SPECIAL TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
STAFF REPORT
SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA ITEM #1
MEETING DATE July 22, 2026
PREPARED FOR Mayor and Town Council
PREPARED BY Janabai Owens, Deputy Clerk
SUBJECT Interview and consider appointment of applicant to the Climate Action Committee
RECOMMENDATION
Interview and consider appointment of applicant Courtney Richardson for the Climate Action Committee to fill a vacant term to July 2028.
DISCUSSION
There are currently three (3) vacancies for the Climate Action Committee, each with a term of two (2) years. There is one applicant for the position, Fairfax resident Courtney Richardson, who has attended Climate Action Committee meeting(s) recently.
The Climate Action Committee (“CAC”) was established to implement the Climate Action Plan, adopted by the Town Council on February 5, 2014. Its mission is to mitigate the production of greenhouse gases and compile existing and potential strategies to address climate change. Initially it was a subcommittee of the General Plan Implementation Committee (“GPIC”); in July 2015, CAC was established as a separate Town Committee.
CAC develops an annual action plan as well as any recommended amendments to the Climate Action Plan. In addition, the committee keeps a scorecard to track greenhouse gas reduction actions taken.
ATTACHMENTS
Courtney Richardson Application (Redacted)
Apply to join a board or commission
Date Submitted:
06/16/2026
Please select the board/committee/commission to which you are applying:
o X Climate Action Committee
o Community Emergency Preparedness Committee
o Marin Commission on Aging Representative
o Measure F Oversight Committee
o Open Space Committee ("FOSC")
o Planning Commission
o Parks and Recreation Commission
o Tree Committee
Name
Courtney Richardson
Address
(redacted)
Phone
(redacted)
Email
[email protected]
Please explain your interest in serving on this Board, Commission, or Committee I have a 20+ year career path which has served sustainability and supported climate action. I’d like to get involved in my community and support at a local level as well.
Please describe your relevant work/life experience or background for the board/commission you are applying for
I have a background in engineering and have worked in relevant fields over 20 years supporting sustainability. I kicked off my career building PV system, Fuel Cell systems and energy efficiently programs for Kaiser Permanente. I started Tesla’s first Energy Management Program at the Fremont Factory and help build the same program across other factories globally. I currently work for a Fusion Energy company solving for commercial firm, clean low cost power.
What is your vision for the Town of Fairfax?
I’d like to see more opportunities for residents to learn about ways they can upgrade their home and become more efficient. It would be great if our city owned facilities could set an example for what the built environment should look like. A bi-directional microgrid at the Pavillion serving electrical demand during normal operation and supporting a facilities emergency load during utility failure could also be used for educational purposes.
Electrification and smart appliances at these facilities can also serve for educational purposes. A Robust garden with a grey water or rain water recapture system can also be an educational marker. These facilities can have placards or digital meters keeping track of NG, kWh, GPM and dollars saved.
Please describe possible areas of conflict of interest.
None - not involved in other town or county committees.
CAC Meeting Attended
06/16/2026
Courtney Richardson
* I understand that the completed application will become a public record upon submittal to the Town.