Category Archives: Climate Change Committee

City of Sacramento Draft General Plan Update Presentation to ECOS 6/27

ECOS Climate Committee Meeting
Tuesday, June 27 – 6:00 pm start

LINK to join: ECOS ZOOM https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6656164155 or call: 1 669 900 6833, Mtg ID: 665 616 4155

6:00 Welcome and Introductions

6:10 City of Sacramento Draft General Plan Update (GPU)
Remi Mendoza, Senior Planner and Project Manager for the City of Sacramento, will share information on the City’s new draft General Plan Update. The General Plan Update includes goals for promoting the development of a wider variety of housing types and this plan also envisages interconnected centers and corridors, so that future growth is sustainable and equitable. sac2040gpu[at]cityofsacramento[dot]org

The City will host a 3rd webinar on June 29 on the CAAP and General Plan Update — https://www.cityofsacramento.org/Community-Development/Planning/Major-Projects/General-Plan.

6:40 Discussion/Q&A (GPU)

7:05 Updates and Announcements

  • Sacramento County’s Climate Emergency Mobilization Task Force – status update
  • Measure A redux – 2024 ballot measure to fund transit, etc.
  • SACOG Blueprint
  • I-80 lanes to be added between Davis and Sacramento – draft EIR expected soon
  • Community Benefits Ordinance for Sacramento City
  • Proposed development projects jeopardizing the Natomas Basin Habitat Conservation Plan
  • Regional Climate Action Plan for 7 counties, by Sacramento Metro Air District (SMAQMD)
  • Others …

This meeting is open to everyone interested in addressing some of our region’s most pressing challenges.

Click here for the agenda in PDF.

ECOS Transportation Team Meeting 6/1

Join us Thursday, June 1, 2023, 6:00 pm, on Zoom!

Link to join: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6656164155
To phone in: 669-900-6833, Meeting ID: 665 616 4155

6:00pm Welcome from Sam Rice, Transportation Team Lead, and Ralph Propper, Climate Committee Chair; and Attendee Introductions

6:10pm I Street Bridge Replacement Project: What this bridge can deliver for Local and Regional Mobility
• Presentation by Greg Taylor from the City of Sacramento

6:40pm Streets for People: Sacramento Active Transportation Plan
• Presentation by Jeff Jelsma from the City of Sacramento

7:10pm Update on 2024 SMART transportation funding measure

7:15pm General Discussion; Announcements; Opportunities for advocacy

7:30pm Adjourn

This meeting is open to everyone interested in addressing one of our region’s most pressing challenges.

Click here for the agenda in PDF.

ECOS Support for City of Sacramento Transportation Infrastructure Adaptation Plan Grant Application

On February 22, 2023, ECOS submitted a letter of support for the City of Sacramento Transportation Infrastructure Adaptation Plan Grant Application to The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant Program.

Below is an excerpt.

Sacramento is one of California’s oldest cities and our city’s transportation infrastructure is some of the oldest in the region. Sacramento is also home to over a half million people and three-quarters of the region’s disadvantaged communities. This older infrastructure is not ready for the current and worsening strain of climate change. Award of this funding would allow the City to begin the necessary work to ready our community’s transportation network for the increasing risk associated with climate change and ensure a high level of service to our most vulnerable community members.

Click here to read the letter.

ECOS Climate Committee Meeting 1/19

Thursday, January 19th, 2023 – 6:00pm-7:30pm

Zoom link: ECOS ZOOM 6656164155 or call: 1 669 900 6833, Mtg ID: 665 616 4155

6:00 Welcome from Ralph Propper, Climate Committee Chair, and Susan Herre, President of BoD

6:10 Featuring: Meg Cederoth, Director of Planning and Sustainability, CA High Speed Rail Authority; Annika Ragsdale, formerly Climate Analyst for CA HSR, currently Lead Resilience Consultant for WSP

  • Overview of the California High-Speed Rail program and current construction activities
  • CA HSR’s Award-winning Sustainability Program: greenhouse gas mitigation and tracking, construction requirements, criteria air pollutant reductions, habitat conservation, and climate adaptation

6:40 Transportation Team Discussion, continued from previous night’s meeting

  • Continue discussion of “green” transportation for Sacramento region. What changes will be needed to meet the State’s climate goals by 2030, 2050? Is it greater than we are imagining?
  • How to make this new transportation team come to life. Where will it focus its energies?

This meeting is open to everyone interested in addressing one of our region’s most pressing challenges.

ECOS Climate and Transportation Team Meeting 1/18

Wednesday, January 18th, 2023 – 6:00pm-7:30pm

Zoom link: ECOS ZOOM 6656164155 or call: 1 669 900 6833, Mtg ID: 665 616 4155

6:00pm Welcome from Sam Rice, Transportation Team Lead, and Ralph Propper, Climate Committee Chair

6:10pm Featuring: Kevin McCarty, CA State Assemblymember

At a recent Environmental Advocacy meeting at Sacramento City Hall, we discussed how to obtain funding for needed programs in the wake of Measure A’s defeat. The Mayor encouraged us to think broadly, with the main concerns identified as transit and affordable housing. The need for outreach to the community was emphasized, as well as exploration of funding possibilities other than a sales tax.

James Corless reviewed highlights from SACOG’s 2020 MTP/SCS, emphasizing transit, and land use/housing/planning & engagement. The need to achieve the State’s 19% reduction target in GHG emissions was also discussed.

  • Measure A – Can the Legislature help a true citizens’ initiative for the Sacramento region in 2024 – one that focuses on transit and transit-oriented development, possibly with a special voting district created by the State legislature (e.g., the Sac RT service area)? Are other funding options available for a citizens’ initiative?
  • Federal climate and infrastructure funds (and State funds) may help fund transit and related concerns. Do we need matching funds from a local transit funding measure to obtain these funds? Would a regional vision based in equity and framed around transit, make a compelling case to the feds?
  • What state legislation might be coming that we should be aware of?What is the impact of the Governor’s proposed budget on regional concerns, e.g., adaptive re-use of office buildings to address the housing crisis
  • Advice on influencing environmental issues in our region?

6:40pm Transportation Team Kick-off Discussion

The Sacramento region has consistently ranked as one of the ten worst in the nation for unhealthy air (ozone and particulate matter). Most of our air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions come from transportation, due to our over-reliance on personal vehicles. ECOS is a strong advocate against freeway expansion, and toward public transit and transit-oriented development.

Therefore, ECOS’ new Transportation Team will discuss:

  • The failure of Measure A and the need for a “green” transportation measure
  • The role of the transportation team in organizing around regional transportation issues including active outreach, advocacy, and opportunities for direct action

This meeting is open to everyone interested in addressing one of our region’s most pressing challenges.