HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Reso 2022-44 - Endorsing Climate Emergency Action RESOLUTION 2022-44
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF UKIAH ENDORSING THE
DECLARATION OF A CLIMATE EMERGENCY AND A CALL TO ACTION TO RESTORE A
SAFE CLIMATE
WHEREAS, human activities have warmed the Earth, destabilizing the climate and setting in
motion catastrophic changes to the Earth's systems, including fresh water scarcity and droughts,
floods, extreme weather events and increased heat, wildfires, species extinction and accelerating
ice mass decline resulting in sea-level rise; and
WHEREAS, on February 27, 2022 the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
Working Group II reported, "The scientific evidence is unequivocal: climate change is a threat to
human well-being and the health of the planet. Any further delay in concerted global action will
miss the brief, rapidly closing window to secure a livable future"; and
WHEREAS, the U.S. moving toward rapid decarbonization will avoid economic losses and take
advantage of entirely new economic opportunities that are likely to emerge; governments at all
levels need to focus on setting regulation and policy; rapidly deploying and scaling advanced
technologies; and accelerating critical infrastructure programs; and
WHEREAS, California's Fourth Climate Change Assessment warned that extreme weather and
climate-related events in the United States are worsening, predicting increased drought cycles
and heat waves in the western U.S. with a resulting three-fold increase in intensity and magnitude
of wildfires, declined water supply and snow pack, increased flooding, impacted agriculture, as
well as substantial damages to the U.S. economy and human health, unless greenhouse gas
(GHG) emissions are curbed; and
WHEREAS, current global warming is contributing to the increased frequency and intensity of
wildfires, floods, droughts, heat waves, and other extreme weather, including the Northern
California wildfires of 2017 and 2018 that destroyed at least 38,333 structures, killed 118,
displaced thousands, and caused serious reductions in air quality; in 2020, in California, four
million acres were burned, 112 million tons of GHG's released, 11 million gallons of fire retardant
used and 31 lives lost; and
WHEREAS, in 2021, drifting smoke from wildfires in California caused haze on the other side of
the United States; the Pacific Northwest was gripped by a heat wave that caused thousands of
emergency department visits for heat-related illness and likely killed hundreds; extreme heat has
killed an estimated 3,900 people in California over the last decade; and
WHEREAS, the California State Legislature has set clear climate objectives for the next decade,
including a 40% reduction in 1990 level GHG emissions by 2030; 50% renewable energy; and
reduce petroleum use by 45% by 2030; and
WHEREAS, the economic impacts of climate change if left unabated will have catastrophic
implications on the global economy with direct impacts at the federal, state, local and household
level including storm damage, real estate losses, energy costs, water costs, and food availability;
and
1
WHEREAS, the current pace and scale of worldwide and national climate action is not sufficient
to avert substantial damage to the economy, environment, and human health over the coming
decades; and
WHEREAS, on July 21, 2020, the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted
a Climate Emergency Resolution proposed by their appointed Climate Action Advisory
Committee; and
WHEREAS, the City of Ukiah and its surrounding areas have been profoundly affected by several
natural disasters due to climate change including severe drought, flooding, devastating wildfires
and accompanying days-long power outages and related Public Safety Power Shutoff events; and
WHEREAS, marginalized communities including people of color, immigrants, indigenous
communities, low-income people, those with disabilities, and the unhoused—are
disproportionately affected by climate change impacts and must be supported in the transition to
a sustainable environment and economy; and
WHEREAS, in order to avoid irreversible, catastrophic climate change impacts, we must
significantly decrease our carbon emissions, incorporating new technologies, setting new policies
and accelerating critical infrastructure, thus preparing for significant ecological and economic
impacts due to climate change; and
WHEREAS, during emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic and wildfires,the City of Ukiah,
along with the County of Mendocino and the State of California demonstrated a remarkable
capacity to protect human health in the face of crises, based on early, preventative action in
response to evidence and warnings issued by scientists, that same focus must be an ongoing
focus to eliminate any activities that threaten our climate stability and the overall health of our City
residents; and
WHEREAS, the City of Ukiah must actively work for a clean environment, to improve
environmental standards and promote sustainable energy policies; and
WHEREAS, the City of Ukiah is committed to doing everything in its power to encourage an
ecologically, socially and financially sustainable economy.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the City of Ukiah declares that a climate emergency
threatens humanity and the natural and built environments; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Ukiah joins a global call for
supporting ecologically sustainable livelihoods creating a fair and more equal society that moves
away from fossil fuels and supports an urgent collaborative climate mobilization effort, focused
on enacting policies that dramatically reduce heat-trapping emissions both inside and outside the
City's borders across all sectors to accelerate the necessary systems change required to restore
a safe climate; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that an urgent global climate mobilization effort to address global
warming is needed to address global warming is needed to achieve carbon neutrality as soon as
possible, and no later than 2045, and that full community participation, inclusion and support is
integral to our efforts to safely draw down carbon from the atmosphere and accelerate adaptation
and resilience strategies in preparation for intensifying climate impacts; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Ukiah commits to ongoing
education and active engagement of all City staff, members of committees and commissions,
I contractors, consultants, residents and independent community groups in alignment with the
goals of mitigation, drawdown; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Ukiah commits to address the
climate implications of all policies and actions that come before the Council that have the potential
to impact greenhouse gas emissions, carbon sequestration, and disaster preparedness within
the City; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED,that the City Council of the City of Ukiah will identify and consider
an initial list of actions toward restoring a safe climate and meeting State goals by 2030 as detailed
in Exhibit A attached hereto, and the City Council will continue to implement, evolve and update
the list based on changing conditions, regulations, constraints, and policy direction;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that these actions be reflected throughout the new General Plan
currently being developed.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 151 day of June, 2022, by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Orozco, Rodin, Duenas, and Mayor Brown
NOES: None
ABSENT: Councilmember Crane
ABSTAIN: None
1
Brown, Mayor
ATTEST: Al
Whn"& 4VL-/ r "
Kristine Lawler, City Clerk
3
EXHIBIT A
CITY OF UKIAH ACTIONS TOWARD RESTORING A SAFE CLIMATE
1. Enemy Efficiency
a. Implement a 100% Green Rate option to all City electric customers.
b. Increase Renewable Power Production and Storage: Install renewable energy with
storage capacity on City-owned land within City limits, where feasible.
c. Install Energy Efficient Outdoor Lighting: Replace all streetlights and lighting in
public facilities (parking lots, field lots, etc.) with LEDs. Continue to install "dark sky
compliant"streetlights to reduce light pollution and eliminate light trespass into residents'
homes.
d. Continue Plan to Meet Statewide Goals for Purchased Power by 2030: Prepare for
an increase in overall renewable power to meet 2030 50% emission reduction plans
pursuant to federal and state guidelines.
e . Decarbonize Existing Building Stock: Explore opportunities to provide incentives for
electrification and increased energy efficiency of existing residential and commercial
buildings—both appliance-by-appliance and as whole building retrofits.
f. Continue to Explore Rebate Programs: Explore additional options for rebate
programs for fuel shifting and energy efficiency improvements to benefit commercial
and residential properties, ensuring access to affordable power for all, including tenants.
g. Perform Energy and Waste Audits: Contract with a reputable private company to
conduct energy and waste audits on City buildings.
2. Transportation
a. Transformation of the Fleet: Continue replacement of City fleet vehicles, light-and-
heavy-duty trucks, and other mobile equipment, where feasible, with models that run
fully on electricity or green hydrogen.
b. Encourage Active Transportation as a viable alternative to automobiles:
Encourage more walking and biking by ensuring safe and attractive paths.
c. Encourage Clean Vehicles when Active Transportation is not Feasible: Continue
to support the expansion of the number of Level 2 and 3 vehicle-charging stations in
the City through direct installation of public charging stations and through publiclprivate
partnerships. Continue efforts to offer electric utility rebates for installation of residential
and workplace EV chargers.
d. Continue to Expand the Great Redwood Trail--Ukiah: Continue to extend the Trail
to the north and the south, while also adding amenities like water, shade, and
connectivity throughout. This trail provides direct access to major employment centers,
4
services, shopping, residential areas, the future Mendocino County Courthouse, and
connectivity to other bicycle routes throughout the city.
e . Educate the Public About the Dangers of Idling Vehicles: Utilize public service
announcements and social media to discourage drivers from letting their engines run
when their vehicles are not moving, which is hazardous to children's developing lungs,
wastes gasoline and causes unnecessary GHG emissions.
3. Solid Waste
a. Continue to lead the way in solid waste diversion including the diversion of
compostable food: Take measures to ensure that the City's waste removal contractor
informs and monitors customers' adherence to California's new compost law that went
into effect January 1, 2022. Senate Bill (SB) 1383 was passed in September 2016 as
part of a statewide effort to reduce emissions of short-lived climate pollutants. SB 1383
set the targets of reducing organic waste disposal 50% by 2020 and 75% by 2025.
4. Urban Greenhouse Gas Drawdown
a. Implement Nature Based Climate Solutions: Manage parks, community gardens,
greenways, riparian and aquatic zones with best practices for carbon sequestration.
b. Maintain wild lands: The State of California Executive Order N-82-20 identifies land
management actions that protect climate-vulnerable communities and achieve carbon
neutrality; promote biodiversity protection, habitat restoration and wildfire-resilience;
sustainably manage landscapes; and steward natural and working lands, building
climate resilience and economic sustainability.
c. Continue to Develop the City of Ukiah's Tree Management Guidelines: To reduce
the City's heat island effect,continue developing the City's Tree Management Guidelines
to cool streets with trees, prioritizing shade equity in neighborhoods. Explore
opportunities to better protect existing trees inside the City limits and support efforts to
strengthen oak protection efforts.
d. Enhance Carbon Sequestration Capacity: Support regional efforts to encourage
climate beneficial agriculture and land management, incorporating compost and other
methods that increase urban soil carbon and nutrient cycling.
3. Land Use
a. Update Zoning Ordinance: Educate the public and promote "gentle density" as a
sustainable, climate friendly way to preserve small town quality of life. Utilize policies
and programs within the City's 2040 General Plan to implement environmental and
sustainability goals.
b. Protect Against Sprawl Through Completion of Annexations: Implement the City's
Annexation Policy in Resolution No. 2020-06 to avoid the consequences of continued
urban sprawl and protect open space and prime agriculture lands in the Ukiah Valley,
encouraging urban, compact design that relies less on the automobile and reduces
overall GHG emissions.
c. Complete Update of 2040 General Plan: Complete and adopt the 2040 General Plan,
including a new Complete Streets policy and Climate Vulnerability Analysis. Set goals
for implementation of programs and annually report to the City Council on status of
completion of General Plan programs.
6. Community Ensaacaement
a. Develop a Web Page with Informational and Educational Resources: Create a
dedicated page of the City's website identifying all the resources now available to City
of Ukiah residents such as home energy audits, energy efficiency tool lending library,
financing for energy efficiency, rebates and incentives. Also, include information on
residential and commercial best practices (including all-electric), home performance
best practices, green building best practices and more.
b . Continue to Actively Promote Climate Matters on City Web Site/Social Media:
Actively promote the City's goals, efforts and initiatives related to climate on the City's
website and social media.
c. Ensure that climate responsibility is integrated throughoutthe City's departments
and operations.
7. Water Policy
a. Expand Sustainable Water Practices: Continue to explore expansion of the
Recycled Water Project, water conservation, and other practices that help ensure a
healthy, sustainable, water supply.
8. Information Technolosav
a. Transition to Cloud Computing: Continue to move our digital systems onto the cloud,
reducing our reliance on energy intensive servers, which require batteries, battery
back-up systems, and climate controls, as well as reducing paper usage.
9. Parks and Recreation
a. Eliminate Pesticide Use: The City will continue to keep its parks 100% free of
pesticides and use only approved organic materials for pest control, and reuse all mulch
generated from those parks.
10. Fire Prevention
a. Protect from Dangerous Emission by Preventing Fires: The City shall engage in
multi jurisdiction activities to reduce the risk of future fires throughout the County,
including the acquisition of open space, putting in firebreaks, and clearing fuel.
Additionally, the City shall use non-toxic alternatives to fire-fighting foam that are free
from the PFAS and PFOS chemicals.
6