TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THRU: Tom Kisela, City Manager
1. Subject
title
Receive and file the Citywide Sustainability Plan developed in collaboration with Chapman University’s Environmental Science and Policy Division and the community established Orange Sustainability Group.
body
2. Summary
At the December 12, 2023, City Council meeting, Councilmember Gyllenhammer proposed that the City work with the community established Orange Sustainability Group and Chapman University’s Environmental Science and Policy Division to develop a Citywide Sustainability Plan. With City Council consensus, staff has been providing data to both groups since December 2023. The Citywide Sustainability Plan has been completed and is now presented for City Council to receive and file.
3. Recommended Action
recommendation
Receive and file.
end
4. Fiscal Impact
None.
5. Strategic Plan Goals
Goal 3: Enhance and Promote Quality of Life in the Community
e: Develop and strengthen collaborative partnerships to enhance and promote quality of life programs, projects, and services.
6. Discussion and Background
At the December 12, 2023, City Council meeting, Councilmember Gyllenhammer proposed the City work with the community established Orange Sustainability Group and Chapman University’s Environmental Science and Policy Division (hereinafter collectively referred to as the “sustainability team”) to develop a Citywide Sustainability Plan at no cost to the City. The Orange City Council agreed with the recommendation and directed staff to work with the sustainability team. In December 2023, City staff met with the sustainability team, identified the required data, and began working with applicable departments to transmit the information.
Aside from serving as a capstone project for Chapman University’s Environmental Science and Policy Division students, the Citywide Sustainability Plan serves multiple purposes. First, it provides long-term guidance so the City may proceed in an environmentally conscious fashion, laying an important foundation for Orange’s current and future residents. Second, it may enhance the City’s eligibility when applying for grants. Third, it can help the City meet likely future State of California requirements to have climate action or related environmental plans on file.
The Citywide Sustainability Plan is the product of extensive work on the part of the sustainability team. It demonstrates the benefits community partners provide to the City of Orange, and the plan will serve as an effective tool for the City going forward.
7. ATTACHMENTS
• Citywide Sustainability Plan