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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSC 01-15-2026 MinutesAPPROVED MINUTES SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION Thursday, January 15, 2026 At 5:01 p.m. Chair Hansen called the Regular Sustainability Commission meeting to order at the Quinlan Conference Room, 10185 North Stelling Road and via teleconference; and Teleconference location Pursuant to Government Code section 54953(b)(2); Cafe 86 – Carson 22022 S Avalon Blvd, Carson, CA 90745. ROLL CALL Present: Chair Susan Hansen, Vice Chair Alexander Fung (arrived at 5:03 p.m.) and Commissioners Jack Carter, Sonali Padgaonkar, and Conny Yang (participated remotely). Absent: None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1.Subject: October 16, 2025 Sustainability Commission minutes Recommended Action: Approve October 16, 2025 minutes Chair Hansen made a correction to the minutes, to include an exclamation point after “Splash”. MOTION: Carter moved and Padgaonkar seconded to approve the October 16, 2025 minutes, as amended. Ayes: Hansen, Fung, Carter, Padgaonkar, Yang. Noes: None. Abstain: None. Absent: None. POSTPONEMENTS — None ORAL COMMUNICATIONS David Kane spoke about the Electrification Collaboration, a pilot program to engage residents in home electrification and advance Climate Action Plan goals. Bill Rossier provided updates on the Electrification Collaboration’s engagement efforts, highlighting six months of public outreach, City Council advocacy, and media campaigns in Los Altos. STAFF AND COMMISSION REPORTS Sustainability Specialist Victoria Morin reported that the City received a B on its CDP report. She Sustainability Commission Minutes January 15, 2026 also reported that the City has partnered with the Library of Things, supplying kits to test induction cooking for check-out. She also reported on Environmental Day, the Composting Workshop, the Coat Drive, and a grant from Silicon Valley Clean Energy to put towards the service center’s new EV chargers and working with BayREN to complete a road map and move forward with recommendations for CIP to support sustainability work. Commissioner Carter reported that he attended a meeting with a few individuals discussing a project and did not represent the Commission. Additionally, he reported on meeting periodically with representatives from the Silicon Valley/West Valley Food Bank to gather information and insights. Chair Hansen reported on the Mayor’s Meeting. She noted that Commissions were encouraged to provide short, high-level summaries rather than lengthy reports, and that all commission members can anticipate receiving Brown Act training to prevent potential violations. She also provided updates on various commissions and committees, and shared that the mayor emphasized broader efforts to improve community quality of life. OLD BUSINESS — None NEW BUSINESS 2. Subject: Discuss the feasibility and general logistics of a sustainability commission-run event or panel about reducing consumption Recommended Action: Discuss the feasibility and general logistics of a commission-run event or panel about reducing consumption. Sustainability Specialist Victoria Morin gave a presentation. Commissioners asked questions which staff responded to. Chair Hansen opened the public comment period and, seeing no one, closed the public comment period. Commissioners made the following recommendations to staff: • Various ways to use tabling to engage the community. • Use cohort-style or classroom-based programs to engage the community. • Consider school-based programs, but address teacher availability; kits could help facilitate participation. • Emphasize digital, multilingual, and culturally appropriate geographically diverse outreach campaigns to reduce waste from physical materials. Sustainability Commission Minutes January 15, 2026 • Limit direct Commission involvement in programs like Waste Warrior Program to outreach, attendance, or support; staff should manage resource-intensive tasks. • Encourage youth involvement, such as high school volunteering for repair cafes and outreach. • Use technology, including mobile-friendly platforms and AI-enabled apps, to assist residents in recycling and waste sorting. • Target multilingual residential complexes. • Raise awareness of single-use plastics, composting, repairing, upcycling, and sustainable trends like thrifting or “buy nothing” initiatives. MOTION: Fung moved and Padgaonkar seconded to create a subcommittee to evaluate the possibility of launching a Waste Warrior program. The Commission did not vote on this motion. Commissioners continued making recommendations, including: • Avoid duplicating existing local resources. • Support existing City events (e.g., Earth Day) while finding ways to make efforts more focused and impactful. Chair Hansen opened the public comment period and, seeing no one, closed the public comment period. 3. Subject: Receive a presentation comparing regional jurisdiction recycling operations Recommended Action: Receive a presentation comparing regional jurisdiction recycling operations. Environmental Programs and Sustainability Manager Ursula Syrova, gave a presentation. Commissioners asked questions and made comments, which staff responded to. Chair Hansen opened the public comment period and, seeing no one, closed the public comment period. 4. Subject: Review and approve the Sustainability Commission 2026 Work Plan for a list of potential topics for discussion at the Commission meetings Recommended Action: Approve the Draft Sustainability Commission 2026 Work Plan. Sustainability Specialist Victoria Morin introduced the item. Commissioners asked questions which staff responded to. Sustainability Commission Minutes January 15, 2026 Chair Hansen opened the public comment period and, seeing no one, closed the public comment period. Fung moved and Carter seconded to approve the draft Sustainability Commission 2026 Work Plan including the following modifications: • Conduct a construction, demolition, and deconstruction recycling study session. • Staff to provide an update on the status and compliance levels of Cupertino Single Use Plastics Ordinance. The motion, as modified, carried with the following vote: Ayes: Hansen, Fung, Carter, Padgaonkar, Yang. Noes: None. Abstain: None. Absent: None. 5. Subject: Discuss and make a recommendation to appoint a Sustainability Commissioner to the Economic Development Committee Recommended Action: Recommend a Sustainability Commissioner to the City Council for appointment to the Economic Development Committee. Padgaonkar moved and Fung seconded to elect Commissioner Carter to the Economic Development Committee. The motion carried with the following vote: Ayes: Hansen, Fung, Carter, Padgaonkar, Yang. Noes: None. Abstain: None. Absent: None. Chair Hansen opened the public comment period and, seeing no one, closed the public comment period. FUTURE AGENDA SETTING • Form a subcommittee to focus on outreach and education related to waste or sustainability. (Hansen, Fung) ADJOURNMENT At 5:51 p.m. Chair Hansen adjourned the Regular Sustainability Commission meeting. Minutes prepared by: Sustainability Commission Minutes January 15, 2026 Lindsay Nelson, Administrative Assistant