Petaluma Municipal Code Ch. 2.90 Climate Action Commission

A climate action commission consisting of seven members is hereby established for the city. (Ord. 2689 NCS §1,

2019.)

The commission shall have one member who is a liaison from the city council appointed by the city council. The

remaining eight commission members shall be appointed from the community at large by the city council. At least

one commission member shall have professional expertise in climate issues. At least two commission members

shall be between the ages of fourteen and twenty (youth members). Members of other city commissions or

committees are welcome to apply and be appointed by the city council to serve on the climate action commission.

All commission members must have resided in the city not less than one year prior to appointment; except that

two commission members may reside outside the city limits but must have had Petaluma mailing addresses for

not less than one year prior to appointment and must maintain Petaluma mailing addresses while they serve on

the commission. (Ord. 2742 NCS §2, 2020.)

The city council liaison shall be appointed at the beginning of each calendar year and serve for one year or until

his/her successor is appointed. Terms of oIce for youth members shall be two-year terms, and shall extend until

the thirtieth day of June or until his/her successor is appointed. Terms of oIce for the remaining six commission

members shall be four-year staggered terms, and shall extend until the thirtieth day of June or until his/her

successor is appointed. (Ord. 2742 NCS §2, 2020.)

Upon the death, resignation, disability to perform the duties of a commission member, or upon the loss of

qualiGcations necessary to serve as a commission member, or upon the failure to attend any meeting of the

commission for Gve consecutive regular meetings, except in case of illness or for some other unavoidable cause,

or based on other considerations of the city council in its sole discretion, the city council shall review and if found

to be appropriate, declare the oIce of such member vacant and thereupon appoint a qualiGed person to Gll such

vacancy for the unexpired term of such member. (Ord. 2689 NCS §1, 2019.)

The climate action commission shall perform the duties designated and delegated by the city council on matters

pertaining to climate action policies and their implementation within the city. The commission shall also serve as a

forum for the consideration, analysis and coordination of climate action-related city policies, and shall advise the

city on matters referred by city departments, and other council-appointed hearing bodies. The climate action

commission shall engage with climate-related matters, including but not limited to:

A. Acting as a focal point for community education through workshops where experts can share their expertise.

B. Understanding our impact on the environment, including carbon footprint and greenhouse gas emissions.

C. Suggesting climate change policies to be implemented by city staJ.

D. Encouraging community groups to provide additional community involvement and expertise.

E. Examining best practices from other jurisdictions and recommending implementation as appropriate.

(Ord. 2689 NCS §1, 2019.)

Subject to the City Charter, this chapter, and other applicable law, the climate action commission shall have the

right and duty to adopt such rules and regulations as it shall determine for the holding and conducting of its

meetings and hearings and the selection of its oIcers and for the performance of any of its functions or

responsibilities. The climate action commission shall not have the right to employ any person or incur expenses or

obligations against the city except as provided by and for which appropriations are made by the city council

pursuant to and in accordance with budgets adopted by the city council. (Ord. 2689 NCS §1, 2019.)

Subject to members’ availability, regular meetings of the climate action commission shall occur at least once a

month, at Petaluma City Hall, at a date and time to be determined by the commission from time to time in

accordance with the requirements of the Ralph M. Brown Act, California Government Code Section 54950 and

following. (Ord. 2689 NCS §1, 2019.)

The Petaluma Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 2916 NCS, passed December 1, 2025.

Disclaimer: The city clerk’s oIce has the oIcial version of the Petaluma Municipal Code. Users should contact the

city clerk’s oIce for ordinances passed subsequent to the ordinance cited above.

City Website: cityofpetaluma.net

Hosted by General Code.