Tacoma's push for a greener future is ramping up as the city gears up to replace the Sustainable Tacoma Commission with a new entity, named the Climate and Sustainability Commission. Slated to take over on May 1, the move comes after a recent City Council ordinance amended the Municipal Code. The city is actively seeking applicants to fill four available seats — among them, a youth position aimed at individuals aged 16 to 24, as reported by the City of Tacoma's official news release.
The commission's mandate remains as crucial as before, ensuring community accountability and transparency while overseeing the long-term goals outlined in Tacoma's Climate Action Plan and various sustainability initiatives. They face the task of solidifying the environmental legacy for the generations to come, all commission members currently serving on the Sustainable Tacoma Commission will maintain their roles without any hiccups, extending their influence into the new commission.
Prospective members must be Tacoma residents and are expected to represent a broad spectrum of community interests. These include but are not limited to environmental, business, labor, housing, industrial, port, transportation, education, building, and residential sectors, as per the City of Tacoma. With a commitment ranging from three to six hours each month, commission members will play an integral role in shaping policies through formal recommendations to the City Council.
Recognizing the importance of diverse voices in the dialogue on sustainability, the City of Tacoma is encouraging applications from a wide range of community members, especially those from the BIPOC, LGBTQ, individuals with disabilities, seniors, youth, immigrants, and refugee communities.
The successful applicants need to undergo mandatory training provided by the Washington State Office of the Attorney General in support of the Open Public Meetings Act and Public Records Act within 90 days of their appointment. More information regarding the transition from the Sustainable Tacoma Commission to the Climate and Sustainability Commission can be found on the City of Tacoma's website.
