HomeMy WebLinkAboutMerge the Energy Committee with the Citizens' Sustainability CommitteeCITY OF PALM DESERT
STAFF REPORT
REQUEST: APPROVE THE MERGING OF THE ENERGY SUBCOMMITTEE WITH
THE CITY'S CITIZENS' SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE
SUBMITTED BY: Martin Alvarez, Redevelopment Manager
DATE: January 12, 2012
Recommendation
By Minute Motion:
1. Approve the merging of the Energy Subcommittee with the City's
Sustainability Committee; and
2. Appoint two City Council members to serve as liaisons to the Citizens'
Sustainability Committee.
Background
The Energy Subcommittee reviews and advises the City Council on all energy related
programs, projects, and legislation. Specifically, the Energy Subcommittee provides
recommendations to the City Council on the City's Energy Independence Program
policies and the Palm Desert Energy Partnership. The committee is comprised of two
City Council members, the City Manager, legal counsel, and staff members from
Redevelopment Agency and Finance Department.
The Citizens' Sustainability Committee was established to advise the City Council on
matters related to the implementation of the City's Environmental Sustainability Plan
and Greenhouse Gas Inventory. The Committee evaluates the changing needs and
future demographic trends regarding sustainability that the City of Palm Desert may
anticipate in the following six major resource areas:
• The Built Environment
• Energy Management
• Materials Management
• Regional Air Quality
• Transportation Resources
• Water Management
The Citizens' Sustainability Committee is composed of nine industry professionals that help
recommend appropriate policies and actions to the meet the City's Sustainability Plan goals.
Staff Report
Energy Subcommittee Merge with Citizen's Sustainability Committee
January 12, 2012
Page 2 of 2
One of the six major resource areas of the City's Sustainability Plan and Green House
Inventory is Energy Management. Principles, goals, and recommended actions within the
Sustainability Plan's Energy Management section are aimed at developing programs,
policies, and recommendations relating to energy. The Energy Management section provides
direction on ways to educate residents on energy reduction, develop programs to facilitate
energy efficiency retrofits and renewable energy projects.
In order to unite the City's Energy Management programs with the City's Sustainability goals,
staff recommends that the Energy Subcommittee and Citizens' Sustainability Committee be
merged. Merging the two committees will facilitate a comprehensive view of all the City's
sustainability goals and will provide input from the community on energy related programs
(i.e. Energy Independence Program/Set to Save) and projects. The Sustainability Committee
meets quarterly and staff recommends that two City Council members be appointed to serve
as liaisons to the Sustainability Committee.
Fiscal Analysis
There is no fiscal impact to the City.
Submitted By:
artin Alvarez, Rede elopment Manager Lauri Aylaian, Director of Commune y e elopment
Department Head:
�t McCarthy, ACM for development
val:
Jon P.Wohlryruth, Pity Manager
X X X�
Pdkif S. Gibson, Director of Finance
* 1) Approved merging of the Energy
Subcommittee with the City's Cittzen's
Sustainability Committee.
3-2 (Benson, Finerty NO)
2) Appointed Councilmember Finerty
and Mayor -Pro Ten Kroonen (currently
serving on the Energy Committee) to
OTHER the merged entity. 5-0
MEETING DATE
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAINt
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Original on File with City diericAmice