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Sebastopol Climate Action Committee plans website overhaul and recruitment push as staff turnover, council review loom
Summary
The committee discussed website revisions, a recruitment timeline for new members, staff turnover in the planning department and whether to hold a January meeting while the council considers changes to the committee's structure and staff support.
The Sebastopol Climate Action Committee spent the second half of its meeting reviewing proposed website revisions, confirming a recruitment timeline and discussing near-term committee scheduling as staff turnover and a pending City Council review of the committee’s structure approach the end of the year.
Committee chair Kenna and staff reported the meeting began without a quorum and that there were no formal action items on the agenda; the committee nevertheless received a presentation and then moved to administrative business. Emmy Theriault introduced herself as the city’s new community development director: “Hi. My name is Emmy Theriault, and I am the new community development director for the city of Sebastopol.” Staff also announced that the planning technician Susie (referred to as Zuzi earlier in the meeting) will leave the city the following day.
On website revisions, committee members reviewed a proposed replacement structure for the Sustainable Sebastopol pages and a prioritized checklist of content needs. Staff and volunteers agreed to focus first on items seen as high priority: an editable application form for new committee candidates, an updated “How are we doing?” metrics page with charts, consolidation of working-group contact information (one central email vs. always-updating member lists), new or revised content on EV charging, trees and water conservation (including a graywater resources section volunteered by a local resident), and a refreshed committee photo. The group set a two-week deadline for members to submit text and suggested prioritization for the website update.
Recruitment and scheduling were discussed at length. Staff said the current recruitment posting was live and that the application period was scheduled to close on December 26; staff also noted the City Council had scheduled a discussion about the committee’s future on December 17. Committee members agreed there is value in pausing regular meetings during January while transitions take place and new members are appointed; the committee planned to reconvene in February. Members suggested in-person recruitment outreach and low-key drop-in events (library kiosks and bill-review drop-in sessions were proposed) to reach residents who do not attend regular meetings.
The committee also discussed operational details: assigning volunteers to draft the website sections, converting the application to an editable PDF, and prioritizing an updated list of climate-ready street trees for the city website. Chair remarks noted the council will evaluate whether to maintain the committee and staff hours or adopt a different structure; committee members were encouraged to submit public comment to council on the committee’s value and accomplishments.
Ending: The committee paused its January meeting schedule, asked members to supply website text within two weeks and planned recruitment outreach over the coming weeks. No formal votes were taken during the meeting.
