Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout4/16/2019 Item 13, Veium From:Eric Veium < To:E-mail Council Website Cc:Hill, Robert; Read, Chris Subject:SLO Climate Coalition - Comments to Council for FY19-21 Budget Attachments:SLO Climate Coalition - Comments to Council for FY19-21 Budget.pdf; 2019 SLO Climate Coalition Work Plan.pdf Honorable Mayor and Council Members, On behalf of the SLO Climate Coalition Task Force and membership, please see attached comments and associated coalition work plan. Please let me know if you have any questions. Highest regards, Eric Eric Veium Chair SLO Climate Coalition (805) 835-3669 eric@carbonfreeslo.org To help protect your privacy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet. 1 Comments to Council - FY19-21 Budget Honorable Mayor and Council Members: As we all know as a community and as individuals, climate change is the principal liability of our time. While $150 million in unfunded pension obligations seems daunting and disastrous if not addressed, it is discrete, tangible, and seemingly manageable, so you take action at the scale and pace necessary to resolve it. The difficulty for us of climate change is our abstract relation to it, its global cause, and its uncertain actuarial risk. However difficult it is for us as a community or you as our council to quantify or comprehend, the liability of climate change remains, its scale dwarfs that of our pension obligations, and as those in, Paradice, Montecito, and elsewhere can attest - the debt is coming due. All of that is said to presence you to this budget being an expression of our community’s values and priorities. For us to in any way honor our espoused commitment to fiscal responsibility we must invest in climate action, adaptation, and resiliency at a scale and pace that at minimum meets that of our pension obligations. In this budget, new investments in climate action are 28 times and $11.5 million smaller than those of fiscal responsibility. For the sake of our community, this gap in our perception of threat and priority must be closed and our budgets reimagined to reflect the weight of our reality. As a first principle of this reimagining, climate action, adaptation, and resiliency must become deeply integrated and embedded into all aspects of our community’s planning efforts, buildings, new and existing, and operations, municipal and domestic. We would like to acknowledge and thank your Office of Sustainability and Green Team staff for navigating within the constraints of this existing framework and for developing a very thoughtful and thorough work plan and associated budget. We recognize that this work plan as proposed will strain their existing staff capacity and that additional professional staff resources are required to expand the work plan any further. We request that your council in this budget and the next prioritize definition and development of new staff capacity across the organization at a scale adequate to the work that is required. We are also grateful for your council’s support for the expansion of the SLO Green Business Network and request that you budget for long-term ongoing support of this program. Recognizing the constraints we face as a city, the SLO Climate Coalition has been working faithfully in partnership with your staff and council growing towards its mission to leverage community creativity, expertise, and resources to multiply San Luis Obispo’s efforts to become carbon free. In this last year, we have established the coalition, seated a ten person task force, built eight action teams, hosted nearly thirty coalition meetings, averaging 39 participants, and convened dozens of ad-hoc action team meetings. Within that time, our online collaboration space, Slack, has grown to over 100 users and has registered nearly 9000 messages shared within groups and between individuals. We are currently developing a process to track the number of person-hours contributed to supporting the city and the region in our mission, but estimate it to easily be in the thousands. In terms of accomplishment, over that same period, we have effectively advocated for adoption of San Luis Obispo’s nation-leading carbon neutral by 2035 goal, supported adoption of Community Choice Energy (CCE) in SLO and Morro Bay, supported on-going expansion of CCE across the region, won a $24k ReLeaf grant that will not only grow our urban forest but will also grow community capacity in the area of carbon sequestration, participated in numerous outreach events as well as co-producing the upcoming Climate Solutions kick-off event on April 30, and supported your staff and council members in as many ways as possible. Attached is the SLO Climate Coalition’s 2019 Work Plan to demonstrate the depth of our commitment to our common mission. This year, our stretch goal is to increase coalition participation 10-fold. In support of our continued growth and acceleration of our carbon neutrality by 2035, the SLO Climate Coalition is requesting a number of Additions to the Climate Action Major City Goal Budget: 1.Restore and increase City of San Luis Obispo’s general financial support of the SLO Climate Coalition to $10k per year. 2.Direct City Manager and Office of Sustainability Staff to work with SLO Climate Coalition to perform necessary due diligence and allocate up to $75k per year in City funding for development and implementation of an innovative block-by-block neighborhood scale community engagement program, such as Cool Block.* 3.Direct the City Manager, Office of Sustainability Staff, and Public Works Staff to work with the SLO Climate Coalition to fund initial study and development required to create a Carbon Free SLO Swim Center as a CIP in the next budget cycle.** Thank you so much to your council and staff for your leadership and your openness to creativity, experimentation, and deep collaboration with your community. Together, we have created a remarkably high performing partnership that will generate significant benefits for our community now and for generations to come. I will be available throughout the day and during this evening’s budget item to answer any questions. Highest regards, Eric Veium Chair SLO Climate Coalition eric@carbonfreeslo.org 805.835.3669 Attachments: SLO Climate Coalition 2019 Work Plan * Please see correspondence from David Gershon, CEO of Empowerment Institute regarding Cool Block program **There is an immediately available business case with short term ROI to create a carbon free SLO Swim Center by using a performance contracting approach that will leverage outside capital and O&M, on-site solar PV (already in process), carbon free electricity from Monterey Bay Community Power, and commercially available and cost effective technologies including Solar Thermal Pool Heating and/or Electric Heat-Pump Water Heating and an advanced variable flow controls upgrade. SLO Climate Coalition Work Plan Term: January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 City led Initiatives 1.Assist SLO City staff in developing and adopting a Climate Action Plan  2.Assist SLO City staff in designing and implementing outreach for the Climate  Action Plan, including designing, organizing, and promoting the SLO Climate  Solutions series  3.Assist City in developing some form of community climate commitment.   SLO Climate Coalition Work Plan Term: January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 Organizational Development:  Strategic Priority 1​: Design and implement the most effective organizational structure to  support our ambitious goals  1.Add two seats to Task Force to align with our 5 pillars and action teams.  2.Formally define action team structure and fill action team leads and deputies.  3.Modify meeting structure to most effectively make use of volunteer time and to  focus on the action in climate action.  4.Implement one on one meetings between chair and vice chair, between chair or  vice-chair and action team leads, and between chair and vice chair and city  liaisons.  5.Fill administrative coordinator role.  6.Develop intern program.  7.Review fiscal sponsorship arrangement. Define needs of fiscal sponsor and review  current relationship and possibly change if needed.    Strategic Priority 2​: Standardize processes and templates for continued, repeated  activities across action teams to improve effectiveness and brand awareness. Example,  event planning, press releases.  1.Implement consulting roles in support of action teams  2.Develop templates for communication    Strategic Priority 3:​ Land and expand. Develop plan to expand our reach and focus.  1.Propose a structure to support county-wide involvement especially as it relates to  CCE membership.  2.Develop a plan to include adaptation and resilience in our work.  3.Develop Climate Leadership Program (idea regarding county wide involvement and  process to plug in new volunteers).    SLO Climate Coalition Work Plan Term: January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 Outreach: Primary Priority​:   Engage and excite the community to accelerate progress toward carbon neutrality  Actions: (applicable to all strategic priorities as well)  1.Update and maintain a current and relevant website with a blog to keep the public  informed and engaged with our events and priorities such as our main pillars of  action, our accomplishments and our struggles.  2.Update and maintain current and relevant social media outlets: Facebook, Twitter,  Instagram and Youtube  3.Update and maintain a current and relevant calendar of events.  4.Expose and promote our programs and goals at festivals, markets, and events  such as the Climate Solutions Series, Earth Day, Drive Electric Week, Farmers  Markets, etc.  5.Create and distribute print materials for businesses, developers, community  leaders, and the general public.  6.Create and distribute informational videos and podcasts for decarbonization pillars,  upcoming events, programs, and incentives.  Strategic Priority 1​: Help recruit new municipalities and prepare the community for  MBCP CCE  1.Design and distribute informational items for residents and businesses to enable a  knowledgeable public regarding CCE and CAP adoption.  Strategic Priority 2​: Grow the coalition with new individual and organizational members  1.Collect email addresses at events, website and elsewhere  2.Sign up interested people and get them to meetings  Strategic Priority 3​: Gain exposure nationally and internationally for our efforts to  become carbon free  1.Write press releases and network with thought leaders and environmental press to  have them write stories about our efforts.   SLO Climate Coalition Work Plan Term: January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 Community Engagement   Strategic Priority 1​: ​Broaden the coalition and promote SLO City goals by establishing  partnerships with businesses, nonprofits, and community organizations.  1.Finalize SLO Climate Coalition Member Agreement   2.Work with Outreach team on materials to provide to potential members  3.Develop procedure and outreach plan to potential members with Community Engagement  team and SLO Green Businesses, facilitate connections and track progress  4.Partner with Community Outreach team to build engagement through events/markets/etc.  5.Increase visibility and awareness of the coalition and further the relationships with  Members and Potential Members by attending their events/meetings    Strategic Priority 2​: Build an Advisory Board.  1.Draft Advisory Board Member Agreement  2.Develop general list of diverse fields to include in Board  3.Gather list of current Advisors/Mentors/Leaders from the Action Team leads and Task  Force. Take recommendations from Climate Coalition.   4.Reach out to prospective Advisory Board members in partnership with Task Force Chair  and Vice-Chair  5.Organize quarterly (?) meetings with Task Force and Advisory Board     Strategic Priority 3​: Create Process to greet and plug in new volunteers at public  meetings.  1.Develop volunteer needs alongside Action Committee Leads  2.Create action/connection intake card for new attendees to fill out at meetings   3.Build Community Engagement team and designate member(s) to lead outreach at  meetings  4.Distribute sign ups and info to Action Team Leads to facilitate connections  SLO Climate Coalition Work Plan Term: January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 Decarbonize Transportation: Strategic Priority 1​: Promote Electric Vehicle use in San Luis Obispo  1.Outreach to workplaces with 100+ employees about installing EV chargers.  2.Collaborate with the Community Environmental Council to expand  ElectricDrive805.org (a web-based clearinghouse of EV-related information and  resources) to include resources, events, and news items specific to SLO County.  3.Work with the City, businesses, green organizations, and auto dealers to promote  EVs through educational workshops, presentations, social media, and special  events, including National Drive Electric Week.  Strategic Priority 2​: Assist City Staff to plan and implement carbon-free transportation  policies and activities  1.Update EV charging station inventory and include locations already in planning  stage.  2.Strengthen public policy by revising and updating building codes to facilitate EV  charging in all new buildings and work with developers to comply with building  codes.  3.Assist City and consultants with Transportation section of the Climate Action Plan  Strategic Priority 3​: Expand promotional and advocacy actions to include other forms of  carbon-free transportation modes  1.Establish liaison with Active Transportation Committee and Bike SLO County  2.Recruit new team members to engage in this Strategic Priority SLO Climate Coalition Work Plan Term: January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 Carbon Free Electricity (Community Choice Energy)   Strategic Priority 1​: Participate in MBCP  1.Seat member of the SLO Climate Coalition to the MBCP Community Advisory Committee.  2.Monitor agendas and prioritize issues. Develop, organize, and advocate for our positions.  3.Empower and support our Policy Board, Operations Board, and Community Advisory  Committee Directors to advance our priorities  4.Establish and grow relationships in MBCP ecosystem in order to increase credibility and  effectiveness of advocacy.  5.Organize activities with future members from the SLO area to enhance effectiveness  Strategic Priority 2​: Maximize decarbonization & local benefits from membership in  MBCP  1.Build and engage a broader climate coalition including business, labor, social orgs, and  environ orgs.  2.Support launch of MBCP in SLO and Morro Bay.  3.Create local development business plan to identify and prioritize opportunities  4.Increase Climate Coalition organizational resources  5.Identify and leverage existing programs and resources  6.Advocate in MBCP for new energy programs that address SLO needs.  Strategic Priority 3​: Expand CCE in SLO County and Northern SB County  1.Advocate for and support the cities of Arroyo Grande, Atascadero, Grover Beach, Pismo  Beach, Paso Robles, and the county of SLO to join MBCP in 2019 for launch in 2021.  2.Support MBCP’s outreach efforts to SLO County and the various cities  3.Explore including Northern Santa Barbara County---Santa Maria and Guadalupe in MBCP  in 2019 for Launch in 2021.  4.Advocate for MBCP to commit to rebranding MBCP to Central Coast Community Energy  (CCCE) for the 2021 launch.  5.Advocate for MBCP to create local office and staffing.    SLO Climate Coalition Work Plan Term: January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 Natural Climate Solutions   Strategic Priority 1​: If executed, meet 2019 ReLeaf Grant Contract commitments.  1.Plant 120 urban street trees by December 31, 2019.  2.Water and maintain planted trees to ensure a mortality rate no greater than 35%.  3.Provide quarterly progress reports to CA ReLeaf.    Strategic Priority 2​: Build ​SLO Tree Friends​ as an independent, sustainable organization.  1.Build the ​SLO Tree Friends​ brand via social media, yard signage and tree placards,  community events, and engaging volunteer experiences.  2.Build initial team of long-term support volunteers, dedicated to ​SLO Tree Friends​.  3.Build communication and volunteer organization infrastructure: software,  processes, roles, training and documentation.  4.Finance:  a.Apply for grants to fund ongoing tree planting and community building  events.  b.Build financial structure to manage donations.  c.Determine how ​SLO Tree Friends​ can be funded to meet the environmental  services needs of local governments.    Strategic Priority 3​: Build data driven GHG mitigation targets and associated high level  action plans to meet 2035 net-zero goal.  1.Prioritize the cost/benefit of potential natural climate solutions.  2.Estimate yearly and quarterly carbon sequestration targets through 2035.  3.Explore and apply for grants to fund proposed solutions.  4.Evaluate and make recommendations to integrate carbon sequestration and  negative emissions with greenhouse gas inventory spreadsheet.    SLO Climate Coalition Work Plan Term: January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 Building Decarbonization: Strategic Priority 1​: Support the city in investigating and crafting building reach codes  to intercept the 2019 building code updates. Such reach codes should encourage the  adoption of all-electric homes.  1.Identify and engage organizations that can provide resources and support to the city  effort. (targets include: ​CA Energy Commission, NRDC, Sierra Club, TRC, DNV GL,  BayREN, 3CREN, etc). Leverage these organizations for cost effectiveness studies, model  reach code language, carbon offset programs and other best practices deployed or in  development across the state of CA.  2.Identify other municipalities in CA targeting similar efforts to optimize resources and share  best practices.  3.Work with city to engage and educate building and planning departments and prepare for  outreach to interested parties. Strategic Priority 2​: Engage local developers and trades to encourage the support the  electrification of space heating, water heating, dryers and cooking appliances.   1.Leverage existing developer agreements to engage San Luis Ranch and Avila Ranch  projects to implement and promote all-electric development for SFH and MF buildings​.  2.Coordinate communications with developers with Bob Hill, Michael Codron and other city  representatives..  3.Build awareness and training programs targeting builders, contractors, suppliers, and  service companies to ensure the supply chain is ready and supportive to recommend,  design, sell, install and service all-electric appliances in home and multi-family  applications.  Strategic Priority 3​: Drive plans for community awareness and preference for all-electric  homes and the decarbonication reach codes.  1.Craft marketing documentation to help drive awareness and preference within the  community for all-electric designs (ie, FAQs, web links for case studies, relevant articles,  etc). Include information on up-front costs, lifetime costs, comfort and other benefits  related to adoption and use of electric appliances.  2.Prepare briefings and position statements to support press awareness and understanding  of key issues in advance of council meetings, study sessions and other reach code related  activities  3.Engage suppliers, local retailers, professional chefs and interested home-chefs with  information and events to highlight the benefits and ease of induction cooking.   SLO Climate Coalition Work Plan Term: January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019   Zero Waste: 1.Fill newly created Zero Waste task force member and deputy positions.  2.Develop strategic priorities and work plan for Zero Waste Action Team.