REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
CONTINUED FROM OCTOBER 13, 2020.
Approve Participation in the Bay Area Air Quality Management District Spare the Air Cut the Commute Pledge
Report
BACKGROUND
On March 16, 2020, the County of Santa Clara issued an initial public health shelter-in-place (SIP) order in response to the spread of the COVID-19 virus. This order required nonessential businesses to cease most operations, except for those activities that could be performed by employees working from home. This order was issued in coordination with six other public health officers in the region and has been modified and extended through the current time. As a result, the City significantly increased the number of employees telecommuting.
The COVID-19 pandemic led to a sudden shift in transportation patterns in the Bay Area. In response to public health advice, many employers in Sunnyvale had already taken measures to allow the majority of their employees to work remotely prior to the County's public health order restricting business operations. The County's initial SIP order required any ongoing work at nonessential businesses not defined as "Minimum Basic Operations" to be performed by employees working from their place of residence if possible. As a result, some businesses temporarily ceased operations, and others rapidly transitioned their employees to remote work. Many large employers in the Bay Area have announced they will allow their employees to work remotely through at least the end of 2020 and, in some cases, permanently.
EXISTING POLICY
General Plan Policy EM-11.1 The City should actively participate in regional air quality planning. (Previously Air Quality Policy C.1 also Air Quality Goal C)
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(b)(5) in that it is a governmental, organizational or administrative activi...
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