ETHICS SAN MATEO
DEDICATED TO TRUTH, TRANSPARENCY AND ETHICAL CONDUCT IN CITY GOVERNMENT Ethics San Mateo Presentation
Blue Sky Session
3 February 2024
Honorable Council Members and Staff,
Ethics San Mateo appreciates these few minutes to recognize that our city leadership is embracing the need for Rules, Codes of Conduct and Ethics Standards. The efforts you and city staff are making can become a cornerstone in the building of public trust.
I'd like to quote from an article by Rod Gould in Western City Magazine, a publication of the League of California Cites'
"It is often said that ethics is the foundation of public service and essential for public trust and confidence in public officials."
As a California Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation, we have one focus, and it is in direct alignment with this concept. That focus, and our mission, is:
To lead and support efforts by the residents of San Mateo to ensure our city is served according to the highest level of ethical standards and behavior.
As you consider the topics being discussed today and decide whether a specific element should be prioritized, and at what level of priority, please consider the following which we strongly believe will assist you in reaching what should be your top priority, public trust. Without that, many of the objectives of the democratic process become more difficult, if not impossible, to achieve.
The cornerstone of giving San Mate residents a predominant voice in discretionary decisions must be established. It is not enough to conduct public outreach only to stay on an unwavering course of action upon which significant objections are raised by residents. Not only should the city hear, but also listen to and with an unbiased mind fully consider the residents' voices. Find and employ methods to gather credible information as to the majority will of the residents. Don't just listen to the loudest voices, hear what may be the soft speech of a majority.
Ethics San Mateo believes that there are many special interest groups that perform much-needed work and are widely lauded. However, we are concerned about the methods used by some groups - Gould, Rod, Beyond Ethics: Establishing a Code of Conduct to Guide Your Council, Western City (December 1, 2019)
Ethics San Mateo - A California Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation www.EthicsSanMateo.com
in influencing city government and shouting down opposing thoughts. We ask that you be willing to recognize when a special interest group, and YES - Ethics San Mateo is one, is involved in the arguments for or against an item before you. Evaluate the arguments on their merits, not the tone or loudness. Be aware of, and consider, who benefits from decisions. Look beyond the surface.
We urge you to engage with well-established organizations working in the field of government ethics to develop the ethics standards and Codes of Conduct. These organizations are the experts, they have no stake in specific issues the city is facing. Ethics San Mateo does not claim to have the level of detailed expertise, nor the desire, to be contracted to advise the city. We have been, and will continue to, provide information about our viewpoints to city leadership and the residents of San Mateo. Although carefully researched and opined, our recommendations are developed from a layperson's perspective; the city should depend on experts.
Finally, please set rules and standards that are comprehensive, clear, enforceable and that carry consequences for violations. There should be no ambiguity as to intent and consequences.
In closing, once again we recognize the hard work you have done, as well as the uphill path in front of you. We urge you to establish the destination towards which you toil, and decide the end goal; as without knowing where you are going, you will simply wander about aimlessly.
Thank you!
Ethics San Mateo - A California Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation www.EthicsSanMateo.com
1 Council Information Packet
February 3rd, 2023 "Blue Sky" Goal Setting Workshop
Compiled by the San Mateo Climate Action Team and San Mateo Youth Climate Action Team 2 Image 1: Data on San Mateo's Bank Fossil Fuel Financing Bank Total financing of Ranking compared to other % of San fossil fuels since banks in regards to fossil fuel Mateo 2016 in USD financing* Investment
Portfolio
JP Morgan Chase & Co 434.154 Billion 1 0.29
Bank of America 279.730 Billion 4 0.64
Royal Bank of Canada 252.48 Billion 5 0.78
Toronto Dominion 173.201 Billion 10 0.62
Holdings
Morgan Stanley 153.430 Billion 12 0.36
Bank of Montreal 138.380 Billion 15 0.15
Chicago
US Bancorp 47.172 Billion 34 0.23
Total: 3.07%
*Being ranked first means that bank is the largest fossil fuel financier. Since 2016, the number one fossil fuel financier has been JP Morgan Chase & Co whom San Mateo is currently invested in.
All data on the banks was taken from the Banking on Climate Chaos 2023 Fossil Fuel Finance Report. Data on San Mateo's investment in each respective bank was taken from the information packet provided to council at their March 6, 2023 study session on ESG.
3 Image 2: Screenshot from 2020 Climate Action Plan
BE 2: All-electric existing buildings
Although most existing buildings already have natural gas infrastructure and natural gas devices installed, these systems can be converted to all-electric. Electric appliances that replace natural gas-powered models are highly efficient, readily available, and cost-effective. Many buildings can install these appliances with simple electric wiring and panel upgrades, if upgrades are required at all. The cost of converting existing buildings to mostly- or all-electric can be further reduced if the electrification is done as part of a larger retrofit activity. 2030 2040 2045
GHG reduction (MTCOze) 102,210 184,610 221,260
Recommended actions:
• Encourage residents and businesses to purchase electric technologies (e.g., air source heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, electric dryers, and electric stoves). • Encourage residents and businesses to upgrade electric panels to accommodate electric technologies including solar PV, battery storage, air source heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, electric dryers, and electric stoves.
• Support training and outreach to residents, businesses, contractors, vendors, and installers about preferable electric equipment replacement technologies. 4 Image 3: Incentives Screenshot
(Accessed via: https://incentives.switchison.org/residents/incentives)
THE SWITCH IS ON
p51eZ Home Function
INCENTIVE LOOKUP FOR
CUSTOMERS SEARCH
INCENTIVE TYPE -
CONNECT ENJOY
REBATE with trusted the benefits of your
TAX CREDIT contractors, in our new electric
FINANCING contractor directory appliance.
INDUCTION LENDING PROGRAMS
BUILDING TYPE - 30 Incentives Available For 94402
SINGLE FAMILY
MULTI-FAMILY Save $200 Per Unit - Rebate On Heat
BAYRENI Pumps, Ducted (Central Air, HVAC). Heat
EQUIPMENT TYPE ~ Pumps, Ductless (Mini-Split)
Choose GET REBATE
INCOME QUALIFYING? ~ LEARN MORE High elliciency split central air conditioner 217 SEERZ High eliciency packaged centralair conditioner a 16 SEER2 Must replace entire load associated with existing central AC NO
YES
%. Contractors A Single-family
WHO CAN APPLY? ~
CONTRACTORS
HOMEOWNERS Save Up To $1,000 Per Home - Rebate On
RENTERS BAYREN Insulation And Ductwork
- BET REBATE Attic insulation a R-44 (includes attic air sealing)