Corte Madera committee reviews draft environmentally preferable purchasing policy; staff to bring code change later this year

The Corte Madera Climate Action Committee reviewed a draft Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Policy (EPPP) intended to guide town purchasing toward products and practices with lower environmental impact and to support climate-action goals.

Phoebe, a town staff member, presented the draft and said the policy “provides guidance and clarity for staff that are purchasing items so that they can reduce the environmental impact of town purchases.” The draft groups recommended practices into general preferences (green-business support, waste reduction) and five purchasing categories: energy, office supplies and equipment, furniture, kitchen/cleaning supplies, and public-works products and practices.

Committee members and public commenters asked how the policy would be implemented and monitored. Staff said the draft draws on other Marin jurisdictions and state standards; it completes Climate Action Plan Strategy 1-11 and would be incorporated by reference into the town’s purchasing ordinance and municipal code to allow updates without repealing the ordinance. Staff said incorporation into the municipal code is expected late summer or fall and that implementation will include annual department reviews to track changes.

Members raised specific concerns. Sarah asked about monitoring and reporting; staff said they seek to avoid heavy paperwork burdens. Phoebe noted that the state law cited in the discussion — referred to in the meeting as “SB 13 83” — currently requires tracking paper purchases and retaining invoices, which staff described as a substantial staff-time burden. Committee members requested stronger attention to chemical hazards such as PFAS in furniture and kitchen supplies; staff agreed to review those standards and consider additions. Members also suggested assembling preferred-vendor lists and considering environmental credentials when evaluating contractors for major public-works projects.

Public commenter Jody Tims praised the draft and asked which Marin jurisdictions were used as models; staff listed Fairfax, Novato, San Rafael, Tiburon and Mill Valley as examples.

The EPPP discussion was advisory. Committee members provided feedback on standards and implementation; staff said they will revise the draft to incorporate committee input, continue department-level implementation planning and pursue code incorporation later this year. No formal vote on the policy occurred at this meeting.