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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOW 2007-10-22 Item 4B - Resolution - Climate Change Regarding City Operations COUNCIL A GENDA SYNOPSIS so J 9` Initials ITEM NO. t, t i I Meetinn Date Prepared'y fl 1 Mayor's review I Conned review 1 10/22/07 BM M' I I A./ I b 11/05/07 I BM V I 1 0 .79 ITEM INFORMATION CAS NUMBER: 07-123 ORIGINAL AGENDA DATE: 10/22/07 AGENDA ITEM TITLE Climate Change Resolution regarding City Operations CATEGORY Discussion Motion Resolution Ordinance Bid Award Public Hearing Other Mtg Date 10/22/07 Mtg Date Mtg Date 11/5/07 Mtg Date Mtg Date Mtg Date Mtg Date SPONSOR Council Mayor Adm Svcs DCD Finance Fire Legal OP &R Police PW/ SPONSOR'S The Department of Community Development, in conjunction with other City Departments SUMMARY has inventoried greenhouse gases that are produced by City Operations. The attached resolution sets goals for the City in reducing greenhouse gases and authorizes the Mayor to sign the U.S. Mayors' Climate Change Agreement. REVIEWED BY COW Mtg. CA &P Cmte F &S Cmte Transportation Cmte Utilities Cmte Arts Comm. Parks Comm. Planning Comm. DATE: 9/25/07 RECOMMENDATIONS: SPONSOR /ADniLN. Review and Approval COADefli 1EE Unanimous Approval; Forward to Committee of the Whole COST IMPACT FUND SOURCE EXPENDITURE REQUIRED AMOUNT BUDGETED APPROPRIATION REQUIRED $N /A $N /A Fund Source: N/A Comments: N/A MTG. DATE RECORD OF COUNCIL ACTION 10/22/07 MTG. DATE ATTACHMENTS 10/22/07 Informational Memo dated 10/16/07 Resolution in Draft Form US Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement Minutes from the Community Affairs Parks Committee Meeting of 9/25/07 AN ILA 1. Gy Gity o Tukt vila Steven M. Mullet, Mayor G�� Q i•' Department of Community Development Steve Lancaster, Director 7908 TO: Mayor Committee of the Whole FROM Jack Pace, Acting Director Brandon Miles, Senior Planri RE: Climate Change Benchmark Study US Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement City Operations DA 1'E: October 16, 2007 Issue The Department of Community Development, working jointly with other City Departments, has begun to inventory greenhouse emissions released by municipal operations and the community as a whole. Background The scientific consensus on climate change is that it is happening and that the industrial activities of humans are to blame. Climate change is a global issue which has significant impacts on the City of Tukwila. The current climate scenarios predict a rise in sea level and warmer winters; warmer winters being more rain and less snow fall in the mountains. During the past summer, the Department of Community Development attempted to inventory the greenhouse gases emitted by City operations and has started to inventory the greenhouse gases emitted from the Community as a whole. In 2006, the City was responsible for the release of 7,041 tons of carbon dioxide. The City released the carbon dioxide either directly such as fleet vehicles or indirectly through the use of power for city facilities. The following is a breakdown of the inventory: 1. Buildings 3,721 tons of CO2 2. Fleet 1,319 tons of CO2 3. Streetlights 1,046 tons of CO2 4. Employee Commute 688 tons of CO2 5. Water /Sewage 267 tons of CO2 The Department is still working to fmish the inventory for the community as a whole and the report will be forthcoming to the Council once it is finished. 6300 Southcenter Boulevard, Suite #100 Tukwila, Washington 98188 Phone: 206 431 -3670 Fax: 206 431 -3665 Next Sten Local governments are in a unique position when it comes to reducing carbon dioxide emissions. First, as evident above, the City through its own actions releases emissions into the atmosphere which contribute to climate change. The City, like a business or an individual can reduce its own emissions through reduction efforts and technology upgrades. City staff recommends an aggressive reduction effort to reduce the City's carbon dioxide emissions. Staff recommends that the City's 2006 emissions be reduced 50 percent by 2020. City staff has identified several areas where the City could reduce its own emissions: 1. The City could purchase "green power" from PSE for all City buildings that are served by PSE. It is estimated that such an action could reduce the City's emission by 21 percent. The City would pay a premium for the greenpower and it is estimated that the City would pay an additional 17,500 for its electrical power. This action could be implemented as soon as 2008. 2. The City's fleet vehicles should be examined to ensure that they are fuel efficient and appropriate for the method in which they are used. For example, could a fuel efficient Hondas take the place of the fleet of Ford Taurus currently used by the City? 3. The City should also strive to conserve energy usage on City facilities. Conservation efforts would help off -set the cost to purchase greenpower and could possibly save the City money. For example, the City could install automatic turn-offs in bathrooms and conference rooms to ensure lights are not on when the rooms are not occupied. The City could also retrofit existing light fixtures to ensure that low emission light bulbs are utilized. 4. Future computers and appliances purchased by the City should be "Energy Star" certified. This will ensure that when computers and appliances are used that they require the minimal amount of electricity. Planning staff recommends the creation of an "Executive Team" (Team) of City staff to study and examine ways to reduce the City's greenhouse emissions. The Team would be comprised of employees from DCD, Public Works, Mayor's Office, Administrative Services and Parks. The Team will prepare and more comprehensive report on how the City can reduce its greenhouse gases. Besides reducing the City's own emissions, the City through its police powers, can establish ordinances which require reduction efforts community wide. The City already has policies in place which help reduce greenhouse emissions. These policies include: 1. Requiring dense fouii of developments. Typically the more people who live per square foot, the less greenhouse gases produced per capita. 2. Tree Protection regulations. 3. Wetland and Stream protection regulations. 4. Commute Trip Reduction Program 5. The Walk and Roll plan which is currently in draft form. 6. The City's support of mass transit. However, it is possible the more could be done to reduce greenhouse gases from new and existing development within the City. When Planning Staff presents the inventory of the community as the whole, staff will provide some recommendations on possible strategies to reduce greenhouse gases for the community as a whole. Conclusion The City can begin taking immediate steps to reduce its greenhouse gases. While such efforts would be small in comparison with the Carbon Dioxide released annually in the world, the City would be sending a message that Climate Change is an important issue and that the City wants to "Lead by Example There are other benefits associated with a climate change initiative. These benefits include: 1. Reducing fuel usage by the City. 2. Conserving energy which would save the City money. Next Step Planning staff recommends the following: 1. That the Mayor be authorized to sign the US Conference of Mayor's Climate Protection Agreement 2. Adoption of the City Resolution The two items can be scheduled for the November 5, 2007 Regular Council meeting. Planning staff will bring the community inventory to the City Council once the inventory is complete. DRAFT A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, SUPPORTING THE EFFORTS TO CURB GLOBAL WARMING; SETTING NUMERIC GOALS TO REDUCE MUNICIPAL EMISSIONS; AND CALLING FOR A BASELINE STUDY AND SETTING OF NUMERIC GOALS FOR THE REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GASES FROM THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE. WHEREAS, international scientific consensus exists that human activity, particularly the release of carbon dioxide, is causing significant global climate change; and WHEREAS, the University of Washington's Joint Institute for the Study of Atmosphere and Oceans projects significant harm to the Pacific Northwest due to changes in weather patterns attributable to global warming, including forest decline, deteriorating air quality, sea level rise and, most alarmingly, disruption of the water cycle on which the region's water, power and agricultural systems depend; and WHEREAS, climate change threatens the quality of life enjoyed by residents of the City of Tukwila and the Pacific Northwest; and WHEREAS, the United States was instrumental in the creation of the Kyoto Protocol, which calls for developed nations to reduce carbon dioxide by 5% from 1990 levels by the year 2012; and WHEREAS, over 169 countries and other governmental entities have ratified the agreement, with the United States being a notable exception; and WHEREAS, as of May 15, 2007, 514 mayors from cities across the nation representing over 65 million Americans have accepted the challenge of Seattle's Mayor Greg Nickels and have signed the U.S. Mayors' Climate Protection Agreement, embracing the need to reduce greenhouse gases; and WHEREAS, the City already has in place many programs that reduce greenhouse gases, including the Commute Trip Reduction Program, Tree Retention Requirements, Wetland and Watercourse Protection, Salmon Enhancement Projects, and a City -wide recycling program; and WHEREAS, in addition to reducing carbon dioxide emissions, greenhouse emission reduction strategies offer other tangible benefits, to include reducing the City's fuel usage, reducing power consumption, and streamlining City operations; and WHEREAS, the City recognizes that more can be done to reduce the release of greenhouse gases from City operations and the community as a whole; NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS: Section 1: The Mayor is authorized to sign the U.S. Mayors' Climate Protection Agreement. C:\ Documents and Settings WlUsers1D.Ac iop \KellyIMSDATA\ResolutionsiGlobal Wannin_gdo,: BM:ksn 10/18/2007 Page 1 of 2 Section 2: A. Municipal emissions of carbon dioxide shall be reduced 50% by the year 2020. B. The creation of an "Executive Team" "Team is hereby authorized to study and examine procedures, policies and City operations, identifying methods to reduce the City's carbon dioxide emissions. The Team shall be comprised of representatives from the following Departments: Community Development, Public Works, Administrative Services, Mayor's Office, Fire, and Finance. The Team shall report back to the City Council no later than September 15, 2008 on methods to reduce the City's carbon dioxide emissions. Section 3: A. The Department of Community Development "The Department working with other City departments, Seattle City Light, Puget Sound Energy, and the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency, shall inventory all greenhouse gas emissions released by the community as a whole for the baseline year of 2006. The Department shall report back to the City Council no later than September 15, 2008. B. The Department is directed to identify current development ordinances that contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gases. The Department is further directed to identify those existing ordinances that could be strengthened to assist in the reduction of greenhouse gases. C. The Department is further directed to amend and update the City's Comprehensive Plan to include climate change and sustainability goals as an element within the Plan. D. The Department shall solicit input regarding reduction strategies from various stakeholders, including property owners, businesses and residents. Section 4. The City of Tukwila shall take a leading role in South King County to reduce greenhouse gases and to create a more sustainable community. The City recognizes that it must lead by example and take the necessary steps to reduce greenhouse emissions created by City operations. The City further acknowledges that it must take necessary actions and steps to protect the earth and global community that all humans occupy. Section 5. The City of Tukwila shall re- examine its operations and ordinances on a regular basis to ensure that the City will meet its 2020 goal and continue to be a leading advocate for climate change reduction strategies. PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, at a Regular Meeting thereof this day of 2007. ATTEST /AUTHENTICATED: Verna Griffin, Council President Jane E. Cantu, CMC, City Clerk APPROVED AS TO FORM BY: Filed with the City Clerk: Passed by the City Council: Office of the City Attorney Resolution Number: C:\Documents and SettingsWI Users Des1aop \Aelly1NISDATA\Resolutions \Global Warming.doo BM:lsn 10118/2007 Page 2 of 2 ENDORSING THE U.S. MAYORS CLIMATE PROTECTION AGREEMENT WHEREAS, the U.S. Conference of Mayors has previously adopted strong policy resolutions calling for cities, communities and the federal government to take actions to reduce global warming pollution; and WHEREAS, the Inter Governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the international community's most respected assemblage of scientists, has found that climate disruption is a reality and that human activities are largely responsible for increasing concentrations of global warming pollution; and WHEREAS, recent, well documented impacts of climate disruption include average global sea level increases of four to eight inches during the 20th century; a 40 percent decline in Arctic sea -ice thickness; and nine of the ten hottest years on record occurring in the past decade; and WHEREAS, climate disruption of the magnitude now predicted by the scientific community will cause extremely costly disruption of human and natural systems throughout the world including: increased risk of floods or droughts; sea -level rises that interact with coastal storms to erode beaches, inundate land, and damage structures; more frequent and extreme heat waves; more frequent and greater concentrations of smog; and WHEREAS, on February 16, 2005, the Kyoto Protocol, an international agreement to address climate disruption, went into effect in the 141 countries that have ratified it to date; 38 of those countries are now legally required to reduce greenhouse gas emissions on average 5.2 percent below 1990 levels by 2012; and WHEREAS, the United States of America, with less than five percent of the world's population, is responsible for producing approximately 25 percent of the world's global warming pollutants; and WHEREAS, the Kyoto Protocol emissions reduction target for the U.S. would have been 7 percent below 1990 levels by 2012; and WHEREAS, many leading US companies that have adopted greenhouse gas reduction programs to demonstrate corporate social responsibility have also publicly expressed preference for the US to adopt precise and mandatory emissions targets and timetables as a means by which to remain competitive in the international marketplace, to mitigate financial risk and to promote sound investment decisions; and WHEREAS, state and local governments throughout the United States are adopting emission reduction targets and programs and that this leadership is bipartisan, coming from Republican and Democratic governors and mayors alike; and WHEREAS, many cities throughout the nation, both large and small, are reducing global warming pollutants through programs that provide economic and quality of life benefits such as reduced energy bills, green space preservation, air quality improvements, reduced traffic congestion, improved transportation choices, and economic development and job creation through energy conservation and new energy technologies; and WHEREAS, mayors from around the nation have signed the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement which, as amended at the 73 Annual U.S. Conference of Mayors meeting, reads: The U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement 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 1990 levels 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 includes 1) 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: 1. 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 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 improvements, 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 idling messages; 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 002; and 12:Help educate the public, schools, other jurisdictions, professional associations, business and industry about reducing global warming pollution. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that The U.S. Conference of Mayors endorses the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement as amended by the 73 annual U.S. Conference of Mayors meeting and urges mayors from around the nation to join this effort. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, The U.S. Conference of Mayors will work in conjunction with ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability and other appropriate organizations to track progress and implementation of the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement as amended by the 73 annual U.S. Conference of Mayors meeting. a/ lei io i 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: State: Zip: Mayor's e -mail: Staff Contact Name: Staff Contact Title: Staff Phone: Staff e -mail: 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 earliest convenience to: The U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Center By Mail: By Fax (202) 429 -0422 1620 I Street, NW Washington, DC 20006 By e -mail: brosenberg a,usmavors.org For more information: (202) 861 -6782 o :2 City of Tukwila 5 J�1 i0 a Community Affairs Parks Committee �soa COMMUNITY AFFAIRS AND PARKS COMMITTEE Meeting Minutes September 25, 2007- 5:00 p.m. PRESENT Councilmembers: Pam Linder, Chair; Pam Carter and Joan Hernandez (filling in for Dennis Robertson) Staff: Jack Pace, Brandon Miles, Tracy Gallaway and Kimberly Matej CALL TO ORDER: Committee Chair Linder called the meeting to order at 4:58p.m. I. PRESENTATIONS No presentations. II. BUSINESS AGENDA A. Date Chance for Tukwila Days For the past couple years, Parks and Recreation staff has considered changing the date for the annual Tukwila Days festival due to conflicting activities being held simultaneously in surrounding jurisdictions. Staff has often experienced difficulty securing vendors and participants who have otherwise committed to larger area celebrations. Currently, the Tukwila Days festival is held the second Saturday in July. Staff would like to move the date to the third weekend in August to coincide with the City's annual car show. This will allow for a greater amount of time between major activities such as the All Nation's Cup and Family Fourth at the Fort, as well as attract more vendors and community members after most surrounding major summer festivals have ended. As the City celebrates its Centennial in 2008, it appears to be a good time to move the Tukwila Days date and consider expanding the festival. Committee members suggested an article be submitted for incorporation into the Hazelnut giving the new date and explaining the reasons for this change. Staff has confirmed that there is no resolution or ordinance of record that sets the specific dates for Tukwila Days. The Committee Chair will report the information out to full Council at the next Council meeting. Committee members were complimentary of a continued great job on the behalf of Parks and Recreation staff. INFORMATION ONLY. B. Climate Chance Benchmark Study Staff is requesting full Council adoption of a resolution that supports the reduction of the municipal emission of greenhouse gasses. The resolution will also support global warming efforts and call for a community baseline study. Cities in 44 states have adopted similar resolutions supporting attempts to reduce carbon emissions. As a business entity, the City is responsible for the release of carbon dioxide through fleet vehicles and the use of power for City facilities and operations. Staff discussed possible green initiatives and a benchmark study in further detail. Staff recommends the City lead by example, and sign the U.S. Mayor's Climate Protection Agreement as well as adopt a City specific resolution. UNANIlVIOUS APPROVAL. FORWARD TO OCTOBER 22 COW FOR DISCUSSION.