City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: April 23, 2024
Agenda Item: 5.J
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To: Mayor and City Council
From: Rick Valte, Public Works Director, Public Works, Office of Sustainability & the Environment
Subject: Adoption of a Resolution Authorizing Climate Grant Applications by City Manager or Designee
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of no possibility of significant effect pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines; and
2. Adopt the attached Resolution authorizing the City Manager, or designee, to submit applications for grants and other incentive programs that support projects, programs, or objectives identified in the Council-adopted Climate Action and Adaptation Plan.
Summary
Adopted in 2019, the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP) lays out a comprehensive approach to achieve the City’s climate action and resiliency goals.
These goals allow us to enhance our resources, prevent harm to the natural environment and human health, and benefit the social and economic well-being of the community for the sake of current and future generations. The Inflation Reduction Act in 2022 increased funding from state and federal agencies as well as local utilities to support local governments working toward sustainability and climate action. To simplify the application and agreement process to seek these funds, staff recommends the adoption of the attached resolution. Modelled after similar resolutions adopted in other California cities, this resolution would serve as the singular resolution authorizing the City to apply for any funding related to sustainability and climate action. 2 of 4
Discussion
The City’s Climate Action & Adaptation Plan (CAAP) sets aggressive timelines for achieving carbon neutrality, zero waste, and water self-sufficiency. The CAAP has a target of an 80% reduction in carbon emissions below 1990 levels by 2030, and carbon neutrality by 2050 or sooner. According to the 2022 greenhouse gas emissions inventory, the city has achieved a 48% reduction and needs to cut an additional 32% in the next six years. The two main sources of emissions are the building sector and the transportation sector. The CAAP also focuses on strengthening community resilience to the effects of climate change such as increased temperatures, droughts, and wildfires.
More funding opportunities are becoming available to help local governments work on climate solutions and increase community resilience. Utility companies, clean power providers, and state agencies are developing programs to fund projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect communities from the impacts of a changing climate. In recent years, the federal government has made unprecedented investments in climate solutions, so many new grant programs, incentive funds, and prizes are becoming available to local governments.
Many climate action and sustainability related funding opportunities are time-sensitive and highly competitive. The proposed resolution would enable staff to more aggressively and efficiently seek these funding opportunities. The resolution would serve as the singular resolution authorizing the City to apply for any funding related to sustainability and climate action. The City's cost of participation in the funding opportunity as a result of required match funding, if any, must be within the available budget of the participating Departments. If the resolution is approved, staff would still come to Council for any budget actions (e.g., establishing revenue budget or appropriating expenditure budget) and any procurement actions that meet the Council approval threshold. Staff would also keep Council apprised of climate-related grant applications through the City Manager.
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Other cities have taken steps to streamline the application and agreement process for climate funding opportunities. In 2022, the City of Santa Barbara adopted a blanket resolution authorizing the City to apply for grants and other incentive programs upon the recommendation of the City’s Sustainability and Resilience Director. Santa Barbara staff return to Council to appropriate new grant funds through the budget process or a separate Council item. The proposed resolution has been modelled after the resolution passed in Santa Barbara and currently in effect there.
Environmental Review
Adoption of the resolution would have no possibility of significant effect on the environment, and therefore, is exempt pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines. The resolution would authorize grant-related applications and other administrative processes related to achieving CAAP objectives. If grant funding is awarded, the use of grant funding for projects that would have the potential for a physical effect on the environment would be subject to environmental review at the time they are proposed.
Past Council Actions
Meeting Date Description
05/28/19 (Attachment A) Adoption of the Climate Action & Adaptation Plan 03/14/23 (Attachment B) Adoption of the Sustainable City Plan update Financial Impacts and Budget Actions
There is no immediate financial impact or budget action necessary as a result of recommended action. Staff will return to Council if specific budget actions are required in the future. Specifically, if the City is awarded a grant arising from this streamlined application process, staff will return to Council to seek authorization to accept the grant and make the necessary budget adjustments.
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Prepared By: Elias Platte-Bermeo, Sustainability Analyst Approved Forwarded to Council
Attachments:
A. May 28, 2019 Staff Report (web link)
B. March 14, 2023 Staff Report (web link)
C. V2 Reso_Climate Grant Authorization A_CMO edit