To: Board of Supervisors
From: John Kopchik, Director, Conservation and Development
Report Title: Report of the Interdepartmental Climate Action Task Force, as recommended by the Directors of the Departments of Conservation and Development and Public Works
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
RECEIVE report of the Interdepartmental Climate Action Task Force, as recommended by the Directors of the Departments of Conservation and Development and Public Works.
FISCAL IMPACT:
No direct fiscal impact because this is an informational report. Implementation of items in the report would result in both expenditures related to those activities and associated savings. For example, a department that installs LED lighting would incur a cost associated with installing the new lights and, because the lights use less energy, savings would accrue over time.
BACKGROUND:
The Board of Supervisors adopted a Climate Emergency Resolution (Resolution) on September 22, 2020. Among other things, the Resolution established an Interdepartmental Climate Action Task Force (Task Force) consisting of all department heads, or their senior deputies, to coordinate their efforts focusing on the urgent implementation of the County’s Climate Action Plan. The Task Force was directed to report back to the Board of Supervisors (Board) twice a year as a discussion item on the Board agenda. In late 2020, the Department of Conservation and Development (DCD) in partnership with the Department of Public Works (Public Works) convened the Task Force. The Task Force has reported to the Board of Supervisors every six months, starting in March 2021, with the exception of September 2023.
In late 2021, the Task Force agreed to support the Green Government Group (G3) Champions, employee volunteers who help their departments adopt best practices that support the County’s climate action goals. The G3 Champions program launched in April 2022. Both the Task Force and the G3 Champions are supported by a steering committee of staff from the departments of Conservation and Development, Public Works, County Administrator, Health, Human Resources, and Library. This steering committee meets regularly to review progress and develop and deliver program content.
Interdepartmental Climate Action Task Force
The Task Force meets every six months. At its August 14, 2024, meeting, the Task Force:
• Received a presentation from Fire Protection District Chief Lewis Broschard and Assistant Chief Chris Bachman on fire trends in Contra Costa County, how the District is using data to inform its approach to risk reduction, and capabilities of the District’s new electric pickup truck.
• Was briefed by Kristine Solseng, Principal Planner in DCD, on an initiative to build better relationships between County staff and community-based organizations, with the goal of better serving community needs and identifying areas of collaboration in advance of grant opportunities.
• Received an update from Brendan Havenar-Daughton, Energy Manager in Public Works, on the Sustainability Fund, which is supported through Measure X.
o To date, 76 level 2 chargers have been installed at County facilities through the Sustainability Fund, bringing the total to 121, with an additional 117 in permitting or construction.
o The County has been awarded a $15 million grant through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Community Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Program, which will support the installation of 52 direct current fast chargers and 60 level 2 chargers at libraries across the county.
o The next Sustainability Fund initiative will focus on installing energy efficient outdoor lighting at County facilities.
o Public Works is launching a Strategic Energy Management Program that will integrate goals from different County policy documents such as the General Plan, Climate Action and Adaptation Plan, and Facilities Master Plan to meet goals around infrastructure, finance, and staff.
• Received a presentation from Lindsay Neuner, G3 Champion in the Department of Agriculture, on sustainability activities in the Department of Agriculture, including:
o An annual agriculture plastic container recycling event - over 18,000 pounds were collected in November 2023!
o Presentations at staff meetings on zero-waste holiday giving, stormwater protection, and environmental justice.
• Learned about a new checklist developed by the G3 Champions for hosting low-waste office events (see attachment).
G3 Champions
The G3 Champions meet every other month. Below is an overview of meetings since the last report to the Board of Supervisors in March 2024.
At the April 10, 2024, meeting, the G3 Champions:
• Learned about Bike to Work Day and ways the G3 Champions could promote the event.
• Received a presentation on the Cleaner Contra Costa Challenge <https://www.cleanercontracosta.org/> and were encouraged to create teams within their departments.
• Brainstormed activities they could host for Earth Day later in April.
In May, the G3 Champions held a lunchtime mixer on the balcony at the Administration Building, an opportunity to meet one another in person - almost all the meetings are held online - and discuss ideas and initiatives for the G3 Champions.
The June 12, 2024, meeting of the G3 Champions featured a presentation from the Purchasing Division in Public Works on the County’s new Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Policy. The G3 Champions provided input on promotion and training for staff regarding the policy. G3 Champions also provided updates on recent activities they led in their departments.
The August 14, 2024, meeting of the G3 Champions was an informal office hours session where G3 Champions could drop in virtually with questions and ideas.
Nomination to California State Association of Counties Challenge Award
In September, staff submitted the Interdepartmental Climate Action Task Force and G3 Champions to the California State Association of Counties (CSAC) Challenge Awards program in the Agriculture, Environment & Natural Resources category.
Remote Work Survey
In August, the County Administrator’s Office completed a survey of all County departments related to employee participation in the County’s remote work policy. Based on the results, it is estimated that the total number of weekly commutes avoided because of employees working remotely is almost 4,000, which equates to almost 8,000 trips saved per week.
EV Charging at Department of Child Support Services
An example of the effectiveness of the G3 Champions program in influencing employee participation in reaching climate goals is the new portable electric vehicle (EV) charger at the County’s offices at 50 Douglas Drive in Martinez. As detailed in a recent video <https://youtu.be/wnhKc-Q17SM?si=O7zRnvlgvKhEPPGf> from the Office of Communications and Media, Department of Child Support Services employee Christopher Velazquez identified a need for EV charging at the site because so many employees there drive EVs. With the support of his managers, Velazquez used his own time and initiative to find his way to the County’s Energy Manager in Public Works, Brendan Havenar-Daughton. The two worked together to find a short-term solution to EV charging until permanent chargers can be installed. The portable charger is also available to the public, even when County offices are closed.
This is a great example of the County creating the right conditions and support for innovation that progresses towards the County’s climate goals.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
Failure to receive the report would deny the Board the opportunity to support and celebrate the work of County staff in meeting the County’s climate action goals and provide feedback on future efforts.