REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Approve the Fiscal Year 2024/25 Sustainability Speakers Series
Report
BACKGROUND
The Sustainability Speaker Series has been running since Fiscal Year (FY) 2016/17, with three to four events hosted each FY. Beginning in FY 2021/22, the Sustainability Speaker Series was funded through the operating budget in the Environmental Sustainability Program of the Environmental Services Department. The adopted budget for FY 2024/25 includes $25,000 for the Series.
The Series is led by a Subcommittee of the Sustainability Commission consisting of Commissioners Veitch, Pistone, and Makwana. They propose the topics and identify potential speakers. City Council approves the Series topics. Staff provides logistical support for implementing the events.
The FY 2023/24 Sustainability Speaker Series was approved by Council on July 25, 2023, (RTC No. 23-0576) and included the following topics, with events held in the months noted:
1. Drought, Atmospheric Rivers and Floods, Oh My! (Christine Shields and Erik Porse), January 2024
2. Microplastics? Macro Problems (Dr. Imari Walker-Franklin), February 2024
3. Make Every Drop Count: Grey Water Reuse (Shreya Ramachandran), April 2024
Each event was held virtually. There were a total 176 attendees between the three events.
EXISTING POLICY
Implementing the Sustainability Speaker Series is included as Move 5.C of the 66 “Next Moves” (specific actions) in the City’s Climate Action Playbook (Playbook) Game Plan 2028, adopted in June 2024.
This Series is also aligned with the Sustainability Commission’s duties, pursuant to City Council Policy 7.2.19, which include advising the Council on ways to drive community awareness, education and participation in best practices.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(a) as it has no potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.
DISCUSSION
At the April 15, 2024, Sustainability Commission meeting, the Subcommittee presented a proposal for the FY 2024/25 Sustainability Speaker Series with the theme “Beyond the Shoreline.” The Commission prioritized the seven proposed topics with the understanding that up to four events will be implemented.
The Commission prioritized topics in the following order (Attachment 1):
1. Wetlands and climate resilience
2. Equity in coastal access
3. Empowering youth to become ocean stewards
4. Keeping pollution out of the Bay
5. Kelp forest resiliency
6. Sustainable fisheries and aquaculture of the future
7. Save the Bay: a history of advocacy and lessons learned
The Commission voted unanimously to forward the FY 2024/25 Sustainability Speaker Series Proposal to Council for review and approval (Attachment 2).
FISCAL IMPACT
Costs for the series vary depending on whether the series is held virtually or in person. It remains to be determined if these events will be held in a virtual or in-person setting for the coming year. Typical costs incurred for in-person events include fees for travel costs, refreshments, and staff time for set-up and take-down of event space. Virtual and in-person events both incur costs for staff time to organize and host, advertising, and speaker fees.
Funding of $25,000 for the Series is available in the Operating Budget for Program 14900 - Environmental Sustainability, which is funded by the General Fund.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council meeting agenda on the City's official-notice bulletin board at City Hall, at the Sunnyvale Public Library and in the Department of Public Safety Lobby. In addition, the agenda and this report are available at the NOVA Workforce Services reception desk located on the first floor of City Hall at 456 W. Olive Avenue (during normal business hours), and on the City's website.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Approve the FY 2024/25 Sustainability Speaker Series topics as proposed by the Sustainability Commission, with the provision that the implementation of up to four events will be contingent on speaker availability, staffing resources, and available budget. Staff collaborated with the Subcommittee during the development of the proposed Series and generally supports the topics selected.
Staff
Prepared by: Christina Raby, Environmental Engineering Coordinator
Reviewed by: Ramana Chinnakotla, Environmental Services Department Director
Reviewed by: Rebecca Moon, City Attorney
Reviewed by: Connie Verceles, Deputy City Manager
Approved by: Tim Kirby, Interim City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. FY 2024/25 Sustainability Speaker Series Proposal Report from the Sustainability Commission
2. Excerpt from the final April 15, 2024, Sustainability Commission Meeting Minutes