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Discuss and Determine Working Groups
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The Board will discuss opportunities to establish working groups or steering committees to support implementation of the Los Alamos Climate Action Plan (CAP) and determine member participation.
Member Carly Blair expressed interest in CR1.3 - Support the Local Food System. This action focuses on strengthening the local and regional food system and improving food security. Potential areas for a working group to explore include:
• Supporting and promoting the Los Alamos Farmers Market and other opportunities to purchase locally and regionally produced food.
• Supporting community and backyard gardening through education, partnerships, and regional collaboration.
• Identifying existing local and regional food resources, programs, and organizations and opportunities for the County to better support or connect these efforts.
• Collaborating with organizations such as LA Cares, food banks, schools, community organizations, growers, and other partners to improve food access and food security.
• Identifying gaps, barriers, and potential programs or partnerships that could strengthen the local food system.
• Developing recommendations for practical actions the County could consider to advance CR1.3.
Staff is also requesting Board assistance with T2.6 - Develop a Commuter Trip Reduction (CTR) Program. The CAP calls for developing a program that builds on the County's existing Drive Less Los Alamos initiative and makes alternatives to single-occupancy vehicle commuting easier and more attractive. Potential areas for a working group to explore include:
• Reviewing available employee commute data to better understand commuting patterns, barriers, and opportunities.
• Identifying strategies to encourage transit, walking, biking, carpooling, and ridesharing.
• Evaluating opportunities to better promote Atomic City Transit, trail and bicycle networks, cycling safety resources, and other existing transportation options.
• Exploring incentives, challenges, and resources that could make alternative commuting more convenient for employees.
• Identifying opportunities for collaboration with LANL and other major local employers on commuter programs, carpooling, ridesharing, and transportation demand management.
• Considering how telework, alternate work schedules, and other flexible work arrangements may contribute to reducing commute trips.
• Developing recommendations for a County employee CTR program that could potentially serve as a model for other local employers.
Working groups are recommended to begin exploring these areas more comprehensively and develop recommendations for consideration by the full Board. Up to three Board members may participate in each working group without creating a quorum.
ESB members serving on working groups will act in an advisory capacity. Working groups will not make decisions on behalf of the Board; recommendations will be brought to the full Board for discussion and consideration.