The Larkspur City Council on Wednesday voted to create a Climate Action Forum to provide regular public engagement and progress updates on the city’s 2030 Climate Action Plan and other sustainability efforts.

The new body was established by Resolution No. 5-25, which the council adopted by roll-call vote. The resolution directs staff to convene the forum on a regular cadence (every other month or a schedule determined by the council) and specifies staff support for the forum, including a strong preference that the same staff member represent Larkspur on the Marin Climate and Energy Partnership (MCEP) and also staff the Climate Action Forum.

Why it matters: The forum is intended to give community members a recurring, structured opportunity to review progress on the city’s emissions-reduction goals and to advise staff and the council before policy or program decisions are brought back to the dais.

Assistant City Manager Shannon O'Hare, who presented the staff report, described the forum model as one that “would meet regularly to discuss progress on the city's Climate Action Plan and other relevant sustainability and environmental issues.” The resolution's staff-support language was revised at the meeting after council and public comment to state the council's strong preference that, "whenever possible, the city manager designate a single staff member to serve as both the City of Larkspur representative to MCEP and to staff the Climate Action Forum." The adopted language also requires that, "in the event the city manager determines for operational reasons different staff should serve the two roles, the city manager shall provide a public report to the city council explaining the reasons and receive council feedback."

Council discussion focused on balancing operational flexibility for the city manager with the practical benefits of having a single staff person attend county-level MCEP meetings (which occur during business hours) and the forum’s public, evening meetings. Vice Mayor Andre and other council members argued the same staff person should perform both roles to avoid information gaps between county staff work and community-facing forum meetings.

The council also addressed meeting cadence. While staff recommended flexible language to avoid forcing meetings during common recess months, the council directed that the forum meet "every other month or by a schedule established by the city council" to ensure regular attention while allowing future adjustments.

Public commenters supported formation of the forum and the stronger staff-linkage language. David Mahler, who identified himself as leader of the Larkspur Climate Group, thanked the council and staff and urged a clear linkage between county and local staff: “I think it's gonna be a really good thing and be very helpful in achieving those objectives that have been set out.”

Action and appointments: The council also selected a council liaison to the new forum. Council member Margulies volunteered and was confirmed by roll-call as liaison, with Vice Mayor Andre named as an alternate. The council then voted to adopt Resolution No. 5-25 with the staff-support and meeting-cadence changes described above.

Votes at a glance: Resolution No. 5-25 (create Climate Action Forum and set staffing/reporting language) — adopted by roll call; recorded ayes from Council members Kandel, Margulies, Paulson, Vice Mayor Andre and Mayor Wei.

What happens next: Staff will return with final ordinance language and procedural details reflecting the council’s direction, and the forum will begin meeting on the adopted cadence. Staff indicated the forum will produce regular updates to the council and coordinate with county MCEP staff as described in the resolution. The council also asked staff to finalize the forum’s charter and report back publicly if the city manager later determines the two staffing roles must be split.