Chapter 2.108
COMMUNITY SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION
Sections:
2.108.010 Established – Membership.
2.108.040 Members – Qualification.
2.108.050 Members – Ex officio.
Prior legislation: Ord. 12-03.
2.108.010 Established – Membership.
The community sustainability commission is established in the city. The commission consists of seven voting members, one of whom shall be a high school student. (Ord. 09-16 § 2).
2.108.020 Purpose.
The purpose of the commission is to educate, advocate and provide oversight for integrated solutions that seek a sustainable equilibrium for economic, ecological, and social health and well-being, both now and in the future. (Ord. 09-16 § 2).
2.108.030 Definitions.
“Sustainability,” as defined by the Benicia general plan and by the World Commission on Environment and Development (a.k.a. 1987 Brundtland Commission), is meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. Sustainability is an evolving concept and the definition will evolve over time. (Ord. 09-16 § 2).
2.108.040 Members – Qualification.
A. Each member of the community sustainability commission shall have expertise and/or demonstrated interest in one or more of the following areas:
1. Water quality, water use efficiency and conservation;
2. Air quality;
3. Local and regional ecology;
4. Energy;
5. Mobility;
6. Land use/stewardship;
7. Green site planning and building;
8. Waste management;
9. Community and regional economics/finance;
10. Social justice;
11. Public relations;
12. Local based business management (merchants, etc.).
B. One member of the commission shall be a high school student with junior or senior standing who resides in Benicia. (Ord. 09-16 § 2).
2.108.050 Members – Ex officio.
The commission shall have nonvoting ex officio members from:
A. Benicia Unified School District, President or designee;
B. Valero Refinery, General Manager or designee;
C. Amports, General Manager or designee;
D. Good Neighbor Steering Committee, Chair or designee.
To increase participation, an ex officio member may only represent one of the above categories. (Ord. 09-16 § 2).
2.108.060 Meeting time and place.
Superseded by Ord. 23-02. (Ord. 12-03 § 1; Ord. 09-16 § 2).
2.108.070 Officers – Appointment.
Superseded by Ord. 23-02. (Ord. 09-16 § 2).
2.108.080 Officers – Duties.
Superseded by Ord. 23-02. (Ord. 09-16 § 2).
2.108.090 Duties.
The commission shall:
A. Advise the city council on implementation of the Benicia climate action plan and related city strategic plan performance measures, as appropriate.
B. Provide recommendations regarding the distribution of climate action and water conservation funds from the 2008 Valero Improvement Plan Settlement Agreement and from future funding sources allocated to support the efforts of making Benicia a more sustained community with reference to the climate action plan.
C. Advise the city council on matters related to sustainability, climate change and greenhouse gas reductions, including recommendations on forthcoming innovative programs and amendments to the climate action plan, if necessary.
D. Facilitate public outreach, education and collaboration with regards to community sustainability to guide Benicia’s transition towards being a sustainable, socially just, economically vibrant, and green community.
E. Prepare an annual report to city council on implementation of this chapter.
F. Make recommendations to the city council regarding funding, including the search for private and public grants consistent with the needs of the community. (Ord. 09-16 § 2).
2.108.100 Powers.
A. The commission may coordinate and hold fundraising activities related to its purpose as stated in BMC 2.108.020. The commission may also solicit and accept donations subject to approval of the city council. All net proceeds from such fundraising activities and donations shall be placed in a city sustainability fund and the city council shall have exclusive power to make distributions in furtherance of achieving sustainability goals, after recommendation from the commission.
B. The commission shall establish policies for raising, managing and distributing sustainability funds, subject to approved by the city council. (Ord. 15-07 § 1).