CITY OF SAN MATEO
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CITY OF SAN MATEO
Agenda Report
City Hall
330 W. 20th Avenue
San Mateo CA 94403
www.cityofsanmateo.org
Agenda Number: 20 Section Name: {{section.name}} Account Number: 10-1311 File ID: {{item.tracking_number}} TO: City Council
FROM: Alex Khojikian, City Manager
PREPARED BY: City Manager's Office
MEETING DATE: October 21, 2024
SUBJECT:
Climate Action Plan – Annual Progress Report
RECOMMENDATION:
Receive a progress report on the implementation of the City's Climate Action Plan.
BACKGROUND:
The Climate Action Plan (CAP) was updated and adopted in April 2020 and includes strategies and measures to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The CAP contains implementation measures in the following categories: building electrification, renewable energy, energy efficiency, municipal energy efficiency, clean transportation fuels, sustainable transportation, solid waste, water and wastewater, and off-road equipment.
In 2023, the CAP technical update was completed. The technical update focused on quantitative data points, including providing a 2019 GHG inventory and updating GHG reduction targets and forecasts, to align with state laws and regional guidance for the new 2045 horizon year, and in alignment with the 2040 General Plan. This scope of work did not provide a comprehensive review and update of the CAP’s GHG reduction measures since staff are actively working on implementation of CAP measures, and modifications to the GHG reduction measures were not necessary to maintain General Plan consistency. The updated CAP was adopted in March 2024 in conjunction with the General Plan.
To track CAP implementation, staff provides annual progress reports to the Sustainability and Infrastructure Commission and City Council on the status of the different strategies. The CAP progress report is typically provided in the spring of each year but was delayed due to staffing. At the October 9, 2024 Sustainability and Infrastructure Commission meeting, staff provided this annual progress report on CAP implementation. Commissioners were supportive of the City’s progress and expressed interest in building decarbonization, reach codes, leaf blower regulations and the City’s electric fleet.
Annual Progress Report Key Highlights
Attachment 1 to this report provides both qualitative and quantitative data to show how progress has been made on each of the CAP measures over the 2023 calendar year.
Some key highlights of implementation of the CAP are as follows:
• Building decarbonization: In 2023, staff began work on the City of San Mateo Sustainable Building Strategy to electrify San Mateo’s existing buildings stock that centers on equity and promotes a collaborative pathway to electrification. The City released a Request for Proposals (RFP) to select a technical consultant and selected Rincon for the project. Rincon completed an analysis framework incorporating equity and effectiveness, building inventory and market segmentation, and building electrification cost analysis. At the January 16, 2024 City Council meeting, the project team presented the cost analysis and five building decarbonization policy options for feedback and direction. The City Council directed staff to explore of all five policy options. The project was put on
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hold due to staffing and in Summer 2024 staff began to reengage Rincon on this work. • Reach codes: In 2022, the City adopted reach codes requiring all new construction to be all-electric beginning January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2025 (the end of the triennial code cycle). The City suspended the enforcement of its reach codes that prohibit the installation of new gas infrastructure because of a 2024 federal court decision. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in California Restaurant Association v. City of Berkeley determined that a local ordinance that generally prohibited the installation of natural gas infrastructure was preempted by federal law. At the October 7th City Council meeting, City Council directed staff to bring forward an Energy Performance Reach Code ordinance for Council consideration at a future meeting to replace the City’s currently suspended reach codes.
• Electric equipment at city facilities: The City participated in PG&E’s Government program administered by Willdan Energy Solutions to replace gas water heaters with electric equipment. City staff and Willdan assessed 17 City facilities to identify existing equipment and evaluate space for siting new electric equipment. Beginning February 2024, the project team installed 13 electric heat pump water heaters at seven City facilities including City Hall, Main Library, Senior Center, Fire Station 21, Fire Station 23, Fire Station 26 and Fire Station 27. The City received a total incentive of over $200,000 from PG&E to offset 100% of project costs. • City electric fleet and charging infrastructure: The City purchased electric fleet units and applied for grant funding for electric replacements. The City is also working with PCE and PG&E to install charging infrastructure at municipal facilities.
• City-owned electric vehicle chargers: In April 2023, the City finished installation of the 14 Level 2 charging ports at the 2nd and El Camino Garage. In Spring 2024, the Kiku Public Parking Garage opened with 27 Level 2 charging ports. Both projects utilized funding from Peninsula Clean Energy to reduce project costs. • Bike infrastructure: The City completed construction of a bicycle boulevard on Sunnybrae Boulevard from Delaware Street to South Amphlett Boulevard in Winter 2023. The project also included traffic calming elements and pedestrian improvements. The City completed construction of Class II bike lanes on 5th Avenue between South B Street and Railroad Avenue in November 2023.
• Leaf blowers: The Parks team developed a transition plan for replacing gas equipment with electric equipment. In 2023, an electrical upgrade was completed at the Park Yard for equipment charging. Additionally, a Multihog Compact Sweeper was purchased to reduce the need for blower cleanup work of parking lots and some pathways.
The City owns a total of 26 gas-powered blowers and staff plan on a phased replacement approach replacing all within a two-year period.
• Rebates: Community members took advantage of all types of rebates to reduce water and energy consumption in their homes. Peninsula Clean Energy and BayREN provided rebates for heat pump water heaters, heat pump HVAC systems, induction cooktops, and panel upgrades. Cal Water provided rebates for water efficient equipment and turf replacement for residents and businesses. The City of San Mateo continues to provide rebates for rain barrels and electric leaf blowers. Through these programs, community members save money while reducing their carbon footprint. Of note, the City increased marketing of the electric leaf blower rebate program and saw 14 rebate applications in 2023 and 28 rebate applications in 2024 to date.
Related to climate action, staff are preparing the City’s application to the Peninsula Clean Energy (PCE) Member Agency Grant program aimed at electrifying transportation, buildings, and operations. This grant is a noncompetitive funding source for jurisdictions in San Mateo County, and the City of San Mateo is eligible for $1.4 million. Through multidepartment collaboration, staff identified a number of projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions by switching from fossil fuels to clean electricity. Based on the constraints of the grant program and in alignment with the City Council’s priorities, staff identified five projects to include in the City’s application: 1) electric vehicle charging infrastructure for City fleet, 2) electrification improvements at Marina Library, 3) high voltage street light conversion, 4) electric landscaping equipment for city operations, and 5) pilot electric motorcycles for the Police Department. The grant application is due
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December 31, 2024. After PCE approves the City’s application, staff will bring forward PCE’s Member Agency Grant Program agreement for City Council consideration in early 2025.
BUDGET IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact.
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION:
This informational report is not a project subject to CEQA, because it can be seen with certainty that it will not cause a physical change in the environment. (Public Resources Code Section 21065.)
NOTICE PROVIDED
All meeting noticing requirements were met.
ATTACHMENTS
Att 1 - Climate Action Plan Progress Report
STAFF CONTACT
Andrea Chow, Sustainability Analyst
[email protected]
(650) 522-7007