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Home My WebLink About2017-06-20; City Council; ; Adopt a Resolution approving the city's participation in the Institute for Local Government's Beacon Program and designating an elected official as the city's Beacon ProgPage 1 CA Review If> ~ CITY COUNCIL W Staff Report Meeting Date: To: From: Staff Contact: Subject: June 20, 2017 Mayor and City Council .I~ Kevin Crawford, City Manager - Michael Grim, Senior Program Manager/CAP Administrator Mike.Gr i m@CarlsbadCA .gov or 760-602-4623 Adopt a Resolution approving the city's participation in the Institute for Local Government's Beacon Program and designating an elected official as the city's Beacon Program representative. Recommended Action Adopt a Resolution approving the city's participation in the Institute for Local Government's Beacon Program and designating an elected official as the city's Beacon Program representative . Executive Summary The Beacon Program is a statewide program that provides support and recognition to California cities and counties that are working to save energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adopt policies and programs that promote sustainability. The program is an effective and beneficial means to update visibility of the City of Carlsbad's commitment to the implementation of the Growth Management Plan, General Plan, Climate Action Plan, Sustainability Guiding Principles and other initiatives. Through the program, the city can also receive assistance and guidance with best practices in energy and water conservation, efficient transportation, waste reduction and other areas. Discussion The Beacon Program is sponsored by the Institute for Local Government (ILG) and the Statewide Energy Efficiency Collaborative (SEEC). SEEC is a collaboration between California's four investor- owned utilities, the International Council for Local Government Initiatives (ICLEI), Local Government Commission and ILG. In order to take part in the Beacon Program, a local jurisdiction must adopt a Resolution committing to participation in the program, complete an online application and designate an elected official as the program representative. The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) serves as the region's liaison to the Beacon Program and assists participating jurisdictions in gathering information and evaluating eligibility for recognition awards. Many other cities in the region participate in the program including: Chula Vista, Del Mar, Encinitas, Oceanside and Solana Beach. Jurisdictions that achieve reductions in energy consumption and greenhouse gas em1ss1ons and/or implement certain sustainability best practices are eligible to receive a Beacon Award or a Spotlight Award. These awards are presented at the annual League of California Cities and Page 2 California State Association of Counties Conferences. The jurisdiction's accomplishments are also featured on the Beacon Program website. The sustainability best practices focus on the following areas: • Energy efficiency and conservation • Water and wastewater systems • Green building • Waste reduction and recycling • Climate-friendly purchasing • Renewable energy and low-carbon fuels • Efficient transportation • Land use and community design • Open space and offsetting carbon emissions • Promoting community and individual action Many of the city's existing plans, programs and activities are closely tied to the Beacon Program focus areas. The updated General Plan contains policies pertaining to increased mobility and alternative transportation modes, as well as a mixture of uses and density linked to transportation and services. The Climate Action Plan seeks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through energy conservation, renewable energy production, green building and water distribution system efficiency. The city's Environmental Guiding Principles call for the procurement and use of products with low carbon footprints. Participation in the Beacon Program would highlight many of the core values in the Community Vision, most notably to build on the city's sustainability initiatives to emerge as a leader in green development and sustainability. It would also recognize the desire for walkable communities, community design and livability, as well as open space and the natural environment. Staff has worked with SANDAG to prepare a preliminary application and a draft list of sustainability best practices, which was submitted prior to June 1, 2017, in order to reserve eligibility for the 2017 Spotlight Award cycle. For the 2018 award cycle, staff will include the greenhouse gas emissions inventories being prepared as part of the Climate Action Plan implementation along with the sustainability best practices so the city can be considered for a Beacon Award. Fiscal Analysis There are no membership dues or ongoing payments necessary to participate in the Beacon Program. SANDAG staff assistance with evaluating programs, gathering data and submitting information to the Institute for Local Government is free of charge. Next Steps If the City Council approves the Resolution, staff will finalize the application for the 2017 Beacon \, Program. Page 3 Environmental Evaluation (CEQA) Pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21065, this action does not constitute a "project" within the meaning of CEQA in that it has no potential to cause either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment and therefore, does not require environmental review. Public Notification This item was noticed in accordance with the Ralph M. Brown Act and was available for public viewing and review at least 72 hours prior to the scheduled meeting date. Exhibits 1. Resolution approving the city's participation in the Institute for Local Government's Beacon Program and designating an elected official as the city's Beacon Program representative. RESOLUTION NO. 2017-117 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING THE CITY'S PARTICIPATION IN THE INSTITUTE FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT'S BEACON PROGRAM AND DESIGNATING AN ELECTED OFFICIAL AS THE CITY'S BEACON PROGRAM REPRESENTATIVE. WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Carlsbad, California has adopted a Climate Action Plan and is undertaking policies, programs and activities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and save energy; and WHEREAS, these policies, programs and activities conserve natural resources, save energy and money, and promote sustainable land uses and transportation planning in the community; and WHEREAS, cities and counties statewide are leading by example by adopting innovative sustainability programs and policies, including working with community residents, business groups and others; and WHEREAS, the City of Carlsbad desires to continue and expand these activities, share its experiences with other communities and be recognized for its accomplishments; and WHEREAS, the Beacon Program is a voluntary program of the Institute for Local Government, the non-profit research and education affiliate of the California State Association of Counties and the League of California Cities; and WHEREAS, the Beacon Program recognizes and celebrates achievements of cities and counties that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and save energy; and WHEREAS, participating in the Beacon Program is an opportunity for the City of Carlsbad to be recognized for its efforts to promote sustainability, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and save energy. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Carlsbad, California, as follows: 1. That the above recitations are true and correct. 2. That the City of Carlsbad agrees to participate in the Beacon Program. 3. That the City of Carlsbad will work towards achieving the Silver, Gold and/or Platinum Beacon Award levels. 4. That the City Council designates Council Member Cori Schumacher to serve as the city's representative for Beacon Program activities. PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED at a Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Carlsbad on the 20th day of June, 2017, by the following vote, to wit: AYES: M. Hall, M. Schumacher, C. Schumacher, M. Packard NOES: None. ABSENT: K. Blackburn (SEAL) THIS PAGE WAS INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK Page 6