HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-17-2017 Item 1, VeiumRECEIVI:=sj
COUNCIL MEETING: JAN 18 2017
ITEM NO.:
From: Eric Veium [
Sent: Monday, January 16, 2017 10:56 PM
To: Heidi Harmon; Andy Pease
Cc: Ray Weymann; Mike Boswell; Mary Ciesinski
Subject: Re: CAP on agenda
Hi Heidi,
I am including Andy Pease on this email as she also called and requested my feedback on the recommendations
for implementation of the climate action plan and I have the same feedback for you both.
I have reviewed the staff report, the climate action plan, the climate action progress report, and energy baseline
report. I have numerous questions and lots of comments, but for now I think it best to provide you with overall
suggestions on where to go_ first.
My overall suggestions to you are to put structures in place to institutionalize climate action within the city
government. Structures create behavior!
I am happy to see the staff report suggesting a number of these structures.
1. Sustainability coordinator position (at least) - I encourage you to call this person a "Climate Action
Coordinator" instead - should report to executive - city manager / asst city manager.
2. Green Team made up of individuals from departments across the organization - Again I would focus
the name and mission away from generic "green" towards specific action on climate - There are many
efforts that are green or sustainable that have little impact on GHG reductions. This group of staff and
associated coordinator should be prioritizing and implementing opportunities that have the biggest
impacts on GHG both for the municipality and the community at -large. Have Katie make this team a
highly sought after assignment.
3. Climate Action Coalition - This is the working group / advisory board that we have been discussing.
The key question is how to structure the mission of this group and its relationship to staff and council to
empower the members and greater public to take action and make things happen.
Things not recommended that definitely need to be:
Create an ambitious goal - that the residents can relate to and get behind - 100% renewable energy by
2020, ZNE / Carbon Neutrality by 2030. As a point of reference, the entire City of San Diego legally
committed to 100% renewable energy by 2035. Structures create behavior and these goals like the 20%
bike ridership goal aligns efforts and resources.
2. Join Central Coast Power - With the County BOS off the rails, there is a small likelihood that the
County will move on Community Choice, that means that the city needs to step up and take a seat at the
table with the Central Coast Power advisory working group and be the lightt for the rest of the county to
follow. There is a meeting coming up in Santa Barbara this coming Thursday that SLO City should be
at.
1. Community choice programs are self-funded once operational (can quickly payback any
investments made) and are organizations with primary focus on economical climate action and
GHG reduction. This structure is the most powerful tool available to support SLO City in action
on climate by focusing on renewable energy, energy efficiency, and electrification of
transportation, which are all difficult for cities to impact significantly alone.
2. Another point on this - not all community choice programs are created equal. It takes thoughtful
design, strong values, and solid goals from the outset to create a leadership community choice
program. It may be best that SLO County stay out of it for the time being so as not to water
down or sabotage program leadership and design. They can always join later, but SLO Ctiy
needs to lead now.
3. Create a secure funding source -Reliance on grants alone is a recipe for low impact. Create a climate
action revolving fund that is fed from utility savings from projects. Also consider the Waste franchise
fee and Utility User's Tax as possible appropriate sources to dedicate towards climate action programs.
Get out of the general fund and get creative. Grants will also help.
4. Education and Outreach is a waste of time without compelling programs/incentives and market
offerings to transform the built environment and change behavior these efforts are time consuming and
low impact.
5. Climate Action too! Creative housing solutions, transportation mode shift, integrity in our elections,
innovation and entrepreneurship, and many other things are Climate Action too! Relate to them that
way.
I hope these suggestions are helpful.
I look forward to tomorrow's study session. Please let me know if you have any questions before then.
Best,
Eric