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APPOINTMENTS TO THE CLIMATE ACTION PLAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE
recommended action
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a resolution appointing the Mayor’s seven recommended community members to serve on the seven-member Climate Action Plan Advisory Committee for four-year terms effective immediately and ending January 31, 2029.
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Summary
Due to the expiration of the terms of all ten previous committee members in 2015 (Council Resolution 2013-09-24-1210, Attachment A), the City’s current grant funded project to develop a new Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP), and the best practice to maintain consistency per the 2008 Settlement Agreement, the City recognized the need to reenact the Climate Action Plan Advisory Committee. Applications for the Climate Action Plan Advisory Committee were solicited from the public during April 2025 and June 2025.
Mayor Fugazi is recommending seven community members to serve on the Climate Action Plan Advisory Committee. The Mayor is requesting that the City Council, based on her recommendation, appoint these seven community members to the Climate Action Plan Advisory Committee for a four-year term effective immediately and ending on January 31, 2029.
Environmental
Tanisha Raj - Catholic Charities
Mary Elizabeth - Sierra Club
Non-Profit Community Organization
Patricia Barrett - Mineral Baths Community Garden
Julie Dunning - Tree Stockton
Labor
Tim Robertson - San Joaquin Building Trades Council
Business
Jeanice Nyung - Borderless Academics, Inc.
Developer
James Jimison - AG Spanos Companies
DISCUSSION
Background
On December 11, 2007, the City Council (Resolution No. 07-0515) adopted the 2035 General Plan and Infrastructure Studies and the Bicycle Master Plan. In January 2008, litigation was initiated against the City by the Sierra Club alleging inadequate environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act. Subsequent to the filing of the Sierra Club lawsuit, the Attorney General of the State of California contacted the City and indicated that the State may join the pending litigation unless the City agreed to certain actions to more definitively implement the intent of the California Global Warming Solutions Act, also known as Assembly Bill 32.
On September 9, 2008, the City Council approved a Memorandum of Agreement (Settlement Agreement) with the Attorney General of California and the Sierra Club.
As required by the Settlement Agreement, a Climate Action Plan Advisory Committee was formed. The first committee was based on recommendations by former Mayor Edward Chavez and was appointed by City Council action on November 4, 2008 (Resolution No. 08-0438). The Climate Action Plan Advisory Committee is a volunteer board and is formed to monitor the City’s compliance with the Settlement Agreement, help identify funding sources to implement the Settlement Agreement, and to make recommendations to the Planning Commission and City Council regarding
the Climate Action Plan.
Though the Settlement Agreement requires just five members, the City has elected to expand participation to seven members. This membership consists of the following general categories: two members from the categories of environmental and non-profit community organization and one member from the categories of labor, business and developer. The Settlement Agreement does not specify that a member comes from a particular organization or company.
Present Situation
The terms of the previous ten committee members expired on September 23, 2015. Per the procedures set forth in Council Policy 100-2, applications were solicited from the
public on April 8, 2025 to June 12, 2025. At the close of the solicitation period, the City Clerk’s office had received a total of 13 applications for the seven available seats.
City staff are currently working under the funding of two grant programs to update the City of Stockton Climate Action Plan initially developed in 2008 and implemented from 2014-2020.
On December 12, 2023, City Council approved Resolution No. 2023-12-12-1202 to accept the State of California Adaptation Planning Grant Program (APGP) in the amount of $650,000 and on May 14, 2024, the City Council approve Resolution No. 2024-5-14-1502 to accept the United States Environmental Protection Agency Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG), in the amount of $1,000,000.
The APGP and CPRG grants will be used in combination to develop a new Comprehensive Climate Action & Adaptation (CCAAP) plan for the City which combines the names and requirements of both programs. The new CCAAP also known as Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP), will provide an updated prioritized strategic framework and blueprint to improve environmental and economic conditions in the Stockton community and the MSA by targeting reduced greenhouse gas emission, enhanced health outcomes and supporting more sustainable practices.
As required by the September 9, 2008 Settlement Agreement with the Attorney General of California and the Sierra Club, the City must form a Climate Action Plan Advisory Committee as recommended by the Mayor and appointed by City Council.
The recommended candidates represent the diversity and passion of and for the community. Recruitment for the committee was advertised and solicited through multiple channels throughout the City and county to recruit fresh voices from diverse perspectives. The committee recruitment was advertised through the various Chambers of Commerce represented throughout San Joaquin County, the Board of Supervisors, the Port of Stockton, several influential non-profit organizations, the Building Trades Council, TCC projects, County events and City events.
City staff and the Mayor discussed the applicants and their qualifications. Upon review and careful consideration of all the applicants’ qualifications and associations with the specified interest groups, Mayor Fugazi is recommending that the City Council appoint the community members (listed previously in the Summary) representing the identified interest groups, to serve on the Climate Action Plan Advisory Committee for a four-year term, effective immediately.
This Committee will advise and make recommendations to the Council on the Climate Action & Adaptation Plan and related plans/ programs, help identify funding sources to implement this plan and review in a timely manner all draft plans and policy statements developed and make recommendations to the Planning Commission and City Council regarding its review.
The Climate Action Plan Advisory Committee will establish a meeting schedule upon the first meeting of the committee. The Climate Action Plan Advisory Committee will meet once a month and for other related Climate Action Plan meetings. City Council consideration of the Climate Action Plan and related plan/ programs is expected in Spring 2026.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
This action will have no direct financial impact to City Departments.
Attachment A - Resolution 2013-09-24-1210
Attachment B - Redacted Applications