TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute an agreement, and all necessary documents and any subsequent amendments, with U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. (USGBC), to participate in the LEED for Cities Local Government Leadership Program: 2021 National Cohort, for the period of April 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022, with the option to extend the term by up to 12 months, at the discretion of the City Manager. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
The City of Long Beach (City) has been selected by the USGBC as a recipient of the 2021 LEED for Cities and Communities Grant Program to participate in the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) for Cities Local Government Leadership Program: 2021 National Cohort (Cohort). The Cohort convenes a group of U.S. local governments as they register, certify, and continuously improve in the LEED for Cities and Communities certification program.
The LEED for Cities and Communities certification encompasses social, economic, and environmental performance indicators and strategies with a clear, data-driven means of benchmarking and communicating progress. LEED for Cities and Communities follows a structure consistent with other LEED rating systems allowing cities and communities to select the focus areas most important to their local stakeholders through credits and points while setting a baseline through prerequisites. Strategies are organized around the following categories:
• Natural Systems and Ecology
• Transportation and Land Use
• Water Efficiency
• Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emissions
• Materials and Resources
• Quality of Life
Through Cohort participation, the City will receive:
• a one-year USGBC membership at the Silver level;
• a waiver of the LEED for Cities and Communities registration and certification fees;
• a dedicated USGBC staff liaison providing project management and coaching support, technical assistance, and Quality Assurance/Quality Control on certification materials;
• access to a multi-day, virtual orientation program for staff, elected/appointed officials, and partners;
• monthly networking and convening opportunities with the national Cohort;
• public relations and marketing assistance and a case study on the City’s USGBC project directory page tied to the certification announcement;
• how-to guides, education resources, and other project management tools; and,
• access to green building policy and advocacy support and connections to local communities and the USGBC network of thought leaders and practitioners.
As a participant in the Cohort, the City will collaborate and exchange ideas with peers while getting organized, setting goals, collecting data, and applying for certification. In April 2021, the Cohort startd with a virtual training program for representatives from each local government. The Cohort will meet regularly throughout the year to report progress and share best practices. For the City, this work will be completed by an interdepartmental certification team that will have representatives spanning seven City departments, coordinated by the Office of Sustainability. Each local government will receive a dedicated USGBC coordinator who will provide feedback and support. The expected end of the formal program year is March 31, 2022.
The certification process will help develop a framework to identify potential cross-departmental sustainability strategies and establish a baseline for continuous monitoring that will help determine areas of success and improvement in environmental health and social well-being in the Long Beach community. The City will be able to use the data collected to inform the monitoring and implementation efforts for some of the City’s sustainability, climate, and equity initiatives.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Erin M. Weesner-McKinley on April 13, 2021 and by Budget Management Officer Rhutu Amin Gharib on April 18, 2021.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on May 4, 2021, to execute the agreement with USGBC with an effective date of April 1, 2021.
FISCAL IMPACT
The City has been selected to participate in the LEED for Cities Local Government Leadership Program by the USGBC. Approval of this recommendation will fund the City’s participation in the Cohort. No additional costs are associated with program participation and there is no match or in-kind service mandate required, as the Cohort will cover all expenses. This recommendation has no staffing impact beyond the normal budgeted scope of duties and is consistent with existing City Council priorities. There is no local job impact associated with this recommendation.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
BODY
[Enter Body Here]
Respectfully Submitted,
THOMAS B. MODICA
CITY MANAGER