ORDINANCE NO. 250496
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Sponsor: Mayor Quinton Lucas
Amending Chapter 2, Article VI of the Code of Ordinances, entitled “Boards, Commission and Committees,” by repealing Division 20, entitled “Climate Protection Steering Committee,” including Sections 2-970.40, 2-970.41, 2-970.42, 2-970.43, 2-970.44, and 2-970.45, and by repealing Sections 2-951, 2-952, 2-953, 2-954, enacting in lieu thereof new sections of like numbers and subject matter for the purpose of disbanding the Climate Protection Steering Committee and expanding the duties of the Environmental Management Commission.
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WHEREAS, Council established the Environmental Management Commission to offer policy recommendations to the City Council, City staff, and all other boards and commissions of the City concerning the issues of environmental planning, management, and compliance in Ordinance No. 960220, passed on March 28, 1996; and
WHEREAS, the Climate Protection Steering Committee was formed to oversee the planning process and work with City staff to develop the City’s first Climate Protection Plan, and Council incorporated the findings and recommendations of that plan into City policy and operations in Resolution No. 080754, adopted on July 24, 2008; and
WHEREAS, Council formally established the Climate Protection Steering Committee to continue to advise on the implementation of the Climate Protection Plan and to further assist and support City leadership by serving as an advisory board to the Mayor, City Council, and City Manager on matters related to climate protection in Ordinance No. 140760, passed on September 25, 2014; and
WHEREAS, Council directed the City Manager to develop and submit to Council a new Climate Protection and Resiliency Plan in Resolution No. 200005, adopted on May 14, 2020; and
WHEREAS, Council adopted the City’s updated Climate Protection and Resiliency Plan, as approved by the Climate Protection Steering Committee, and incorporated its findings and recommendations into City policy and operations in Resolution No. 220596 on August 25, 2022;
WHEREAS, Council desires to consolidate the current duties of the Environmental Management Commission and Climate Protection Steering Committee into one singular environmental advisory body;
WHEREAS, Council affirms its desire to enable robust community involvement and engagement in developing City policies that will impact the well-being and future of the City, and ensure that these policies incorporate City goals, including, but not limited to, those related to sustainability, environmental justice and equity, and climate action are incorporated into city operations and policy; and NOW, THEREFORE
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:
Section 1. That Chapter 2, Code of Ordinances of the City of Kansas City is hereby amended by repealing Article VI, Division 20, Climate Protection Steering Committee, including Sections 2-970.40, Purpose, 2-970.41, Establishment; membership; appointment of members, 2-970.42, Duties, 2-970.43, Terms, 2-970.44, Meetings; rules and procedure, and 2-970.45, Staff support.
Section 2. That Chapter 2, Code of Ordinances of the City of Kansas City is hereby amended by repealing Article VI, Division 10, Environmental Management Commission, including Sections 2-951, Establishment; membership; appointment of members, 2-952, Chairperson; term of office; vacancies, 2-953, Duties, 2-954, Staff, and enacting in lieu thereof a new division and new sections of like name, number, and subject matter, to read as follows:
Sec. 2-951. Establishment; membership; appointment of members.
(a) The Environmental Management Commission shall consist of 9 members appointed by the Mayor.
(b) Members will be individuals who have demonstrated expertise in one or more issues that come before the Commission, as indicated in Sec. 2.953 (b).
(c) Members shall be residents of the City.
(d) All members shall serve only in their individual capacity on behalf of the public.
(e) The Mayor shall designate a Chairperson.
(f) Members shall be appointed for a term of four years. Members may serve consecutive terms and there shall be no limit to the number of terms a member may be appointed to serve.
(g) Each member shall serve until their term expires and may continue to serve until their respective successor has been appointed.
Sec. 2-952. Staff
The Chief Environmental Officer or their designee shall be an ex officio member of the Commission and shall provide clerical and administrative services for the Commission.
Sec. 2-953. Duties.
(a) The duties of the Commission shall include the following:
(1) Providing policy recommendations to the City Council, and City staff, and being consulted by the same, on matters concerning the issues of environmental planning, management, and compliance, which may include but is not limited to matters concerning:
a. Climate change mitigation and adaptation
i. Clean, reliable energy
ii. Efficiency in the built environment
iii. Sustainable economic development
iv. Local resiliency in food, housing, and mobility
v. Support and protection for vulnerable communities
b. Restoration and protection of natural systems
i. Air quality
ii. Water quality
iii. Living soils
iv. Native and beneficial ecosystems
c. Waste management, reduction, and diversion
(2) Advising the City Council, staff, and other boards and commissions of the City on implementation of policies impacting the environmental and environmental plans including the City’s Climate Protection and Resiliency Plan.
(3) Reviewing plans, budgets, programs, contracts, and actions of the City which significantly impact the environment.
(4) Providing liaison to and maintaining relationships with other cities, regional policy bodies, and organizations to advocate for timely inclusion of environmental considerations in all City policies and programs.
(5) Monitoring Office of Environmental Quality reports regarding the City’s actions for compliance with state and federal environmental laws and regulations and locally adopted ordinances, plans, and resolutions.
(b) The Commission shall be authorized to adopt rules to govern how it shall conduct its affairs.
(c) The Commission shall meet at times and places determined by the Chairperson.
Sec. 2-954. Incorporation of Commission Advice and Recommendations.
If the Commission submits a letter to the council regarding pending legislation, the Clerk shall make the item accessible to both City Council members and the public by posting it on the Clerk's webpage
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Approved as to form:
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Andrew Bonkowski
Assistant City Attorney