Chapter 2.108
COMMUNITY SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION
Sections:
2.108.010 Established – Membership.
2.108.020 Purpose.
2.108.030 Definitions.
2.108.040 Members – Qualification.
2.108.050 Members – Ex officio.
2.108.060 Meeting time and place.
2.108.070 Officers – Appointment.
2.108.080 Officers – Duties.
2.108.090 Duties.
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.
The commission shall meet on the third Monday of every other month (bimonthly, six times per year) at the hour of 7:00 p.m. in the Commission Room, City Hall, 250 East L Street, Benicia, California. (Ord. 09-16 § 2).
2.108.070 Officers – Appointment.
The commission shall elect a chairperson and a vice-chairperson from among its members. The chairperson and vice-chairperson serve for a term of one year and until the successor of each takes office. The commission shall also appoint a secretary. The secretary need not be a member of the commission. (Ord. 09-16 § 2).
2.108.080 Officers – Duties.
A. Chairperson. The chairperson shall preside at all meetings of the commission, appoint all committees, and perform the duties necessary or incidental to that office.
B. Vice-Chairperson. The vice-chairperson is chairperson in the absence of the chairperson or in case of the inability of the chairperson to act.
C. Secretary. The secretary shall keep minutes of each meeting and shall record the official action taken. On all official actions on which a vote is taken, the secretary shall take the vote by roll call, in alphabetical order, with the chairperson voting last. The secretary shall certify each official document and resolution of the commission. The secretary shall maintain records of operation and shall perform such other duties as the commission assigns. (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).