“Note: This PowerPoint presentation is
intended solely as a visual aid to an oral
staff presentation of an agenda report topic.
In the event of any differences between the
presentation and the agenda report, the
information in the agenda report prevails.”
SUSTAINABILITY TASK FORCE (STF)
ROLE & FUTURE
FEBRUARY 15, 2022
2CITY OF
MANHATTAN BEACH
“Note: This PowerPoint presentation is
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presentation of an agenda report topic. In
the event of any differences between the
presentation and the agenda report, the
information in the agenda report prevails.”
• City has had three ad hoc
environmental/sustainability task
forces.
• Formed in 2008, 2011, and 2018;
not continuous.
• November 16, 2021 - City Council
requested to place a future
agenda for discussion the STF’s
role and future and whether the
STF should be a formal
commission.
BACKGROUND
SUSTAINABILITY TASK FORCE FEBRUARY 15, 2022
3CITY OF
MANHATTAN BEACH
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presentation of an agenda report topic. In
the event of any differences between the
presentation and the agenda report, the
information in the agenda report prevails.”
• January 2018 City Council Study Session
• Unanimously approved Environmental Work Plan &
establishing environmental task force
• February-March 2018
• Developed task force framework including
purpose, composition, roles, duties, and procedures
• STF opportunity promoted widely in the community
• Application
• demonstrated expertise, education, or volunteer
experience in at least one of the key sustainability areas listed in the application
BACKGROUND- 2018 STF
SUSTAINABILITY TASK FORCE FEBRUARY 15, 2022
4CITY OF
MANHATTAN BEACH
“Note: This PowerPoint presentation is
intended solely as a visual aid to an oral staff
presentation of an agenda report topic. In
the event of any differences between the
presentation and the agenda report, the
information in the agenda report prevails.”
• April 2018 - City Council:
• Unanimously approved and formed current
Sustainability Task Force (STF)
• Purpose: technical working group to assist with
launching and implementing policies and
programs in the City’s Environmental Work Plan
• STF members asked to serve the City initial term of 12 months with possibility to extend service
BACKGROUND – 2018 STF
SUSTAINABILITY TASK FORCE FEBRUARY 15, 2022
5CITY OF
MANHATTAN BEACH
“Note: This PowerPoint presentation is
intended solely as a visual aid to an oral staff
presentation of an agenda report topic. In
the event of any differences between the
presentation and the agenda report, the
information in the agenda report prevails.”
• April 20, 2018 - First STF meeting
• Meetings typically held monthly
• Meetings became less frequent in 2020
• During the COVID-19 pandemic:
• 3 members moved away; one stepped down
• City has not issued another call for applications
for new or renewed STF members
BACKGROUND – 2018 STF
SUSTAINABILITY TASK FORCE FEBRUARY 15, 2022
6CITY OF
MANHATTAN BEACH
“Note: This PowerPoint presentation is
intended solely as a visual aid to an oral staff
presentation of an agenda report topic. In
the event of any differences between the
presentation and the agenda report, the
information in the agenda report prevails.”
• Information about formal bodies appointed
by the City Council
• Description of how the existing STF differs
from a formal body
• Purpose of a formal body for sustainability
principles
• Examples of sustainability bodies in other
communities
DISCUSSION
SUSTAINABILITY TASK FORCE FEBRUARY 15, 2022
7CITY OF
MANHATTAN BEACH
“Note: This PowerPoint presentation is
intended solely as a visual aid to an oral staff
presentation of an agenda report topic. In
the event of any differences between the
presentation and the agenda report, the
information in the agenda report prevails.”
Commissions, Board, and Committees
• Section 2.44.010 of MB Municipal Code:
• Boards and Commissions are permanent and
have powers and duties established by resolution.
• Certain temporary ad hoc committees may be
created by resolution.
• A quorum is required to transact business.
• City staff as secretary, supports administrative duties of the body, including agenda preparation, agenda
materials, and meeting arrangements.
DISCUSSION - COMMISSIONS
SUSTAINABILITY TASK FORCE FEBRUARY 15, 2022
8CITY OF
MANHATTAN BEACH
“Note: This PowerPoint presentation is
intended solely as a visual aid to an oral staff
presentation of an agenda report topic. In
the event of any differences between the
presentation and the agenda report, the
information in the agenda report prevails.”
Planning Commission, Parking and Public Improvements
Commission, and Board of Building Appeals:
• Respond to applications or requests initiated by
private parties or community members.
• Authority to make decisions or formal
recommendations on many types of actions, with those
decisions appealable to a higher body, such as the
City Council.
• Supported by the same staff that evaluate the
applications or requests.
DISCUSSION - COMMISSIONS
SUSTAINABILITY TASK FORCE FEBRUARY 15, 2022
9CITY OF
MANHATTAN BEACH
“Note: This PowerPoint presentation is
intended solely as a visual aid to an oral staff
presentation of an agenda report topic. In
the event of any differences between the
presentation and the agenda report, the
information in the agenda report prevails.”
Other Boards, Commission, and Committees:
• Review and generate ideas for City Council action.
• Assigned staff evaluate and advance ideas to City
Council for possible consideration and inclusion as a
City program, such as a Work Plan or CIP.
• Staff schedules and implements programs, including
securing funding, developing schedules, and project
management.
• The availability of staff resources and time are factors in implementation progress.
DISCUSSION - COMMISSIONS
SUSTAINABILITY TASK FORCE FEBRUARY 15, 2022
10CITY OF
MANHATTAN BEACH
“Note: This PowerPoint presentation is
intended solely as a visual aid to an oral staff
presentation of an agenda report topic. In
the event of any differences between the
presentation and the agenda report, the
information in the agenda report prevails.”
Sustainability Task Force – Technical Working Group
• Technical working group, specifically focused on
implementing the City’s Environmental Work Plan.
• STF members use their subject matter expertise in
sustainability to ensure that proposed concepts
reflect the community and best-practices.
• “Working meetings” to develop education materials,
organizing outreach, and discussing implementation.
• Responds to topics requested by the City Council.
• Does not set policy or advance formal
recommendations directly to the City Council.
DISCUSSION - STF
SUSTAINABILITY TASK FORCE FEBRUARY 15, 2022
11CITY OF
MANHATTAN BEACH
“Note: This PowerPoint presentation is
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presentation of an agenda report topic. In
the event of any differences between the
presentation and the agenda report, the
information in the agenda report prevails.”
Formal Body to Advance Sustainability Principles
• Signifies City’s commitment to affirmatively further
sustainability initiatives; “above and beyond”
• Generate and advance sustainability principles to
exceed Federal, State, and regional requirements.
Sustainability body generates new ideas
Evaluated by staff City Council consideration
• Members would be limited in work performed as
supplement to staff, since the body has a vote.
• Requires sufficient staff to support a Commission by
researching, vetting, and reporting back on ideas.
DISCUSSION – FORMAL BODY
SUSTAINABILITY TASK FORCE FEBRUARY 15, 2022
12CITY OF
MANHATTAN BEACH
“Note: This PowerPoint presentation is
intended solely as a visual aid to an oral staff
presentation of an agenda report topic. In
the event of any differences between the
presentation and the agenda report, the
information in the agenda report prevails.”
• Main considerations for a formal sustainability body
for a City include ensuring:
• members are qualified and experienced in
sustainability and/or climate action best practices
and vetted through an application process;
• additional staff and resources are available to
manage Brown Act Bodies such as a Commission;
• there is a clear purpose and list of responsibilities.
DISCUSSION
SUSTAINABILITY TASK FORCE FEBRUARY 15, 2022
13CITY OF
MANHATTAN BEACH
“Note: This PowerPoint presentation is
intended solely as a visual aid to an oral staff
presentation of an agenda report topic. In
the event of any differences between the
presentation and the agenda report, the
information in the agenda report prevails.”
DISCUSSION – EXAMPLES
SUSTAINABILITY TASK FORCE FEBRUARY 15, 2022
City Name / Duties Staff
Long Beach Sustainability City Commission / Advises City Council, receives updates, creates sustainable action plan 7.5
Cupertino Sustainability Commission / Advises City Council, provides expertise on climate action and general plan 2 Encinitas
Environmental Commission / Prepares
recommendations to City Council, develops work plan,
policies and plans for environmental protection
2 Santa Monica
Commission on Sustainability, Environmental Justice and the Environment / Advises on variety of environmental
issues (water, dunes, gardens, etc)
9 Irvine Green Ribbon Environmental Committee / Has three long-term subcommittees to work on different initiatives 5 Malibu
Environmental Sustainability Subcommittee / Receives
updates and advises City Council on environmental
issues
2.5 14CITY OF
MANHATTAN BEACH
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presentation of an agenda report topic. In
the event of any differences between the
presentation and the agenda report, the
information in the agenda report prevails.”
• City Council should clearly define the need and
purpose for the certain type of body.
• If the City Council wishes for a sustainability body to come up with new initiatives, policies, and
recommendations to stay “above and beyond”
current minimum requirements, then a Sustainability
Commission would be appropriate.
• A working group to assist in implementation should
remain a task force, but with terms defined by the City Council.
POLICY ALTERNATIVES
SUSTAINABILITY TASK FORCE FEBRUARY 15, 2022
15CITY OF
MANHATTAN BEACH
“Note: This PowerPoint presentation is
intended solely as a visual aid to an oral staff
presentation of an agenda report topic. In
the event of any differences between the
presentation and the agenda report, the
information in the agenda report prevails.”
• Option A:
Retain the ad-hoc Sustainability Task Force but direct
staff to renew the membership for a specific
temporary term.
• Provides volunteer experts in the community to
help with the Environmental Work Plan
• No additional staff would be needed.
POLICY ALTERNATIVES
SUSTAINABILITY TASK FORCE FEBRUARY 15, 2022
16CITY OF
MANHATTAN BEACH
“Note: This PowerPoint presentation is
intended solely as a visual aid to an oral staff
presentation of an agenda report topic. In
the event of any differences between the
presentation and the agenda report, the
information in the agenda report prevails.”
• Option B:
Expand the Planning Commission’s duties to include
sustainability responsibilities.
• Policy efforts on new development “above and
beyond” minimum requirements,
• Making formal recommendations for new
sustainability regulations.
• No anticipated need for additional staff, although
there may be internal restructuring as a result.
POLICY ALTERNATIVES
FEBRUARY 15, 2022SUSTAINABILITY TASK FORCE
17CITY OF
MANHATTAN BEACH
“Note: This PowerPoint presentation is
intended solely as a visual aid to an oral staff
presentation of an agenda report topic. In
the event of any differences between the
presentation and the agenda report, the
information in the agenda report prevails.”
• Option C:
Create a formal “Sustainability Commission”
• In accordance with MBMC Section 2.44.010
• Strong leadership, and clear need/purpose
established.
• Additional City staff and resources needed.
• Minimum of 1 additional full-time professional staff
member for purposes of initiating a Commission.
POLICY ALTERNATIVES
SUSTAINABILITY TASK FORCE FEBRUARY 15, 2022
18CITY OF
MANHATTAN BEACH
“Note: This PowerPoint presentation is
intended solely as a visual aid to an oral staff
presentation of an agenda report topic. In
the event of any differences between the
presentation and the agenda report, the
information in the agenda report prevails.”
Option A:
Retain the ad-hoc Sustainability Task Force in its
current format
Option B:
Expand the Planning Commission’s duties to include
sustainability responsibilities
Option C:
Create a formal “Sustainability Commission” with
added staff and resources
POLICY ALTERNATIVES
SUSTAINABILITY TASK FORCE FEBRUARY 15, 2022