HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-12-14 - AGENDA REPORTS - CLIMATE ACTION PLAN CONTR (2)CONSENT CALENDAR
DATE:
SUBJECT:
DEPARTMENT:
Agenda Item: ID
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
AGENDA REPORT
City Manager Approval:
Item to be presented by:
December 14, 2010
AWARD OF CONTRACT FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES TO
COMPLETE A CLIMATE ACTION PLAN
Community Development
RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council award a contract to ENVIRON International Corporation in the amount of $159,990
to prepare a Climate Action Plan for the City of Santa Clarita and authorize the City Manager or
his designee to execute all documents, subject to City Attorney approval.
Increase expenditure budget 14603-5161.002 by $69,990 to appropriate available AB2766 funds
from the Air Quality Management District.
BACKGROUND
In 2006, the State of California passed Assembly Bill 32, the Global Warming Solutions Act of
2006 (AB32). The legislation committed the state to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to a
level equivalent to 1990 emissions by 2020. The legislation also requires municipalities creating
new general plans to evaluate and mitigate for greenhouse gas emissions in its planning areas to a
level consistent with AB32. Furthermore, Senate Bill 375 (SB375) places requirements on
municipalities regarding the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions through land use patterns,
enhanced transit services and the reduction of vehicle miles traveled (VMT).
In order to comply with AB32 and S13375, the process of creating new or updating existing
general plans must include a Climate Action Plan (CAP). A CAP is a proposed requirement as
part of the One Valley One Vision process. CAPS generally contain:
• Adoption of state -accepted protocol software to model greenhouse gas emissions in the
project area. The most widely accepted protocol has been prepared by the International
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Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI);
• An inventory of greenhouse gas emissions from all community and municipal sources;
• A public outreach component to receive input from the community and stakeholders;
• A greenhouse gas mitigation plan composed of strategies to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions to a level consistent with the requirements of AB32 and SB375 throughout
the project area; and
• A monitoring program for greenhouse gas emissions into the future.
Recent amendments to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) require CAPS to
receive formal environmental review. This process could result in the preparation of an
environmental impact report (EIR).
Historically, the Office of the Attorney General has been involved in reviewing how new general
plans address greenhouse gas emissions. In some cases where the Attorney General did not feel a
municipality addressed greenhouse gas emissions adequately, legal action has been taken
resulting in settlement agreements with strict guidelines on how the municipality should proceed.
City staff has been working proactively with the Office of the Attorney General's office since the
Fall of 2009, and has committed to complete a CAP within 18 months of the adoption of OVOV.
In July of 2010, City staff initiated a request for proposal process for consultant services to
complete a CAP. Proposals were received on August 9, 2010. The proposed work plan is
reflective of the CAP contents described above. Total proposed project cost is approximately
$160,000. Should the contract be approved, work would begin by the end of December, 2010.
ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS
Other action as determined by the City Council.
FISCAL IMPACT
Upon approval of the recommended action, all funds will be available in Accounts
13100-5161.002 (general fund) and 14603-5161.002 (Air Quality Management District funds).
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