SC 11-19-2020 (Special) I
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CITY OF CUPERTINO SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION
Teleconference meeting without a physical location.
Thursday,November 19, 2020 4:00 p.m.
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
At 4:02 p.m. Chair Latshaw called the meeting to order.
ROLL CALL
Commissioners Present: Chair Gary Latshaw,Vice Chair Vignesh Swaminathan, and Commissioners Anna
Weber, Meera Ramanathan.Absent:Ram Mohan.
Staff: Andre Duurvoort, Sustainability Manager;Ursula Syrova,Environmental Programs Manager;Victoria
Morin, Outreach Coordinator for Environmental Programs and Sustainability.
Guests:Members of the public.
Chair Latshaw read a statement regarding provisions of the Brown Act and an Executive Order issued by the
Governor to facilitate teleconferencing to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission at public meetings.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Subject: Minutes from October 15,2020 meeting
Commissioner Weber moved and Vice Chair Swaminathan seconded to approve the minutes.The motion
carried unanimously with Commissioner Mohan absent.
POSTPONEMENTS
None.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
None.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
None.
OLD BUSINESS
2. Subject: Update from Public Works Environmental Programs Division staff on progress of
negotiating a new franchise agreement with Recology
Envirom-nental Programs Manager Ursula Syrova gave a brief presentation on the sustainability features of the
draft Recology franchise agreement.The presentation highlighted the division of responsibility between City
staff and Recology,with a specific focus on organics collection and enforcement related to SB1383.Other topics
and items noted include:
- Annual evaluation of potential electric vehicle (EV) truck infrastructure is captured in the new
agreement.
- Moving to renewable diesel in Recology's fleet.
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- Offering a new 24-gallon cart for a small cost savings for the resident.Recology expects up to 20%
migration to the smaller cart.
- December 120,Environmental Day:Recology has offered their facility for this Environmental Day, as
De Anza is not allowing use of their parking lot at this time.
Staff answered clarifying questions from the Commission,including:
- If updated location of Environmental Day will be posted on City website(Weber);Syrova confirmed
this will be updated.
- Any indication of an increase in items to landfill due to the pandemic(Ramanathan): Syrova:Metrics
have shifted in multiple sectors, impact in tonnages may not be immediately apparent.
- If there will be a separate container for food waste (Latshaw);Syrova answered the food waste will
continue to be collected in the yard waste bin.
- Ideas for encouraging people to divert food to the yard bin(Swaminathan);Syrova: compostable bags
are accepted in the yard bin;staff are considering how to overcome barriers to food waste diversion.
3. Subject: Climate Action Plan 2.0 initial draft goals and vision statement
Sustainability Manager Andre Duurvoort reviewed the item.He will bring draft goals and vision statements to
Council for a Study Session on December 1 to request feedback and direction,focusing on two questions: ?
- Should the City match or adopt more aggressive targets than the state targets for carbon neutrality and
greenhouse gas (GHG)emissions reduction?
- What should the City keep centered on during the consultant recruitment process?
Duurvoort answered clarifying questions from the Commission:
- If draft goals and vision statement were reviewed by the CAP Update Subcommittee (Weber)
o Duurvoort: the Subcommittee did not officially meet but has corresponded via email.Wording
of the draft vision statement was updated based on feedback from the previous Commission
meeting.
- How many updates to the CAP are expected prior to the 2035 goal(Ramanathan)
o Duurvoort:more rapid cadence of every three years to update actions and measures,with the
framework more longer term.
- Negative emissions and carbon offsets,how these are considered (Latshaw)
o Duurvoort:how offsets and sequestering are accounted is a live discussion among cities now,
looking to the concrete reduction of emissions as first priority, i.e.transportation and building
decarbonization. Carbon credits could be considered in the future.
- Natural gas increase between 2015 and 2018 Community GHG inventories (Latshaw)
Chair Latshaw opened public comment and the following individuals spoke:
- Gwyn on behalf of the Cupertino Youth Climate Action Team spoke in favor of matching Menlo Park's
goal of carbon neutrality by 2030 and a burnout ordinance. She asked if Duurvoort could give an
example of a higher impact goal.
- Dashiell Leeds on behalf of the Sierra Club Loma Prieta Chapter supports a strong CAP, a leadership
position, and matching Menlo Park's carbon neutrality target. Supports vision statements with
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suggestions to adjust to annual update cycle and include language for ecosystem protection. He
thanked staff and the Commission for offering opportunities for extended public feedback.
Chair Latshaw opened the item for Commission discussion.The Commission raised topics and comments,
including:
- Cadence of a three-year update with provisions for annual updates based on changing circumstances
or opportunities,i.e. challenges from COVID, EV adoption(Ramanathan,Latshaw).Duurvoort
adjusted the language in the vision statement to capture these comments for consideration and noted
the CAP measures must be budgeted for annually.He gave examples of high impact policies,i.e.
establishing a car-free zone or utility users tax on gas.
- Resilience and adaptation section: adding ecosystem protection(Weber).Duurvoort noted that
ecosystem protection is part of resilience;he adjusted the wording to capture this feedback.
- Equity section: consider displacement and access in the equity section(Swaminathan,Ramanathan).
Duurvoort adjusted the wording to capture this feedback and to reflect words included in the Council
resolution language from June 5,2020.
- Brief side discussions and comments:transportation metrics (Vice Chair Swaminathan),high speed
internet provision and new ways of working(Latshaw),ensure metrics are measurable(Ramanathan).
- Carbon neutrality goals and targets: Commissioner Weber raised the topic of adjusting the carbon
neutrality goal to be more aggressive,i.e.2030.Duurvoort outlined staff s logic in the setting the target
of 2045 to align with state level rulemaking and policy.He noted that Menlo Park had to pull back on
the action plan due to budget uncertainties.He stressed the need to consider political feasibility as well
as budget constraints,acknowledging that an aggressive goal can inspire action.Other cities have used
2035 or 2040.The Commission discussed these issues and various options:
0 2035 is doable but need to consider staff resources.2040 may be more comfortable
(Swaminathan).
o Early may be feasible but should consider a hybrid approach to aim for specific reductions to
reach the 2045 goal faster(Ramanathan).
o Consider a more aggressive municipal goal as a start and to lead by example,i.e.2030
(Latshaw).General agreement on this idea;Duurvoort added this to the goals list.
o Emissions reduction goals:if the 50% reduction by 2030 could be more aggressive(Weber).
Commission briefly discussed affects of outside forces and how they affect the CAP updates.
Chair Latshaw noted from a recent Bay Area Air Quality District(BAAQMD)presentation on
current techniques available,to make this goal would be an accomplishment.
o Clarify geographical and operational boundaries of goals,if schools are included (Ramanathan).
Vice Chair Swaminathan moved and Commissioner Weber seconded to adjust the community-wide carbon
neutrality goal recommendation to the year 2040.The motion did not proceed to an official vote but had
general consensus.
Brief side discussions: consider specific sectors in analysis and to report on the "wins" as they are achieved
(Ramanathan);timing and quantification of negative carbon emissions and sequestration goals (Latshaw,
Ramanathan);prioritizing negative net emissions vs carbon neutrality for businesses (Swaminathan);
BAAQMD estimate of$10-20 billion for retrofitting all residential homes in Bay Area to all-electric(Latshaw).
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Duurvoort answered clarifying questions and noted that moving forward, the City will begin pursuing natural
carbon capture actions and quantification alongside emissions reduction.
Draft goals as adjusted:
- Achieve community-wide carbon neutrality no later than the year 2040
- Achieve negative net carbon emissions after the year 2045
- Achieve carbon neutrality in city-owned facilities and operations no later than the year 2030
- Establish a mid-term 2030 carbon emissions target of 50%below a 2010 baseline
- Establish a Zero Waste Community target date of 2035
Vice Chair Swaminathan moved and Commissioner Ramanathan seconded to recommend to the City Council
the amended goals and vision statements as presented on the screen.The motion passed unanimously with
Commissioner Mohan absent.
NEW BUSINESS
4. Subject:Update on Cupertino Climate Challenge Launch and Why Join Letter
Victoria Morin,Outreach Coordinator,presented the Cupertino Climate Challenge,a tool to help residents j
create their own climate action plans.She reviewed the tool briefly,how it works, the point system,examples
of actions,and Cupertino-specific resources within the tool.She requested the Commission's support for the
"Why Join?"letter for the platform.
Staff answered clarifying questions:if a someone can fill in the information on behalf of others, request to put
more photos of East Cupertino on the site (Swaminathan).Morin answered that this could be done with the
resident's permission.Noted that there are a limited number of photos but will ensure neighborhoods are
reflected.
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Chair Latshaw opened public comment and the following individual spoke:
- Dashiell Leeds on behalf of the Sierra Club Loma Prieta Chapter noted that Silicon Valley Clean Energy
(SVCE)launched the e-hub website and could be a great opportunity for collaboration.
The Commission discussed the topic briefly, reviewing the metrics, actions,marketing plans, and asking
miscellaneous questions.Staff plans to add SVCE's resources,including the e-hub,on the site.The launch will
be in January with a social media post and presentation to the Block Leaders Program. Chair Latshaw offered
to review this with the Cupertino Rotary.Vice Chair Swaminathan requested an example site to review;Morin
highlighted werenew.net to create a general profile, and Carbon Free Palo Alto as a city-tailored site.
Commissioner Ramanathan moved and Commissioner Weber seconded to support the letter as written.The
motion carried unanimously with Commissioner Mohan absent.
STAFF AND COMMISSION REPORTS
Staff updates:Climate Victory Gardens website is live and launched on social media;selected two limited
term volunteer interns;public meeting on Commissioner's Handbook November 20 at 6 p.m.Duurvoort
answered clarifying questions on the Council Study Session scheduled for December 1.
Commission updates:Vice Chair Swaminathan gave a report from VTA:highway 85 study was approved,
cuts at 80%planned for transit due to COVID.
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FUTURE AGENDA SETTING
The Commission discussed topics briefly and Duurvoort answered clarifying questions regarding how the
Sustainability Speaker Series fits into the Commission Work Program (Weber)and if there will be an Earth
Day public event in 2021 (Latshaw).The Commission agreed to add two items to the Future Agenda Setting
list:
- Discuss hosting a public workshop on carbon reduction ideas
- Discuss 2021 Earth&Arbor Day event ideas
A motion was made by Commissioner Ramanathan and seconded by Commissioner Weber to include the
items above to the Future Agenda Setting List.The motion carried unanimously with Commissioner Mohan
absent.
ADJOURNMENT
The Commission briefly discussed the December meeting and whether to adjourn to next year.The consensus
was to maintain the December 17 meeting as scheduled.A motion to adjourn was made Vice Chair
Swaminathan and seconded by Commissioner Weber.The motion carried unanimously with Commissioner
Mohan absent.Meeting adjourned at 6:23 p.m.
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