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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1.A-ClimateActionCommission-StaffReportAgenda Item #1.A DATE: September 19, 2019 TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council through City Manager"� FROM: Peggy Flynn, City Manager Patrick Carter, Senior Management Analyst, City Manager's Office SUBJECT: Applications and Interviews for the Climate Action Commission RECOMMENDATION It is recommended the Council consider the Applications and Interviews for the Climate Action Commission. BACKGROUND The Council established the Climate Action Commission (Commission) by Ordinance No. 2689 N.C.S. on August 5, 2019. The Commission will be comprised of seven members — one liaison appointed from the Council, and six members appointed by the Council from the community at large. All community member commissioners must have resided in Petaluma for at least one year prior to appointment, except that two commissioners may reside outside of City limits provided they have had a Petaluma mailing address for at least one year. At least one commissioner must have professional expertise in climate issues. Members of other city commissions and committees were welcome to apply. As the Commission was not created at the beginning of the calendar year, the initial appointment of commissioners will be different from subsequent appointments. The first Council liaison appointed will have an abbreviated first term since most of the calendar year has already passed. The ordinance requires staggered terms for community -at -large commissioners; to have staggered terms, some of the initial appointed members would have a reduced first term. The terms of office are as follows: City Council liaison — appointed at the beginning of each year, serve for one year, or until a successor is appointed Community -at -large commissioners — staggered terms of four years until June 30 or until a successor is appointed The Commission was established to discuss and make recommendations to the Council on climate action policy. The Commission is to serve as a forum for consideration, analysis, and coordination of climate action related to City policies, and shall engage with climate -related matters including acting as a focal point for community education through workshops, understanding our impact on the environment, suggesting climate change policies to be implemented by City staff, encouraging community groups to provide additional community involvement and expertise, and examining best practices from other jurisdictions and recommending implementation as appropriate. Regular meetings of the Commission shall occur at least once per month at a to -be -determined time and location. Meetings shall be conducted in accordance with the requirements of the Ralph M. Brown Act. The ordinance establishing the Commission acknowledges the disproportionate impact climate change has on marginalized communities worldwide, including people of color, immigrants, indigenous communities, low-income people, those with disabilities, and the unhoused, and acknowledges the need to benefit those groups first to be a just transition to a sustainable and equitable economy. DISCUSSION 31 applications were received by the September 9, 2019 deadline. Staff reviewed the applications and examined the professional climate experience and residence qualifications. One applicant did not have a current Petaluma address, and was disqualified. Applicants with at least one-year residence within Petaluma city limits were Ann Baker*, Panama Bartholomy*, George Beeler*, Ron Chestnut, Jeff Creque*, Barbara Crowley, William Frazier, Kailea Frederick*, Jean Ger, Ben Gettleman*, Dana Gilliland-Wistrom*, Michael Giotis*, Daniel Green, Bruce Hagen*, Patricia Morris, David Murphy*, John Malanga*, Brent Newell*, Ned Orrett*, Benjamin Peters*, Jesse Rankin*, John Shribbs*, Paul Siri*, Matt Stone*, Byron Vonthal, Kendall Webster*, and Bill Wolpert*. Applicants with at least one-year residence outside Petaluma city limits, but with a Petaluma mailing address (maximum of two may be selected) were Duane Bellinger, Rachel Kaplan*, and Herb Newburger. * indicates candidates with professional climate issues experience Not all applicants have indicated availability to attend the scheduled interview session, and the interview is not required for an applicant to be considered for the Commission. The appointment of the Council liaison and commissioners is recommended for the October 7, 2019 City Council meeting. When the Council considers the appointments, staff recommends three of the commissioners be appointed with terms expiring June 30, 2022 (approximately 2 3/4 years) and three commissioners be appointed with terms expiring June 30, 2023 (approximately 3 3/4 years). Staff proposes the following process: • Staff introduction of this item (5 minutes) • Interview candidates in alphabetical order by last name (90 minutes @ 3 mins each) • Council questions of staff and discussion (10 minutes) Public Comment (15 minutes) IN • Direct staff to prepare for Council liaison and Climate Action Commission selection at the October 7, 2019 City Council meeting Given the extensive information provided in the supplemental questionnaire, and the number of applicants, staff recommends the interviews be conducted for a time period not exceeding three minutes per applicant, with the single question of "Why do you want to be a Commissioner on the Climate Action Commission?" PUBLIC OUTREACH The availability of applications for the Commission was advertised on the City's website, on the City's Facebook and Nextdoor pages, and through email to individuals who had contacted the City Clerk expressing interest in the Commission. The Petaluma Argus Courier published an article about the Climate Action Commission's creation on July 26, 2019. Additionally, Climate Action Petaluma hosted a community forum about climate action which promoted the availability of Commission applications. FINANCIAL IMPACTS The Commission does not have the ability to employ any person or incur expenses or obligations against the City except as provided by and for which budgetary appropriations are made by the Council. ATTACHMENTS 1. Applications for the Climate Action Commission