CITY COUNCIL SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE MEETING
Remote Participation – Digital Zoom Meeting
March 13, 2023
5:30 p.m.
MEETING MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER: Meeting called to order at 5:30 p.m. by Chair Márquez.
ROLL CALL:
Members:
Present
▪ Elisa Márquez /CSC Chair
▪ Angela Andrews, Council Member
▪ Julie Roche, Council Member
Staff:
▪ Alex Ameri, Director of Public Works
▪ Dustin Claussen, Assistant City Manager
▪ Erik Pearson, Environmental Services Manager
▪ Elisa Wilfong, WPSC Administrator
▪ Nicole Grucky, Sustainability Specialist
▪ Leigha Schmidt, Principal Planner
▪ Sierra Cannon, Climate Corps Fellow
▪ Linda Ko, Senior Secretary (Meeting Recorder)
PUBLIC COMMENTS
There were no public comments.
1. Election of the Chair
Council Member (CM) Andrews nominated CM Márquez as Chair, seconded by CM Roche; approved unanimously.
2. Approval of Minutes from the Council Sustainability Committee (CSC) Meeting Held on October 6, 2022
3. Approval of Minutes from the Council Sustainability Committee (CSC) Meeting on November 14, 2022
Chair Márquez moved items 2 and 3; items approved unanimously.
4. Climate Action Plan - Draft Survey with Proposed Policies and Programs - Information and Discussion
(Item moved up from #5 to #4)
Nicole Grucky, Sustainability Specialist, presented the informational report on the Climate Action Plan.
Public Comments
There were no public comments.
Committee Comments
CM Andrews expressed support for the survey but would like to see different terminology used in the response options, specifically not using “Do not Support” or anything that sounds negative and final. Erik Pearson, Environmental Services Manager, advised that responses can be revisited and revised.
CM Roche likes the idea of businesses creating a Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Plan but asked how tracking would be completed and what is the end goal expected; will the end goal justify the added staff time and other resources needed to implement ordinances? Mr. Pearson confirmed that it would take additional staff time to track programs and he would look into the ability to provide program information to the City via the business license process and other existing mechanisms. Mr. Pearson reiterated the goal of the program being to confirm that businesses do have some type of program in place to reduce single occupancy car use and for staff to collect that information and be able to assist in expanding their program, when possible.
CM Andrews asked to look into alternatives to shuttle services that would take residents and visitors from the BART stations to industrial areas, shopping centers and the Downtown.
She also asked that tree planting proactively focus on areas in need versus waiting for requests to be received from the public. Ms. Grucky advised that an existing action item is to assess canopy coverage. Once that study is completed, staff will be able to prioritize areas with greater needs to ensure the City is being equitable.
Chair Márquez thanked staff for their public outreach, being receptive to feedback and implementing that into the proposed actions. She feels staff is and has properly engaged the community. She asked if the feedback provided by the Committee was sufficient to move forward. Ms. Grucky requested confirmation on how the action items should be presented for ranking to Council; as Action Items or by Sector. The CSC confirmed that presenting by Sector makes more sense, and requested Council be given at least ten days to complete the survey due to competing priorities.
5. Options for Spending Energy Efficiency & Conservation Block Grant Funds - Information and Discussion
(Item moved from #6 to #5)
Erik Pearson, Environmental Services Manager, presented this informational report.
Public Comments
There were no public comments.
Committee Comments
CM Andrews clarified if the goal was to reduce as much emissions as possible and asked staff which actions would have the greatest effects. Mr. Pearson advised that the street lighting and retrofitting of existing buildings would provide long-term benefits, and that the goal is not just to reduce emissions but to follow the Department of Energy’s suggestion to create project(s) that obtain long-term effects and benefit disadvantaged communities.
Taking this into consideration, CM Andrews advised her preferences would be Project 3, Streetlight Conversation to LEDs and Project 4, EV charging at City Facilities; however, she would like to see this expanded to add EV charging stations for public use at other locations throughout the City and not just the Downtown and surrounding areas. She asked if on- street charging could be considered, to which Mr. Pearson advised that it is difficult due to equipment placement and locating property the City has control of is challenging, but he would research further.
CM Andrews asked if battery storage was included in Project 5 for solar projects or EV charging stations. Mr. Pearson confirmed that battery storage can be included in solar projects, but there are no specific solar projects working at this time. He did note that most solar projects being proposed do include battery storage.
CM Roche asked if we could partner with other agencies, such as Block Power and EBCE to complete the existing building retrofits, since the City has already had those discussions, versus using this funding. Mr. Pearson advised that the existing roadmap would provide for approximately $200,000 towards charging stations and will partner with agencies like EBCE and BayREN; however, those funds would be depleted with the install of two EV charging stations.
CM Roche asked if Project 2, Existing Home Electrification Roadmap would help us meet our long-term goal. Chair Márquez asked if partnering with Habitat for Humanity would allow for screening to electrify homes for families with existing medical conditions. Not violating HIPPA, would we be able to identify families with medical needs. Mr. Pearson advised that Habitat for Humanity already has homeowners that have been vetted in their queue. In addition, staff would investigate further the possibility of working with the local health community to identify candidates. Chair Márquez was very interested in this option.
Chair Márquez asked for additional EV chargers to be installed in the basement garage at City Hall and to ensure the existing chargers are always functioning correctly.
Mr. Pearson asked for specific direction from the CIC on the projects to present to Council.
The CIC recommended Project 2, Existing Home Electrification Roadmap (priority), and Project 3, Streetlight Conversion to LEDs, be presented to Council for their consideration.
6. Draft Hazards Element Update - Information and Discussion (Item moved from #3 to #6)
Erik Pearson, Environmental Services Manager, presented this report.
Public Comments
There were no public comments.
Committee Comments
CM Andrews asked if the City could partner with CalTrans for any interchange projects.
Director Ameri advised that Caltrans currently has four interchange projects that all have environmental best practices in place such as installation of bike and pedestrian access, tree trimming and trash capture devices. Director Ameri also advised of a trash capture device being installed at Tennyson Avenue in conjunction with Caltrans.
CM Roche asked about future plans to plant additional trees. She is concerned with residential areas near freeways and roadways where particles are kicked-up constantly into the air and cause additional concerns to residents with respiratory concerns. Director Ameri took note of her concerns and advised he would research further.
CM Roche also asked to continue to implement the Recycled Water Program to keep the City resilient during drought situations. Director Ameri updated the Committee of the success of Phase I of the Recycled Water Program that has been providing service to thirty industrial customers since March 2022. Due to inquiries from customers interested in recycled water for industrial cooling use, the City is working to expand the plan to implement Phase 2 and will also work to create a detailed Recycled Water Master Plan. The City is looking into expanding treatment capacity, distribution pipelines and pumping.
CM Roche asked to confirm that staff worked with the Fire Department and used Zonehaven as a tool for traffic reporting during emergency evacuations. Leigh Schmidt, Principal Planner, confirmed Zonehaven was used as a basis in coordination with the Fire and Police Departments. She explained that Zonehaven is an app that provides traffic information during emergency response situations.
Chair Márquez thanked staff for their comprehensive response to Save the Bay and for including it in the Plan. She asked if any responses had been received. Mr. Pearson said he had not received a response but would contact them. She also expressed her concern for hillside road evacuations and asked if access points have been reviewed. Director Ameri explained that Public Works is working with the Fire Department to allow access to the closed end of Highland Blvd within the next twelve months.
7. Stormwater Ordinance Amendments Related to Municipal Regional (Stormwater) Permit-MRP 3.0 - Discussion and Recommendation to Council
Elisa Wilfong, WSC Administrator, presented the report.
Public Comments
There were no public comments.
Committee Comments
CM Andrews asked if areas of high trash reporting can be targeted and assessed for trash capture needs. Ms. Wilfong confirmed that yes, the WPSC already has a robust inspection program, they do target areas that they receive complaints, and this program will further assist in addressing the needs of those high priority areas.
CM Roche asked if the vacant site where Kmart was located already has trash capture device installed. Ms. Wilfong advised that she is not aware of one currently, but staff will be assessing that site.
The item was moved by CM Roche and seconded by CM Andrews and approved unanimously, for recommendation to Council.
8. Proposed 2023 Agenda Planning Calendar
Mr. Pearson introduced the Go Green Initiative to the Committee, advised of discussions with HARD to host a compost giveaway at the Hayward Community Gardens, and other topics that will be returned to the CSC.
Chair Márquez asked that an annual report on EBCE be brought to the Committee to update on work completed within that last year. CM Andrews asked staff to please look at condiment packets that are being distributed with takeout orders; she asked that business be reminded that they should be added by request only and not automatically.
COMMITTEE MEMBER/STAFF ANNOUNCEMENTS AND REFERRALS:
Mr. Pearson shared preliminary plans to add a transformer and EV chargers to the Cinema Parking Structure that will allow for up to twelve EV vehicles to charge at once.
Mr. Pearson advised that the new WMAC agreement went into effect March 1 with replacement of carts to be completed within eight weeks, with outdated carts being recycled.
He also announced that the July CIC meeting will be rescheduled to June due to Council Recess.
ADJOURNMENT: 7:12 p.m.
MEETINGS
Attendance Present
03/14/23
Meeting
Present
to Date This
Fiscal Year
Excused
to Date This
Fiscal Year
Absent
to Date This
Fiscal Year
Elisa Márquez ✓ 2 0 0
Angela Andrews ✓ 1 0 0
Julie Roche ✓ 1 0 0