REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Approve the Fiscal Year 2026/27 and Fiscal Year 2027/28 Sustainability Speakers Series Topics
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 Series is led by a Subcommittee of the Sustainability Commission consisting of Commissioner Jansen, Vice Chair Pistone, and Chair Nabhan. They propose the topics and identify potential speakers. City Council approves the Series topics. Staff provide logistical support for implementing the events.
The FY 2025/26 Sustainability Speaker Series was approved by Council on June 3, 2025, (RTC No. 25-0574) and included the following topics, with events held in the months noted:
1. United for Disability and Climate Justice (Daphne Frias), October 27, 2025
2. The Buzz on Multifamily Electrification (Nick Dirr), January 21, 2026
3. SMaRT Steps Towards Zero Waste (Jeff Dobert), March 18, 2026
Each event was hosted virtually. Between the three events, there were a total of 107 attendees.
While virtual events initially were successful, attendance as of 2024 has steadily declined (Attachment 1). As a result, the Subcommittee is proposing an in-person, interactive event format for the upcoming series. Together with staff, they also proposed that the series cover a two-year period (FY 2026/27 and FY 2027/28) to allow ample time to plan for up to three interactive and engaging community 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 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 March 16, 2026, Sustainability Commission meeting, the Subcommittee presented a proposal for the FY 2026/27 and FY 2027/28 Sustainability Speaker Series with the goal to refresh the series with interactive, in-person and community building fairs, workshops and discussions. The Commission prioritized the four proposed topics with the understanding that up to three events will be implemented over the two-year period.
The Commission prioritized topics in the following order (Attachment 2):
1. Waste Reduction
2. Sustainability and Climate Messaging
3. Cross-generational Climate Roundtable
4. Resilience Hubs
With Commissioner Chang and Commissioner Jansen absent, the Commission members present voted unanimously to forward the FY 2026/27 and FY 2027/28 Sustainability Speaker Series Proposal to Council for review and approval (Attachment 3).
FISCAL IMPACT
Costs for the series vary depending on the format and location of the in-person events. 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. In-person events also incur costs for staff time to organize and host, advertise, and process speaker fees.
Approximately $14,000 (over 2 years) for the Series is available in the Operating Budget for Program 14900 - Environmental Sustainability, which is funded by the General Fund. This will cover expected expenditures even with the proposed program restructuring.
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 City Hall 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 2026/27 and FY 2027/28 Sustainability Speaker Series topics as proposed by the Sustainability Commission, with the provision that the implementation of up to three 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 and new format.
Levine Act
LEVINE ACT
The Levine Act (Gov. Code Section 84308) prohibits city officials from participating in certain decisions regarding licenses, permits, and other entitlements for use if the official has received a campaign contribution of more than $500 from a party, participant, or agent of a party or participant in the previous 12 months. The Levine Act is intended to prevent financial influence on decisions that affect specific, identifiable persons or participants. For more information see the Fair Political Practices Commission website: www.fppc.ca.gov/learn/pay-to-play-limits-and-prohibitions.html
An “X” in the checklist below indicates that the action being considered falls under a Levine Act category or exemption:
SUBJECT TO THE LEVINE ACT
___ Land development entitlements
___ Other permit, license, or entitlement for use
___ Contract or franchise
EXEMPT FROM THE LEVINE ACT
___ Competitively bid contract*
___ Labor or personal employment contract
_ _ Contract under $50,000 or non-fiscal
___ Contract between public agencies
_X_ General policy and legislative actions
* "Competitively bid" means a contract that must be awarded to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder.
Staff
Prepared by: Christina Raby, Environmental Engineering Coordinator
Reviewed by: Madeline Khair, Environmental Programs Manager
Reviewed by: Mansour Nasser, Interim Environmental Services Department Director
Reviewed by: Connie Verceles, Assistant City Manager
Approved by: Tim Kirby, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Staff Sustainability Speaker Series Update
2. FY 2026/27 and FY 2027/28 Sustainability Speaker Series Proposal Report from the Sustainability Commission
3. Excerpt from the draft March 16, 2026, Sustainability Commission Meeting Minutes