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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-08-07 Climate Action and Sustainability Committee Summary MinutesCLIMATE ACTION & SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE SUMMARY MINUTES Page 1 of 10 Regular Meeting August 07, 2026 The Climate Action and Sustainability Committee of the City of Palo Alto met on this date in the Community Meeting Room and by virtual teleconference at 2:01 p.m. Present In-Person: Veenker (Chair), Burt, Lu Absent: None Call to Order Mayor Veenker called the meeting to order. The clerk called the roll and noted all members were present. Mayor Veenker announced that, due to a recent change in law, in-person public comment would be heard at the beginning of the meeting and virtual public comment at the end. In-Person Public Comment Xuaner D., a Palo Alto student, raised concerns regarding the environmental impacts and transparency of AI data centers, including electricity and water consumption, emissions, backup generation, and infrastructure needs. The commenter proposed public environmental ledgers requiring facility-level disclosure of environmental and infrastructure information and requested that the Committee recommend a preliminary staff review of whether such disclosures could be incorporated into future sustainability and utility planning, procurement standards, or development approvals. Verbal Report A. Staff Comments Director of Public Works Brad Eggleston reported that the Youth Climate Advisory Board (YCAB) will begin its 2026/2027 cohort in September with 13 members, an increase from 11 members in the previous cohort, representing 4 Palo Alto high schools and all grade levels. The Palo Alto Horizontal Levee Pilot Project completion celebration will be held on September 10 at 11 a.m. and will include a ribbon-cutting ceremony and community trail walk recognizing the opening of the relocated and widened trail connecting to the Baylands Nature Preserve. Councilmember Burt encouraged the City to promote bicycling as the preferred transportation option for the Horizontal Levee Pilot Project celebration, with vehicle SUMMARY MINUTES Page 2 of 10 Climate Action and Sustainability Committee Meeting Summary Minutes: 08/07/2026 parking information provided as an alternative for those unable to bike. It was emphasized that the City's communications should, by default, encourage biking and walking to special events. B. Committee Member Comments and Announcements Mayor Veenker reported that proposed amendments to Air District rules affecting heat pump programs were released over the summer, with a recommended implementation date of January 1, 2028, and consideration by the Air District Board scheduled for November 4. Mayor Veenker further shared participating in a panel on data centers in San Jose and noted, in response to the earlier public comment, that organizations including Climate Mayors and C40 Mayors are examining environmental and infrastructure considerations associated with data centers. Agenda Items 1. Youth Climate Advisory Board Annual Report; CEQA Status – Not a Project Sustainability Manager Christine Luong introduced the 2025/2026 YCAB leadership team to present the Board's work and accomplishments from the past school year. 2025/2026 YCAB Chair Aiden Miao explained that the YCAB serves as an advisory body connecting City climate initiatives and policies with Palo Alto youth and is organized into 5 subcommittees focused on zero waste, electrification, mobility, adaptation, and media. Chair Miao highlighted the mobility subcommittee’s work promoting public transportation and bicycling, including youth transit education, assistance obtaining Youth Clipper Cards, recommendations for the San Antonio Road Area Plan, development of a public transportation educational video, and participation in Safe Routes to School bicycle programs. Chair Miao stated that YCAB’s work during the year focused heavily on climate education and reached thousands of students throughout Palo Alto. 2025/2026 YCAB Vice Chair Chanew Kim reported that the 11-member YCAB represented 4 Palo Alto high schools. Vice Chair Kim highlighted the electrification subcommittee’s educational outreach at elementary schools, including interactive activities and resources for students and parents. The media subcommittee conducted outreach through newsletters, social media, and physical materials, with online posts receiving thousands of views and more than 10 posters, pamphlets, and other materials developed for YCAB events and projects. 2025/2026 YCAB Vice Chair Jenna Mu reported that the zero waste subcommittee reached more than 500 students through educational outreach on zero waste practices and proper waste sorting and established the Green Heroes program at Fletcher Middle School to encourage peer education. The zero waste subcommittee is analyzing results from a survey examining the relationship between access to climate education and socioeconomic factors. The adaptation subcommittee conducted community outreach, SUMMARY MINUTES Page 3 of 10 Climate Action and Sustainability Committee Meeting Summary Minutes: 08/07/2026 including a succulent planting workshop that reached more than 100 families, and explored a rain barrel program for PAUSD schools that was determined not to be feasible in its current form. Vice Chair Mu concluded by thanking City staff for supporting YCAB and providing youth with an opportunity to contribute to sustainability efforts in Palo Alto. Item 1 Public Comment: None Councilmember Lu commended the YCAB members for their accomplishments and asked whether the City could help address barriers to implementing the proposed rain barrel program. Vice Chair Mu identified funding and school participation as the primary barriers and suggested that greater student engagement and integration into the curriculum could improve the program's feasibility. Councilmember Lu noted that the Council contingency fund could potentially provide grant funding and offered to discuss possible assistance. Councilmember Burt congratulated YCAB for expanding its work and educational outreach and echoed Councilmember Lu's offer to explore supplemental Council funding for YCAB initiatives. Councilmember Burt encouraged expanded electrification outreach on the health impacts of methane in homes, youth-oriented communications through short videos and potential collaboration with the Teen Arts Council and Palo Alto Museum, and coordination with Caltrain to promote youth transit initiatives. Vice Chair Kim agreed that health and safety could receive greater emphasis in future outreach. Chair Miao reported that YCAB worked closely with the new PAUSD Sustainability Coordinator to help develop sustainability goals and expects the collaboration to continue. Councilmember Burt encouraged YCAB to identify and share successful educational approaches that could be replicated beyond Palo Alto. Councilmember Lu noted that the proportion of students biking to school declined from 51 percent in 2019 to 37 percent in 2024 and asked what YCAB and the City could do to reverse the trend. Chair Miao identified school-specific barriers, including insufficient bicycle parking, and noted that school location and accessibility can affect biking rates. Manager Luong identified parent concerns about bicycle safety, particularly at major intersections, as another significant barrier. Councilmember Burt noted that student bicycling declined substantially following COVID and emphasized the importance of communications that help make biking to school a social norm. Councilmember Lu expressed interest in continuing the discussion with YCAB about strategies to increase student bicycling. Mayor Veenker praised YCAB for providing a stronger student voice in the City's climate efforts and encouraged broader digital distribution of the Palo Alto Transit 101 video and related materials. Mayor Veenker asked about collaboration with youth groups outside Palo Alto. Chair Miao reported some interaction with other groups, including Stanford students researching e-bike policy, and expressed interest in expanding collaboration and information sharing during the next term. Vice Chair Kim added that YCAB benefits from SUMMARY MINUTES Page 4 of 10 Climate Action and Sustainability Committee Meeting Summary Minutes: 08/07/2026 significant support from City staff. Mayor Veenker thanked the students for their work and expressed enthusiasm for the next YCAB cohort. NO ACTION 2. Recommendation to City Council to Accept the RWQCP Biosolids Facility Plan Update as Part of the Long Range Facilities Plan Update and Adopt a Park Dedication Ordinance for a Portion of the Measure E Site; CEQA Status – Not a Project Senior Engineer Tina Pham presented the background and objectives of Measure E and the biosolids management planning process. A slide and map showed the Regional Water Quality Control Plant (RWQCP), surrounding areas, and the 10-acre Measure E site directly south of the plant. Palo Alto voters approved Measure E in 2011 with 63 percent of the vote, removing approximately 10 acres from dedicated parkland for treatment of 3 organic waste streams: biosolids, food scraps, and yard trimmings. Other uses would require another ballot measure. A timeline slide showed prior consideration of the site, including the PRC's 2022 recommendation to dedicate it as parkland and the City Council's April 2023 direction to study a wildlife corridor connecting Emily Renzel Marsh to the Baylands and whether 2.4 acres should be preserved for a potential biosolids processing facility. The latter study is the subject of the current discussion. Senior Engineer Pham presented slides showing the RWQCP, which serves 6 partner agencies and approximately 260,000 people, and approximately $500M in work to rehabilitate the aging, space-constrained plant. The current biosolids process produces approximately 63 wet tons per day, or 2 to 3 truckloads, that are hauled to Solano County and the Central Valley for processing into fertilizer products. Offsite hauling was previously envisioned as temporary pending development of onsite treatment. Biosolids facility evaluations have been conducted in 2012, 2014, 2019, and 2026 as technology, regulations, and costs have changed. The current evaluation accounts for the Secondary Treatment Upgrades project, which is expected to increase biosolids production by approximately 20 to 40 percent when completed in 2028. A slide summarized the Biosolids Facility Plan Update process, in which 22 alternatives were screened and 6 were selected for detailed evaluation by Carollo. The process included 3 public workshops. A table showed how evaluation criteria evolved based on public input. Partner agencies participated through quarterly meetings and support the recommendations. Senior Engineer Pham stated that staff recommends acceptance of the Biosolids Facility Plan Update, adoption of the Park Dedication Ordinance, and direction to implement the plan recommendations, with City Council consideration anticipated in October. Carollo Biosolids Principal Technologist Christine Polo presented a slide showing the 6 alternatives evaluated in detail. Alternatives 1 and 2 would continue offsite processing, SUMMARY MINUTES Page 5 of 10 Climate Action and Sustainability Committee Meeting Summary Minutes: 08/07/2026 either through current practices or a potential regional partnership such as with the City of San Jose. Alternatives 3 through 6 would provide onsite processing using mesophilic anaerobic digestion (MAD), MAD with thermal hydrolysis process (THP), thermal drying, or drying and pyrolysis. A 20-year life cycle cost comparison showed the 2 offsite alternatives as the least costly at approximately $144M each, while all 4 onsite alternatives were more than twice as costly. Environmental and energy analyses considered GHG emissions and electricity use and generation, including the ability of the 2 MAD alternatives to generate renewable electricity from biogas. A graph showing the weighted evaluation scores identified the 2 offsite alternatives as the highest-scoring overall based on cost and environmental and social impacts, with MAD receiving the highest score among the onsite alternatives. Technologist Polo presented a strategic roadmap for near-, mid-, and long-term biosolids management. For the near term, approximately the next 5 years, the City would continue its current offsite processing practices while preserving space at the RWQCP for potential future onsite facilities. For the mid term, the City would continue evaluating regional partnerships and pursue one if a viable opportunity emerges. For the long term, regulatory and market conditions would determine the appropriate onsite treatment pathway: MAD if onsite processing becomes necessary, thermal drying if production of Class A biosolids is required, or drying and pyrolysis if PFAS treatment becomes necessary. Pyrolysis would not be recommended until the technology demonstrates reliable long-term operation at the scale required by the RWQCP. Slides showed potential locations for future biosolids facilities and the space needed for more than 100 anticipated RWQCP projects over the next 50 years. The preliminary layout placed MAD on the 2.4-acre portion of the Measure E site and a potential drying and pyrolysis facility on the north side of the plant. Technologist Polo explained that preserving the 2.4-acre Measure E area would provide space and flexibility for potential future onsite biosolids processing, while the broader layout showed that anticipated projects would use nearly all available plant space. Senior Engineer Pham explained that staff considered Carollo's biosolids recommendations together with Rincon Consultants' wildlife corridor recommendations and developed a compromise that would reserve 2.4 acres of the Measure E site for potential future RWQCP facilities and return the remaining 7.7 acres to dedicated parkland. Staff determined that the RWQCP does not anticipate needing the 7.7 acres now or in the future, resulting in the proposed Park Dedication Ordinance. The working group feedback was summarized. Senior Engineer Pham concluded by reiterating staff's recommendation. Councilmember Burt asked about PFAS trends, wastewater projections, the viability of pyrolysis, and the potential GHG benefits of MAD. Senior Engineer Pham explained that PFAS enters the treatment plant through residential, commercial, and limited industrial wastewater sources and that Palo Alto's concentrations are relatively low and below limits SUMMARY MINUTES Page 6 of 10 Climate Action and Sustainability Committee Meeting Summary Minutes: 08/07/2026 established in some other states, with source control currently considered the more promising approach. Technologist Polo noted that future population projections were developed with the 6 partner agencies but do not separately account for worker populations. Referring to a slide comparing GHG emissions, Technologist Polo explained that MAD would not significantly reduce GHG emissions compared with current practices, while pyrolysis could provide greater reductions but is not currently recommended because of its cost and lack of demonstrated reliable long-term operation. Director of Public Works Brad Eggleston added that biosolids emissions are relatively small compared with the approximately 220,000 metric tons of additional reductions needed to achieve the City's 80 percent GHG reduction goal. Technologist Polo explained that although a biodryer and pyrolysis system could theoretically operate without supplemental natural gas, the number of biodryers required at the scale of the RWQCP made that approach impractical; therefore, the evaluation used a thermal dryer more appropriate for a facility of this scale, which would require natural gas. Councilmember Lu asked whether technology and cost trends could change sufficiently in the next several years to warrant delaying current decisions. Technologist Polo explained that costs for most evaluated technologies have remained stable or increased, although emerging technologies such as pyrolysis could become less costly as they mature. Senior Engineer Pham added that staff recommends reevaluating the Biosolids Facility Plan approximately every 5 years to account for technological and other changes and that previous evaluations have generally reached similar conclusions. Councilmember Lu asked about the status and viability of a potential biosolids processing partnership with the City of San Jose. Technologist Polo explained that San Jose is seeking a public-private partnership to develop a facility, but its technology, size, regional capacity, and ability to accept RWQCP biosolids have not yet been determined. Director Eggleston and Senior Engineer Pham confirmed that Palo Alto maintains ongoing communications with San Jose and that San Jose is aware of the City's interest. In response to Mayor Veenker, Technologist Polo added that rising offsite hauling and processing costs throughout the Bay Area could create competition for capacity if San Jose offers competitive rates. Councilmember Lu asked whether the Redwood City facility could serve as another regional partnership opportunity. Technologist Polo explained that the facility does not have excess capacity to accept biosolids from other agencies. Councilmember Lu asked whether setbacks, selective tree removal, or other site efficiencies could reduce RWQCP space constraints and allow more of the Measure E site to be restored to parkland. Senior Engineer Pham explained that staff has considered options including tree removal and adjacent property acquisition, but reducing the approximately 20-foot setback would provide limited additional space. Staff will continue focusing on strategic use of existing space and potential expansion opportunities. SUMMARY MINUTES Page 7 of 10 Climate Action and Sustainability Committee Meeting Summary Minutes: 08/07/2026 Referring to the slide showing potential locations for future RWQCP facilities, Mayor Veenker asked whether onsite biosolids processing could be accommodated without using the 2.4-acre Measure E site. Technologist Polo explained that areas currently occupied by trickling filters and temporary engineering trailers will become available and that MAD could be located either on the north side of the plant or on the Measure E site. The 2.4 acres would preserve flexibility for other potential future onsite facilities, including thermal drying and pyrolysis if required by regulatory changes. Technologist Polo confirmed that, depending on the treatment alternative ultimately selected, onsite processing could potentially be accommodated without using the Measure E acreage. Mayor Veenker asked about the feasibility, benefits, and cost of creating a wildlife corridor on the Measure E site compared with targeted habitat enhancement. Rincon Consultants Biologist Anastasia Ennis explained that a full wildlife corridor is technically feasible but would require substantial excavation and provide limited connectivity because of existing infrastructure. Rincon instead recommended targeted habitat enhancements benefiting species such as monarch butterflies, bumblebees, and nesting birds. Senior Engineer Pham estimated the proposed habitat enhancements at approximately $100,000 to $500,000 over 5 years, while Biologist Ennis estimated that a full wildlife corridor could exceed $1M. Senior Engineer Pham agreed to provide additional cost information regarding the full corridor. Mayor Veenker noted that significant questions remain regarding its feasibility. Item 2 Public Comment: 1. Stephen R. supported staff's recommendation to retain 2.4 acres of the Measure E site for potential future RWQCP needs, citing uncertainty regarding future biosolids treatment requirements and the importance of responsibly managing the City's waste. Stephen R. suggested considering thermal energy storage technology, such as that developed by Antora Energy, which uses off-peak electricity, as an alternative to natural gas for thermal drying or pyrolysis and expressed concern about using biogas to generate electricity because of methane's climate impacts. 2. Peter D., a leader of the original Measure E campaign, supported retaining the 2.4 acres of the Measure E site for potential future RWQCP needs. The commenter noted that the original measure anticipated changing circumstances by allowing unused property to be returned to parkland after 10 years and emphasized the importance of maintaining flexibility to address future regulatory and environmental requirements. The proposed native planting and habitat improvements would enhance the site in the interim, while dedicating the 2.4 acres as parkland would require another voter-approved measure if the property is needed for future treatment requirements such as PFAS or other emerging concerns. 3. Bruce H., who reported participating in discussions regarding Measure E since 2011, supported staff's recommendations to dedicate the sloped portion of the SUMMARY MINUTES Page 8 of 10 Climate Action and Sustainability Committee Meeting Summary Minutes: 08/07/2026 Measure E site as parkland and retain the 2.4-acre flat portion for potential future RWQCP use. The commenter praised the thoroughness of the current analysis and stated that retaining the 2.4 acres would preserve flexibility as biosolids technologies and treatment needs evolve. Adoption of the recommendations was encouraged as a way to resolve the longstanding community debate over the site. 4. Cedric B. supported retaining the 2.4-acre portion of the Measure E site to preserve flexibility for future onsite biosolids treatment, including MAD with THP and potential PFAS treatment. Staff was encouraged to monitor emerging pyrolysis technologies using renewable energy that may become viable at the scale of the RWQCP. 5. Emily R. urged the Committee to recommend rededication of the entire 10-acre Measure E site as parkland, consistent with prior PRC recommendations. The commenter emphasized the existing habitat and hydrologic value of the 2.4-acre portion, including its connection between the Bay, Byxbee Park, and the Emily Renzel Wetlands, and suggested that other nearby properties could be considered for future RWQCP expansion. Emily R. opposed reserving the 2.4 acres for potential long-term treatment needs that may not arise until 2041 to 2055, noting that the offsite biosolids alternatives received the highest evaluation scores and require no new onsite processing facilities. 6. Karen P. supported retaining at least 2.4 acres of the Measure E site for potential future biosolids processing, emphasizing the City's responsibility to manage its own waste and preserve flexibility as treatment technologies evolve. The commenter noted that the site is near the Palo Alto Airport and under its flight path and cited lead emissions from leaded aviation fuel as an environmental concern supporting use of the site for waste management. Karen P. encouraged balancing wildlife enhancement with the City's long-term infrastructure needs. Director Eggleston acknowledged that the staff report does not provide complete information regarding the wildlife corridor analysis and clarified that the primary concerns were the site's suitability and limited ecological benefit rather than cost. Director Eggleston confirmed that habitat improvements could occur without rededicating the 2.4 acres and, in response to Councilmember Burt, confirmed that dedicating the 7.7 acres now would not preclude future dedication of the remaining 2.4 acres. At Mayor Veenker's request, Director Eggleston read the following conclusion from the prior PRC report into the record: "The analysis found that while enhancing hydraulic connectivity across the site is technically feasible, ecological benefits to Special Status species are limited. The constrained width of the site, adjacent industrial and recreational uses, and existing disturbances reduce the effectiveness of the corridor for meaningful wildlife movement. In some cases, the proposed corridor could introduce potential adverse effects such as increased predation or loss of existing habitat conditions. Based SUMMARY MINUTES Page 9 of 10 Climate Action and Sustainability Committee Meeting Summary Minutes: 08/07/2026 on these findings, Rincon concluded that a wetland wildlife corridor at this location would provide no or minimal ecological benefit and is not recommended as a preferred approach. Instead, preferred alternative habitat enhancement strategies, such as restoring wetland and upland edge habitats, may provide greater ecological value with fewer constraints and lower implementation costs." Mayor Veenker asked for clarification regarding the limited habitat benefits identified for a wildlife corridor. Biologist Ennis explained that hydrologic connectivity currently exists between the Palo Alto Baylands Marsh and Emily Renzel Wetlands and that creating a new corridor would alter existing habitat without providing sufficient space for an effective corridor for the targeted Special Status species. Mayor Veenker then asked about the long-term treatment configuration that could require the Measure E acreage. Technologist Polo explained that a future system could consist of MAD followed by thermal drying and pyrolysis, potentially implemented in stages, with pyrolysis added only if needed for PFAS treatment. Mayor Veenker observed that the recommendation therefore preserves the 2.4 acres partly for potential future treatment needs involving technology that is not yet well established, making the rationale for retaining the property less straightforward. Councilmember Lu supported staff's recommendation as a reasonable compromise that advances parkland dedication while preserving flexibility given the RWQCP's space constraints and uncertainty regarding future technology and costs. Mayor Veenker expressed reservations about retaining the 2.4 acres, questioning whether evolving technology and staged implementation of future treatment processes may ultimately allow the City to meet its needs without the additional space. Mayor Veenker stated that the need for later treatment technologies remains speculative and that she was not yet prepared to recommend the staff proposal to the City Council but would maintain an open mind when the matter returns to Council. MOTION: Councilmember Lu moved, seconded by Councilmember Burt, to recommend the City Council: 1. Accept the Biosolids Facility Plan Update, prepared by Carollo Engineers, Inc., as component of the Regional Water Quality Control Plant Long Range Facilities Plan Update; 2. Adopt a Park Dedication Ordinance to dedicate approximately 7.7 acres of the Measure E site at Byxbee Park as parkland; and 3. Direct staff to: a. Continue dewatered solids hauling and offsite processing in the near term under existing contracts; SUMMARY MINUTES Page 10 of 10 Climate Action and Sustainability Committee Meeting Summary Minutes: 08/07/2026 b. Reserve the approximately 2.4-acre flat, uncapped portion of the Measure E site for potential future biosolids processing; and c. Monitor viable regional partnership opportunities, including the City of San Jose’s proposed public-private partnership facility. MOTION PASSED: 2-1, Veenker no 3. Preliminary Review of the 2025 Greenhouse Gas Inventory and Overview of Scope 3 Emissions; CEQA Status - Not a Project ITEM NOT HEARD Virtual Public Comment None Future Meetings and Agendas Director of Public Works Brad Eggleston announced that the next CASC meeting is scheduled for September 4. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 4:06 p.m.