Approve proposed Yolo County Climate Action Commission charter amendment. (No general fund impact) (Echiburu)

Approve proposed Yolo County Climate Action Commission charter amendment.

The Yolo County Board of Supervisors adopted a Charter to provide purpose, structure, and protocols for the Yolo County Climate Action Commission at their November 23, 2021, Board meeting. Following approval, at two Commission meetings, questions arose with respect to the purview of the Commission as it pertains to the approval of proposals or projects pending before the Yolo County Board of Supervisors. County Supervisors and staff provided verbal clarification at these commission meetings regarding the Commission’s role, which at this time is to focus solely on the development and implementation of the Climate Action Plan. Staff worked with the Climate Action Subcommittee of the Board of Supervisors to develop a proposed amendment to the charter to clarify this responsibility. 

Staff worked with the Climate Action Subcommittee to recommend an amendment to the Climate Action Commission charter to the full Board of Supervisors to clarify that the Commission’s role is to develop and implement the Climate Action Plan, not to evaluate the climate impacts of proposed development projects, a role currently fulfilled by the Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors. The amendment also will make the following additional clarifications: 1) the Board of Supervisors can amend the Commission charter at any time; 2) charter amendments recommended to the Board of Supervisors by the Commission require a 2/3 vote of the Commission. The amendment is as follows:

“The Commission scope does not include review of the climate impacts of development projects”

“The original Charter and all subsequent amendments must be approved by the Board of Supervisors with a recommendation by the Commission. The Board of Supervisors can amend the charter at any time. Amendments initiated by any Board member do not require a recommendation by the Commission. All a Amendments to this Charter proposed by the Commission must be recommended for approval to the Board of Supervisors by a two thirds majority vote of Commission members present at the Commission meeting where approval is sought. 

The Yolo County Climate Action Commission charter, including the proposed amendment, is included as Attachment A and additional information related to the history of the Yolo County Climate Action Commission is included as Attachment B.