Agenda Item Name:
Title
Climate Change Discussion
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Presenter:
Chris Bird
Description:
Discuss county policies and strategies related to climate change
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Adopt Climate Advisory Committee Resolution, authorize staff to initiate development of a Local Climate Plan and provide direction to staff on additional climate actions
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Prior Board Motions:
At the November 5, 2019 Special Board meeting, the BOCC approved a 5-point motion to (1) direct staff to develop for the Board’s consideration a Local Climate Mitigation and Adaptation Plan to include with it a 2-phase presentation from staff a tentative frame work that will be introduced along with the proposed budget by the beginning of the summer (June) with the goal of final adoption by the end of 2020. (2) Direct staff to strengthen and update Climate Change Policies in the Alachua County Comprehensive Plan but not to allow that to interfere with the priority of the Land Development Regulation Implementation. (3) Collaborate with other public initiatives and agencies. (4) Create a Climate Advisory Committee of 9 members that would make recommendations with the focus on changes or better practices for Alachua County Government. Not only bringing their expertise to staff but being a conduit for all groups and individuals that want to get recommendations to staff as to what to include in the plan. (5) Direct County Communications staff to make sure that the different groups and organizations working in the community on this issue are aware of the Charter Review Commission and its ongoing activities.
At the June 25, 2019 regular Board meeting, the BOCC approved a motion to direct staff to return to the Board at a future Policy Meeting with best business practices by reaching out to both Florida Association of Counties and the National Association of Counties on policies related to climate change and renewable energy. The motion carried 5-0.
Fiscal Consideration:
Fiscal Consideration
N/A
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Background:
Staff is returning to present an update to the Board’s November 5, 2019 direction on climate change. The Board’s five-part motion included directing staff to develop a resolution to create a Climate Advisory Committee, develop a local climate action plan, and to collaborate with citizens, agencies and climate groups. Attached to the agenda item is a draft resolution for the creation of a Climate Advisory Committee. Staff has outlined the purpose of the committee and if adopted will work with the Committee to develop a local climate action plan and similar initiatives and identify budget impacts for FY21 on the implementations of proposed climate action strategies.
Combating climate change will require strong mitigation and adaptation measures. Climate mitigation involves reducing carbon footprints for energy, food, water, waste, transportation, supply chains, and non-renewable consumption. Climate adaptation includes both nature-based and engineered solutions that strengthen environmental resiliency and energy and food security. Alachua County’s interior location, higher elevation, and history of less intensive development allows us to use less costly, more durable, nature-based adaptation methods. The foundation for this local climate adaptation strategy is through our countywide protection framework for drinking water, watersheds, wetlands, floodplains and the Alachua County Forever land conservation program and through the County’s comprehensive plan and land development code.
As part of the presentation staff will outline a time frame for moving forward and provide other considerations that further strengthen and support our local climate action strategies.