Agenda Item A.3
CPMS CONSENT CALENDAR
Meeting Date: March 19, 2024
TO: Mayor and Councilmembers
SUBMITTED BY: Robert Nisbet, City Manager
PREPARED BY: Shannon Kirn, Management Analyst
SUBJECT: Campaign for a Safe and Healthy California
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt Resolution No. 24-__ Entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Goleta, California, to Defend Health and Safety Setback Regulations and Endorse the Campaign for a Healthy and Safe California.”
BACKGROUND:
The Campaign for a Safe and Healthy California is a coalition of public health professionals, environmental justice groups, community and faith leaders, and youth joining together to stand up to Big Oil and make sure that no Californians have to endure health hazards from living just steps from dangerous oil wells. Over two million Californians live within 3,200 feet of toxic oil and gas drilling, and the majority exposed to the most toxic emissions are communities of color. Research shows that living near an oil well increases the risk of asthma, birth defects, high risk pregnancies, respiratory illnesses, and cancer, and that the risks are greatest within half a mile.
The state legislature and Governor Gavin Newson passed SB 1137 in 2022 to require oil companies to strengthen the health and safety standards of existing oil wells within 3,200 feet of homes, schools, day care centers, parks, healthcare facilities and businesses. The law also prohibits new oil drilling within the same buffer zone. However, oil and corporate interests financed a $20 million petition ca mpaign to block immediate implementation of SB 1137, placing a referendum to overturn SB 1137 on the California General Election November 2024 ballot.
DISCUSSION:
The Environmental Defense Center (EDC) is joining efforts with the Campaign for a Safe and Healthy California to defeat the referendum against SB 1137, which prohibits new toxic oil and gas drilling within 3,200 feet of homes, schools, healthcare facilities, day care centers, parks, and businesses.
1 Meeting Date: March 19, 2024
EDC is seeking endorsements from municipalities and elected officials to adopt a resolution in support of retaining the public health protections of SB 1137 . A resolution would endorse the Campaign for a Safe and Healthy California , prioritize uniting our communities to keep the health an d safety setback legislation , and defeat the 2024 attempt to overturn the legislation, which would continue to block implementation of SB 1137. A draft resolution is included for the Council’s consideration as Attachment 1.
FISCAL IMPACTS:
There is no fiscal impact associated with this item.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Council may choose not to adopt the resolution.
LEGAL REVIEW BY: Megan Garibaldi, City Attorney
APPROVED BY: Robert Nisbet, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution No. 24 -__ Entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Goleta, California, to Defend Health and Safety Setback Regulations and Endorse the Campaign for a Healthy and Safe California.”
2 ATTACHMENT 1
Resolution No. 24 -__ Entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Goleta, California, to Defend Health and Safety Setback Regulations and Endorse the Campaign for a Healthy and Safe California.”
3 RESOLUTION NO. 24-XX
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
GOLETA, CALIFORNIA, TO DEFEND HEALTH AND SAFETY
SETBACK REGULATIONS AND ENDORSE THE CAMP AIGN
FOR A HEALTHY AND SAFE CALIFORNIA
WHEREAS, research shows that living within half a mile of an oil well increases the risk of asthma, high -risk pregnancies, respiratory illnesses, and cancer; and
WHEREAS, today, nearly three million Californians are exposed to the most toxic emissions, and communities of color are disproportionately harmed the most by neighborhood drilling; and
WHEREAS, the California State Legislature passed SB 1137 in 2022 to initiate health and safety setback regulations, which prohibit new or modified oil and gas wells within 3,200 feet of homes, schools, daycare centers, parks, healthcare facilities, and businesses; and
WHEREAS, oil and corporate interests financed a $20 million petition campaign to block immediate implementation of SB 1137, placing a referendum to overturn SB 1137 on the California General Election November 2024 ballot.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF GOLETA, AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1.
The City of Goleta endorses the Campaign for a Safe and Healthy California to keep SB1137 health and safety setback legislation, joining public health leaders, environmental justice groups, community and faith leaders, and youth to stand up to Big Oil and make sure that no Californians have to endure health hazards from living just steps away from dangerous oil wells; and
SECTION 2.
The City of Goleta will prioritize uniting our communities to keep the health and safety setback legislation and defeat the 2024 attempt to overturn the legislation, which would continue to block implementation of SB 1137.
SECTION 3.
The City Clerk shall certify to the passage and adoption of this resolution and enter it into the book of original resolutions.
4 @BCL@A0145810 To Defend Health and Safety Setback Regulations and endorse the Campaign for a Healthy and Safe California
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this __ day of _____ 2024.
__________________________
PAULA PEROTTE, MAYOR
ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
_________________________ __________________________
DEBORAH S. LOPEZ MEGAN GARIBALDI
CITY CLERK CITY ATTORNEY
5 @BCL@A0145810 To Defend Health and Safety Setback Regulations and endorse the Campaign for a Healthy and Safe California
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF SANTA BARBARA ) ss.
CITY OF GOLETA )
I, DEBORAH S. LOPEZ, City Clerk of the City of Goleta, California, DO HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Resolution No. 24-_ _ was duly adopted by the City Council of the City of Goleta at a regular meeting held on the ___ day of ______, 2024 by the following vote of the Council:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
(SEAL)
_________________________
DEBORAH S. LOPEZ
CITY CLERK
6