Sonoma Municipal Code Ch. 2.50 Climate Action Commission

The climate action commission shall serve as a technical advisory commission regarding matters related to climate action. It shall advise the city council on issues related to reducing greenhouse gases from the city’s municipal, residential, commercial, and industrial sectors and on adapting to climate change within the city’s jurisdiction. (Ord. 05-2022 § 2, 2022).

The climate action commission shall consist of seven voting members who are at least 18 years of age. All members shall be appointed and hold office in accordance with the applicable provisions of Chapter 2.40 SMC and rules and procedures established by city council resolution. Each council member will directly appoint one voting member who shall be a resident of the city. The remaining voting members will be referred to as at-large members and at least one shall be a resident of Sonoma Valley, as defined by the council commission and committee appointment policy. Applicants who have professional background, expertise, or education in one or more of the following areas may be appointed to the commission: climate action, environmental science, energy efficiency, alternative transportation, environmental justice/equity, sustainable business, waste minimization, environmental education, or a related field. (Ord. 01-2024 § 4, 2024; Ord. 14-2022 § 2, 2022; Ord. 10-2022 § 3, 2022; Ord. 05-2022 § 2, 2022).

A. The climate action commission shall act in an advisory capacity to the city council in matters pertaining to:

1. The development, updating, implementation, and communication of the city’s climate action plan;

2. The development, updating, implementation, and communication of the environmental sustainability work plan;

3. Policies and programs intended to implement provisions of the climate action plan and the environmental sustainability work plan;

4. Policies and programs intended to preserve and enhance the natural environment; and

5. Such other duties and responsibilities as delegated by the city council.

B. The commission shall, on an annual basis before the city council adopts its annual budget, prepare a scorecard that tracks greenhouse gas reduction actions taken. The commission shall provide this scorecard to the city manager to aid in the preparation and adoption of the next fiscal year budget. (Ord. 05-2022 § 2, 2022).