BOARD AGENDA MEMORANDUM
SUBJECT:
Title
Sponsorship of Bay Area Council’s California Resilience Challenge.
End
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
A. Receive information on the Bay Area Council’s California Resilience Challenge; and
B. Approve the request for sponsorship in the amount of $200,000.
Body
SUMMARY:
The Bay Area Council (BAC) is requesting sponsorship of the California Resilience Challenge (Challenge), which BAC is leading with a variety of business partners. The Challenge was formed out of a desire to privately fund comprehensive, statewide climate adaptation planning that reflects the diversity of California communities. The Challenge was jumpstarted with a $1 million contribution by PG&E, and other businesses and philanthropic organizations have added to the fund. The Challenge is now seeking funds from public utilities to meet its fundraising goal of at least $10 million.
The Challenge will announce the total funding raised during the Global Climate Action Summit in San Francisco on September 12-14, 2018. Over the winter months, the Challenge will assemble a Steering Committee and Advisory Committee that will draft a Request for Proposals (RFP) for actionable, permit-ready projects to compete for Challenge funding. The RFP will then be released during a public event in Spring 2019. The Challenge will select projects that reflect the state’s economic, cultural, and geographic diversity and are innovative, replicable, and shovel-ready by the end of 2019. The exact criteria for project qualification will be determined by the Challenge’s Steering Committee and will be outlined in the RFP that will be released in early 2019. In summer 2019, up to 10 winning proposals will be selected and announced by the Steering committee.
The Challenge offers five tiers of sponsorship, from $100,000 to $1 million. Funds raised by the Challenge will be distributed in two types of grants: Project Sponsor Grants and At-Large Grants. Those who have given $500,000 or more will be able to directly award up to half of their contribution to a qualifying project of their choice (Project Sponsor Grant), and all other funds will be awarded by the full Steering Committee (At-Large Grants).
The Challenge has a direct nexus to the District’s mission (Ends Policy E-1), which states, “Provide Silicon Valley safe, clean water for a healthy life, environment, and economy.” The Challenge also aligns with Ends Policies E-2, E-3, and E-4: “There is a reliable, clean water supply for current and future generations” (Ends E-2); “There is a healthy and safe environment for residents, businesses and visitors, as well as for future generations" (Ends E-3); and “There is water resources stewardship to protect and enhance watersheds and natural resources and to improve the quality of life in Santa Clara County” (Ends E-4). Climate change is already threatening - and will continue to threaten - the sustainability of our water supply, the health of our watersheds, and the safety of our communities. The Challenge will provide the District with the opportunity to support climate adaptation projects that protect and enhance our natural resources while also providing critical flood risk mitigation.
Given the direct nexus this organization and event have with the District’s mission and Governance Policies, it is recommended that the District participate at the amount of $200,000 (Resilience Leader level). With this level of contribution, the District would receive:
• Steering Committee Membership: The District would become a voting member of the Challenge’s decision-making body. The Steering Committee will decide which RFP respondents qualify for Challenge grants, as well as the projects and award amounts for At Large Grants.
• Recognition for Projects Supported by At Large Grants: Brand visibility in all Challenge materials and media outreach related to projects awarded At Large Grants by the Steering Committee.
• Recognition at Global Climate Action Summit Affiliate Event: District attendance, brand visibility, and mention at a Global Climate Action Summit affiliate event in San Francisco on September 13, 2018 (either a stakeholder reception at the California Academy of Sciences or a California Leaders Dinner, details still to be determined).
• Recognition at Kickoff Event in Early 2019: District attendance, brand visibility, and mention at a public kickoff event in early 2019.
• Brand Visibility: District logo on all Challenge-related digital and printed materials.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Staff estimates a one-time $200,000 unbudgeted expenditure associated with this item. However, staff has identified offsetting FY 19 budget savings, driven by recently estimated Board election costs that are lower than budgeted. Upon approval of this item, the CEO would authorize a Budget Adjustment that would transfer $200,000 from Project 60301001 Clerk of the Board Services to Project 60231005 Local Government Relations.
CEQA:
The recommended action does not constitute a project under CEQA because it does not have a potential for resulting in direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1: Sponsorship Packet
UNCLASSIFIED MANAGER:
Manager
Rachael Gibson, 408-630-2884