TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
STAFF REPORT
AGENDA ITEM #5.e
MEETING DATE April 2, 2025
PREPARED FOR Mayor and Town Council
PREPARED BY Bridget Wipfler, Climate Action Coordinator SUBJECT Receive the Climate Action Coordinator’s Compliance List
RECOMMENDATION
Receive the Climate Action Coordinator’s Compliance List.
BACKGROUND / DISCUSSION
The Climate Action Coordinator's position oversees compliance with climate-related local, state and federal regulations and implements the town's environmental goals, policies, and actions.
STATE POLICIES:
Adaptation & Resilience (SB 379-2015)
• SB 379-2015: Jurisdictions must incorporate strategies in their General Plan’s Safety Element to address wildfires, flooding, and extreme heat.
o Penalties for non-compliance: Ineligibility for state funding, legal challenges Waste Reduction and circular economy:
• Mandatory Organic Waste Recycling (SB 1383): Requires jurisdictions to reduce organic waste disposal by 75% by 2025 to cut methane emissions.
o Mandates composting programs, food recovery systems, and enforcement of waste separation.
o Penalties for non-compliance: potential fines $10,000 each day until compliance. • Plastic Reduction & Recycling (SB 54, AB 341: Cities must reduce single-use plastics and must enforce waste diversion goals (75% landfill reduction).
Development and Energy Efficiency
• California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen, Title 24) o Mandates cities enforce energy and water efficiency standards for new buildings.
Requires EV charging infrastructure, solar readiness, and stormwater management in developments.
• Renewable Energy Requirements (SB 100, SB 379-2022), and Solar Mandates): Requires 100% clean electricity by 2045.
o Requires cities to implement a solar permit streamlining process by installing SolarAPP.
Transportation
• Advanced Clean Fleet Regulations from California Air Resources Board: transitioning Fairfax’s fleet to zero-emission vehicles, including heavy duty and medium duty fleet. o (A) Starting January 1, 2024, 50% of the total vehicles purchases for the CA fleet in each calendar year must be ZEVs; and
o (B) Starting January 1, 2027, 100 percent of the total number of vehicles purchases for the California fleet in each calendar year must be ZEVs. • Vehicle Emissions & Electrification (AB 1236 & EV Charging Ordinances) o Cities must streamline permitting for electric vehicle (EV) charging stations and adopt policies that support EV infrastructure.
• SB 743 (2013) – Sustainable Transportation Planning
o Climate coordinator tasked with developing and recommending measures to reduce vehicle miles travelled (VMTs).
FAIRFAX POLICIES:
Local Muni Code:
CHAPTER 8.08: SOLID WASTE, RECYCLABLES, AND ORGANIC WASTE CHAPTER 8.16: POLYSTYRENE FOAM, DEGRADABLE AND RECYCLABLE FOOD PACKAGING CHAPTER 8.18: PLASTIC BAG REDUCTION
CHAPTER 8.19: PAPER BAG REDUCTION
CHAPTER 8.72: REUSABLE FOODWARE
CHAPTER 8.74: GASOLINE POWERED LANDSCAPE EQUIPMENT
CHAPTER 10.32: TRIP REDUCTION
CHAPTER 15.05: ALL-ELECTRIC CONSTRUCTION IN NEWLY CONSTRUCTED BUILDINGS General Plan (2010-2030): Energy Conservation and Climate Section - Develop a Climate Action Plan (CAP): Establish a Fairfax Climate Action Committee (FCAC) to create and implement a CAP, including a greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory and strategies for reducing emissions.
- Promote Sustainable Land Use: Support mixed-use zoning to reduce car dependence and encourage infill development rather than urban sprawl.
- Encourage Green Building: Implement a green building ordinance requiring energy-efficient construction and provide online resources on sustainable building practices. - Participate in Regional & Statewide Climate Initiatives: Maintain involvement in programs like Marin Energy Authority, Marin County’s GHG Reduction Plan, and national climate initiatives. - Improve Municipal Energy Efficiency: Enhance solar installations on town buildings, improve energy efficiency in public facilities, and support sustainable transportation infrastructure. - Expand Electric Vehicle (EV) Infrastructure: Install EV charging stations in the Town Center and require new developments to include electrical outlets for EV use. - Engage & Educate the Community: Promote awareness of CAP efforts through public displays, online resources, and energy-saving strategies for residents and businesses.
Climate Action Plan 2030
- Achieving Zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 (Surpassing state goals). - Energy efficiency, renewable energy adoption, transportation, waste reduction, and community engagement.
- Created by Fairfax residents, CAC members, Council members, and staff.
Climate Action Committee
- Be the liaison and collaborator with the CAC. Post agendas, meeting minutes, etc.
Electric landscape equipment rebate
- Work with Fairfax Lumber on e-landscape equipment rebates with the community.
LEVERAGED FUNDING
- Partnered with Public Works, the Marin Energy Watch Partnership, PG&E, and MCE to install five new heat pump water heaters at Town facilities at no cost to the Town. (Total value of installed units was over $34,000)
- Applied for $100,000 to add resiliency and efficiency measures to Fire Station project. - Currently monitoring and applying for grants to implement environmental and climate goals outlined in the town code and plans.