STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Quality of Life
AGENDA DATE: April 28, 2021
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S): All
DEPARTMENT: Office of Environmental Quality & Sustainability
EXECUTIVE: M. Elizabeth Cedillo-Pereira
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SUBJECT
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An ordinance amending Chapter 2, “Administration,” of the Dallas City Code by (1) amending Sections 2-120 thru 2-124; (2) creating an environmental commission; (3) providing functions of the environmental commission; (4) providing a saving clause; (5) providing a severability clause; and (6) providing an effective date - Financing: No cost consideration to the City
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BACKGROUND
The Dallas City Council adopted the Comprehensive Environmental & Climate Action Plan in May, 2020 as a comprehensive roadmap that outlines the specific activities that the City plans to undertake to improve quality of life for all residents, to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, to prepare communities for the impacts of climate change, and to create a healthier and more prosperous community. The plan proposes 97 actions across eight sectors, and is designed to be revenue neutral, using existing budgets, partnerships, and funding mechanisms to support implementation. The suite of actions in the plan have been carefully selected to start Dallas on the path to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.
Climate change will impact every part of day to day life in Dallas. Vulnerable populations are most at risk to the impacts of climate change due to existing social, economic, and environmental barriers. Climate change will affect everyone, but not everyone will be affected equally - the effects of climate change will disproportionately impact communities with the least means to adapt. Climate change will also impact the sensitive urban ecosystem balances, providing food, water and habitat to plant, animal, and human life.
In the City Council Resolution No. 20-0827, adopting the Comprehensive Environmental & Climate Action Plan (CECAP), there was a requirement to develop a diverse, inclusive and representative group of professionals and community members to advise the City Council on environment, sustainability, CECAP implementation, and to support achieving equitable and effective environmental and climate action. This resolution required the City Manager to coordinate with the Environment and Sustainability City Council Committee regarding the scope and potential roles of a permanent board or commission with a goal of implementation and making appropriate appointments between or around October 1, 2021, and January 1, 2022. This ordinance reflects the results of that coordination and communication towards implementation of a permanent board or commission.
The ordinance establishes an environmental commission to be comprised of fifteen voting members and eight technical members. Each City Council member will appoint a voting member of the environmental commission and the City Council also appoints technical members to create a technical resource panel. The environmental commission will have an environmental health committee which will be comprised of five members. The environmental commission will advise on the CECAP implementation and environmental issues which arise in the city. The environmental health committee will advise the environmental commission on environmental health issues as they arise across the city, including, but not limited to, potential health aspects of environmental policy recommendations from the commission to the city council, and to address specific community public health concerns with an identified environmental origin.
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (COUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS)
On August 8, 2018, City Council adopted the Resilient Dallas Plan that outlines actions towards addressing equity, resilience economic mobility healthy communities and environmental sustainability by Resolution No. 18-1026.
On September 18, 2018, City Council authorized the Office of Environmental Quality & Sustainability to develop a Comprehensive Environmental and Climate Action Plan by Resolution No. 18-1337.
On January 23, 2019, City Council adopted a resolution calling for federal action on climate change and continued local efforts to develop a comprehensive environmental and climate plan with goals that will ensure that the City of Dallas is addressing the environment and climate change in a manner that is effective and equitable through Resolution No. 19-0223, and using funding appropriated under Resolution No. 14-0564, also known as Chapter 9C, Carryout Bags, in the Dallas City Code.
On May 27, 2020, City Council adopted the Comprehensive Environmental and Climate Action Plan by Resolution No. 20-0827, and which included requirements to establish a diverse permanent board or commission supporting the Environment & Sustainability Committee, allowing for board member nomination on or before January 1, 2022.
The Environment and Sustainability Committee was briefed regarding this matter on March 3, 2021 and on April 5, 2021.
FISCAL INFORMATION
No cost consideration to the City current fiscal year budget. Future year appropriations for this initiative will be established through the annual budget development process, subject to the City Council approval.