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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20080617 - VI-03VI-3 MEMORANDUM TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers FROM: Dave Osberg, City Administrator DATE: June 12, 2008 SUBJECT: County Wide Greening Initiative Resolution RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCIL ACTION It is recommended that the City Council take action approving the attached Resolution Approving Participation in a County Wide Greening Initiative. BACKGROUND Dakota County and other Cities throughout the County have been working on a joint effort the last several months on efforts to establish more consistent green initiatives, identify sustainable programs and other efforts to reduce greenhouse gases throughout the County and increase the awareness of conducting more energy efficient activities. There are three Committees that have been established, all with representatives from the City of Hastings, and these include: Government Operations; Development Standards and Community-oriented Programs. Staff has included in the packet a memorandum that was created by the Co-Chairs of the HiPP Greening Committee, outlining in significant detail, further background on the program along with objectives of the effort. In addition, the US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement is also included in the packet for review by the City Council. Staff recommends approval of the Resolution, to assure continue partnership efforts with Dakota County and the others Cities throughout our County, and to also recognize the need to increase efforts to provide more sustainability throughout our community and our organization. CITY OF HASTINGS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA Resolution # A Resolution Approving Participation in a County Wide Greening Initiative WHEREAS, The City of Hastings, Dakota County and its Cities have been leaders in the development of collaborative efforts to increase efficiency, effectiveness and responsiveness in providing safe and healthy communities; and WHEREAS, In 2004 a joint City-County Steering Committee was created to identify and implement intergovernmental collaboration through High Performance Partnership (HiPP) actions and projects; and WHEREAS, The City of Hastings, Dakota County and its Cities continue to recognize that opportunities for greater intergovernmental collaboration exist and deserve consideration; and WHEREAS, There appears to be consensus among the world's leading scientists that global warming, caused by greenhouse gas emissions is among the most significant problems facing the world today; and WHEREAS, It appears that increasing greenhouse gases are changing the climate in ways that pose serious risks to health, economy and environment to the City of Hastings, Dakota County and its Cities; and WHEREAS, Local governments have a unique role to play in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and preparing for the impacts of climate change through their local jurisdictions over policy areas such as air quality, land use planning, transportation, zoning, forest preservation, water conservation, and wastewater and solid waste management; and WHEREAS, A goal of the HiPP Steering Committee is for Dakota County and its Cities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through collaborative efforts, creating communities in Dakota County where people can live, work and recreate for generations to come; and WHEREAS, The economic arguments for implementing a countywide initiative are compelling, from the near term economic gains of energy efficiency to the long term climate stabilization that can prevent irreparable harm; and WHEREAS, In 2007 the HiPP Steering Committee recommended that the County and the Cities participate in a countywide Greening Initiative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and WHEREAS, The Greening Initiative will prepare a framework for applying local and global initiatives as a collaborative project to improve the quality of life for all in the City of Hastings, Dakota County and its Cities; and NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Hastings in collaboration through the High Performance Partnership will participate in the Greening Initiative; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the City of Hastings, through the HiPP Greening Initiative will attempt to achieve the following: 1.) Include sustainability policies in local government plans 2.) Sign the U.S. Mayor's Climate Protection Agreement 3.) Consider joining ICLEI's (Local Governments for Sustainability) Cities for Climate Protection Campaign 4.) Participate in creating a countywide greenhouse gas inventory 5.) Establish greenhouse gas reductions 6.) Develop and implement a City of Hastings specific action plan to reduce greenhouse gases. 7.) Provide leadership through public education, open dialogue and partnerships ADOPTED BY THE HASTINGS CITY COUNCIL THIS 17TH, DAY OF JUNE, 2008 Paul Hicks Mayor Melanie Mesko Lee City Clerk -seal- ~~~~~~ w ?~ The U.S_ Mayors Climate Protec#ion Agreement (As endorsed by the 73rd Annual U.S. Conference of Mayors meeting, Chicago, 2005) A. We urge the federal government and state governments to enact policies and programs to meet or beat the target of reducing global warming pollution levels to 7 percent below 19901eveis by 2012, including efforts to: reduce the United States' dependence on fossil fuels and accelerate the development of clean, economical energy resources and fuel-efficient technologies such as conservation, methane recovery for energy generation, waste to energy, wind and solar energy, fuel cells, efficient motor vehicles, and biofuels; B. We urge the U_S. Congress to pass bipartisan greenhouse gas reduction legislation that 1) includes clear timetables and emissions limits and 2) a flexible, market-based system of tradable allowances among emitting industries; and C. We will strive to meet or exceed Kyoto Protocol targets for reducing global warming pollution by taking actions in our own operations and communities such as: i. Inventory global warming emissions in City operations and in the community, set reduction targets and create an action plan_ 2. Adopt and enforce land-use policies that reduce sprawl, preserve open space, and create compact, walkable urban communities; _ 3. Promote transportation options such as bicycle trails, commute trip reduction - a programs, incentives for car pooling and public transit; 4. Increase the use of clean, alternative energy by, for example, investing in "green tags", advocating for the development of renewable energy resources, recovering landfill methane for energy production, and supporting the use of waste to energy technology; 5. Make energy efficiency a priority through building code improvemen#s, retrofitting city facilities with energy efficient lighting and urging employees to conserve energy and save money; 6. Purchase only Energy Star equipment and appliances for City use; 7. Practice and promote sustainable building practices using the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED program or a similar system; 8. Increase the average fuel efficiency of municipal fleet vehicles; reduce the number of vehicles; launch an employee education program including anti- idlingmessages; convert diesel vehicles to bio-diesel; 9. Evaluate opportunities to increase pump efficiency in water and wastewater systems; recover wastewater treatment methane for energy production; 10. Increase recycling rates in City operations and in the community; 11. Maintain healthy urban forests; promote tree planting to increase shading and to absorb CO2; and 12. Help educate the public, schools, other jurisdictions, professional associations, business and industry about reducing global warming pollution_ co~v~ 00 ~~ '~.~' `~tz The U.S_ Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement -Signature Page You have my support for the Mayors Climate Protection Agreement. Date: Mayor: Signature: Address: City: Mayor's e-mail: Staff Contact Name: Staff Contact Title: Staff Phone: Staff a-mail: State: Zip: Please add my comments in support of the Mayors Climate Protection Agreement. We will add these to the Website (optional): Please return completed form at your ear{iest convenience to: The U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Center B Mail: For additional information, contact 1620 I Street, NW Brett Rosenberg Washington, DC 20006 brosenber~;ii~t~smavors.or~ By Fax: (202) 429-0422 (202) 8b1-b782 9CROSCMOUN"l !VIlNNESOTA. M E M O R A N D U M To: HiPP Steering Committee From: Holly Dahl; Lakeville Mayor Nancy Schouweiler, Dakota County Commissioner Greg Konat, Dakota County Director of Physical Development Jamie Verbrugge, Rosemount City Administrator Date: July 20, 2007 Subject: HiPP Greening Initiative Proposal Background Earlier this year, the HiPP Steering Committee discussed the possibility of creating a ne~v HiPP initiative focused on "greening" and sustainabiliry. The Steering Committee selected elected officials Commissioner Schouweiler and iVlayor Dahl, and Administrator Verbrugge as the appointed officials' representative, to co-chair the "greening" initiative. The co-chairs were tasked with developing recommendations for specific objectives and a scope of work for the initiative- The committee has been working with the support of Greg Konat and the County's Physical Development staff to research what the various entities in Dakota County have been doing consistent with green principles, identify sustainability initiatives nationally which may serve to inform our communities, and prepare a framework for applying Iocal and global initiatives as a collaborative project to improve the quality of life in Dakota County. Overview ofE'xisting Conditions The cities and County were requested to provide information regarding programs, policies and initiatives that have been pursued which are consistent with green design and sustainability standards. Dakota County and the cities of Burnsville, Eagan, Farmington, Lakeville, and Rosemount shared their respective efforts. Physical Development staff incorporated the responses into a spreadsheet of activities that was separated and sorted by the 12 action items contained in the U.S. Mayor's Climate Protection Agreement, as well as additional suggested sustainable action items. The action items include: !C ROSEMOUNT 1. Inventor-~~ and set reduction targets for green house gas entissions 2. .\dopr and enforce land-use policies that reduce sprawl, preserz-e open space, and create compact, ~val4;able urban communities ~. Promote sustainable Transportation systems/net~vorl;s 4. Increase the use of clean, alternative energti~ options 5_ \lake energ}~ efficiency a priority in infrastructure 6. Purchase Energy Star equipment and appliances for Cite Use 7_ Practice and promote sustainable building practices using the US Green Building >- ~..; Council's Leadership in Energy and Enirironmental Design (LEED) program or a similar system such as 1~-linnesota's B S_ Increase the average fuel efficiency of municipal fleet vehicles 9. Protect and improve our surface and groundwater resources 10. Increase recycling rates in City operations and in the community; reduce waste and promote reuse 11 _ IVfaintain healthy urban forests; promote tree planting to increase shading and to absorb C02 12_ Help educate public, schools, other jurisdictions, professional associations, business and industry about sustainable practices The additional suggested sustainable action items include: - Increase EnvironmentallyPreferable Purchasing (EPP) - Encourage product stewardship - Promote healthy community programs - Look for innovative oppo_:~tunities tc improve the environrnent It is respectable that at least one of the responding agencies is represented in each of the 12 action steps except #6 -Purchase Energy Star equipment and appliances for City Use_ Similarly, only the last of the suggested sustainable action items Innovative opportunities) did not have some sort of identified program by the respondents. It is apparent that the agencies in Dakota County are demonstrating by their actions the understanding that sustainability and green design will be leading issues for communities in the near- and long-term futures_ The question before the HiPP Steering Committee is whether the experiences of and leadership by several of the agencies in the area of sustainability should be harnessed for the benefit of all the entities of Dakota County_ If so, how can the collaboration of all entities lead to goals that create uniformity in purpose and desired outcomes for the benefit of the citizens and businesses of Dakota County now and in the future? '!C k05EMOL 1NT t4l!N!~lES~3A M E M O R A N D U M Recommended Action The HiPP Greening Coinnuttee proposes the folio~ving objectives, stnicture, <Ind implementation for the Greenng Initiative: OBJECTIVE Establish minimum requirements for the local governments of Dakota County_ to further the collaborative objectives, including: - ,Adopt a iustainability~ policy Zil ?O3D COITIpreheiZJZ7Je PIL7iT± - i~dopCing all O~=erarching sustainabiliry policy will provide the framework and direction for future sustainabiiity actions/activities. For example, Dakota County is developing the 2030 Comprehensive Plan to include a sustainabiliry chapter, along with specific sustainabiiiry goals in each chapter_ - Sign the U.S. Nlayor~ Climate Protection ~Iareement -Signing the Agreement demonstrates local government leadership in sustainabiliry by committing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through outreach, education, and technical assistance. - Join ICL.EI °c Cities for Climate Protection Campaign - ICLEI (Local Governments for Sustainability) is the nation's foremost organization working to provide local government with resources to lead on climate protection in the U.S_ and internationally_ The Cities for Climate Protection Campaign (CCP) offers a framework for local governments to implement measure sustainable practices through reducing greenhouse gas emissions within their municipalities. - Develop an Action Plan and Verify l~erultr -Based on 2030 Comprehensive Plan policies, local governments develop an action plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and achieve emission, reduction targets. Technical assistance and software is available through the CCP Campaign to help develop an action plan, implement, measure, and verify results. STRUCTURE The co-chairs will serve as the steering committee for three working groups that may be expanded to five. The initial three working groups would be: - Government Operations -city officials (most likely assistant administrators or department directors) who would collaborate to establish operational standards that meet green goals for each organization to implement (e_g_ -supplies, fleets, energy) - Development Standards -city officials (elected officials and/or lead planning staff) working with partners in the public, private and non-profit sectors to create standards for community planning (e.g_ -land uses, building design/material requirements, etc.) - Community-oriented Program.t-elected officials and appointed staff collaborating to develop standardized public education and public service programs that focus on nntrvrvFSO~~ M E M O R A N D U M residents and businesses consumption and beha~-ior (e.tr. - recycling, solid waste i3zanagement, lawn care] T~vo adclitional working groups may be of interest: 1~7fiu~l~zzclzzre - tin- officials (elected officials and appointed staff) evaluating options for moving from grey infrastructure to green infrastructure - C/ean l~ aterLe~a~, -multi-a~enct- review of more aggressive programs to preserve and restore the quality= of the County='s lakes, rivers, streams, and wetlands IMPLEMENTATION ~v''~~ The co-chairs propose the following ideas to move the Greening Initiative forward: - r~ "Green Sui~runit" in Fall 2007 for all Dakota County elected officials (including townships if they choose to participate) and senior staff that will feature a prominent speaker on the importance of greening and sustainability; outline the objectives of the initiative; and, create buy-in by the local governments - Following the summut, have each local government adopt a resolution of support for the initiative and expressing a commitment to work toward its objectives >' Make appointments to working groups and selection of chairs to coordinate schedules, work plans, and communications with the Green Steering Committee - Identify partners in the public, private and non-profit sectors to participate on the working groups (e_g_ - ULI, AIA, Dakota Electric, Xcel, NAIOP, BATC, Johnson Controls, University of Minnesota, Extension Services, Stare agencies) Summary. The co-chairs have discussed that a reasonable objective is to pursue the mantle of being designated the only Green County in Minnesota and to make that a distinguishing characteristic in the future economic development and residential growth of our cormunities_ As the issues of sustainabiliry, energy independence, and consumption gain prominence, being recognized as a leader in the area of Green Living will make Dakota County a highly desired to live, work., recreate, and do business. Questions that the Steering Committee may want to discuss: Q: Is there a financial component for participating in the initiative which participating communities should be prepared to contribute? A: Much of the research, data gathering, and drafting of reports can be accomplished by participating staffs. Specifically, to support the overall initiative, Director Konat has indicated that the Physical Development staff may be able to support most of these needs_ Professional experts are often made available by the Urban Land Institute to participating members at nominal costs_ However, it may not be unreasonable to request that each of the entities consider conunitting up to X5,000_ "C ROSEMO~IN"[ MltVNE50TR M E M O R A N D U M Q: \`~-hat is the benefit of this initiatives Is there a yuantifiab}e benefits _~re there anticipated costsr .~: ~~'ith other initiatives, such as the Joint Dispatch, there hai-e been clear cost savings and sere=ice efficiencies that could be demonstrated. That ma~~ not be the case with the Greening Initiative. In fact, gig-en that mangy= of the technologies and products meeting green standards seem to cost more, there is the possibilit}= that sustainabilit~= may come with a price tag. It ~~~ll be important as working groups move through their respective tasks that thought is gig=en to studying and communicating the costs and benefits of various policies, programs, and ins=estments_ Q: Who would bestow the designation of "Green. County" presuming that the goals are achieved? A: We don't know.