ECOS Climate Committee Meeting 10/19/23

Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023 at 6:00 pm

LINK to join: ECOS ZOOM 6656164155
or call: 1 669 900 6833, Mtg ID: 665 616 4155

Please note that this meeting will not be recorded.

Jeanie Ward-Waller, former Caltrans’ Deputy Director of Planning and Modal Programs

6:00 Welcome and Introductions

6:10 Presentation:
Jeanie Ward-Waller was demoted last month, after she notified Caltrans officials that she would file a whistleblower complaint about Sacramento-area highway expansion projects allegedly circumventing environmental rules.

Here are some of the latest updates on the situation:

Coalition letter calling on Gov. Newsom to hold Caltrans accountable to his climate vision, October 17, 2023

The widening of I-80 works against California’s climate goals | Opinion, By Stephen M. Wheeler and Barbara Leary, Special to the Bee, The Sacramento Bee, October 17, 2023

A Caltrans executive questioned a freeway expansion. Then she was demoted, Rachel Uranga, LA Times, October 13, 2023

Editorial: California’s transportation spending doesn’t match its climate promises, LA Times, October 10, 2023

Breaking: California Transportation Official Demoted for Opposing Highway Expansion, Asia Mieleszko, Strong Towns, October 10, 2023

6:30 Discussion/Q&A

7:00 Updates and Announcements

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

Click here for the agenda in PDF.

Join the Climate Emergency Mobilization Task Force at Upcoming Technical Advisory Panel Meetings

Greetings community members,

You are invited to join the Climate Emergency Mobilization Task Force (CEMTF) at their upcoming Technical Advisory Panel (TAP) meetings. Your valuable insights and ideas will help us shape Sacramento County’s Climate Emergency Response Plan (CERP) to address and adapt to climate change equitably.

The events are free and open to the public. Light refreshments and snacks will be provided. We will also have a limited number of compost pails and 4-quart sample bags of compost to give away!

If you cannot attend in person, you can join us via Zoom (See links below). Please note that there is no need to RSVP for this event. However, if you wish to inform us of your attendance for food headcount, feel free to send an email to ghazankhan2[at]gmail[dot]com with your name and organization (if applicable).

The sessions will be excellent opportunities to engage with the Task Force and have your voice heard. These meetings will center around Transportation, at the following dates and locations:

September 2, 2023, 12:30 p.m. – 3 p.m. at North Highlands-Antelope Library, 4235 Antelope Rd, Antelope, CA 95843 (Available via Zoom)
September 9, 2023, 9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. at Elk Grove Library, 8900 Elk Grove Blvd, Elk Grove, CA 95624 (Available via Zoom)
September 9, 2023, 1:30 – 4 p.m. at Martin Luther King, Jr. Library, 7340 24th St Bypass, Sacramento, CA 95822 (Available via Zoom)
For more information about the CEMTF and our other upcoming meetings, please visit the Green Sacramento County Website.

We look forward to meeting you and hearing your valuable insights as we work together to create a more sustainable, equitable, and resilient Sacramento County.

Sincerely,

Timothy Irvine Chair of the Climate Emergency Mobilization Task Force

Streets for People: Sacramento Active Transportation Plan

About the Plan

Streets for People: Sacramento Active Transportation Plan is a planning effort that will focus on identifying improvements for people walking, biking, and rolling (i.e., wheeled mobility devices used by people with disabilities, strollers, scooters, skateboards, etc.) throughout the City of Sacramento.

The plan will address active transportation needs citywide but will focus engagement and recommendations in areas of high need and historical disinvestment. The plan focus areas include South Sacramento, North Sacramento, and Fruitridge/ Broadway. Scroll down to learn more about the project.

The outcome will be a plan that will guide future infrastructure investments citywide and will direct what types of investments are made for walking, biking and rolling.

To learn more, visit the City’s website by clicking here.

Public Input Map

Tell the City how you walk, bike, and roll around the City!

Are there any safety or connectivity concerns you have when walking, biking, or rolling in Sacramento?

Click here to give your input.

Sacramento County doesn’t postpone 2030 climate goal — for now

Kristin Lam | July 12, 2023 | Capital Public Radio

The Sacramento County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday didn’t postpone a carbon neutrality goal after dozens of climate activists pushed back against proposed changes.
County staff had recommended the board change the goal from 2030 to no later than 2045 in order to match state plans, make the timeline more achievable and reduce the risk of lawsuits.
Instead of approving or rejecting the suggested update, the board asked staff to present another version of the climate emergency declaration in late September or early October. In a 3-1 vote, with Supervisor Sue Frost abstaining, the board requested revisions including adding a requirement to measure progress on reducing emissions every five years.

Click here to read or listen to the full article.

ECOS Meeting: Sacramento Metro Air District & Climate Pollution Reduction Grants Program 7/26

ECOS Climate Committee and General Meeting

Wednesday, July 26 – 6:00 pm start

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

6:00 Welcome and Introductions

6:10 Sacramento Metro Air District & Climate Pollution Reduction Grants Program
The Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District (SMAQMD) is leading a regional effort to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, with a grant from the US EPA’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grants Program (CPRG). Once developed, their regional Climate Action Plan will enable our 7-county region to receive major funding from last year’s federal Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The goals include reducing vehicle miles traveled as part of SACOG’s “Green Means Go”, promoting energy production and energy efficiency with SMUD, establishing mobility hubs in disadvantaged communities, improving water efficiency, managing forests, and mitigating urban heat islands.

Brianna Moland, SMAQMD’s Climate Coordinator, will discuss some of the suggested GHG reduction measures recommended by CPRG’s steering committee. With an advanced degree in Climate and Society, Brianna advocates for clean air and climate resiliency and works with local agencies to foster new climate solutions. Kacey Lizon, SACOG’s Deputy Executive Director of Planning & Programs, will provide SACOG’s perspective, and participate in the discussion.

SMAQMD will host a webinar on this topic, same day (July 26, 10 AM); details at https://airquality.org

6:40 Discussion/Q&A

7:05 Updates and Announcements

Sacramento County’s Climate Emergency Declaration and Climate Action Plan: 2030? 2045?
2024 ballot measure to fund transit; spur infill housing
SACOG Blueprint
I-80 lanes to be added between Davis & Sacramento: draft enviro. document expected this year
Community Benefits Ordinance for Sacramento City
Proposed development projects jeopardizing the Natomas Basin Habitat Conservation Plan

We look forward to hearing your announcements and updates.

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

Help Fight Urban Displacement

Sacramento Investment Without Displacement (SIWD) is a coalition of social justice organizations, neighborhood associations, labor groups, residents, and community partners organized to support building healthy communities and affordable housing, preserving cultural traditions, and the stability of neighborhoods impacted by big developments. ECOS helped start SIWD and continues to support its work.

Our request to you is for you and/or your organization is to sign on to our letter via this link to our Google Form.

SIWD has been working with the City of Sacramento for over two years to draft a citywide Community Benefits Agreement Ordinance (CBAO) to address the negative impacts of large developments on diverse communities going forward.

Since 2022, SIWD and the City have met weekly in an attempt to come to a compromise in developing the ordinance, however, we disagree on some major components included and not included in the City’s draft of the CBAO which was presented on April 18th. The Law & Legislation Committee will review the final and proposed ordinance language at their 1pm May 16th meeting. We want amendments to be made to the City’s ordinance before it comes before the full City Council.

Deadline to sign-on: 11:45AM, Tuesday May 16th, 2023