Berkeley City Council to Consider Creating New Environmental Department

City staff is recommending establishing a new city department to push forward Berkeley’s sustainability efforts.

The Berkeley City Council Tuesday (Nov. 13) will discuss creating a Multi-Department Environmental Working Group to manage city environmental and sustainability policy, programs and other matters.

At its April 3 meeting, the City Council directed staff to look into developing a Department of Environment by combining city divisions and services. “Currently, Berkeley’s sustainability programs and goals are embedded in almost every city department,” a city staff report says.

City staff researched similar departments in cities such as San Francisco, Rochester, NY, and Alexandria, VA and developed its own modified department idea.

The Environmental Working Group would be created though existing city departments and would meet quarterly with the City Manager and Berkeley’s Office of Energy and Sustainable Development.  One of its functions would be to add an “environmental impact” section to council reports, accompanying the “fiscal impact” section.

What do you think of city staff's recommendation to add an "environmental impact" section to future city council agendas? Tell us in comments.