HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-01-23 - AGENDA REPORTS - CLIMATE CHANGE (2)Agenda Item: 14
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
AGENDA REPORT
NEW BUSINESS
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL: 41
DATE: January 23, 2018
SUBJECT: CLIMATE CHANGE DISCUSSION AND LETTER
DEPARTMENT: City Manager's Office
PRESENTER: Masis Hagobian
RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council discuss and provide direction to staff regarding sending a letter to each of the City's
Federal Legislative Delegation encouraging them to sponsor and/or support measures that will
acknowledge the serious threat posed by climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in
a clear, transparent, and effective way.
BACKGROUND
At the January 9, 2018, regular City Council meeting, Council Member Cameron Smyth
requested that the City Council discuss, at the January 23, 2018, regular City Council meeting,
sending a letter encouraging the City of Santa Clarita's (City) federal legislative delegation to
sponsor and/or support measures that will acknowledge the serious threat posed by climate
change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in a clear, transparent, and effective way.
In an effort to comply with state emission reduction goals, the City adopted a Climate Action
Plan on August 28, 2012, outlining strategies to reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions
produced in the City. The City has taken many steps to reduce its carbon footprint including
investment in compressed natural gas to power the City's transit fleet, a City policy for LEED
Silver certification on all new City buildings, and the City's preservation of open space.
Additional actions taken by the City include growth and improvements made to the City's trails
and paseos, installation of LED public lights and traffic lights, issuance of renewable energy
system permits, and reduction in water usage through programs like "smart" irrigation
technology, implemented by the City's Landscape Maintenance District since 2007.
In July 2017, Representative Steve Knight joined the Climate Solutions Caucus in the United
States House of Representatives. Comprised of 33 Democrats and 33 Republicans, the bipartisan
caucus was founded in February 2016 and aims to explore policy options that address the
impacts, causes, and challenges of climate change.
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The City Council is requested to review and discuss the attached draft letter and provide
direction to staff.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION
I . Do not send a five -signature letter to Senator Dianne Feinstein, Senator Kamala Harris, and
Representative Steve Knight, encouraging them to sponsor and/or support measures related
to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change
2. Revise letter and authorize sending it as a five -signature letter to Senator Dianne Feinstein,
Senator Kamala Harris, and Representative Steve Knight, encouraging them to sponsor
and/or support measures that will acknowledge the serious threat posed by climate change
and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in a clear, transparent, and effective way
3. Refer the letter to the Legislative Committee
4. Other direction, as determined by the City Council
FISCAL IMPACT
Approval of the recommended action requires no additional resources beyond those already
contained within the adopted FY 17/18 budget.
ATTACHMENTS
Climate Change Letter - Sample
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14.a
January 24, 2018
SUBJECT: Support Measures to Acknowledge the Serious Threat of Climate
Change and Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Dear [Federal Representative]:
We are writing to express the Santa Clarita City Council's support for you to
sponsor and/or support measures that will acknowledge the serious threat posed by
climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in a clear, transparent, and
effective way.
In an effort to measure the amount of greenhouse gas emissions generated within
the City and to develop strategies to reduce the emissions in the future, the City of
Santa Clarita adopted a Climate Action Plan on August 28, 2012. The Climate
Action Plan identifies mitigation measures that can be quantified and translated
into significant reductions made in our community. However, as climate change
is a global issue, we hope that you work with your colleagues in Congress in
exploring policies that address the impacts, causes, and challenges of climate
change.
Should you or your staff require any additional information regarding the Santa
Clarita City Council's support of for measures that acknowledge the significant
threat posed by climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, please
contact Michael P. Murphy, Intergovernmental Relations Manager, at
(661) 255-4384 or mmurphyksanta-clarita.com.
Sincerely,
Mayor Laurene Weste Mayor Pro Tem Marsha McLean
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January 24, 2018
Council Member Bob Kellar Council Member Cameron Smyth
Council Member Bill Miranda
MH:
S: MS:Masis: Lettem Chmate Change 1.15.18
cc: Kenneth W. Striplin, City Manager
Leadership Team
Michael Murphy, Intergovernmental Relations Manager
Carrie Lujan, Communications Manager
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