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Home My WebLink About2011-09-13 - AGENDA REPORTS - CLIMATE ACTION MEMBERSHIP (2)�ry CONSENT CALENDAR DATE: SUBJECT: DEPARTMENT: Agenda Item: 7 CITY OF SANTA CLARITA AGENDA REPORT City Manager Approval: Item to be presented by: September 13, 2011 ADOPTION OF THE MEMBERSHIP CHARTER FOR THE LOS ANGELES REGIONAL COLLABORATIVE FOR CLIMATE ACTION AND SUSTAINABILITY. Community Development RECOMMENDED ACTION City Council adopt a resolution adopting the Membership Charter for the Los Angeles Regional Collaborative for Climate Action and Sustainability. BACKGROUND In January, 2011, the City of Santa Clarita began work on a Climate Action Plan (CAP). Completion of a CAP was required by California Assembly Bill 32 (AB32) as a part of the new General Plan, which was adopted in June, 2011. AB32 requires a Statewide reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to 1990 levels by the year 2020. Managed by the University of California of Los Angeles' Institute of the Environment and Sustainability, the Los Angeles Regional Collaborative for Climate Action and Sustainability (LARC) is a network designed to encourage greater coordination and cooperation at the local and regional level by bringing together leadership from local governments, the business community, academia, labor, and community groups. The purpose of this collaboration is to share information; foster partnerships, and develop system -wide strategies to address climate change and promote the green economy. Membership in LARC will formally include the City of Santa Clarita on the Steering Committee. The Steering Committee is responsible for a variety of duties including policy setting, formulation of best management practices, resource and outreach planning, and overall regional collaboration. The immediate goal of LARC is to create a set of regional tools and management practices for the creation of a region -wide CAP and to assist local governments in the creation of their own, individual CAPs. Currently, LARC consists of thirteen member organizations including cities, councils of government, private businesses and universities. Becoming a member of LARC will: expose the City to a set of regional best practices that can be applied to current and future sustainability programs offered in Santa Clarita; promote the local green economy; help to foster partnerships between the City and other municipalities, private companies and academic institutions; help leverage grant funds; and positively position the City for future dialogue with the Office of the Attorney General regarding the City's Climate Action Plan. A copy of the LARC Charter is attached as Exhibit A. ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS Other actions as determined by the City Council. FISCAL IMPACT Dues for LARC are $500. These funds have been allocated in the General Fund, account 1300-5161.002 as part of the City's Climate Action Plan budget. ATTACHMENTS Resolution Exhibit A: LARC Membership Charter RESOLUTION II- A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA. CLARITA, CALIFORNIA, WHEREAS, The City Council is dedicated to sustaining the environmental and economic health of the community; and WHEREAS, Work on a Climate Action Plan to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions generated within the City in compliance with Assembly Bill 32 was begun in January, 2011; and WHEREAS, Municipal governments, businesses and academic organizations have joined together under the direction of the. University of California at Los Angeles Institute of the Environment and Sustainability; and WHEREAS, This collaboration is formally known as the Los Angeles Regional Collaborative for Climate Action & Sustainability (LARC); and WHEREAS, The purpose of LARC is to share information, foster partnerships, and develop system -wide strategies to address climate change and promote a green economy through sustainable communities. NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Santa Clarita does hereby resolve as follows: SECTION 1. The City of Santa Clarita adopts the Membership Charter of the Los Angeles Regional Collaborative for Climate Action and Sustainability SECTION 2. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this Resolution. PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED this day of 2011. MAYOR ATTEST: CITY CLERK DATE: STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) ss. CITY OF SANTA CLARITA) I, Sarah P. Gorman, City Clerk of the City of Santa Clarita, do hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution was duly adopted by the City Council of the City of Santa Clarita at a regular meeting thereof, held on the day of 2011, by the following vote: AYES: ' COUNCILMEMBERS: NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: 2 CITY CLERK STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) ss. CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ) CERTIFICATION OF CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION City Clerk of the City of Santa Clarita, do hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of the original Resolution 11- adopted by the City Council of the City of Santa Clarita, California on , 2011, which is now on file in my office. Witness my hand and seal of the City of Santa Clarita, California, this _ day of 2011. City Clerk By Deputy City Clerk 3 s Los Angeles Regional Collaborative , For Climate Action & Sustainability The United Nations World Council on the Environment and Development defines sustainability as the ability to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Climate Change poses the greatest challenge for our generation in achieving sustainability. Global scientific consensus has concluded that our consumption of carbon -based fossil fuels increases the concentrations of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in our atmosphere. This, in turn, results in increased frequency and intensity of extreme climatic events that threaten our economic productivity and quality of life. In the Los Angeles region this may be experienced through: • Rising Tides, Violent Storms and Floods. Many communities and key infrastructure, including the Los Angeles/Long Beach Ports - the nation's busiest trade port, and the Los Angeles International Airport - the world's 5th busiest airport, are located in low-lying coastal areas. • Hotter, Drier Days. Prolonged heat waves will create more smog forming conditions exposing us to more air pollution, increase respiratory and heat -related illnesses and will burden the healthcare system. Longer droughts will reduce water supplies. • Increased Frequency of Wildfires. Numerous forest and scrub -adjacent . communities and infrastructure will be threatened, increasing protection and re- location costs. • Reduced Water and Energy Reliability. Hotter temperatures will affect water supply reliability, food production and place great stress on our energy grid. Fuel and energy price volatility greatly impacts our region's economic and social development. The anticipated adverse impacts on our region's environment, health, economy and social well-being provide the impetus for an urgent call to action. State policies, such as California's landmark Global Warming Solutions Act (Assembly Bill 32) mandates a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020. However, scientific consensus states that in order to avoid the most catastrophic impacts of climate change, an 80% reduction below 1990 levels is necessary, as acknowledged by Governor Schwarzenegger's Executive Order S-305. The need for embracing climate change action through regional collaboration is clear as no one agency, company, individual or group can address these challenges independently. The Los Angeles Regional Collaborative for Climate Action & Sustainability' recognizes that there is a profound need for cross -jurisdictional collaboration to promote energy efficiency, renewable energy, and other best practices at the local, State and Federal levels. These practices will provide multiple benefits by reducing our dependence on fossil fuel and increasing our local renewable energy capabilities and create green employment opportunities. Coordinated efforts with our land use, transportation, infrastructure, energy, ' For logistical purposes, the geographic scope will initially include, but not be limited to the county of Los Angeles. The Los Angeles Regional Collaborative is comprised of multiple co -equal partners and does not fall under the jurisdiction of any one governmental entity. Los Angeles Regional Collaborative For Climate Action & Sustainability and resource -management partners will prepare our communities to best meet these challenges and sustain our quality of life. The Los Angeles Regional Collaborative for Climate Action & Sustainability is a network designed to encourage greater coordination and cooperation at the local and regional levels by bringing together leadership from government, the business community, academia, labor, environmental and community groups. The purpose of this collaboration is to share information, foster partnerships, and develop system -wide strategies to address climate change and promote a green economy through sustainable communities. NO] It .- •. 0 • Build a regional action plan to 1) establish baselines of current greenhouse gas emission levels, 2) identify greenhouse gas emission reduction targets and mandates, 3) develop a mechanism for tracking progress in reducing those emissions, 4) identify a full range of measures for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to climate change,_and 5) provide strategies to help meet those goals. • Proactively create cross -jurisdictional and public-private partnerships in support of the regional action plan development and implementation. • Work together to leverage local, state and federal resources to implement the regional action plan. • Share information and best practices on climate change and other sustainability goals. • Develop a consistent communication plan for informing stakeholders of the Los Angeles region of the urgency in addressing global climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. 2 Signing onto this Charter does not supersede any powers vested to the signatory. Last Revised: May 4, 2009 7