City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the City Council authorize a Resolution in support of the Climate
Action Blueprint and authorize the signatures of the Mayor and City Councilmembers
to be added to the list of Climate Action Blueprint endorsers.
BACKGROUND:
Climate Communities and the International Council for Local Environmental
Initiatives (ICLEI) have developed the Climate Action Blueprint to focus on national
policies needed to empower local governments in promoting green buildings,
increasing public transit and cleaner vehicles and fuels, fostering community-scale
renewables, building green infrastructure, creating green jobs and businesses, and
adapting to the impacts of climate change. The Climate Action Blueprint outlines the
actions and policies needed from the federal government to address global climate
change, all through the local government lens.
At the Westside Cities Council of Governments (WSCCOG) meeting on Thursday,
March 19, 2009, there was a discussion on what Climate Communities and ICLEI
was trying to accomplish with the Climate Action Blueprint. Supporting the Blueprint
could represent a unique opportunity for focus on important environmental issues
such as energy and climate change with the new administration and the 111th
Congress. Finally, by supporting the Climate Action Blueprint, the Westside cities
could insure they’re included at the outset of these earth-friendly initiatives.
Meeting Date: 04/20/09 Item Number: A-3
AGENDA ITEM: Adoption of a Resolution Endorsing the Climate Action Blueprint
as proposed by President Obama and Congress and Authorizing the Signatures
of the Mayor and Councilmembers to be Added to the List of Endorsers of the
Climate Action Blueprint
Contact Person/Dept.: Shelly Wolfberg or
Damian Skinner
Phone Number: (310) 253-6008 or
(310) 253-6421
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: [X]
Public Notification:
Master E-Mail Notification List (04/15/09)
Department Approval:
Charles Herbertson (04/15/09)
City Attorney Approval:
Carol Schwab (by H. Baker) (04/15/09)
Chief Financial Officer Approval:
Jeff Muir (by M. Noller) (04/15/09)
City Manager Approval:
Jerry B. Fulwood (04/16/09) City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
As an outcome of the March WSCCOG Meeting there was consensus to refer this
matter back to the WSCCOG member cities to allow each City to consider adoption
of a resolution, or take other appropriate legislative action, endorsing the Climate
Action Blueprint. Further, the WSCCOG Board adopted a motion authorizing the
Executive Director to formally provide WSCCOG endorsement of the Climate Action
Blueprint once a majority of the COG member cities have taken action endorsing the
Blueprint.
DISCUSSION:
The Climate Action Blueprint emphasizes the key role of local governments in
addressing climate action and creating more sustainable communities. The plan
emphasizes the need for a comprehensive national climate action policy that
includes significant funding for local initiatives. A copy of the Blueprint is attached
and the highlights are summarized below:
Enact a national climate policy with mandatory greenhouse gas limits and
market-based trading and invest proceeds from carbon trading in local
government projects that reduce carbon emissions.
Implement clean energy policies by setting building energy efficiency targets
and providing local governments with funding to meet targets and promoting
renewable energy.
Provide funding to local governments through Energy Efficiency and
Conservation Block Grants, EPA Climate Demonstration Grants, the
Department of Energy Clean Cities program and the Federal Urban and
Community Forestry program.
Increase funding for public transit, support local initiatives to reduce
dependence on automobiles and provide funding for low-emission busses,
clean local fleets and local alternative fuel infrastructure.
Create green jobs by funding demonstration grants, the Green Jobs Act of
2007 and creating an energy conservation corps service program for young
Americans.
Develop a federal action plan to guide research and development on climate
change preparedness strategies, provide technical assistance and develop
new protocols for intergovernmental coordination. Fund local efforts to
support citizens that are most vulnerable to climate impacts.
Individual elected officials can endorse the Blueprint online through the ICLEI or
Climate Communities websites. The ICLEI list of endorsers includes Mayors, Vice
Mayors and City Councilmembers. A City Council position in support of the Climate
Action Blueprint would be consistent with the City Council-adopted Legislative
Advocacy Program. City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
FISCAL ANALYSIS:
There is no cost associated with endorsing the Climate Action Blueprint.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Empowering Local Government Climate Action Blueprint for President Obama
and 111th Congress.
2. Resolution of Support for the Climate Action Blueprint.
MOTION:
That the City Council:
Adopt a Resolution endorsing the Climate Action Blueprint as proposed by
President Obama and Congress and authorizing the signatures of the Mayor and
Councilmembers to be added to the list of endorsers of the Climate Action
Blueprint.
MEETING DATE: April 20, 2009
AGENDA ITEM: Authorization of a Resolution Endorsing the Climate
Action Blueprint for President Obama and Congress
and add the Signatures of the Mayor and City
Councilmembers to the List of Endorsers of the
Climate Action Blueprint.
ATTACHMENTS
Pages
1. Empowering Local Government Climate Action Blueprint
1-5
for President Obama and 111th Congress.
2. Resolution of Support for the Climate Action Blueprint. 6-7ueprint for President Obama
and 111th Congress
the time , for local government ofhciak to sign onto
ElLiepbnt. THs B!Heprint he c,ff:c]E.,,
irete'ased with major events in December 2003 and beyond.
Visit our web sites for more if-ifoi n'iatic)ri or to sign onto the Eltici.print.
for
Jr-Local government leadership and action is critical to addressing the climate change challenge.
Localities are in the best position to foster the innovation and new practices that will achieve building efficiency,
cleaner transportation choices, new green jobs and businesses, green infrastructure and more sustainable
communities. America's local governments have been at the forefront of the movement to address climate
change. Our citizens are demanding action, and continued leadership from localities is essential to solving the
issue. Here's why:
• More than 40 percent of greenhouse gas emissions comes from commercial and residential buildings.
Local governments are best suited to improve building codes, foster community-scale renewable energy,
and create other programs and incentives to increase efficiency and reduce energy use in buildings and
houses.
• One third of GHG emissions comes from the transportation sector. We must improve public transit and
engage in more effective land use and transportation planning to reduce gasoline use and emissions.
Localities must lead in the transit and smart growth initiatives needed to reduce vehicle use.
Localities are the first responders who must deal with the impacts of climate change including drought,
heat waves, water shortages, wildfires, flooding, rising sea levels, changes in weather patterns, public health
threats, and economic shifts.
• Local governments can promote the deployment of green infrastructure that reduces carbon emissions
including community forestry, green roofs, and parks and open space.
• Local governments are uniquely positioned to drive new economic development strategies that create
homegrown green businesses and green jobs to help America transform our economy and compete in
the world.
idressng climate change from the ground-up with c I
lut help our nation
• Achieve energy independence and improve national security;
• Create new jobs, technology innovation and business opportunities for a vibrant American economy;
• Build livable, sustainable local communities;
• Prepare for and avoid the costly potential impacts of climate change; and
• Preserve our planet for future generations.
But the local government role in combating climate change and building a green economy cannot be
fulfilled without strong national leadership from the President and Congress. The nation must recognize
that the climate solution cannot be achieved without local governments. We need a strong federal-local-state
partnership on climate change. Federal policies must provide resources to empower local communities across
America to play our part in solving the climate challenge.
Ern )
ca Government ai .mate Acflon For President Obama & 1
2_The world's leading scientists say that e must begin now to reduce U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by
80 percent by 2050 to turn the tide on climate change, Local governments are ready to play our part in
reducing emissions and leading the world toward climate solutions, but the President and Congress must
take the following steps if we are to achieve these important targets:
Enact a national climate policy that:
• Sets mandatory limits on greenhouse gas emissions with market-based trading;
• Invests the proceeds from carbon trading into local government actions that reduce
emissions through green buildings; transit, smart growth and other VMT reduction
strategies; green local fleets and fuels; renewable energy; green infrastructure; and
green jobs and businesses; and
• Allows regulated emitters to invest through carbon offsets in local green
infrastructure that reduces greenhouse gases, including community forestry, green
roofs, and open space and farmland preservation.
Enact an economic recovery policy that creates green jobs by:
• Providing $10 billion in Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants for local
governments; and
• Providing $18 billion for local transit infrastructure projects.
Implement clean energy policies that:
• Reduce building energy use by 30 percent by 2025 by establishing national building lignme
efficiency targets and providing annual funding to help local governments meet or
exceed the national targets; and
• Produce 25 percent of the nation's power from renewable energy by 2025 through
renewable portfolio standards, and measures to overcome interconnection and rate
barriers to community-scale renewables.
Invest in local climate capacity through annual federal appropriations that:
• Fully fund the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants at $2 billion
annually;
• Provide $250 million annually for EPA Local Climate Demonstration Grants;
• Provide $400 million annually for the DOE Clean Cities program to support low
emission vehicles and cleaner fuels including alternative fuels infrastructure and
plug-in hybrid vehicles; and
• Provide $100 million annually for the Forest Service's Urban and Community
Forestry program.
Government Climate Action Blueprint For eskerR Obama111th Congress
3Transform the nation's transportation strategy by:
• Substantially increasing federal resources for public transit;
• Supporting local initiatives to reduce vehicle-dependence and use including
resources for smart growth and transit-oriented development, VMT reduction
planning and implementation, walkability programs, bikeways and greenways, infil
and brownfields revitalization, and reuse of historic and existing buildings; and
• Funding low-emission busses, clean local fleets, and local alternative fuels
infrastructure.
Create American green jobs and green businesses by:
• Creating a $500 million "Climate Prosperity" demonstration grant program that
directs Economic Development Administration, HUD, Small Business Administration
and USDA Rural Development funding to support local economic development
strategies that produce green businesses and green jobs;
• Fully funding the Green Jobs Act of 2007 at $125 million annually to support worker
training in emerging manufacturing and hi-tech sectors; and
• Creating an "Energy Conservation Corps"service program to empower young
Americans to be part of new clean energy solutions.
Build self-reliant communities that are prepared for climate impacts by:
• Creating a federal interagency task force on Climate Resiliency and Community
Preparedness to produce a federal action plan for (a) national research
and development; (b) local technical assistance; and (c) new protocols for
intergovernmental collaboration at local, state, regional and federal levels;
Expanding the FEMA Pre-Disaster Mitigation program to $500 million annually to
support local government initiatives to address climate impacts;
• Expanding NOAA's Coastal Zone Management Act and climate programs to directly
support local climate adaptation planning and implementation; and
• Fostering and funding local efforts to support families and populations most
vulnerable to climate impacts.
Government Clirnate Action — Foi Obama &tilt Con -ess
1-4iMal: .9 Corrimunitiei; is a national coalition of local
governments seeking national support for local climate
C ond ICLEI U.3,- ,n eert—ly the ef /udiseinent c. fULdi e creu eat ifs )m 3 S
A, -- the L.mpc —tering Lac— Gc,./eri &tient C—Te An"Luepnti'or PiesideuL ,=;:buinc
Congress. The Blueprint will be released the second week of December 2008 at a series of local media
events across the country. Climate Communities members will convene in Washington, DC in rnid-February
2009 to meet with leaders of President Obarna's climate change team and the incoming Congress to discuss
the Blueprint recommendations.
tE1iected offida IS and staff from these Found slg Communities helped to c vip the Blueprint:
Sacramento Area Council of Governments, CA
Wyandotte, MI
inert° County, CA
Blue Earth County, MN
Santa Ana, CA
High Point, NC
Sonoma County, CA
Winston•Salem, NC
Stamford, CT
Keene, NH
Washington, DC
Nassau County, NY
Boynton Beach, FL
Westchester County, NY
Broward County, FL
Hamilton County, OH
Charlotte County, FL
Greenville, SC
Gainesville, FL
Austin, TX
Leon County, FL
El Paso County, TX
Miami-Dade County, FL
James City County, VA
St. Petersburg, FL
Loudoun County,
Savannah, GA
New Kent County, VA
Dubuque, IA
King County, WA
Story County, IA
Snohomish County, WA
Annapolis, MD
Soos Creek Water and Sewer District, WA
Montgomery County, MD
Tacoma, WA
Washtenaw County, iVii
Whatcom County, WA
To endorse the Blueprint and see the complete list of endorsers, visit
www.climatecommunities.us/endorseblueprint.html
or www.icleiusa.org/blueprint
ers.
1 or Slisainabi3.::.
ICLEI USA provides expertise, technical suppnrt, and
innovative tools to help local government: a;:-:vance
their emissions reductions and sustainability :10Ft IS.
T
powering Local Government Climate Action
Blueprint For President °barna & 111th Co: T-ess-
RESOLUTION NO. 2009-R A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
CULVER CITY, CALIFORNIA, ENDORSING THE
"EMPOWERING LOCAL GOVERNMENT CLIMATE
ACTION" BLUEPRINT FOR PRESIDENT OBAMA AND
111TH CONGRESS AND INCORPORATE IT INTO THE
CITY OF CULVER CITY LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY
PROGRAM.
WHEREAS, local government leadership and action is critical to addressing
the climate change challenge;
WHEREAS, local governments are in the best position to foster the
innovation and new practices that will achieve building efficiency, cleaner transportation
choices, new green jobs and businesses, green infrastructure and more sustainable
communities; and
WHEREAS, addressing climate change with local solutions will help our
nation:
• Achieve energy independence and improve national security
•
Create new jobs, technology innovation and business opportunities
• Build livable and sustainable local communities
• Prepare for and avoid the costly potential impacts of climate change;
and
• Preserve our planet for future generations; and
WHEREAS, the local government role in combating climate change and
building a green economy cannot be fulfilled without strong national leadership from the
President and Congress; and
WHEREAS, federal policies must provide resources to empower local
communities across America to play our part in solving the climate challenge; and
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28D. SCOTT MALS1N, MAYOR
City of Culver City, California
ATTEST:
MARTIN R. COLE CA L A. SCHWA'
City Clerk City Attorney
WHEREAS, Climate Communities and ICLEI USA are seeking the
endorsement of local elected leaders from across America for the "Empowering Local
Government Climate Action" Blueprint for President Obama and 111 th Congress; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Culver City desires to endorse the
Empowering Local Government Climate Action" Blueprint for President Obama and 111th
Congress.
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Culver City, California,
DOES HEREBY RESOLVE, as follows:
1. The City Council of the City of Culver City does hereby approve the
endorsement of the "Empowering Local Government Climate Action" Blueprint for
President Obama and 111 th Congress attached hereto as Exhibit "A," and incorporated
herein by this reference.
2. Direct that the "Empowering Local Government Climate Action"
Blueprint be incorporated into the City of Culver City Legislative Advocacy Program.
APPROVED and ADOPTED this day of 2009.
A09-00132
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