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Climate Action Committee advances recommendations for staff support and project referrals
Summary
The Sebastopol Climate Action Committee reviewed a staff-hours proposal and a memo recommending a monthly 10-hour planning staff allocation, an implementation plan, departmental reports and a voluntary project-referral program; members debated whether 10 hours is sufficient and discussed seeking RCPA help to cost implementation before forwarding recommendations to city council.
The Sebastopol Climate Action Committee discussed a staff-support proposal and a set of recommendations that the committee plans to send to the City Council, but did not vote because the meeting lacked a quorum.
Chair Kenna opened the discussion and handed the floor to Jane, who presented a memo summarizing the committee's feedback and four recommendations: a monthly budget of 10 planning staff hours (120 hours per year, rollable), a formal implementation plan to coordinate member requests and staff time, routine departmental reports to the CAC, and a voluntary project-referral process allowing applicants to present projects to the committee for climate-aligned feedback.
"We could do a monthly budget of 10 planning staff hours," Jane said, noting that unused hours could roll over and that the recommendations would be forwarded to the city manager and city council. Jane also cautioned that the city manager may propose a more restrictive alternative.
Members questioned whether 10 hours a month would be enough. Lisa suggested every-other-month meetings or a smaller monthly request; John and Jane explained how meeting staffing multiplies hours (one in-person hour can require multiple staff hours) and flagged administrative peaks, such as appointments and reappointments, that consume staff time.
Joshua said the committee would benefit from a single coordinator to gatekeep requests to planning staff, reducing duplicated outreach: "That could easily fall to the chair position," he said, while acknowledging chairs also have other responsibilities.
Jane described limited technical assistance from RCPA (the Regional Climate Protection Authority) and consultants who could help the committee cost out what implementation would require and whether a dedicated or shared staff position is appropriate. She said that while some help is available, a full-time staff allocation is unlikely in the current budget year.
Committee members generally supported the idea of retaining departmental reports and voluntary project referrals as low-cost ways to increase the CAC's influence, but they urged caution about undershooting staff needs. With no quorum present the group did not adopt an official, committee-level recommendation; Jane and staff said the memo and the committee's feedback can be attached to staff materials that go to City Council, and individual members may submit public comment in advance of council consideration.
The next step is expected to be further refinement of the memo and, if requested, additional outreach or a presentation to the city manager and council prior to council goal-setting in February.
