25 Financial Plan. Connected 3.1 Establish a policy and strategic approach to leveraging existing and new parking garages for downtown residential and visitor serving uses and to allow for further implementation of the Downtown Concept Plan Administration, Public Works Initiated (21-23 FP) Staff continue to collaborate across departments to ensure that downtown parking strategies implement the Downtown Concept Plan and achieve the goals in the Climate Action Plan. Connected 4.1 Develop transit electrification strategic plan and begin implementing in 2020 Public Works, Administration Initiated Staff has completed an internal electrification strategic plan and has made significant progress on developing the infrastructure required to support an all-electric fleet at the bus yard. Additionally, two electric buses have been purchased and staff expects to have a fully electric fleet by 2029. Connected 4.2 Shorten transit headways through accelerated implementation of the existing Short-Range Transit Plan Public Works Planned (21-23 FP) As part of the proposed 2021-23 Financial Plan, staff has requested funding to prepare a Transit Innovation Study to provide a blueprint to guide the transition to increased service frequency, electrification and feasibility of no-fare service for students, seniors, and others as called for in CAP Connected Communities tasks 4.2, 4.3, and 4.4. Connected 4.3 Explore additional innovative transit options in the 2022 Short-Range Transit Plan (e.g., on-demand deviated routes, electric fleet expansion, micro transit, Bus Rapid Transit, Transit Signal Priority) Public Works Planned (21-23 FP) As part of the proposed 2021-23 Financial Plan, staff has requested funding to prepare a Transit Innovation Study to provide a blueprint to guide the transition to increased service frequency, electrification and feasibility of no-fare service for students, seniors, and others as called for in CAP Connected Communities tasks 4.2, 4.3, and 4.4. Connected 4.4 Assess feasibility of a “free to the user” transit ridership program Administration, Public Works Planned (21-23 FP) As part of the proposed 2021-23 Financial Plan, staff has requested funding to prepare a Transit Innovation Study to provide a blueprint to guide the transition to increased service frequency, electrification and feasibility of no-fare service for students, seniors, and others as called for in CAP Connected Communities tasks 4.2, 4.3, and 4.4. CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO CLIMATE ACTION MAY 2021 2020-21 PROGRESS REPORT PAGE - 15 - Foundational Action Action Description Responsible Department Current Status Action Progress Connected 5.1 Complete the 2019-21 Housing Element of the General Plan Update and Flexible Zoning Requirements for Downtown Community Development Initiated On November 17, 2020, the City Council adopted the 6th Cycle Housing Element that covers housing policies and programs from 2020-2028. Staff has developed constraints and opportunities analyses for the flexible density program to allow approximately 400 units that are less than 600 square feet in size in the Downtown and Upper Monterey areas and are targeting fall 2021 for program adoption. Connected 6.1 Develop and begin implementing electric mobility plan to achieve a goal of 40 percent electric vehicle miles traveled (VMT) by 2035 Administration, Public Works Planned Staff is collaborating with the Climate Coalition to conduct an electric mobility existing conditions study and will continue collaborating with regional entities to facilitate EV infrastructure investments. Circular Economy 1.1 Adopt an ordinance requiring organic waste subscription for all residential and commercial customers by 2022 Utilities Initiated (21-23 FP) Staff will present the ordinance to Council in Q3 2021 along with other SB 1383 prescribed/mandated ordinances. Staff are currently working with the City’s garbage service provider to confirm the City’s green waste facility has capacity for this service. Circular Economy 1.2 Develop and implement program to increase edible food rescue by 20 percent Utilities Initiated (21-23 FP) Staff are supporting the IWMA, who is leading this effort. Staff are also prepared to work with the IWMA to establish metrics. Circular Economy 1.3 Develop and implement a waste stream education program for HOA/Property Managers and the commercial sector Utilities On Hold (21-23 FP) The need for additional staffing to support this effort has been identified. Staff will re-assess the feasibility of and/or approach to development and implementation of these programs in mid-year 2022. Circular Economy 2.1 Update the Municipal Code solid waste section and bin enclosure standards Utilities Initiated (21-23 FP) Staff will present the updated Municipal Code solid waste section to Council in Q3 2021 along with other SB 1383 prescribed/mandated ordinances. Bin enclosure standards have been drafted. Circular Economy 2.2 Develop and expand funding for a Solid Waste section in the Utilities Department Utilities Completed (21-23 FP) Funding and a position were established FY 20-21. Solid Waste and Recycling Coordinator was hired January 2021. Natural Solutions 1.1 Conduct Carbon Farming Study and Pilot Project in 2021. If feasible, begin implementation by 2023 Administration Initiated (21-23 FP) Although project implementation was delayed due to COVID, staff have now contracted with Coastal San Luis Resource Conservation District to conduct initial study and pilot projects. Staff continues to review funding opportunities for ongoing implementation. Natural Solutions 2.1 Prepare the City’s first Urban Forest Master Plan by 2021 and plant and maintain 10,000 new trees by 2035 Administration, Public Works Planned (21-23 FP) Staff are currently working with a Cal Poly graduate student to prepare the Plan as a student project and will be brought before Council for adoption in 2022. As part of the 2021-23 proposed Financial Plan, funding is identified to work with ECOSLO to continue implementing the 10,000 trees initiative. Administrative Action 1 Implement Climate Action Plan with an Equity Lens All Departments Ongoing Staff are committed to integrating equity considerations into all implementation projects on an ongoing basis. CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO CLIMATE ACTION MAY 2021 2020-21 PROGRESS REPORT PAGE - 16 - Foundational Action Action Description Responsible Department Current Status Action Progress Administrative Action 2 Monitor and Report Plan Implementation Administration, All Departments Ongoing This document provides the initial implementation monitoring report. Administrative Action 3 Regularly Update the Climate Action Plan Administration Planned (21-23 FP) As part of the 2021-23 Climate Action Major City Goal, staff have identified an initial Climate Action Plan update as a work effort to be completed in late 2022 or early 2023. Administrative Action 4 Ensure Transparency by Reporting Greenhouse Gas and Climate Action Information to Public Disclosure Programs Administration Ongoing Staff have reported the 2019 Community Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory to public disclosure programs, including the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP). Administrative Action 5 Develop Mitigation Program for New Development to Illustrate Consistency with the Climate Action Plan Community Development, Administration Completed Concurrent with the Climate Action Plan, the City also adopted a GHG checklist and local thresholds of significance to ensure new development is consistent with the Climate Action Plan.