Title
Receive an update on the status of the Monterey County Community Climate Action Plan; and, provide direction to staff as appropriate.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
Receive an update on the status of the Monterey County Community Climate Action Plan; and, provide direction to staff as appropriate.
SUMMARY:
In 2006, the state of California adopted Assembly Bill (AB) 32, which established a mandate to reduce the State’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to 1990 levels by the year 2020. The initial Climate Change Scoping Plan adopted by the California Air Resources Board called for local governments to set municipal and community-wide GHG reduction targets that coincide with the statewide GHG reduction goals and to develop plans to reach these goals. Adopted in 2010, the Monterey County General Plan - Open Space Element (Section OS-10.11), states that the County shall develop and adopt a community-wide GHG emissions reduction plan to reduce emissions by 15% below 2005 levels by 2020. This goal is consistent with the statewide emissions target outlined in AB 32.
Since the adoption of the 2010 General Plan, RMA-Planning Division staff performed several activities related to the development of the Monterey County Community Climate Action Plan (CCAP). Activities included the following:
• Preparation and adoption of a Municipal Climate Action Plan (DATE)
• Participation with various cities preparing their Municipal Climate Action Plans
• Organized a community focus group to provide input into the CCAP and to develop a list of potential measures (Attachment A)
• Drafted and released an online community survey to collect information regarding climate change from the public
• Organized a community kick-off meeting in June 2015
• Worked with AMBAG Energy Watch staff to provide the County with a Community Wide GHG Emissions Inventory for 2005
• Established an ongoing agreement between the County and ICF Jones and Stokes to provide consulting services and staff is currently working with ICF to provide a cost-benefit analysis of potential measures
In January 2018, RMA and CAO-IGLA staff agreed that Go Green! Program staff will assume lead to undertake the future development of the CCAP, with RMA-Planning staff providing support and technical input as necessary. Future activities will likely involve updating the communitywide GHG emissions inventory, collecting additional relevant data available to staff, coordinating with regional stakeholders, and updating possible measures to be included in the CCAP. Go Green! Staff will provide a more detailed update to the AEE Committee at its May 24, 2018 meeting.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Previous work on the MCAP and CCAP was led by RMA - Planning staff in consultation with multiple agencies/departments. Future efforts to complete the CCAP will include input from various departments and outside agencies.
FINANCING:
Staff costs for the Go Green! Program are provided in the approved FY 2017-18 budget for the CAO-IGLA division. Staff anticipates the need for some outside consultant services required for technical assistance to complete the CCAP.
RMA identified that approximately $15,000 remains in a contract with ICF International Inc. (formerly ICF Jones and Stokes) for consulting services related to the Monterey County CCAP. Funding for this work was approved as part of an augmentation RMA received for the FY17/18 budget ($100,000 total). RMA Director has agreed to work with CAO-IGLA (Go Green!) to facilitate the use of consultant services utilizing these funds in this fiscal year. Staff will evaluate future consulting needs and potential costs in more detail and return with an update at a subsequent meeting.
Prepared by: Dan Bertoldi, Management Analyst III
Approved by: Nicholas E. Chiulos, Assistant County Administrative Officer
Carl P. Holm, AICP, RMA Director