Support for Sustainability Commission
On Thursday, February 3, Novato City Council released a staff report regarding the creation of a Sustainability Commission which will be discussed at the meeting this Tuesday, February 8. We have sent the below follow message to City Council, the City Manager Adam McGill and Sustainability Coordinator Gretchen Schubeck agreeing with their prioritization of sustainability measures and recommending edits to the text. We encourage our members to do the same.
Dear Members of the City Council:
We are excited to see the proposal for a Sustainability Commission on the agenda for the February 8, 2022 City Council Meeting. Sustainable Novato advocated for a Sustainability Commision during the adoption of the Strategic Plan and applauds the Sustainability Programs Coordinator and the Council for taking this step forward in implementation.
While Novato was one of the first cities in Marin to adopt a Climate Change Action Plan, the Plan has not been revisited since 2015. The Climate Crisis has only accelerated in these years. With the appropriate expertise and a focus on the action plan, we strongly believe that the creation of a Sustainability Commission could capture community interest and make meaningful changes that progress the adopted Climate Action Plan and General Plan 2035. We also recommend that the Sustainability Programs Coordinator serve as staff liaison to ensure alignment and efficiencies between the Commission, Council and staff.
With the support of a Sustainability Commission, we believe the Council will be able to deliver on the goals, policies and programs to achieve a more sustainable future for Novato while contributing to regional and global sustainability initiatives.
Sincerely,
Sustainable Novato Board
Stefana is a new member of the Novato community and attended her first board meeting before she finished unpacking the moving boxes. As a communications consultant, she regularly works with organizations addressing the health and equity impacts of the climate crisis. She is passionate about issues of environmental justice and working toward a healthier and more equitable future for everyone, and joined the board in the hopes of making an impact in her new home.