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 ei...
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