To: Board of Supervisors
From: Planning and Building Department
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
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Membership in the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI)
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RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Approve county enrollment into ICLEI with a two-year membership for assistance in preparing the county’s multijurisdictional Climate Action Plan (CAP) by approving Resolution No.____ (Attachment 1).
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SOURCE OF FUNDING:
The funding for this work is the General Fund contribution to Advance Planning, Budget Unit 1100-282.
DISCUSSION:
This item involves the county’s membership in International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) to facilitate development of the county’s draft Climate Action Plan (CAP). Joining ICLEI will enable the county to access services ICLEI provides to its members, including greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions forecasts and identifying measures to help the county reduce those emissions in the future.
Background
The State of California adopted statewide GHG emissions targets that include a major role for local governments in meeting those targets. On September 11, 2018 the county established a goal to have 100 percent renewable energy for the county’s operations by 2025 by adopting Resolution #18-95, which will help the county meet the state mandate. In addition, the 2017 General Plan and the county’s 2018-2019 Strategic Framework both call for the creation of a CAP.
In August of 2018, The Planning and Building Department began developing a multi-jurisdictional CAP in coordination with the county’s seven cities. The CAP is scheduled for completion in mid-2020 and will seek to reduce both GHG emissions from activities within Humboldt County in general and county government operations.
Benefits of becoming a member of ICLEI
Joining ICLEI will help the county draft its CAP. ICLEI offers high-level and comprehensive technical assistance for its members. ICLEI’s technical staff has significant experience developing CAPs, having assisted hundreds of member agencies through the CAP process. ICLEI identifies four milestones in the CAP process and offers support at each step:
• Greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory protocol compliance check
• GHG emissions forecast and reduction targets
• Developing planning scenarios
• Three expert reviews of CAP drafts with comments
Cost of Membership
Requirements of ICLEI members are described in Attachment 2. Aside from providing contact information and paying annual dues, there are no additional obligations to become a member of ICLEI. Membership cost is based on the size of the jurisdiction. For the county, annual dues are $1,750. A two-year membership comes with a 10 percent discount and costs $3,150. The county will be developing its CAP through 2020 and would benefit from ICLEI support over the next two years.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
One-time payment of $3,150 will be paid from the Advance Planning FY 2018-19 budget (Budget Unit 1100-282).
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
This action supports your Board’s Strategic Framework by building interjurisdictional and regional cooperation and to create a climate action plan.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Staff from the County Department of Public Works were consulted for this item.
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board could choose to not join ICLEI. Staff does not recommend this alternative because joining ICLEI will assist the preparation of the county’s multijurisdictional CAP.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Draft Board Resolution
2. ICLEI Membership Dues
3. Selections from ICLEI By-Laws and Charter
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: H-1
Meeting of: 9/11/18
File No.: N/A.