R-22-48RESOLUTION NO. R-22-48
AMENDED AND RESTATED RESOLUTION REGARDING THE ENVIRONMENTAL
SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE FOR THE CITY OF FAIRFAX, VIRGINIA
WHEREAS, the City Council, pursuant to Resolution No. 09-29, as subsequently
amended by Resolution No. 14-68 and Resolution No. 21-25, established the Environmental
Sustainability Committee (the "Committee") for the City of Fairfax, Virginia (the "City") and
now desires to further amend and clarify the enabling authority; and
WHEREAS, the City is engaged in local and regional efforts to support initiatives
aimed at supporting and protecting healthy ecosystems of naturally flowing streams, native
plants, wildlife, contiguous natural habitat areas, clean air and a healthy tree population; and
WHEREAS, the City Council realizes the continued need for the Committee, to
advise the City Council on policies and practices to protect and enhance the City's air, water,
land, urban forest and human health as it pertains to the natural environment and sustainability
initiatives; and
WHEREAS, the City supports and wishes to continue to promote sustainable
practices that preserve, conserve, reuse and recycle resources.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, BY THE CITY COUNCIL that:
1. The purpose of the Committee is to advise the City Council on policies and practices
to protect and enhance the City's air, water, land, urban forest and human health. It
shall serve in an advisory capacity to the City Council on setting goals and policies for
the City and community to continuously improve the natural and built environment.
2. The Committee is charged with the following:
a. Policy, Ordinances and Other Standards: Provide guidance to the City Council
on institutionalizing practices that protect and enhance the City's air, water,
land, urban forest, and human health by evaluating, proposing and prioritizing
policies, ordinances and other standards that support the City's Comprehensive
Plan, City Council goals and other City commitments.
b. Education: Advise the City Council to promote awareness, understanding, and
commitment to ensure wise stewardship of the City's natural resources.
c. Tree Advisory Board: The Committee shall act as the City's Tree Advisory
Board which will include the following duties:
i. Coordinate and promote Arbor Day activities;
ii. Advocate for the urban forest;
iii. Support education programs relating to trees; and
iv. Assist with the annual application to renew the Tree City USA
designation.
d. Annual Report: The Committee shall prepare and submit an annual report to
the City Council that includes, but is not limited to these items:
- any findings on the current condition of the City's environment.
- proposed policies and programs that support the conservation,
protection and enhancement of the City's environment and
sustainability.
- evaluation of existing programs and policies to protect the environment
and improve the City's sustainability, including any identified gaps.
- summary of the Committee's actions and recommendations of the
previous year.
- Committee goals and priorities.
e. Annual Meeting with the City Council: Meet annually with the City Council to
present the annual report, an assessment of the state of the environment, and
recommendations and priorities.
3. The Committee shall be comprised of twelve members, consisting of eleven voting
members and one nonvoting member.
a. Ten members will be appointed by the City Council for a three year term.
Members will be selected based on their interest and experience in
environmental and sustainability issues. If possible, the City Council will
include one member from the City business community. City residency is not
required for committee members selected from the City business community.
b. The eleventh member shall be a member of the City School Board who is
designated annually by the Board.
c. The twelfth member shall be a nonvoting, advisory student representative
from Fairfax High School (preferably a City resident). This member is
designated annually by the chairperson of the Committee.
d. The Committee chairperson and vice chairperson shall be elected annually by
the Committee in June.
e. The Committee will meet monthly, except for August.
f. The Sustainability Coordinator will provide support for the Committee.
Adopted this 13th day of December, 2022.
Mayor
Attest:
City Clerk
The vote on the motion to approve was recorded as follows:
VOTE:
Councilmember Harmon Aye
Councilmember Lim
Aye
Councilmember Miller
Aye
Councilmember Ross
Aye
Councilmember Stehle
Aye
Councilmember Yi
Aye