AGENDA ITEM #9
TOWN OF FAIRFAX
STAFF REPORT
April 6, 2022
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: Sean Youra, Climate Action Coordinator
SUBJECT: Receive Climate Action Status Update Report
__________________________________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDATION
Receive report.
BACKGROUND
At its July 7, 2021 meeting, the Council adopted Resolution 21-26 to adopt the Fairfax Climate Action Plan 20301. Resolution 21-26 directed staff and the Climate Action Committee (CAC) to implement the Climate Action Plan (CAP).
To support implementation of the CAP and monitor progress in achieving the Town’s emission reduction goals, the position of Climate Action Coordinator was approved by Council as part of the FY 2021-2022 budget.
DISCUSSION
Since starting on February 14, 2022, the Climate Action Coordinator has been working on several items to understand where the Town is at in terms of CAP implementation and has begun to support implementation of some of the measures in the CAP. These items include:
• Promoting the Ride and Drive Clean Marin Campaign through the Town’s newsletter, social media, and website. The campaign’s purpose is to educate the public about electric vehicles (EVs) and E-bikes through webinars and EV/E-bike shows with the goal of increasing EV adoption.
• Attended a meeting hosted by R3 Consulting Group and discussing with consultants where the Town is at in terms of implementation and compliance with SB 1383, Shortlived Climate Pollutants: Organic Waste Reductions. Developed a short-term action item list to ensure compliance with SB 1383 and currently working through the list including sending edible food recovery letters to all food generators in Fairfax to provide information about SB 1383 and what they need to do to be compliant, as well as preparing a compliance report for CalRecycle.
• Developing a CAP prioritization strategy that: 1) incorporates measures from the CAP that can achieve the greatest greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions; 2)
1 Resolution 21-26 and CAP: https://storage.googleapis.com/proudcity/fairfaxca/uploads/2021/07/Item-8-Reso-adoptCAP.pdf 2 incorporates Council priorities, CAC priorities from their Annual Action Plan, community priorities, and County and State priorities; and 3) incorporates available funding and technical feasibility for proposed actions. Met with CAC and Council members to better understand their priorities and overall vision for Fairfax over the course of several oneon-one meetings. • Developing a climate action funding spreadsheet to identify funding opportunities for measures in the CAP and track any associated deadlines to ensure these opportunities aren’t missed. Discussed fleet electrification and EV charging infrastructure funding opportunities with representatives from Transportation Authority of Marin (TAM) and Marin Clean Energy (MCE).
• Reviewed the draft Marin Countywide EV Acceleration Plan and provided initial feedback to members of Marin Climate & Energy Partnership (MCEP). The goal is to eventually get each jurisdiction in the County to adopt the Plan after receiving feedback from the CACs and public.
• Joined the Green Building Steering Committee to assist with outreach and engagement regarding 2022 cross-jurisdictional reach code development and implementation. Trying to get more youth representation and advocacy for Green Building-related ordinances and electrification of buildings.
• Attended Council Strategic Planning Workshop to offer expertise and input on CAP implementation strategies to achieve 2030 decarbonization. • Wrote a staff report on considerations for prohibiting gas-powered landscape equipment, which is an identified Measure in the CAP.
Proposed next steps for CAP implementation:
• Develop a fleet electrification strategy including the possibility of partnering with San Anselmo on a joint fleet management program.
• As part of the CAP prioritization strategy, identify what actions have been taken that relate to measures in the CAP and the relative percentage completion of each measure. This will provide a baseline of where the Town is at with CAP implementation and inform what actions should be taken to achieve the emissions reduction goals in the CAP. Will also review climate adaptation strategies already implemented and determine where vulnerabilities still exist.
• Work with the CAC to finalize their workplans for 2022-23 and post it to the Town website. • Continue working with R3 Consulting Group and Marin Sanitary Service on SB 1383 implementation, which will include education and outreach activities to the community. • Continue to identify funding opportunities for climate action including the possibility of creating a Climate Action Fund, and begin applying to any with upcoming deadlines. • Work with Town staff and vendors on the procurement and installation of EV chargers that will be used to charge fleet vehicles including the Police Department’s acquisition of a 2022 Ford Mach-E EV.
• Develop an EV strategic plan using the Marin Countywide EV Acceleration Plan as guidance.
3 • Work with MCEP and regional partners on CAP implementation and community outreach. • Work with the Green Building Steering Committee, CAC, and staff to develop updated building and energy codes that help decarbonize buildings, and engage the community in these efforts.
• Work with consultants, staff, and the CAC on ensuring Town facilities are sustainable and resilient in the face of worsening climate impacts and can provide critical services during times of emergency.
• Provide updates to the Council, Town Manager, and CAC on climate action progress. Will also work on providing updates and information to the community via the Town newsletter, website, and social media, as well as engaging the community through surveys and other means to understand their priorities and concerns for proposed climate mitigation and adaptation measures.
FISCAL IMPACT
None
ATTACHMENTS
None