City of Sunnyvale
Meeting Minutes
Sustainability Commission
7:00 PM Online and Bay Conference Room (Room
145), City Hall, 456 W. Olive Ave.,
Sunnyvale, CA 94086
Monday, October 16, 2023
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Kunz called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. in the Bay Conference Room (Room 145) at City Hall.
SALUTE TO THE FLAG
Chair Kunz led the salute to the flag.
ROLL CALL
Chair Douglas Kunz
Vice Chair Tonya Veitch
Commissioner Kathryn Besser
Commissioner Bobbykin Makwana
Commissioner Jeffery Nabhan
Commissioner Kristina Pistone
Commissioner Kristel Wickham
Present: 7 -
Council Liaison – Councilmember Melton (absent)
Chair Kunz, Vice Chair Veitch, and Commissioners all present.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Jessica Salanas, commented that the United States military-industrial complex is one of the largest systems contributing to the climate crisis. Ms. Salanas asked that the City protect climate refugees by supporting businesses that are investing in regenerative technologies and also asked that the City not support weapons manufacturers in Sunnyvale.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1 23-0975 Approve the Sustainability Commission Meeting Minutes of September 18, 2023
Attachment 1
October 16, 2023Sustainability Commission Meeting Minutes Commissioner Nabhan moved, and Commissioner Makwana seconded, a motion to approve the consent calendar.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Yes: Chair Kunz
Vice Chair Veitch
Commissioner Besser
Commissioner Makwana
Commissioner Nabhan
Commissioner Pistone
6 -
No: 0
Abstain: Commissioner Wickham1 -
Commissioner Wickham abstained as she was not present at the September 18, 2023 meeting.
PUBLIC HEARINGS/GENERAL BUSINESS
2 23-0976 Review 2024 Draft Annual Work Plan
The Commission discussed and added various items to the Draft 2024 Work Plan.
The Commission will review the Draft Work Plan at the November meeting with the intention of finalizing the plan at that meeting. Staff will coordinate with other departments to determine any additional items that need to be added to the Work Plan.
3 23-1008
Recommendation to the Council Subcommittee on Board and Commission Effectiveness
The Commission provided comments, questions and recommendations for the Chair and Vice Chair to bring to the Council Subcommittee in November to improve on Board and Commission Effectiveness.
STANDING ITEM: CONSIDERATION OF POTENTIAL STUDY ISSUES
4 23-0977 Climate and Environmental Impacts and Potential Regulatory Actions for Living vs. Artificial Turf (potential Study Issue) Commissioners asked questions about the potential Study Issue and Madeline Khair, Environmental Programs Manager, provided answers. Commissioner
Attachment 1
October 16, 2023Sustainability Commission Meeting Minutes Wickham provided a brief summary of the potential Study Issue along with her and Commissioner Pistone’s rationale for submitting it. Ms. Khair summarized the staff response.
The Commission recommended that the Study Issue should include studying the environmental implications of artificial turf on residential property as well as include water saving alternatives for public and private properties.
Chair Kunz opened Public Comment at 8:45 p.m.
Mary Brunkhorst, member of Sunnyvale Urban Forest Advocates, provided information on the negative environmental, health and safety impacts of artificial turf.
Ms. Brunkhorst requested the Commission sponsor this potential Study Issue.
Carrie Levin provided information on artificial turf impacts on a global scale, and how artificial turf exposes the environment and people to dangerous chemicals and increases the heat island effect in cities. Ms. Levin requested the Commission sponsor this potential Study Issue.
Andrea Wald urged the Commission to sponsor this potential Study Issue.
Courtney Jansen, resident of Lakewood Village, spoke on the environmental, health and safety concerns over the possible decision to install artificial turf at Lakewood Park. Ms. Jansen requested the Commission sponsor this potential Study Issue.
Chair Kunz closed Public Comment at 8:55 p.m.
Commissioners commented on the potential Study Issue and recommended revisions to ensure, if sponsored, staff will perform a comprehensive analysis.
MOTION: Commissioner Makwana moved, and Commissioner Besser seconded, a motion to propose the Study Issue with two amendments: (1) expand the scope so that what is studied is artificial turf impacts for commercial and residential use and to (2) provide alternative water conservation solutions for residential property.
FRIENDLY AMENDMENT: Commissioner Pistone introduced a friendly amendment to change the Study Issue title to, “Use of Artificial Turf versus Living Groundcovers.”
Attachment 1
October 16, 2023Sustainability Commission Meeting Minutes Commissioner Makwana and Commissioner Besser accepted the friendly amendment.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Yes: Chair Kunz
Vice Chair Veitch
Commissioner Besser
Commissioner Makwana
Commissioner Nabhan
Commissioner Pistone
Commissioner Wickham
7 -
No: 0
5 23-0986
Evaluate Adopting Transit-Supportive Policies for Sunnyvale (potential Study Issue)
Commissioners asked questions about the potential Study Issue and Shaunn Mendrin, Planning Officer, and Ms. Khair provided answers. Chair Kunz provided a summary of the potential Study Issue along with his rationale for submitting it. Mr.
Mendrin and Ms. Khair summarized the staff response.
Chair Kunz opened Public Comment at 10:04 p.m.
Matt Asunclon, is supportive of this Study Issue and would like to see transit options in Sunnyvale become more efficient. Mr. Asunclon also provided information on pilot studies to reduce vehicle miles traveled.
Chair Kunz closed Public Comment at 10:06 p.m.
Commissioners asked questions about the potential Study Issue and Mr. Mendrin and Ms. Khair provided answers.
MOTION: Commissioner Wickham moved, and Commissioner Besser seconded, a motion to propose this Study Issue.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Attachment 1
October 16, 2023Sustainability Commission Meeting Minutes Yes: Chair Kunz
Vice Chair Veitch
Commissioner Besser
Commissioner Makwana
Commissioner Nabhan
Commissioner Pistone
Commissioner Wickham
7 -
No: 0
The Commission discussed the proposed Study Issue, 23-1008 Climate and Environmental Impacts and Potential Regulatory Actions for Living vs. Artificial Turf, for sponsorship.
MOTION: Commissioner Makwana moved, and Commissioner Pistone seconded, a motion to sponsor this Study Issue.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Yes: Chair Kunz
Vice Chair Veitch
Commissioner Besser
Commissioner Makwana
Commissioner Nabhan
Commissioner Pistone
Commissioner Wickham
7 -
No: 0
The Commission discussed the proposed Study Issue, 23-0986 Evaluate Adopting Transit-Supportive Policies for Sunnyvale for sponsorship.
MOTION: Commissioner Nabhan moved, and Vice Chair Veitch seconded, a motion to sponsor this Study Issue.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Attachment 1
October 16, 2023Sustainability Commission Meeting Minutes Yes: Chair Kunz
Vice Chair Veitch
Commissioner Besser
Commissioner Makwana
Commissioner Nabhan
Commissioner Pistone
Commissioner Wickham
7 -
No: 0
NON-AGENDA ITEMS & COMMENTS
-Commissioner Comments
Commissioner Pistone shared a podcast she’s been listening to called, How to Save a Planet. Commissioner Pistone also shared a paper from Yale’s Center for Climate Communication that focused on wildfire smoke and indoor air quality.
Commissioner Wickham noted that her home was featured in the SVCE All-Electric Home Tour event that took place on October 14. A total of 56 people toured her home. Commissioner Wickham announced she had her gas meter removed before the tour and mentioned the permitting process for a water retrofit was easy through the City’s permitting process.
Chair Kunz encouraged Commissioners to watch the recording of the City Council study session on October 10 where staff presented the draft Game Plan 2028 and amendments to the Climate Action Playbook (CAP) targets. Chair Kunz mentioned the City Council was supportive of amending the CAP’s 2050 carbon neutrality target to align with the State’s new target of reducing emissions 85% by 2045. -Staff Comments
Ms. Raby reported on upcoming events, provided community workshop information for draft Game Plan 2028, and provided the location to find more draft Game Plan 2028 information on the City’s website.
INFORMATION ONLY REPORTS/ITEMS
23-0978 Updated Annual Work Plan October 2023
23-1002 Returning Study Issues 2023
ADJOURNMENT
Attachment 1
October 16, 2023Sustainability Commission Meeting Minutes The meeting was adjourned at 10:39 p.m.
Attachment 1