Resolution establishing a Climate Smart Communities Task Force and Terms of Reference

Resolution establishing a Climate Smart Communities Task Force
 
WHEREAS, The Village of Hastings-on-Hudson, New York, formally adopted a "Climate Smart Communities" Pledge on June 1, 2010, recognizing the threat of climate change to our Village operations, citizens, and the planet and outlining initial steps that should be taken to mitigate this threat, increase energy efficiency, and build resilience and sustainability in our Village, and
 
WHEREAS, The Village of Hastings-on-Hudson, New York, formally adopted 56:19 CLIMATE SMART COMMUNITY COORDINATOR RESOLUTION on July 2, 2019, be it
 
RESOLVED, The Village Board of the Village of Hastings-on-Hudson hereby creates a task force which shall be known as the "Climate Smart Communities Task Force" hereinafter called the "CSC Task Force," and be it further
 
RESOLVED, that the CSC Task Force shall be constituted as specified by the following Terms of Reference:
 
Terms of Reference
Climate Smart Communities Task Force
 
Membership; terms of office; vacancies.
 
A.) While the number of members of the CSC Task Force may change over time, depending upon needs and work demand, it will start with nine or more members.
 
  1. A representative of the Mayor and Village Board of Trustees, who shall be responsible for maintaining a collaborative relationship between the CSC Task Force and the Village Board.
  2. One or more Village employees, appointed by the Mayor and Board of Trustees based on interest and expertise in sustainability and Climate Smart practices, the impact of their official position on these initiatives, and their availability to participate in the CSC Task Force. This work will not result in additional compensation for Village.
  3. At least one representative from the Conservation Commission, appointed in such manner as the Conservation Commission shall determine.
  4. At least one representative from the Energy Working Group, appointed in such manner as the Energy Working Group shall determine.
  5. Three or more additional citizen appointees, who live in the Village of Hastings-on-Hudson, appointed by the Village Board based on their experience in the field and availability to participate in the CSC Task Force.
  6. A Chair shall be appointed by the Mayor from among these members in consultation with the Village Board of Trustees.
 
B.) The term of office of CSC Task Force members shall be three years, except that in the case of the members first appointed, 1/3 members shall serve for one year, 1/3 shall serve for two years, and 1/3 shall serve full three-year terms. These staggered terms will be initiated at the next Organizational Meeting of the Village in April 2020.
 
C.) When a member's term ends, he or she may remain on the CSC Task Force until such time as a replacement is appointed, and may be reappointed for another three-year term at the discretion of his/her appointing authority.
 
D.) Vacancies on the CSC Task Force shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment, except that a vacancy occurring other than by the expiration of term of office shall be filled only for the remainder of the unexpired term.
 
E.) The Director of Parks and Recreation, the Supervisor of the Department of Public Works, and the Village Manager shall be available to the CSC Task Force in an advisory capacity.  The Village Planner shall be available to the CSC Task Force with the prior approval of the Village Manager.
 
F.) The CSC Task Force may also seek input from the Chair of the Village’s Planning Board, and from such individuals with expertise in sustainability and GHG reduction from other agencies and organizations in the region on an as-needed basis.
 
 
Officers; rules; records; meeting schedule.
A.) The Chair shall preside over all official meetings of the CSC Task Force.
B.) Agendas and records of all meetings shall be kept and filed with the Village Clerk.
C.)A meeting schedule shall be established by the Chair and all meetings shall be posted one week ahead of time on the Village website and be open to the public.
 
 
Powers and duties.
The powers and duties of the CSC Task Force shall be to:
 
A.) use the NY State DEC Climate Smart Communities Pledge Elements to prioritize actions to be undertaken by the Village government and residents such that the GHG impacts are maximized to the greatest extent achievable.
 
B.) recommend the prioritized actions to the Village Board for approval.
 
C.) plan actions approved by the Village Board for decreasing electricity and fossil fuel energy demand consistent with the Climate Smart Communities pledge, with the goal of achieving increasing levels of Climate Smart Community certification (working directly with the Conservation Commission, Energy Working Group, Mayor, Village Clerk and Village departments).
 
D.) gather data, inventory GHG emissions, and establish baselines for local government operations and community sectors. Develop quantifiable interim GHG emission targets consistent with emission reduction goals and propose a schedule and financing strategy to meet them.
 
E.) solicit stakeholder and public input on proposed action plans through open meetings and special workshops.
 
F.) upon consultation with the Mayor or Village Manager, seek to coordinate, assist, and unify the efforts of private groups, institutions, and individuals within the Village of Hastings-on-Hudson in accordance with the goal of achieve increasing levels of Climate Smart Community certifications.
 
G.) upon consultation with the Mayor or Village Manager, work collaboratively with similar task forces in neighboring communities to ensure that efforts complement and reinforce one another.
 
H.) carry out such other duties as may be assigned from time to time by the Mayor or by resolution of the Village Board.
 
 
Reports to the Mayor and the Village Board.
The CSC Task Force shall maintain ongoing communication with the Mayor, Village Board and any relevant Village boards, commissions, working groups and departments. Annually, no later than the first day of September, the CSC Task Force shall submit a written report outlining its activities over the past year and goals for the next year.
 
 
Compensation and expenses of members.
The members of the CSC Task Force shall receive no compensation for their service as members.
 
 
CSC Task Force Sunset Clause
The CSC Task Force has no termination date.  It will continue to function as long as there are sustainability issues worth reviewing and projects to implement for Climate Smart Community certifications. It can be terminated at any time by the Board of Trustees.