REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Approve the Fiscal Year 2025/26 Sustainability Speakers Series
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 has been 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 Commissioners Jansen, Pistone, and Vice Chair Nabhan. They propose the topics and identify potential speakers. City Council approves the Series topics. Staff provides logistical support for implementing the events.
The FY 2024/25 Sustainability Speaker Series was approved by Council on July 23, 2024, (RTC No. 24-0643) and included the following topics, with events held in the months noted:
1. Restoring Wetlands for Climate Resilience (Christina Toms and Judy Nam), January 29, 2025
2. Waves of Change: Ensuring Equity in Coastal Access (Seraph White), March 19, 2025
3. Cleaner Stormwater, Cleaner Bay (Josh Quigley), June 18, 2025
Between the first two events, there were a total 98 attendees.
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 April 21, 2025, Sustainability Commission meeting, the Subcommittee presented a proposal for the FY 2025/26 Sustainability Speaker Series with the theme “Game Time: Sunnyvale’s Playbook for Climate Action.” 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. The intersection of climate change and disability rights
2. Resilience Hubs
3. SMART Station and solid waste reduction
4. Decarbonizing Buildings: The Next Level
5. Reducing off-road emissions from landscaping
6. Cool Blocks (empowering community)
7. Active Transportation Plan
The Commission voted unanimously to forward the FY 2025/26 Sustainability Speaker Series Proposal to Council for review and approval (Attachment 2).
Once City Council approves the topics, staff will notify the Sustainability Speaker Series Subcommittee and advise them to begin confirming speakers and scheduling events for the FY2025/26 series. The Subcommittee is responsible for scheduling three to four events. Timing for the first event varies and shall be scheduled no later than January 2026. Event topics for the FY2025/26 series are as follows:
1. The intersection of climate change and disability rights
2. Resilience Hubs
3. SMaRT Station and solid waste reduction
4. Decarbonizing Buildings
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 $16,000 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 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 2025/26 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.
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
_X_ Contract under $50,000 or non-fiscal
___ Contract between public agencies
_ __ General policy and legislative actions
* "Competitively bid" means a contract that must be awarded to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder.
Prepared by: Christina Raby, Environmental Engineering Coordinator
Reviewed by: Madeline Khair, Environmental Programs Manager
Reviewed by: Ramana Chinnakotla, Director, Environmental Services Department
Reviewed by: Rebecca Moon, City Attorney
Reviewed by: Sarah Johnson-Rios, Assistant City Manager
Approved by: Tim Kirby, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. FY 2025/26 Sustainability Speaker Series Proposal Report from the Sustainability Commission
2. Excerpt from the final April 21, 2025, Sustainability Commission Meeting Minutes