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Vice chair outlines adaptation priorities as committee begins work
Summary
Vice Chair Tom Conlan told the Sonoma City Climate Action Commission the adaptation ad hoc is just beginning, urged clear definitions and alignment with county hazard-mitigation and general-plan work, and flagged wildfire and extreme heat as local priorities that may require cooling centers and targeted planning.
Chair Morrell convened the meeting and turned the adaptation committee report over to Vice Chair Tom Conlan, who said the ad hoc is in its early stages and identified two initial priorities: agreeing shared definitions for adaptation work and building on existing county and city planning documents already identifying local hazards.
Conlon said the county's multi-jurisdiction hazard mitigation plan and the county's Climate Resilience Comprehensive Adaptation Plan are important starting points but urged the commission 'to take a broader view of adaptation for the city beyond FEMA-focused mitigation.
“We're really just beginning our work on adaptation and realized that two big things are important. One, we need to have a common understanding of the terms and definitions that we're using. And then two, we want to stand on the shoulders of documents and plans and activities that are already underway here in the city as well as throughout the county,” Conlan said.
Commissioners emphasized local risks. Chair Morrell and others highlighted wildfire and excessive heat as the principal climate-related threats in Sonoma, noting prior wildfire evacuations and the particular vulnerability of older residents. Commissioners proposed considering cooling centers as a potential adaptation response.
Members discussed coordination with county planning efforts and existing mitigation grants. Conlan noted that some federal grant streams have narrowed and may be harder to access, and the committee agreed to review county resources such as the updated general plan safety and environmental-justice element and the Valley of the Moon Water District's draft mitigation plan.
The committee said it will identify targeted recommendations for inclusion in the city's general plan or other planning documents and return with more detailed options in coming months. No formal action or funding decision was taken; the committee requested further staff and member work to define terms, assess priorities, and map overlaps with county plans.
The commission moved on to the next agenda item; the adaptation committee will continue refining its scope and bring specific recommendations and potential implementation steps back to the commission for future consideration.
