Resolution 2024-### Page 1
RESOLUTION 2024- ###
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN PABLO IN SUPPORT OF THE ADOPTION OF THE “PATH TO CLEAN AIR: RICHMOND, NORTH RICHMOND, AND SAN PABLO COMMUNITY EMISSIONS REDUCTION PLAN” BY THE AB 617 COMMUNITY STEERING COMMITTEE AND THE BAY AREA AIR
QUALITY MANAGEMENT DISTRICT
WHEREAS, the San Pablo community suffers negative health impacts from a combination of high industrial, rail, marine, and truck pollution, and seventy-five percent of the City’s census tracts are in the top ten percent for asthma statewide;
WHEREAS, San Pablo is part of the “Richmond - North Richmond - San Pablo” Community Emissions Reduction P lan (CERP) area established by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) and covering over 160,000 people in Richmond, North Richmond and San Pablo;
WHEREAS, along with West Oakland, the San Pablo, Richmond, and North Richmond area is one of the first two communities selected for AB 617 planning efforts in the Bay Area and one of 17 statewide, and therefore has an opportunity to lead the way for all refinery communities in the state;
WHEREAS, the AB 617 “Richmond - North Richmond - San Pablo” Community Steering Committee has been working with BAAQMD and the California Air Resources Board (CARB ) since 2019 on the development of a Community Emissions Reduction Plan, including strategy recommendations for reducing emissions and improving health;
WHEREAS, the San Pablo City Council adopted Resolution 2023-111 on July 17, 2023, in support of the development of the CERP and identifying specific strategies for consideration related to reductions of certain pollutants that contribute to chronic health problems in the community, improvement of public education related to pollution- related health problems and emission reduction goals and achievements, and implementation of pollution reduction strategies to help decrease pre- existing vulnerabilities and lower the community's burden of adverse health risks;
WHEREAS, the Draft “Path to Clean Air : Richmond, North Richmond and S an Pablo Community Emissions Reduction Plan” was released to the public on December 13, 2023 for review through January 19, 2024;
WHEREAS, based on the results of an extensive public outreach effort and technical assessment, the “Path to Clean Air: Richmond, North Richmond, and San Pablo Community Emissions Reduction Plan” includes strategies to target specific pollutants and goals to develop more stringent air pollution policies that advance social healing and restoration, lower the community’s disproportionate exposure to air pollution, and promote more effective enforcement of regulations on high-polluting industries; Resolution 2024-### Page 2
WHEREAS, a dopting a resolution in support of the adoption of a Community Emissions Reduction Plan does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), pursuant to CEQA Guidelines S ection 15378(b)(5) in that it is a governmental organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect changes in the environment; and
WHEREAS, the Community Emissions Reduction Plan itself has been determined by Bay Area Air Quality Management District staff to be exempt from CEQA under Guidelines Section 15308 – Actions by Regulatory Agencies for Protection of the Environment, and in addition, District staff have determined that the strategies set forth in the Community Emissions Reduction Plan process would be exempt if they were to be implemented on their own.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the San Pablo City Council does hereby support the adoption of the “Path to Clean Air: Richmond, North Richmond, and San Pablo Community Emissions Reduction Plan” by the AB 617 Steering Committee and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District.
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ADOPTED this 16
TH day of January 2024, by the following votes:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS:
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS:
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS:
ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBERS:
ATTEST: APPROVED:
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Dorothy Gantt, City Clerk Patricia Ponce, Mayor