HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 11-08-2018 4 - Discussion on Alternatives for Potential Environmental Impacts Section on BOCC Meeting Agenda Abstracts
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: November 8, 2018
Action Agenda
Item No. 4
SUBJECT: Discussion on Alternatives for Potential Environmental Impacts Section on
BOCC Meeting Agenda Abstracts
DEPARTMENT: Asset Management Services,
Department of Environment,
Agriculture, Parks and
Recreation
ATTACHMENT(S):
A) Possible Abstract Template for
Discussion – Minimal Edits
B) Possible Abstract Template for
Discussion – Tabular Format
C) 2005 Environmental Responsibility
Goal and Objectives
D) 2010 Social Justice Goals
INFORMATION CONTACT:
Brennan Bouma, (919) 245-2626
Jeff Thompson, (919) 245-2658
David Stancil, (919) 245-2522
PURPOSE: To present information and request feedback from the Board of Orange County
Commissioners regarding:
1) Potential environmental impact sections to be included in Board of County
Commissioners’ meeting agenda abstract templates; and
2) Soliciting any further direction for the Commission for the Environment (CFE) to guide the
consideration of this proposed addition to agenda item abstracts.
BACKGROUND: In response to an April 26, 2018 petition from the Board of Commissioners to
potentially begin outlining environmental impacts within agenda item abstracts, staff has
prepared two draft agenda abstract templates for Board discussion and feedback. Both
templates are integrated approaches that recognize and illustrate the three sustainability
components of:
• Environment (related to the 2005 Environmental Responsibility Goal - Attachment C);
• Equity (related to the 2010 Social Justice Goal - Attachment D); and
• Economy (Financial Impact).
The templates are as follows:
Attachment A – Minimal Edits – Current abstract format with integrated approach
including the impacts related to the 2005 Environmental Responsibility Goal.
Attachment B – Tabular Format – Walks abstract writers and readers through the
elements of the County’s goals and their relation to the proposed action being requested
of the Board.
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The first of the attached draft templates makes the fewest changes to the current abstract
template in grouping the Financial, Social Justice, and Environmental Impacts together and
providing an open text field in which staff can select from the goals documents.
The second template uses a tabular format to guide the selection of the relevant goals and
objectives that should be considered, and provides staff with an area to address the goals to
which the abstract applies.
The current Social Justice Impacts section of the abstract template allows staff to select the
relevant Social Justice Goals adopted by the BOCC in 2010 (note Attachment B). Similarly, the
County also adopted an Environmental Responsibility Goal with 10 related objectives in 2005
(note Attachment C). The CFE also periodically adopts a State of the Environment report with
metrics to assess environmental impacts. For the Board’s reference, the 2014 State of the
Environment Report can be found at this link: www.orangecountync.gov/Archive.aspx?AMID=63
One or both of these documents can be used as the base reference documents for the
proposed environmental impacts section.
During the work session, staff will present these concepts and will facilitate the Board’s
discussion to generate guidance for staff and the Commission for the Environment.
It is proposed that the CFE, which considered this subject several years ago, review and advise
on how this could be holistically addressed in the framework on an agenda abstract. The CFE
will begin discussing this topic at its November meeting.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: These two options will both add staff time to the development of agenda
abstracts and the underlying decision factors related to the abstract. To the extent that a
consideration of environmental impact could lead to efficiencies in the use of County facilities
and vehicles, the lifecycle benefits of those efficiencies may lead to avoided costs.
SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Orange County Social Justice Goal is applicable to
this item:
• GOAL: ESTABLISH SUSTAINABLE AND EQUITABLE LAND-USE AND
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES
The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of people of all races, cultures, incomes
and educational levels with respect to the development and enforcement of
environmental laws, regulations, policies, and decisions. Fair treatment means that no
group of people should bear a disproportionate share of the negative environmental
consequences resulting from industrial, governmental and commercial operations or
policies.
Including a section in every BOCC abstract that communicates expected environmental impacts
will further institutionalize the consideration of the health of the environment in all County
actions.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board discuss these draft
templates, provide feedback on initial draft templates and provide direction for the Commission
for the Environment to guide its consideration of this proposed addition to BOCC agenda
abstracts.
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Attachment A
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date:
Action Agenda
Item No.
SUBJECT:
DEPARTMENT:
ATTACHMENT(S):
INFORMATION CONTACT:
PURPOSE:
BACKGROUND:
EXPECTED IMPACTS RELATED TO COUNTY GOALS:
• FINANCIAL:
• SOCIAL JUSTICE:
• ENVIRONMENTAL:
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board
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Attachment B
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date:
Action Agenda
Item No.
SUBJECT:
DEPARTMENT:
ATTACHMENT(S):
INFORMATION CONTACT:
PURPOSE:
BACKGROUND:
EXPECTED IMPACTS RELATED TO COUNTY GOALS:
IMPACT AREA DESCRIPTION
FINANCIAL:
FIRST COST
OPERATIONAL COST
AVOIDED COSTS OR REVENUE
SOCIAL JUSTICE:
ENSURE ECONOMIC SELF-
SUFFICIENCY
CREATE A SAFE COMMUNITY
ESTABLISH SUSTAINABLE AND
EQUITABLE LAND-USE AND
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES
ENABLE FULL CIVIC
PARTICIPATION
ENVIRONMENTAL:
EFFICIENCY AND WASTE
REDUCTION
CLEAN OR AVOIDED
TRANSPORTATION
ENVIRONMENTALLY
PREFERABLE PURCHASING
RESULTANT IMPACT ON
NATURAL RESOURCES
ADDITIONAL DESCRIPTION (if necessary)
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board
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Environmental Responsibility in County Government
Adopted as an Orange County Goal, 12/5/05
Goal Statement:
Perform all County governmental functions, both internal and external, with a sensitivity and
ethic that promotes environmental responsibility and leadership, and an understanding of the
actions of government activities as they affect the natural and cultural resources of the County,
region, state, nation and world.
Objectives (suggested departmental responsibility)
1. Develop a Countywide Environmental Leadership Policy, and institute a
standing Orange County Environmental Action Committee as an internal
mechanism to periodically monitor and assess the County’s progress
toward meeting the objectives of the environmental responsibility goal.
(ERCD, with representatives from all departments);
2. Initiate policies and programs that conserve energy, reduce
fuel/utility/resource consumption, increase the use of recycled products and
renewable energy services, and minimize waste stream impacts on the
environment. (Public Works, all departments);
3. Continue to aggressively pursue waste reduction/recycling efforts, including
the reduction of paper. (Solid Waste, IT);
4. Continue, expand and formally adopt the use of green building standards;
construct new facilities/deconstruct outdated facilities in a way that is eco
friendly, utilizes energy conserving measures, and minimizes impacts on the
environment. (Purchasing, Public Works, Planning, Recreation and Parks, Solid Waste,
ERCD, among others);
5. Implement programs that monitor and improve local and regional air quality
by promoting public transportation options and incentives within the County
that increase connectivity and decrease dependence on personal vehicles,
and by selecting alternative fuel and low emission fuels/vehicles for the
County’s vehicle fleet. (Purchasing, Public Works, ERCD, Planning, Personnel, among
others);
6. Conduct sustainable and ecosensitive forestry practices on Countyowned
lands with a goal of no net loss of woodlands. Promote and encourage eco
sensitive forestry practices on privately held lands within the County. (ERCD,
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Soil & Water, R&P);
7. Promote the use of environmentallysensitive chemical and materials,
including a) the use of “Green Seal” chemicals and cleaning products in
daily operation and maintenance of County facilities; b) utilize an IPM
(Integrated Pest Management) Program for County facilities that minimizes
use of chemical compounds; and c) require that County events and services
(including those involving outside vendors) use ecofriendly and
biodegradable materials wherever possible. (Purchasing, Public Works, R&P);
8. Consider innovative new technologies for conserving and protecting ground
water, indoor air quality and wastewater, to lessen impacts on the natural
environment, and promote water conservation, collection and reuse in both
current and future County facilities. (Health, ERCD, Engineer);
9. Implement growth management policies and procedures within the County so
that development is directed toward areas where it can be accommodated
without compromising the County’s goals for protecting natural and cultural
resources. (Planning, ERCD); and
10. Develop an Information Services policy that promotes energy conservation
through the use of electronic and alternative media of communication. (IT).
Possible Action Strategies
Each department, advisory board and/or organization should be asked to develop specific
action strategies based on the 10 objectives listed above. The possible action strategies should
be collated and compared for consistency and coordination, and then incorporated into the
goal.
Example of an Action Strategy
Objective 5 (Implement programs to monitor and improve local and regional air quality: by
promoting public transportation options and incentives within the County that increase
connectivity and decrease dependence on personal vehicles, and selecting alternative fuel and
low emission fuels/vehicles for the County’s vehicle fleet)
Action Strategy A:
Acquire 35 alternativefuel vehicles (AFV’s) per year, based on evaluation of proposed vehicle
purchases and the “fit” with available AFV options, as funds permit.
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Adopted by the Orange County Board of Commissioners, December 5, 2005
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On September 2, 2010, the BOCC unanimously ADOPTED the social
justice goals outlined in the proposed Orange County Social Justice Goal.
The adopted goals are as follows:
SOCIAL JUSTICE GOALS
GOAL: FOSTER A COMMUNITY CULTURE THAT REJECTS OPPRESSION AND
INEQUITY
The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race or color;
religious or philosophical beliefs; sex, gender or sexual orientation; national origin or
ethnic background; age; military service; disability; and familial, residential or economic
status.
GOAL: ENSURE ECONOMIC SELF-SUFFICIENCY
The creation and preservation of infrastructure, policies, programs and funding necessary
for residents to provide shelter, food, clothing and medical care for themselves and their
dependents.
GOAL: CREATE A SAFE COMMUNITY
The reduction of risks from vehicle/traffic accidents, childhood and senior injuries, gang
activity, substance abuse and domestic violence.
GOAL: ESTABLISH SUSTAINABLE AND EQUITABLE LAND-USE AND
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES
The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of people of all races, cultures, incomes
and educational levels with respect to the development and enforcement of environmental
laws, regulations, policies, and decisions. Fair treatment means that no group of people
should bear a disproportionate share of the negative environmental consequences
resulting from industrial, governmental and commercial operations or policies.
GOAL: ENABLE FULL CIVIC PARTICIPATION
Ensure that Orange County residents are able to engage government through voting and
volunteering by eliminating disparities in participation and barriers to participation.
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