Review Environmental Policy Board Purpose and Identify/Discuss Potential Initiatives for Future Projects

At the July 8, 2014 City Council Work Session, City Council reviewed the Environmental Policy Board's (EPB) 2014-2015 Work Plan.  As part of that review, City Council directed Staff to revise the Work Plan to include a joint meeting with City Council to contemplate potential initiatives that may be appropriate for review/recommendations from the EPB.  The 2014-2015 Work Plan was subsequently approved by the City Council on July 22, 2014 with the addition of the joint meeting topic.

At the August EPB meeting, the Board discussed the joint meeting format and through that discussion, a consensus was reached that the joint meeting should also include a review of and/or determine the purpose or function of the EPB and then, if applicable, map out how the EPB can better fulfill that function for the benefit of the City Council and the community.  In essence, the Board wants to ensure that it is still serving a relevant purpose for the City. 

Historically, the EPB began as a task force assigned with developing a tree preservation ordinance and a wetland protection ordinance.  In late 2004, the City Council began discussing transitioning the task force into a commission to address environmental issues facing the City and to serve as an outlet for public outreach and education on environmental issues.  The transition to a board was completed in 2005.

A review of Chapter 2 of City Code outlines the primary objective of the EPB, which is as follows: "...to review, consider, initiate and recommend to the City Council such policies, plans or projects which will enhance and preserve the natural environment of the City.  The Board’s scope shall include, but not necessarily be limited to, matters of the preservation of the community forest, water quality, wetland preservation, ground water protection, control of soil erosion and air, noise and light pollution."  Furthermore, City Code states that the EPB shall:

1. Become familiar with state statutes, federal regulations, agency rules, and city ordinances on the subject of an environmental nature.
2. Receive information on the role of the Watershed Management Organization, municipalities, department of natural resources, and Army Corps of Engineers and other regulatory agencies on environmental issues and review data.
3. Review environmentally related city policies and ordinances and recommend appropriate revisions and/or additions to the City Council.
4. Promote public outreach and education regarding environmental issues facing the City.
5. Develop an annual work plan that is subject to the approval of the City Council.

As the City Council knows, the EPB purposefully narrowed the scope of its Work Plan.  This was not done with the intent of shying away from potentially contentious issues, but rather to be more focused and hopefully provide more meaningful and measurable results.  The approved Work Plan focuses on Recycling and Water Conservation, both of which can have multiple facets (topsoil, smart irrigation, xeriscaping, rain gardens, public outreach, etc. just related to water conservation as an example).  However, if there are additional topics that the City Council would like additional information and/or recommendations on, the EPB would like to discuss how to best address them.

 At the Joint Meeting, Staff will outline a process and framework to guide the discussion and maximize the time available in the Joint Meeting. The intent is to develop a list of topics for the EPB to address over the next 24 months that can feasibly be achieved with the resources available to the Board.

The discussion is anticipated to last approximately 60 minutes.

This case is being handled as part of normal Staff duties.

Planning Division (City Planner)

There are two broad policy questions to discuss as part of this discussion:
 

1. Review and define the overarching purpose of the Environmental Policy Board that will guide the Work Plan moving forward.
2. Develop a general list of individual, specific topics that have general consensus from the City Council for the EPB to consider in future Work Plans.