Climate Action Plan 
Scorecard – GHG Reduction Actions Taken

Transportation & Land Use:
  • Adopted the Town of Fairfax Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan Update in 2008 - outlines future Town bicycle and pedestrian improvement programs and projects to promote increased bicycle and pedestrian travel and decrease the use of vehicles.  [TLU-9]
  • Installed electric car charging stations in the Parkade. [TLU-15]
  • Secured Safe Routes to Schools and Safe Paths to Schools grant money to construct the Bike Spine Project (2013 – completion  late 2014) [TLU-9]
  • Constructed bicycle and pedestrian improvements on Center Boulevard between Pastori Avenue and Pacheco Avenue, including new sidewalks, curb extensions, new and improved crosswalks and bicycle lane repaving.  [TLU-9]
  • Funded by the Non-Motorized Transportation Pilot Program, installed new sidewalks on Pastori Avenue and Sir Francis Drake Boulevard. The improvements are intended to increase the mode share of cycling and walking for everyday transportation.  [TLU-9]
  • Obtained grant funding for installation of 20 new bike racks throughout Town – installation planned for Fall 2014. (2014) [TLU-1]
  • Secured funding for 8 electric bike lockers to be installed throughout Town (2104) [TLU-1]
  • Purchased two hybrid and two fuel-efficient Town vehicles to optimize fuel utilization. The police department plans to phase in more fuel-efficient models into the police fleet as existing vehicles are replaced. [TLU-13]
  • Two electric scooters are available for Town staff for business-related errands.  [TLU-13]
  • Adopted trip reduction requirements and methods for specified employers (e.g., ride-sharing, transit, trip elimination, parking management, bicycle/pedestrian) (Ord. 619 – 1993, Town Code Chap. 10.32) [TLU-7; TLU-9; TLU-17]
  • Adopted amended Housing Element (October 2013, State - Certified November 2013)
  • Continue to support Fairfax Farmer’s Market; adopted permit fee waivers to extend the Farmer’s Market from October – December in the St. Rita’s Church parking lot – due to unanticipated matters, on-hold. (2014) [TLU-9]

Green Building, Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy:
  • Installed energy-efficient lighting, double-paned windows and a new door in Town Hall. [En-11]
  • Installed a 25 KW solar electric system on the Pavilion roof. [EN-15]
  • Joined the Marin Energy Authority (now Marin Clean Energy) and opted into Deep Green (100% renewable electricity) for all Town operations.   [EN-16]
  • U.S. EPA’s Green Power Challenge lists Fairfax as 7th in the nation for its % use of renewable energy (June 30, 2014 - http://www.epa.gov/greenpower/communities/gpcrankings.htm) [EN-16]
  • Adopted the CalGreen standards as part of the new California Building Code (Ord. 773 – 2013, Town Code Chap. 15.04.010) [EN-1]
  • Town participated in the Energy Upgrade California program, which provides substantial rebates to homeowners to perform energy audits and “whole house” energy upgrade retrofits. 
  • Published information on Town Website about Marin Clean Energy (MCE) and link to MCE’s website. [EN-8]
  • Adopted Resolution 14-39 for the California First Program – Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Program available for residential and commercial customers; MCE designated as customer liaison. (9/2014) [EN-7]

Waste Reduction, Recycling & Zero Waste:
  • Adopted a Zero Waste resolution that commits the Town to reaching a 94% diversion rate by 2020, and an ultimate goal of Zero Waste by 2024. (Res. 2479, March 2007) [WST-1]
  •  Continue to conduct Town-sponsored electronic waste events. [WST-7; WST-9]
  • Continue to conduct Town-sponsored “Drug Take Back” days [WST-9]
  • In partnership with Marin Sanitary Service (MSS), implemented curbside food waste collection for residences. The program reduces methane emissions by composting food waste instead of depositing it into the landfill. Work to include businesses and restaurants in the program in process.  [WST-1; WST-7]
  • Through the partnership between MSS and Central Marin Sanitary Agency, implemented program for restaurants and other commercial business participation in waste-to-energy program which converts composted food scraps to energy. [WST-1; WST-7]
  • Adopted first “plastic bag ban” in Marin County (Ord. 722 & 726 - 2007/voters November 4, 2008, Town Code Chap. 8.18); adopted ordinance for mandatory charge for paper bags (Ord. 784 – 2014, Town Code Chap. 8.19)
  • Prohibited polystyrene foam food packaging for restaurants & prohibited Town of Fairfax from purchase or use polystyrene food packaging (Ord. 623 – 1993, Town Code Chap. 8.16) [WST-1]
  • Required recycling for development projects (Ord. 717 – 2006, Town Code Chap. 8.60)
  • Established mandatory commercial and multifamily residential recycling (Ord. 772 – 2013, Town Code Chap. 8.08.130) [WST-5]
  • Required mandatory construction, demolition and renovation projects debris recycling (2013/Ord. 783 – 2014, Town Code Chap. 8.14) [WST-4]
  • Continue working with Sustainable Fairfax for waste diversion/sorting at Town events. [WST-11]
  • Adopted Ordinance No. 784, Reduction of Paper Bag Waste by imposing ten cent point of sale charge. (10-2014/Ord. 784, Town Code Chap. 8.19) [WST-1]

Water & Wastewater:
  • Implemented Marin Municipal Water District’s Ordinance 421 which added, amended, and repealed certain sections of MMWD’s Title 13 Water Code. The revisions were necessary to further meet conservation measures within the District’s service area, meet the 2010 CalGreen standards, improve the effectiveness of the District’s water waste prevention program, and increase efficiency standards.  [Towards WAT-1]
  • Required water conservation measures prior to issuance of building permits (or similar authorizations) for landscaping & toilets and MMWD verification of water availability for the project (Ord. 615 – 1992, Town Code Chap. 17.132) [Towards WAT-1]
  • Adopted California Plumbing Code which allows grey water systems installations for residential and commercial without a permit (Town Code, Chap. 15.040.010(A)(6) [WAT-8] – NOTE: CA Plumbing Code (Chapters 16, 16A, 17) contains these provisions. 
  • Adopted Resolution 14-39 for the California First Program – Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Program available for residential and commercial customers; MCE designated as customer liaison  (9/2014) [WAT-6]

Green Purchasing:
  • Town purchased numerous pieces of Energy Star-rated computer equipment to phase-out older, less energy efficient equipment. [PUR-1]
  • Prohibited use of pesticides on Town property (including aerial and ground applications) with requirements for “neighbor notification” prior to pesticide use on private property (Ord. 686 – 2001, Town Code Chap. 8.52) [PUR-1]
  • Adopted Resolution #14-41 for Town operations, Environmental Purchasing and Practices Policy (a.k.a. “Green Purchasing Policy”). (Nov 2014) [PUR-1; PUR-3; PUR-4]

Natural Systems & Carbon Sequestration:
  • Creation of Town of Fairfax Open Space Committee (Resolution 2323, 2004) [NAT-4]
  • Acquisition and preservation of open space (e.g., Egger Grove, Upper Ridgeway, Scenic Trail parcel donation, Sky Ranch - in process) [NAT-4]
  • Prohibited building on ridgelines or within ridgeline scenic corridors (Ord. 352 - 1973/Ord. 476 - 1980/Ord. 764 - 2012, Town Code Chap. 17.060) [NAT-4]
  • Enacted ordinance governing tree preservation/removal , creation of Tree Committee, and  permit requirements for tree removal (Ord. 743 – 2009, Town Code Chap. 8.36) [NAT-1]

Adaptation to the Effects of Climate Change:
  • Begin opening pedestrian trails for fire egress & recreation; and begin commitment to overall trail maintenance program [ADPT-1]
  • Continue participation in the Countywide Public Disaster & Education Planning committee – coordination with neighboring municipalities, agencies, NGOs and utilities for disaster planning. 
  • Adopted Fairfax Climate Action Plan (Res. 14-10 - February 2014)
  • Established Town of Fairfax Climate Action Committee (February 2014)
  • Established Town of Fairfax Climate Action Committee as an independent Town Committee (Resolution 15-26, July 15, 2015)

Other:
  • Mandated replacement with cleaner wood-burning devices to mitigate black carbon and PM2.5; encourage adherence to “Winter Spare the Air Days” (Ord. 720 – 2007, Town Code Chap. 8.64) 
  • Prohibited use of pesticides on Town property (including aerial and ground applications) with requirements for “neighbor notification” prior to pesticide use on private property (Ord. 686 – 2001, Town Code Chap. 8.52) [PUR-1]
  • Restricted smoking and second-hand smoke (Ord. 754 – 2011, Town Code Chap. 8.44)
  • Town Council approved Resolution 14-45, requesting CalPers and MCERA to divest their holdings of fossil fuels investments and setting a schedule for compliance (adopted Dec. 4,2014)

Fairfax Climate Action Plan - Scorecard_revised 7-27-15