ACTION:
____________________________
Clerk/Secretary
Department: City Manager Item No: D4
Prepared by: John Conley, City Manager Meeting Date: September 26, 2023 Approved by: John Conley, City Manager Agenda Location: Discussion SUBJECT: ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION
RECOMMENDATION: Discuss the formation of an Environmental Commission and provide direction to staff.
CORRELATION TO CITY COUNCIL GOALS: Climate and Environmental Responsibility.
PRIOR ACTION: None.
STATEMENT ON THE SUBJECT: Deputy Mayor Contreras requested the City Manager place a discussion item on an upcoming agenda to discuss the formation of an Environmental Commission.
The City of Encinitas has an Environmental Commission, which was reviewed as an example. The responsibilities of the Encinitas Environmental Commission are as follows:
The Environmental Commission shall conduct public hearings and prepare recommendations to the City Council on matters regarding the environment to include without limitation; develop an Annual Work Plan and presentation to the City Council; review and update from time to time, as necessary, the Environmental Action Plan; develop policies and plans to provide for and advocate for environmental protection within the City of Encinitas; develop policies and plans for developing environmental awareness in cooperation with other public and private agencies to include school districts; provide review and recommendations to the City Council on such matters that may be referred to the Commission by the City Council.
The City of Encinitas Environmental Commission’s Work Plan is included as Exhibit 1 for reference.
FISCAL IMPACT: There is no direct fiscal impact related to this discussion item.
EXHIBITS:
1.City of Encinitas Environmental Commission Work Plan.
AGENDA
REPORT
CITY COUNCIL
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
SUCCESSOR AGENCY
BUENA SANITATION DISTRICT
JOINT POWERS FINANCING AUTHORITY
Discussed the formation and provided direction to staff to form an Environmental Commission.
Vote: 5-0
City of Encinitas
Environmental Commission
Proposed FY 2022-23 and FY 2023-24 Work Plan
Commission Approved: November 10, 2022
City Council Approved: December 21, 2022
Commission Secretary
Crystal Najera, Sustainability Manager
Commission Clerk
Maria Gremban, Program Assistant
No, Environmental Commission Focus Areas,
Strategic Plan
Focus Areas
1 Commission Outreach and Representation All
2 Climate Action Plan All
3 Environmental Justice and Equity All
4 Mobility
5 Zero Waste 0
6 San Diego Community Power
7 Sea Level Rise a J0
8 Plastic Pollution
9 Water Conservation
10 Vegetation and Integrated Pest Management
11 General Plan and Element Updates All
Commissioner Term
Ari Novy, Chair 1st, Mar 01, 2023
Christian Adams, Vice Chair 2nd, Mar 01, 2024
Carol Parker Partial, Mar 01, 2023
Robert Switzler Partial, Mar 01, 2024
Mark O'Connor Partial, Mar 01, 2024
Katie Cramer 1st, Mar 01, 2024
William Morrison 1st, Mar 01, 2024
Strategic Plan Focus Areas:
Housing,
Rail Corridor
Mobility
1N Green, Initiatives
Safety & Mlaiiintenaince
1 Environmental Commission Workplan FY 2022-23 and FY 2023-24 09/26/2023 D4 2 of 3
EXHIBIT 1
Priority FY 22-23 and FY 23-24 Commission Projects
Focus
Commissioners Assigned
Staff Time
Area Required
1 Provide environmental education at city -sponsored public events All All Med Cyclovia, EcoFest, Dog Days of Summer, Arbor Day, etc.) 2 Implement annual Environmental Awards Program 1 Ada ms/O'Con nor/Switzler Low 3 Support the development of a Native Plant Policy 10 Parker Low 4 Evaluate and adopt a recommendation for council to consider a 8, 5 O'Connor/Switzler High
citywide No Smoking Ordinance
5 Review and provide recommendations for the draft updated General 2, 3, 7, 11 Switzler/Morrison Low
Plan Safety Element and associated Climate Vulnerability Study 6 Review and provide recommendations for the Mobility Element Update 2, 4, 11 Switzler/O'Connor Low Review and provide recommendations the 5-year Climate Action Plan 2, 3 Morrison/Parker High
update
8 Evaluate and Recommend City Tree Canopy Goal 2,10 Parker Med 9 Evaluate and recommend enhancements to the Green Building 2, 11 Morrison/Switzler/Adams Med
Incentive Program
10 Evaluate and recommend strengthening the fleet idling policy 2 O'Connor Med 11 Evaluate and recommend improvements to Sand Compatibility and 2,7 Morrison/O'Connor/Novy High
Opportunistic Use Program (SCOUP)
12 Make recommendations to improve and enhance zero waste education 5 Parker/O'Connor Low 13 Evaluate and make recommendations for monitoring and reporting of 10 Parker/Cramer/Novy Low
Integrated Pest Management Policy implementation
14 Monitor the safe decommissioning of San Onofre Nuclear Generating 3,5 O'Connor/Adams Low
Station.
15 Evaluate and recommend that City Council amend the Food Service 8, 5 Morrison/O'Connor Med
Plastic Ordinance (Ord. No. 2020-05) to stay current.
Form a Bee City USA committee and support the City in becoming an 16 affiliate community, including a recommended Council resolution and 10 TBD Med fulfillment of affiliate commitments.
Environmental Commission Workplan FY 2022-23 and FY 2023-24 09/26/2023 D4 3 of 3
ADD TO PACKET
From:
Diane WaaaN
To:
Public Comments
Subject:
M Emironmenial commission
Date:
Thursday, September 21, 20D 127 51 W
IYou donY often get email from -I Pam why t�tt on rtant Honorable Mayor and City Council
We urge you to support the formation of an Enviroarment/Sustainability Commission for the City of Vista.
Vista has a strong history of working with community representatives on a wide range of issues, both informally and through formal Boards and Commissions.
Many cities in San Diego now have formalized commissions for the environment and sustainability. This is particularly important now as the impacts of climate change are becoming more apparent, and coordinated action will expedite effective response and reduce the costs to taxpayers.
Formalizing such a Commission allows the city to benefit from a wide range of community input. This helps engage wider community participation, tap local experts, and increases the city's ability to focus efforts in ways that can have the greatest impact.
The small investment of staff time is multiplied by providing a vehicle for engaging more of the community in working on these issues in a coordinated way.
It really is a win -win for everyone.
We urge you to support creating thus critically needed new commission.
Diane Nygaard
On Behalf of preserve Calavera
m
ADD TO PACKET
From:
Kevin lee
To:
Public Comments
subject
04. Ewimnmemal Commison
Date:
Monday, September 25, 2023 10:27:03 AM
Attadtments:
DRB support for Environmental Commimon CRY of Vi Sent 20D.oM IYou donY often get email from kevin@drbronnerconn. l earn wby thisn} Honorable Mayor and City Council,
Please see attached letter from Dr. Bronners in support of the establishment of an Environmental Commission in the City of Vista (134. on the City Council agenda for 9/26/2023).
Thanks,
Kevin
Kevin Lee (he/him is)
Environmental Health & Sustainability Manager
760-743-2211
Why are my pronouns here?
Dr. Bronners
Family Soapmakers Since 1858
P.O. Box 1958, Vista, CA 92085 I F 760-867-2491
ALL -ONE!
Celebrating 75 years of Dr. Bronner's by innovating betterpackaging for our timeless products. Learn more about our NEW Soap Refill Cartons and company initiatives in our 2023 All -One! Report.
Bill
September 25, 2023
c1q000
DR. BRONNER'S Honorable Mayor and Vista City Council,
ALL -ONE!. Thank you for the opportunity to share public comments in support of the establishment IN ALL WE B0, LET US BE of an Environmental Commission for the City of Vista. generous, fair & loving
to Spaceship Earth and all
its inhahitards. For we're
Al OR NONE ALL-ONEI Founded in 1948 by our grandfather, Dr. Bronner's today is a family -owned, family -run California Benefit Corporation and Certified B Corporation proudly based in Vista since 2009.
The top -selling natural brand of soap in North America, we employ over 300 people making socially and environmentally responsible products of the highest quality, and we dedicate our profits to making a better world. We are deeply committed to using business as a force for good and are guided by Six Cosmic Principles — including our Fifth Cosmic Principle, to Treat the Earth Like Home.
At Dr. Bronner's, we know that caring for our planet is good for business. Our customers applaud our high -quality eco-friendly products, such as our organic personal care products and our fiber -based soap refill cartons that provide an alternative to our liquid soaps packaged in too % post -consumer recycled plastic bottles.
We also understand that the health and sustainability of our local community and the rest of our planet are inextricably linked. The decisions made at the City of Vista can have an impact on the environment, the quality of life for residents, and the success of local businesses.
Collaborative efforts at all levels are essential to addressing complex and urgent environmental challenges including the climate crisis and plastic pollution. Businesses rely on the guidance and support of local government, non-profit organizations, and community voices to help us navigate the path towards a more sustainable future.
An Environmental Commission in Vista would provide an important platform for cooperation in our community and between the public, private, and non-profit sectors, and help steer businesses across Vista toward more environmentally sound — and therefore commercially strategic — business choices.
Further, we note the current City of Vista Climate Action Plan (CAP) states "incorporating social equity into the implementation of the CAP is key to a successful outcome for the city as a whole." We believe that establishing an Environmental Commission would support this charge and provide much needed opportunities for community input and participation into the development of policies and resources that can help everyone move toward more environmentally sound choices for all.
For all the reasons outlined above, Dr. Bronner's supports the establishment of an Environmental Commission in the City of Vista.
Thank you for your consideration, and we look forward to continuing to work with the City of Vista to ensure a safe and healthy planet for everyone. All -One! Sincerely,
SHIPPING
1335 Park Center Drive
Vista CA920K
MAILING
David Bronner, CEO
P.O. Box1958
Michael Bronner, President
Vista, CA 92085
T 1-844-WeR-ALLl (937-2551)
F 760-745-6675
drhrannercom
From: Ann Force
To: Public Comments; Kathy Valdez
Subject: September 26, 2023 Vista City Council Meeting, Item D-4 Environmental Commission discussion Date: Monday, September 25, 2023 3:59:25 PM
Attachments: Encinitas Environmental Policy CO25 (May 26 2021) (1).docx To: Vista City Council Members
I strongly support the formation of an Environmental Commission for the City of Vista, preferably modeled on the one in operation in Encinitas. (Please see attached document, "Encinitas Environmental Policy, CO25, revised May 26, 2021.) I recently spoke with a City employee whose truck was idling in my street. I asked him if he knew that California has a no -idling law. He asked what I meant by "idling." I said it meant running your engine while parked. He said that City vehicles are CA -exempt. He asked me if I noticed how Sheriffs' vehicles are running even when parked and empty. I said that is addressed in the law - a special need to keep open communication or readiness in a work zone. I asked him if he was concerned about CO2 and climate change. He said yes, he is just as concerned as everyone else. Then I thanked him for being in our neighborhood and for his service to our community.
I noticed that our agenda report on this item includes a list of Encinitas priorities, and #10 is "fleet idling policy." It will help save taxpayer dollars and also reduce CO2 emissions.
Because of climate change, I am strongly in favor of Encinitas' Priority #8, "tree canopy goal." This dovetails with #3, supporting the development of a native plant policy. I am including this link to the County of San Diego Tree Annual Report for 2022. They will not have a canopy inventory until 2023. 2022_Tree_Annual _Report _091522.pdf (sdparks.orM This report is valuable because the native plants are prioritized as to "most likely to succeed" and advance regeneration ability.
Thank you for discussing this vital issue.
Sincerely,
Ann Force
Sanford Sherman
- Monte Mar Rd
Vista, CA 92084
CITY OF ENCINITAS
CITY COUNCIL POLICY
ADMINISTRATIVE MANUAL
Policy Title: Environmental Policy
Responsible Department: Public Works
Approved By: City Council
I. OBJECTIVE
Section: Council Policy
Number: CO25
Date Approved: October 8, 2008
Date Revised: May 26, 2021
The City of Encinitas recognizes that a key element in the successful achievement of the City's core Mission is a healthy and sustainable environment, both locally and globally. Therefore, the City is committed to effective and efficient integration and implementation of sound environmental practices throughout its operations. The City shall address these environmental issues through open and collaborative public processes, welcoming meaningful engagement from residents, businesses, and public agencies.
This Policy presents a vision and a commitment for the City to move toward and advance a sustainable environment, while simultaneously heeding global existential concerns.
11. VISION AND GUIDING PRINCIPLES
The City of Encinitas will incorporate environmental stewardship into its operational and planning decisions, recognizing that our greatest environmental threat is climate change. Therefore, decisions shall harmoniously combine local issues and global concerns for the greater and synergistic benefit of current and future residents and world citizens.
Climate
Climate change and its effects dominate all environmental issues: unless climate change is moderate, all other environmental effects are secondary. While climate change is a global challenge, its growth is fueled by local actions throughout the world. Unless brought under control, climate change will bring adverse local consequences. Therefore, the City of Encinitas shall take local steps to control it, to adapt to it, and to accommodate its possible extremes:
Ensure all environmental decisions are consistent with Resolution 2020-90, the City's declaration of a Climate Emergency.
Mitigation: Proactively update the City's Climate Action Plan (CAP) with new techniques and technologies as they become available. The City shall proceed with CAP Implementation in a timely fashion.
Adaptation: Forecast and anticipate long-term changes and to plan accordingly. Climate change causes a constantly mutating environment; measures and procedures that were adequate in the past may be insufficient in the future.
• Resilience: Build climate resilience into plans and infrastructure. Since climate change is novel and complex, even the best predictions will not be perfect. Resilience is the ability to accommodate and to robustly recover from unexpected and unforecast situations. • Education: Educate residents and businesses about the effects of climate change and the actions necessary to counter them. Civic government comprises only a fraction of Encinitas' infrastructure and operations, so knowledgeable participation by all stakeholders is mandatory. Infrastructure The City's built environment complements its natural resources, providing the community with an environment for healthy and active lifestyles. Towards this end, the City shall:
• Allocate land use to motivate and increase the safety and convenience of non -automobile transportation, such as walking, biking, and public transit. • Monitor, evaluate, and advise about the environmental impact of emergent planning documents, such as the Housing and Circulation Elements of the General Plan. • Work with environmental organizations and other stakeholders to develop legal and financial incentives to reduce the carbon emissions of the construction, the renovation, and the operation of buildings.
• Value and preserve open spaces, existing ecosystems, native species, lagoon areas, natural landscapes, seascapes, tree canopies, and recreational areas through careful and prudent design. • Allow and encourage consumer agriculture through private and community gardens, tower gardens, greenhouses, and similar small-scale emplacements, using environmentally friendly best -practice methods for pest management.
Water
The City of Encinitas depends on precious water resources to support its treasured community character, lifestyle, and livelihood. The City is cognizant of its tenuous dependence on imported water, the value of this essential and increasingly scarce resource and is fully appreciative of its necessity.
Therefore, the City shall:
• Educate the community about the value, the environmental cost, and the fragility of imported and natural water resources, and about the importance of water conservation, concern, and care. • Proactively monitor local waters to ensure that they meet or exceed health and environmental standards.
• Promote efficient use of water by advocating reuse practices such as recycling, grey water reuse, water -smart irrigation, and rainwater harvesting.
• Ensure safe beaches and a healthy, sustainable ocean environment by minimizing storm water and pollutant runoff to the ocean.
Air
The City will promote clean, breathable air and shall:
• Proactively protect public health and ecological quality by reducing the amount and number of sources of air and noise pollution.
• Educate those who manage commercial and public buildings on methods for improving indoor air quality and educate residents on the causes and harms associated with poor indoor air quality. • Promote infrastructure supporting non -automobile transportation.
Transportation
The City of Encinitas recognizes that a bike and pedestrian friendly environment is for more favorable to creating an open, vibrant, and welcoming community than an automobile -oriented one. Such a people -oriented, cohesive community is resilient and supportive of local businesses. Therefore, the City shall:
• Favor people -centric designs in land -use planning, emphasizing accessibility, community, and convenient mobility without automobiles.
• Elevate the priority and the resources devoted to active transportation and transit so as to rebalance an infrastructure that has become harmful to them, a consequence of decades of automobile dependence.
• Acknowledge that the high -cost of automobile support is not limited to its construction cost, but must include the cost of its long-term land use, its annual maintenance over decades, its safety hazards, and its environmental impact from increased automobile use. • Evaluate and quantify the negative impact of carbon emissions that may result from all transportation projects.
Energy
The City of Encinitas strives to be a low energy -use community that favors renewable resources over fossil fuels. The City recognizes that economically -competitive green technologies are available which not only preserve the environment, but which promote human health as well. Therefore, the City shall:
• Work towards electricity carbon -neutrality by 2030 or sooner. • Encourage and incentivize private, public, and commercial use of innovative and efficient technologies for renewable energy generation, storage, and use. • Develop and promote creative, economics -based programs to encourage reduced energy use and carbon emissions from city residents and businesses.
• Work with other jurisdictions such as cities, county, state and federal governments to promote and implement renewable energy sources to take advantage of economies of scale.
Waste
The City of Encinitas shall manage solid waste with the goal of achieving Zero -Waste by these actions:
• Manage waste according to the following priorities: 1) Prevent 2) Reduce 3) Reuse 4) Recycle and 5) Proper Disposal.
• Recognize that "recycling" is often a poor or superficial act which may placate consciences, but which may actually increase usage given the assumed reduced impact on the environment. • Work with local businesses to reduce Single -Use Disposable Plastics (SUDPs) through alternative products.
• Work with local businesses to encourage their suppliers to provide more sustainable and recyclable packaging.
• Develop policies and programs that work toward Zero Waste. • Enforce litter and waste management ordinances and include expanded awareness programs.
Environmental Justice and Equity
The City recognizes and acknowledges that many environmental costs and benefits in the past have not been equitably distributed among people of different economic, social, racial, or otherwisemarginalized populations. Therefore, the City shall encourage all people, including those in groups that have historically been underrepresented, to participate in the design and implementation processes for creating environments in which to live, learn, and work. So that all people may enjoy the same freedom from environmental and health hazards, the City shall:
• Ensure that planning for environmental actions achieves environmental, economic, racial, generational, and social justice by actively seeking input from all community stakeholders. • Ensure that diverse generations are well -represented by inviting and encouraging participation from local schools, colleges, and universities.
• Encourage full community participation through collaboration with all residents of Encinitas, along with local and regional communities of academia, climate science, environmental innovation, underrepresented groups, and non -profits.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Efficient and effective implementation of the goals and principles in this policy depend upon cooperative and collaborative action by all stakeholders. Shared responsibility, involvement, decision -making, and action benefits all parties in the achievement of common goals and vision. Coordinated participation and commitment are necessary, with the Environmental Commission, the City government, and the community playing complementary key roles.
Environmental Commission
• Develop and periodically review an Environmental Commission Work Plan that adheres to the principles outlined in this policy and identifies specific city activities that will lead to achieving the environmental vision.
• Periodically review and revise this policy statement to ensure that it continues to meet contemporary environmental issues.
• Act as a liaison between the community and the City for environmental issues. • Encourage and facilitate citizen involvement through environmental outreach and education, and by responding to the concerns and suggestions of the community. • Proactively propose City actions that implement the policies expressed in this document.
City Council, City Manager, City Departments, Boards & Commissions • Lead by example by identifying and implementing specific city projects that can serve as environmental models for others to follow.
• Encourage interdepartmental coordination and educate and empower city employees to incorporate these principles into city decisions and operations. • Work with other jurisdictions to develop best practices and to find shared solutions to common environmental issues.
• Develop and maintain procedures, facilities, and personnel to promptly and effectively deal with environmental emergencies.
• Ensure the City's environmental programs are funded, staffed, and structured so as to result in social, economic and environmental justice in its allocations. • Recognize that the environment is not just local, but is global and is shared, and act accordingly.
Citizens & Community
• Respect the environment that we have been granted by being aware of the local and global impacts of personal choices and commercial and government actions and how they may benefit or adversely impact the environment.
• Take responsibility for the social, environmental, and economic impacts of daily decisions and actions.
• Engage in the City's environmental planning processes and bring forth ideas to the Environmental Commission and to the City to ensure that this Environmental Policy and the Commission's Work Plan meet the community's needs.
• Hold local, state, and national leaders accountable on environmental issues. • Be actively engaged through self-awareness, education, and civic involvement.
ADD TO PACKET
Fum:
setsulo
To:
Kathy valdea
Subject:
Fnvimnnaslal camni
Date:
Tuesday, September 26, 20D 1150:11 AM
]You don't often get email from- Learn why this is important at htlos Yaka ms/LeamAbomSenderldenti5cation ]
Dear Ms. Valdez,
My mane is Cindy Odo-Amen. I am sending this request via e-mail as my computer is down today.
My request to the Council today is to please approve and empanel an environmental commission modeled on the in operation m the city of Encinitas.
I would like to underscore the objective statement which states that the City shall address the envhonmurtal issues through open and collaborative public processes,welwarrog meaningful engagement from residents, businesses and public agencies.
I thank you in advance in sharing Us request with the members of the City Council.
Sincerely,
Cindy Odo-Amen
IIZI
From:
lames Wano
To:
Public Comments
subject:
Item D9: EweinmeMal 2ommimon-please approve
Date:
Tu y, September M, 20D 121:13 PM
IYou donY often get email from-. earnwytJQ o% tan}
City of Vista Mayor Franklin, Deputy Mayor Contreras, and Councilmemhers:
I applaud all of you for considering the formation of an Environmental Commission for the City of Vista.
As the former Chair of the Environmental Commission in Encinitas, I can speak with experience about some of the benefits such a Commission can provide to your city:
• An Environmental Commission provides an excellent opportunity for your residents to get involved in city affairs about issues about which they are concerned. • The Commission adds a peer -level interface between residents and your city, in addition to your current direct interactions with Council and staff.
• Because your Commissioners will be volunteers, they are passionate about the environment.
Therefore, the issues that they raise and which they will bring before you will be duly vetted and researched before requesting your time and consideration. Although some staff time may still be required, it will be far less than if they had to start from scratch. • Examples of environmental decisions in Encinitas initiated by their Environmental Commission include: Community Choice Energy; the City's CEQA-qualified and award -winning Climate Action Plan; Building Electrification; ordinance on smoking in public locations; Climate Emergency Declaration; ordinances on Single -Use Plastics.
• The Encinitas documents provide examples for a Vista Environmental Commission. The Mission Statement, the Responsibilities, and the example Work Plan am great starting points.
Good decisions depend on the wise evaluation of pros and cons. In this case, the benefits of an Environmental Commission far outweigh the cons. Therefore, I urge you to approve the formation of a Vista Environmental Commission so that yam city may, start benefiting from it as soon as possible.
Thank you!
Jun Wang
Encinitas