TITLE
Recommendation to review and approve the 2023 Office of Climate Action and Sustainability Work Plan. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
The Sustainable City Commission Ordinance (Ordinance) was adopted by a unanimous vote of the City Council on May 15, 2007. The Ordinance established the Sustainable City Commission (Commission), requiring that, "Each year the Commission shall prepare a work program outlining the focus for the Commission for review and approval by the City Council."
The attached 2023 Office of Climate Action and Sustainability Work Plan (Work Plan) was unanimously approved by the Commission on April 27, 2023, and in accordance with the Ordinance, is being submitted for City Council review and approval. The Work Plan includes multiple actions to be taken during the 2023 calendar year.
This year’s Work Plan references the Office of Climate Action and Sustainability, as the Office of Sustainability has been incorporated in this new office approved by the City Council in the Fiscal Year 2023 budget. The Work Plan also incorporates actions from the Long Beach Climate Action Plan (LB CAP), as the Office of Climate Action and Sustainability’s scope now includes implementation of the LB CAP. The vision of the LB CAP is to create a more sustainable, resilient, and equitable city by addressing climate change in a way that remedies existing environmental health disparities while also improving health, quality of life, and economic vitality throughout Long Beach. In addition to being consistent with the LB CAP, the Work Plan provides a holistic approach to sustainability and will be used to guide the Office of Climate Action and Sustainability in its work.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Erin Weesner-McKinley on May 22, 2023 and by Revenue Management Officer Geraldine Alejo on May 25, 2023.
SUSTAINABILITY
The Work Plan is intended to guide the Commission and City staff in implementing the LB CAP, creating green projects, programs and policies, and making recommendations to the City Council over the next year.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on June 13, 2023, to enable the Commission to move forward with new business at their bimonthly meetings, with the next being held on June 22, 2023.
FISCAL IMPACT
This Work Plan includes items and actions intended to guide the Office of Climate Action and Sustainability. These items and actions are funded by a combination of funding streams including grant funding, AB 32 Cap and Trade funding to support projects aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, Measure US oil production tax revenues, and an interdepartmental Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for services. Sufficient budget to support the Work Plan is currently appropriated. 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.
Respectfully Submitted,
THOMAS B. MODICA
CITY MANAGER