PREPARED BY: AMANDA BOOTH DATE OF MEETING: 02/18/20
SUBJECT:
TITLE
AUTHORIZING TRANSMITTAL OF LETTER FROM MAYOR ARTURO CRUZ TO GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM REGARDING THE REDUCTION IN AB 617 FUNDING AS PROPOSED IN THE 2020-2021 STATE BUDGET AND CAP & TRADE EXPENDITURE PLAN - AIR QUALITY AND PUBLIC HEALTH CONCERNS
Label
CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Authorize by Minute Order
Body
Compliance statements
FY 2019-21 Council Priority Workplan Compliance Statement
Enhance Community Resilience Item 202 “Develop Long-Term Environmental Stewardship Goals” is an adopted policy item under the adopted FY 2019-21 Council Priority Workplan, effective March 1, 2019.
CEQA Compliance Statement
The response letter is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under Section 15061(b)(3). The activity is covered by the general rule that CEQA applies only to projects that have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. Where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA. In this situation, the activity is responding to Governor Newsom’s proposed state budget and Cap & Trade Expenditure Plan.
BACKGROUND
Due to the high cumulative exposure burden to air pollution, San Pablo and the neighboring City of Richmond, were selected by Bay Area residents and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District as an AB 617 priority region. As a result, the Richmond-San Pablo Area Community Air Monitoring Plan Steering Committee (Steering Committee) was developed. The Steering Committee has connected Air District and California Air Resources Board staff to key stakeholders so that community members have the opportunity to work closely with experts to provide valuable local knowledge on ways to identify and reduce harmful air pollutants. The Steering Community has been extremely important in giving community members and stakeholders a voice to ensure that everyone benefits from air quality efforts. San Pablo residents and staff have been highly involved in the Steering Committee, which has been essential for identifying areas of concern and developing practical solutions to local air quality issues.
The Governor’s proposed draft budget would cut critical local implementation funding for the Richmond-San Pablo Area Community Air Monitoring Plan in half, which the City believes will result in negative public health consequences for people living in San Pablo. Currently, AB 617 funding allows low-income, high-health burden communities, like San Pablo, to play an active role in making their City a safer, healthier place to live.
City Staff recommends the City Council authorize the attached letter to Governor Newsom requesting that the state maintain the current level of funding for AB 617.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no direct fiscal impact associated with this item. It is estimated that one hour of staff time was required to draft the letter.
ATTACHMENT: City of San Pablo’s Letter dated February 19, 2020