CITY OF SEBASTOPOL CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA ITEM REPORT FOR MEETING OF: April 21, 2026
=========================================================================================== To: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
From: Victoria Henkel, Permit Technician
Subject: Climate Action Committee Interviews
=========================================================================================== RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the City Council conduct interviews for one opening on the Climate Action Committee and consider making appointments later in the agenda.
PROCESS OF AGENDA ITEM:
a. Introduction of agenda item by Interim City Manager, Mary Gourley b. Interview the applicant
c. Questions and discussion from Councilmembers
d. Close item after interview
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
CLIMATE ACTION COMMITTEE – 2 YEAR TERM
The Climate Action Committee promotes initiatives related to climate change issues and makes recommendations to Council. There is currently one opening on the committee. Vacancies are available under the variety of experiences and/or characteristics approved for the Committee makeup at the March 18, 2025, Council meeting.
BACKGROUND:
The Climate Action Committee isregularly scheduled to meet on the second Tuesday of each month from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the Sebastopol City Hall Conference Room at 7120 Bodega Avenue, Sebastopol, CA. Terms of office are two-year terms, and the opening term will last until December 31st, 2027.
On March 18, 2025, the City Council reviewed a proposal to reconfigure the makeup of the Committee and directed staff to update the Committee composition to include 7 members from the following backgrounds:
1. One City Councilmember Liaison (at large)
2. Six members with one or more of the following experiences/characteristics:
• Youth Representative
• Climate Change
• Sebastopol Business Owner
• Local Climate Action Group
• Environmental Justice and Equity
• Rights of Nature
• Energy
• Transportation
• Zero Waste
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Current Climate Action Committee terms/categories are listed below (vacancies are highlighted)
MEMBERS CATEGORY TERM ENDING DATE
Phill Carter City Council Liaison at large As assigned
Steven Pierce, Chair Sebastopol Business Owner, Energy, Transportation, Local Climate Action Group
December 31, 2026
Emily Ocon Transportation, Climate Change, Local Climate Action Group
December 31, 2026
Lila Newton Youth Representative, Climate Change December 31, 2026 Sunny Galbraith Zero Waste December 31, 2026
Kenna Lee Climate Change December 31, 2027
Vacant One or more of the listed
experiences/characteristics
December 31, 2027
DISCUSSION:
The City conducted recruitment for the open position. The City received the application from the following individual for the one opening on the Climate Action Committee who met the criteria for eligibility.
APPLICANTS EXPERIENCE/CHARACTERISTICS:
Mark Szatmari Climate Change, Energy, Environmental Justice, and Equity An interview for the applicant is scheduled as follows, beginning at 6:00 pm:
Applicant Name Experience/Characteristics__________________________
1. Mark Szatmari Climate Change, Energy, Environmental Justice, and Equity STAFF ANALYSIS:
The City received three applications within the recruitment time period. The other two applicants did not meet the age requirement to be considered for appointments. This item is for the Council to consider this application for the one available seat. If the seat is unfilled, City staff will re-advertise the vacancy.
CITY COUNCIL GOALS / PRIORITIES / GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY:
Goal 4: High-Performance Organization
Restoring public trust through transparent and inclusive processes Improving public communications and community engagement General Plan Consistency:
Goal COS 1: Make Proactive, Forward-Thinking Environmental Protection and Resource Management the Cornerstone of Sebastopol’s Identity.
Policy COS 1-1: Strive to establish Sebastopol as a leader in environmental protection, environmental stewardship, and sustainability.
Policy COS 1-2: Consider the effects of planning decisions on the overall health and well-being of the natural environment and regional ecosystems.
Policy COS 1-3: Consider the “Rights of Nature” as a key principle when making planning decisions and reviewing development and infrastructure project applications.
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PUBLIC COMMENT:
As of the writing of this staff report, the City has not received any public comment on this item. However, if staff receives public comment from interested parties following the publication and distribution of this staff report, such comments will be provided to the City Council as supplemental materials before or at the meeting. In addition, public comments may be offered during the public comment portion of this item.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH:
This item has been noticed in accordance with the Ralph M. Brown Act and was available for public viewing and review at least 72 hours prior to the scheduled meeting date.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no direct fiscal impact associated with the recommended action tonight.
RESTATED RECOMMENDATION:
Interview the applicant and consider appointment based on the interview, later in the agenda.
OPTIONS:
None. Consideration of appointments will be considered later in the agenda
ATTACHMENTS:
Applications (redacted)
APPROVALS:
Department Head Approval: Approval Date: 4/13/2026
CEQA Determination (Planning): Approval Date: 4/13/2026 The proposed action is not a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Administrative Services (Financial) Approval Date: N/A
Costs authorized in City Approved Budget: ☐ Yes ☐ No N/A Account Code (if applicable) ___________________________ City Attorney Approval: Approval Date: N/A
City Manager Approval: Approval Date: 4/13/2026
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