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HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance 2689 N.C.S. 08/05/20191 2 3 4 5 6 7 EFFECTIVE DATE OF ORDINANCE September 5, 2019 Introduced by Kathy Miller ORDINANCE NO. 2689 N.C.S. Seconded by Gabe Kearney AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PETALUMA ESTABLISHING A CLIMATE ACTION COMMISSION WHEREAS, all the countries that signed the 2015 Paris Agreement vowed to keep Global warming in this century "well below 2°C above pre -industrial levels" and to "pursue efforts to limit temperature increase even further to 1.50C"; and WHEREAS, the 2018 International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C estimates that humans have already caused about 1.0°C of global warming above pre -industrial levels; and WHEREAS, the 2018 IPCC Special Report estimates that to have a 66% chance of limiting global warming to 1.5° C, we cannot exceed our remaining "carbon budget," which is equal to about 10 years of current -level greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions; and WHEREAS, current global warming has contributed to the increasing frequency and intensity of wildfires, floods, droughts, heat waves, and hurricanes; and WHEREAS, Northern California wildfires in 2017 and 2018 destroyed at least 38,333 structures, killed 118, displaced thousands, and caused serious reductions in air quality; and WHEREAS, the current pace of sea -level rise is already impacting California's coastline - at 2- 3 feet of sea -level rise, parts of Petaluma would be under water - and there is the possibility of 6.5 feet or more of total sea -level rise by 2100; and WHEREAS, climate change and the global economy's overshoot of ecological limits are driving the sixth mass extinction of species; and WHEREAS, the U.S. has contributed greatly to these climate and ecological crises and bears an extraordinary responsibility to help solve them; and WHEREAS, restoring a safe and stable climate requires mobilization at all levels of government and society on a scale, scope, and speed not seen since World War Two; and WHEREAS, marginalized communities worldwide—including people of color, immigrants, indigenous communities, low-income people, those with disabilities, and the unhoused—are already disproportionately affected by climate change and must benefit first from a just transition to a sustainable and equitable economy; and WHEREAS, efforts to control climate change will have many other beneficial effects, Ordinance No. 2689 N.C.S. Page 1 such as cleaner air and water; employment closer to home; cost savings for households and the City, and the priceless creation of community; and WHEREAS, the City of Petaluma anticipates that the California and federal law will be enacted to combat climate change in the future; and WHEREAS, the City deems it necessary to take action regarding climate change now; and WHEREAS, the City of Petaluma intends to elevate climate issues to the highest priority in its goal -setting process; to give precedence to climate mitigation and adaption when evaluating policies and purchases, planning projects and allocating resources; and will seek financial and regulatory aid to support these efforts; and WHEREAS, the City of Petaluma will encourage and promote reducing citywide GHG emissions to carbon neutrality as quickly as possible and no later than 2045 - the goal set by Governor Brown's Executive Order B-55-18 - to accelerate climate adaptation and resilience strategies; and WHEREAS, the City of Petaluma supports full public participation toward zero net emissions— including input from and participation by disenfranchised communities - and recognizes that Petaluma residents, community organizations, labor, business, and schools are integral to leading this effort; and WHEREAS, the City of Petaluma calls for emergency action at all levels of government to restore a safer climate, safeguard against the results of climate change, and support the just transition to a sustainable economy with good -paying, high-quality jobs; and WHEREAS, the City of Petaluma intends to do everything in its power to swiftly convert to an ecologically, socially, and economically sustainable economy; and WHEREAS, to support this effort, the City Council of the City of Petaluma wishes to establish a Climate Action Commission to further the discussion and create policies and procedures related to the current climate crises; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of the City of Petaluma as follows: Section 1: New Chapter 2.90 Added. A new Chapter 2.90 of the Petaluma Municipal Code is hereby added to read as follows: Chapter 2.90 - Climate Action Commission 2.90.010 Establishment 2.90.020 Qualifications and Appointment of Members 2.90.030 Terms of Office 2.90.040 Vacancies 2.90.050 Duties 2.90.060 Rules and Regulations 2.90.010 Establishment -A Climate Action Commission consisting of seven members is hereby established for the City. 2.90.020 Qualifications and Appointment of Members - The Commission shall have one member who is a liaison from the City Council appointed by the City Council. The remaining six Commission members shall be appointed from the Ordinance No. 2689 N.C.S. Page 2 community at large by the City Council. At least one Commission member shall have professional expertise in climate issues. Members of other city commissions or committees are welcome to apply and be appointed by the City Council to also serve on the Climate Action Commission. All Commission members must have resided in the City not less than one year prior to appointment; except that, two Commission members may reside outside of the City limits but must have had Petaluma mailing addresses for not less than one year prior to appointment and must maintain Petaluma mailing addresses while they serve on the Commission. 2.90.030 Terms of Office -Terms of office for the six of the seven Commission members shall be four-year staggered terms, and shall extend until the 30th day of June or until his/her successor is appointed. The City Council liaison shall be appointed at the beginning of each calendar year and serve for one year or until his/her successor is appointed. 2.90.040 Vacancies - Upon the death, resignation, disability to perform the duties of a Commission member, or upon the loss of qualifications necessary to serve as a Commission member, or upon the failure to attend any meeting of the Commission for five consecutive regular meetings, except in case of illness or for some other unavoidable cause, or based on other considerations of the City Council in its sole discretion, the City Council shall review and if found to be appropriate, declare the office of such member vacant and thereupon appoint a qualified person to fill such vacancy for the unexpired term of such member. 2.90.050 Duties - The Climate Action Commission shall perform the duties designated and delegated by the City Council on matters pertaining to climate action policies and their implementation within the City. The Commission shall also serve as a forum for the consideration, analysis and coordination of climate action related City policies, and shall advise the City on matters referred by City departments, and other Council -appointed hearing bodies. The Climate Action Commission shall engage with climate related matters, including but not limited to: 1. Acting as a focal point for community education through workshops where experts can share their expertise. 2. Understanding our impact on the environment, including carbon footprint and greenhouse gas emissions. 3. Suggesting climate change policies to be implemented by City staff. 4. Encouraging community groups to provide additional community involvement and expertise. 5. Examining best practices from other jurisdictions and recommending implementation as appropriate. 2.90.060 Rules and Regulations - Subject to the City Charter, this Chapter, and other applicable law, the Climate Action Commission shall have the right and duty to adopt such rules and regulations as it shall determine for the holding and conducting of its meetings and hearings and the selection of its officers and for the performance of any of its functions or responsibilities. The Climate Action Commission shall not have the right to employ any person or incur expenses or obligations against the City except as provided by and for which Ordinance No. 2689 N.C.S. Page 3 27 28 29 30 appropriations are made by the City Council pursuant to and in accordance with budgets adopted by the City Council. 2.90.070 Meetings - Subject to members' availability, regular meetings of the Climate Action Commission shall occur at least once a month, at Petaluma City Hall, at a date and time to be determined by the Commission from time to time in accordance with the requirements of the Ralph M. Brown Act, California Government Code section 54950 and following. Section 2. Severability. If any provision of this ordinance or the application thereof to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the ordinance, including the application of such part or provision to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby and shall continue in full force and effect. To this end, provisions of this ordinance are severable. The City Council hereby declares that it would have passed each section, subsection, subdivision, paragraph, sentence, clause, or phrase hereof irrespective of the fact that any one or more sections, subsections, subdivisions, paragraphs, sentences, clauses, or phrases be held unconstitutional, invalid, or unenforceable. Section 3. Referendum Period. This ordinance shall become effective thirty (30) days after the date of its adoption by the Petaluma City Council. Section 4. Posting/Publishing of Notice. The City Clerk is hereby directed to post and/or publish this ordinance or a synopsis of it for the period and in the manner required by the City Charter. INTRODUCED, and orderedpublished/posted this 151h day of July 2019. ADOPTED this 51h day of August 2019, by the following vote: Ayes: 31 Noes: 32 Abstain 33 Absent: 34 35 ATTEST: Mayor Barrett, Fischer, Healy, Kearney, King, Miller None None Vice Mayor McDonnell a6w_u Samantha Pascoe, Deputy City Clerk Teresa Barrett, Mayor APPROVED —5 TO FORM: Eric W. Dar)] -y; -City Attorney Ordinance No. 2689 N.C.S. Page 4