More than 175 of the region’s elected officials and civic leaders attended the ABAG Spring General Assembly where they tackled the critical issue of climate change through the lens of SB 375 and AB 32. The General Assembly provided a platform for Bay Area leaders to discuss how past initiatives and policies have prepared the region to move forward and meet the land use, transportation climate action challenges of SB 375.
Keynote speaker Nancy McFadden, Senior Vice President, Public Affairs, Pacific Gas & Electric Company discussed regional climate action energy efficiency partnerships such as the ABAG Energy Watch Program and the proposed Solar Energy Efficiency District that will help meet climate protection goals. Mark Green, ABAG Vice President and Union City Mayor and Steve Kinsey, Marin County Supervisor and MTC Commissioner discussed the land use and transportation strategies that are being undertaken to meet the region’s climate protection goals. PowerPoint presentations from Mayor Mark Green and Supervisor Steve Kinsey can be viewed here.
The General Assembly also featured the presentation of the third annual ABAG Growing Smarter Together Awards. Local governments were recognized for outstanding efforts in planning and development. These local government efforts demonstrated significant commitment toward achieving the regional planning goals of the Bay Area Vision and focused growth principles being advanced in the FOCUS Initiative.
The 2009 Award winners are:
Urban Design
City of Berkeley, Oxford Plaza and David Brower Center
Sharing the Benefits
City of San Ramon, Housing Rehabilitation Program
On the Ground – Getting It Done
City of Union City, Intermodal Station District Plan
Public-Private Partnership
San Mateo County, Housing Endowment and Regional Trust, The HEART of San Mateo County
Preserving and Protecting the Environment
Alameda County, Public Works Department
Videos of all winning projects can be viewed at http://www.abag.ca.gov/smarter.html.
During the ABAG Business Meeting, the 2009-10 Annual Budget and Work Plan was approved. The delegates also voted to amend the Bylaws to allow for flexibility in scheduling the Spring Business Meeting of the General Assembly.
ABAG’s General Assembly is a bi-annual conference that brings Bay Area decision-makers together to explore key issues and trends in a regional context. Founded in 1961, ABAG is the regional planning agency for the nine counties and 101 cities and towns of the Bay Area and is recognized as the first council of governments in California.