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Consent-General Government # 4.
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| American Rescue Plan Workshop |
County Administrator |
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| Subject |
| Approve Technical Lead and Environmental Justice Lead appointments for the Yolo County Climate Action Commission. (No general fund impact) (Echiburu) |
| Recommended Action |
A. Approve the following appointments to fill Technical Lead and Environmental Justice Lead categories for the Yolo County Climate Action Commission:
- Nathalie Mvondo to serve as the Environmental Justice Lead.
- Chris White to serve as the Technical Lead.
B. Approve the creation of an ex-officio position to be held by a representative of the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation. |
| Strategic Plan Goal(s) |
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Thriving Residents |
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Sustainable Environment |
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| Reason for Recommended Action/Background |
On September 29, 2020, the Yolo County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution declaring a climate crisis requiring an urgent and inclusive mobilization of countywide resources to initiate a just transition to an inclusive, equitable, sustainable, and resilient local economy while also supporting and advocating for regional, national, and international efforts necessary to reverse the climate, social justice, and economic crises (Resolution No. 20-114, provided as Attachment A). To achieve the goals listed in the resolution, the Board of Supervisors approved the composition of the Yolo County Climate Action Commission (YCCAC) and directed staff to begin empaneling the group at the May 4, 2021 Board of Supervisors meeting. More information related to that meeting is included in Attachment B.
The YCCAC composition is outlined in the table below. All appointed YCCAC members must reside within the County.
| Category of Membership |
Number of members |
Appointment |
Voting Status |
| Supervisorial District Community Members |
5 |
Appointed by BOS |
Yes |
| At-large Community Members |
2 |
Appointed by 5 YCCAC members |
Yes |
| Technical Lead (Climate Scientists/Subject Matter Experts) |
1 |
Appointed by BOS with staff recommendation |
Yes |
| Climate Scientists/Subject Matter Experts |
2 |
Appointed by YCCAC |
Yes |
| Environmental Justice Lead |
1 |
Appointed by BOS with staff recommendation |
Yes |
| Total |
9 – 11 |
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Since the recruitment process began earlier this year, each member of the Board of Supervisors worked with their staff to nominate a representative from their district to serve as one of the five community members while County staff recruited applicants to fill the Technical Lead and Environmental Justice Lead categories. Descriptions of each those two positions are included below.
Environmental Justice Lead. The Environmental Justice Lead will build bridges across disciplines to support a Yolo County Climate Action Commission process that is community-engaged and equity-focused. This Commission member will support the development and implementation of programs and policies that address systemic inequities and advance racial justice initiatives by ensuring all community members have an opportunity to participate in the planning process.
Technical Lead. The Technical Lead will have prior experience in climate action planning and implementation and will advise on the technical components of the Climate Action Plan development and implementation. This Commission member will have significant expertise in climate science or a related field.
Staff received 34 applications for one or more of the categories of membership on the Yolo County Climate Action Commission. For those applicants who indicated they would like to serve as either the Technical Lead or Environmental Justice Lead, staff requested each applicant complete a questionnaire and write a brief narrative describing their interest and qualifications. The questions each applicant completed are included in Attachment C.
After review of all applications, questionnaire responses, and phone conversations with lead candidates, staff recommend the Board of Supervisors appoint Nathalie Mvondo as the Environmental Justice Lead and Chris White as the Technical Lead for the Yolo County Climate Action Commission.
In addition to the members described in the table above, staff recommend the creation of an ex-officio position to be held by a representative of the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, per the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation’s written request to the County on August 18, 2021 (included as Attachment D). Indigenous people often experience the impacts of climate change first and worst, and it is important they be included in decision-making processes that shape the County’s response.
Staff expect to convene the first meeting of the Commission with seven members in September, at which time the Commission will consider up to four additional appointments from the candidate pool. All individuals who applied will be considered for appointment through this process. The Board of Supervisors provided direction to the Commission at the May 2021 meeting to ensure the composition of the Commission represents the demographics of Yolo County, including representation and participation from groups including, but not limited to, historically under-represented and disproportionately impacted communities. |
| Collaborations (including Board advisory groups and external partner agencies) |
Yolo County Department of Community Services
Yolo County Administrator’s Office
Board of Supervisors Subcommittee on Climate |
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| Fiscal Impact |
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| Source of Funds for this Expenditure |
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Explanation (Expenditure and/or Revenue) |
| Further explanation as needed: |
| Approving the appointment of the Technical Lead and Environmental Justice Lead categories of membership to the Yolo County Climate Action Commission will not result in a fiscal impact although its possible that future actions may result in a fiscal impact that County staff will bring to the Board of Supervisors for approval at a later date. |
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