Advisory Board: Governing Board of the Green Empowerment Zone
Subject: Appointment of Environmental and Environmental Justice Seats
Presenter: County Staff
Contact: Alyson Greenlee Escarzaga, 925-655-2783
Information:
A Memo from the Officers, a Summary of the Environmental and Environmental Justice Applicants, and all Applications, are Attached.
Referral History and Update:
At its meeting on November 21, 2025, the Governing Board of the Green Empowerment Zone received an update on SB227 Legislation, which was approved by the Governor on October 1, 2025, finetuning some of the original language in AB 844 for the Green Empowerment Zone. Among other changes, it made changes to the stakeholder groups who serve on the board of directors, increasing the number of stakeholder groups to 8 by adding a category for 7 directors who live or work in the Green Empowerment Zone and who represent environmental or environmental justice organizations or interests. It took effect immediately as an urgency statute. At the meeting on November 21, 2025, County staff provided an update to the Governing Board on the process to fill the seats. On December 3, 2025, County staff released an application and news release recruitment to fill the seats for the seven (7) directors who live or work in the Green Empowerment Zone and who represent environmental or environmental justice organizations. By the time the application period closed at 5 p.m. on January 30, 2026, a total of sixteen (16) applications were received for the seven (7) open seats. County staff screened the applicants, and the appointment of members is the decision of the Governing Board.
Recommendation(s)/Next Step(s):
Review and Approve the Appointments of Environmental/Environmental Justice Seats to the Green Empowerment Zone Governing Board.