SC 01-17-2019CITY OF CUPERTINO SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION
Environmental Education Center 22221 McClellan Road
Thursday January 17, 2019 4:00 p.m.
MINUTES
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
Commissioners Present: Anna Weber, Gaiy Latshaw, Vignesh Swaminathan, Meera
Ramanathan, Angela Chen
Staff: Misty Mersich, Sustainability Manager, Cheri Donnelley, Environmental Program
Manager, Roger Lee, Interim Director of Public Works
Guest: Karen Nelson, Bn1ce Karney, Mike Cutalie
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Action Item: Draft minutes of November 15, 2018 meetings reviewed. Motion to
approve was made by Commissioner Weber and 2nd by Commissioner Swaminathan.
Motion passed 5-0 .
POSTPONEMENTS
None.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
None.
OLD BUSINESS
Chair moved agenized item Number 6 to the front of the agenda.
1. Subject: Frequency of GHG Inventory with Guest Bruce Karney Santa Clara
County Climate Reality Project
Bruce Karney, with Carbon Free Silicon Valley and Climate Reality Project gave a
presentation on annual GHG measurement and a recomendation to measure GHG
annually instead of every 2 years, which the City does currently.
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2. Subject: Update on Public Poling to Consider Increase to Storm Drainage Service
Charge
Roger Lee, Assistant Director of Public Works gave an update on the status of
reviewing the storm management fees. Currently there is a significant shortfall in
covering the cost to maintain the storm drains, as fees are currently only $12/year for
residential properties. This is the lowest in the region and they haven't been raised in a
long time and therefore costs are being subsidized by the general hmd. There was a
study session with Co1mcil to discuss the process in August. Neighboring cities have
put fee increases on the ballots. Mr. Lee discussed the survey results that were sent to
select property owners. There was a 50 % support for $50.65. Staff is looking to
recomend a fee of less than $50. Staff will be going back to Council in March. A
discussion and Q&A of the process commenced.
3. Subject: Resolution to Urge Congress to Enact Climate Legislation Related to
Carbon Tax
Vote to bring the sample text resolution to the Legislation Action Committee. Motion
made by Commissioner Ramanathan, 2n d by Commissioner Latshaw. Motion passed 5-
0 .
4. Subject: Student Essay Contest
Timeline is early February release, due at the end of February. Awards during the week
of Earth Day. Evaluate submissions @ March meeting. Open to CUSD students, awards
up to $100. Commissioners discussed a separate idea to help with storm drain outreach-
to have sh1dents write about storm drains and green infrastructure.
NEW BUSINESS
5. Subject: Chair and Vice Chair Appointments
Commissionsser Thanked Commissioner Ramanathan for her service as Chair.
Motion to apoint Anna Weber as Chair was made by Commissioner Chen, 2nd by
Commissioner Ramanthan. Motion passed 5-0
Motion to apoint Gary Latshaw as Vice Chair was made by Commissioner Chen, 2nd by
Commissioner Ramanthan. Motion passed 5-0
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6. Subject: 2019 Workplan Process and Planning
Staff discussed the workplan process, which will begin at the next Commission meeting
in February. Commissioners expresssed interest in making sure that Green Building
Codes and Buy Clean Act are a part of the list.
7. Subject: Green Building Codes
Staff expressed the need to put this item in the workplan at the next Commissioner
meeting in February.
STAFF AND COMMISSION REPORTS
Staff updates:
• Staff changes in City Manager's office. Timm Borden, Director of Public Works
has been appointed the Interim City Manager, recruitment is open for City
Manager. Deputy City Manager, Jaqui Guzman has left for a position in
Swmyvale. Community Development Director/ Assistant City Manager will be
leaving at the end of the month for a similar position in Motmtain View.
• Spur Impact Awards recognizes the city staff that worked to create Silicon Valley
Clean Energy in March.
ADJOURNMENT-6:20 p.m.
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