Sullivan suggests joining climate campaign Sullivan suggests joining climate campaign (March 04, 2005)

Council to hear brief talk on local actions against global warming
by Dolores Fox Ciardelli

The four City Council members seemed to split 2-2 last month on whether taking a stand on global warming was a good use of their time with so many Pleasanton issues in the works. They agreed to listen to a short presentation at a future meeting.

"The Kyoto Protocol takes effect tomorrow with about 24 of the major industrialized countries in the world signed on," said Councilman Matt Sullivan toward the end of the Feb. 15 meeting, when members can initiate new matters. "There are things local governments can do to address these same issues."

He noted that more than 160 cities in the United States had pledged to the Cities for Climate Protection Campaign. It was established by the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI), to help reduce emissions that cause global climate change through local practices with energy, transportation, waste and land use.

"I've talked to a number of representatives from other communities in support of ICLEI," said Mayor Jennifer Hosterman. "I think it's extremely important we take a stand and start getting involved in these activities."

But council members Cindy McGovern and Steve Brozosky questioned it.

"I am hoping we as a council will determine what our major goals and priorities are for this coming year and what we ask staff to do," said McGovern. "We want to look at the public and say, 'These are the things we have done for you.'"

Sullivan said it is important to understand the subject before deciding whether it is a priority.

"I don't see the effectiveness of doing this at a city level," said Brozosky. "Before we get into this and start setting a precedent, we want to take a look at this."

McGovern mentioned the cost of dues and said she would want to know what it would cost before speaking to a representative of ICLEI. Hosterman noted that Pleasanton pays membership fees for several other organizations.

City Manager Nelson Fialho suggested having someone from ICLEI make a presentation for three to four minutes when the meeting is open to the public to speak, rather than spend staff time on it. Then at the end of the meeting, a council member could ask to put it on a future agenda.

Approximately 530 cities around the world have joined CCPC, including 212 from North America.

ICLEI representatives will probably make the presentation at a meeting in April or May, Fialho said this week.

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