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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2/21/2007 - STAFF REPORTS - 3.A. Cities Working Together to Protect Our Air (duality, Health and Environment: A Call to Action March 30, 2005 Dear Mayor: We invite you to join the US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement by signing onto the enclosed resolution and supporting it at the US Conference of Mayors meeting in June. We also welcome the endorsement of other Mayors,whether or not you are currently a member of the US Conference of Mayors. With less than 5% of the world's population, the US produces more than 25%of the global greenhouse gas emissions, and those emissions are continuing to grow. We believe that US cities can—and should —act to reduce global warming pollution, both in our own municipal operations and in our communities. Many of us are already doing so through programs such as energy conservation, urban forest restoration,controlling sprawl and using alternative fuels in our fleets. Not only are we reducing our contributions to global warming pollution, we are investing in more livable cities through cleaner air,creation and preservation of open space and urban forests, and reduced energy costs. On February 16, the Kyoto Treaty,the international agreement to address climate disruption, became law for the 141 countries that have ratified it to date. As you know,the United States is not among them. For 38 of the countries with the most advanced economies,the Treaty sets binding legal commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions on average 52 percent below 1990 levels. If the United States had ratified the Kyoto Treaty our nation would be required to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by 7%below 1990 levels by 2012, Please join us and the other Mayors who are already committed to providing leadership on this nation- wide,urgent effort. When we meet together at the June US Conference of Mayors we intend to have at least 141 mayors signed up to participate in the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement. The June meeting is an opportunity to promote and expand this effort by passing a resolution that endorses the Agreement. Although there have been climate protection resolutions adopted by the USCM in prior years,you will see that we are urging specific actions—the only way we will snake real progress in reversing the trend toward global warming. Since Seattle's Mayor Greg Nickels first announced this initiative on February 16,the interest and positive feedback has remained intense, including national news stories. This is an opportunity to build on what is becoming an increasingly bi-partisan issue. And it is an opportunity to provide real leadership to the more than 80%of Americans who think the US should be acting to reduce global warming pollution. Enclosed,please find the draft Resolution,which includes the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, and a form for your signature. Also included are contacts for more information; the website for the US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement is www.seattle.gov/mayor. To meet our target of having most signatures collected by May 2,we look forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience. Dz/.2f /Zo0 7 7`"dtF�/G' C�mrr��nJ7' Respectfully, Greg Nickels Peter Clavelle Rocky Anderson Mayor, Seattle, WA Mayor,Burlington, VT Mayor, Salt Lake City,UT ASf wt4414Y �.I""-`lF---- Rosemarie Ives Gavin Newsom Mayor, Redmond, WA Mayor, San Francisco, CA Pam O'Connor Tom Porter Mark Ruzzin Mayor, Santa Monica, CA Mayor,Portland,OR Mayor,Boulder CO R.T. Rybak Mayor,Minneapolis,MN ENDORSING THE US 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, is clear that there is no longer any credible doubt 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% 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, entered into force 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% of the world's global warming pollutants yet is not a party to the Kyoto Protocol; and WHEREAS, the Kyoto Protocol emissions reduction target for the U.S., had it ratified the treaty, would have been 7% 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(list attached) which 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 Kyoto Protocol target of reducing global warming pollution levels to 7% 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, methan recovery for energy generation, wind and solar energy, fuel cells, efficient motor vehicles, and biofuels; B. We urge the U.S. Congress to pass the bipartisan Climate Stewardship Act sponsored by Senators McCain and Lieberman and Representatives Gilchrist and Olver, which would create 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, or example, investing in "green tags", advocating for the development of renewable energy resources, and recovering landfill methane for energy production; 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 CO2; 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 US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement and urges mayors from around the nation to join this effort. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, The U.S. Conference of Mayors will establish a formal relationship with International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEO Cities for Climate Protection Program to track progress and implementation of the US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement. US Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement-Signature Page DATE: You have my support for the US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement. Mayor (name) (signature) City: Address: Staff contact: (name, title) Staff phone: Email: Please add my comments in support of the US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement. We will add these to the Website (optional): Please return completed format your earliest convenience to: US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement c/o City of Seattle OR FAX 206-6843013 Office of Sustainability and Environment PO Box 94729 email PDF file to: Seattle Municipal Tower dena.gazin@seattle.aov Seattle, WA 98124-4729 US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement—Contact Information Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels is coordinating this initiative. He can be reached at 206-684-4000. The primary staff contacts for Seattle are: • Steve Nicholas, Director Office of Sustainability and Environment (206) 615-0829 steve.nicholas seattle gov PO Box 94729 Seattle Municipal Tower Seattle, WA 98124-4729 • Kim Drury, Senior Policy Advisor Office of Sustainability and Environment (206)684-3214 ki m.drurv@seattle.gov PO Box 94729 Seattle Municipal Tower Seattle, WA 98124-4729 US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement Website: www.seattle._gov/mayor e ROACTIVE Changing the way we build the future. RECEIVED FED 14 20E, February 12, 2007 Mayor Ron Oden City of Palm Springs c _ .71 3200 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way — two PA. Box 2743 Palm Springs, CA 92262-2743 Re; Resolution No: 06-0524-21 California Green Builder Program Dear Mayor Oden and Members of the City Council, Attached please find a copy of the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission Resolution Recognizing the California Green Builder Program_ We are asking that you read this Resolution and that the City of Palm Springs wholeheartedly support and encourage this program. The residents follow their Leaders and we are looking to you as an example. The City of Palm Springs is looked upon as a leader by other Cities in the Valley and it's time to take the lead on the issue of Energy Conservation and make Palm Springs the most energy efficient City in the Valley. As a member of the Desert Chapter Building Industry Association we are focusing on the support and education of this Resolution. The time to conserve our resources is NOW. We ask for your endorsement of this Resolution and join with other Cities that have put their support with the Desert Chapter of the B1A in moving these guidelines forward through a partnership program of the BIA, thank you for your time. Sincerely, goa Edward L. Torres President A 1701 North Palm Canyon Drive • Suite 1 • Palm Springs • California •92262 www.ProactiveBSl.com • info@ProactiveSSI.com Tel (760)325-4171 • Fax(760) 325-5667 ItESOLUTION NO: 06-0524-21 STATE OF C.ALTTORNI A STATE ENERGY RkSOURCES COrNSERVATION ANA DEVF.LOPNIKN-T CONMUSSION RISOLUTION RECOGNIZING T E CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDER PROGRAM WHEREAS,production builders huIId On the order of 200.0IX1 new h ornes;every yc=to Cal>forma.ptedatrnnately in hDIECT,i nland climate xemcs in the state, 3iid the new homes Added each year provide housing needed for Califumi:'s growing population: and W 111MAS, lhs neu, hramc5 ad4-e ga4h yfiar cpmm utc s1pi{}candy io she nafia for uddtnonal energy irifmtructwe in the State, and inzrea darn-mds for constriction materials and the Statc's hmstcd water resourn:cs; and WHEREAS, Calatarrua stare policy protnoi,:s the development of highly energy- - efficient,eawtronmemm lw re%ponsible housing through Title?4 Building Standards, cact gy cCfickncy inecnn%o pmgram5. and land-u,,c planning rcquirrmcnts; and WHEREAS,toe California Building lndusrry Ass ianon is a statewide trade ckroi.l_tion rc;presctmng comp:uiics I.Inat account far approxtmakly 80% of Chc n:w homes built in California, and whwh rum the Building lndusvr lnsmute.a non-profit rc5�rch and rcixii anon entit`r spccialiJing in energy[thcicncy rinca h and Cx tcnsi%'C huticler-Erein.ing efforts:Line VVYTEREA:S,the Building s:dusr} pnstiiotc has devclopcd and imnlcanemed the Califattiiu Green Builder Pftigtan %,H h seat, btulder goals for siypmfieant improvemenLc ;n encra% efficiency, in"doci air quality,on�sitc vase`ace}Clu:•II and,h;stcr and Nvaid consc�ant}n In home CanSCiltiiilMn.Lind WHEREAS,the Cahfonua Green Budder Program is a coat-effective program for builders and homebuyers diet meets the needs of bLAdcrs,buyers,and California's cores and counucs by casing consh uction rtquirrtnenL,erihdnuing and sptiedmg home %ales, sawing homc:iwncrs money a:nat saving Califomm"s scarx cnccgy,water, and landfill capacity Raul - WHEREAS,the California Green BuilderPrnprenn requires trial punicaponm build homc5 that exceed Title 24 energy efficiency standards by at?easi 15'b, use at least 2000 gallons Im w aicr than comeriunnally consmicted honxs,use engmeer d wood prud"is primarily from swat-limb!) harvested fore>(resqurceti, use dreipmatcd practccc5 to re.ducc wood w•ai�tc,luring cans:�uon, and dwells at leas-, 50% of cons�uon wus.te from landiilIs; and NVIIEREAS,[i[e CNtiorma Crcen Builder PYLiga n resul[s in srejunican[senpn vt mentS sn indoor nir llualsty to the homes consrntctOcj th-ough the usl Of JO1w '4'o6atilc{]T'grrnrc Catnpawiti prnnts. tacgwrs, moor urd"t-laymcni and�:azncl amd bc[tcr nran.tru ttnn,tca+ing, anti Rllcnng of vctuCil awa syste1115 mseallcil[r. Lhc hLt�Ly, Intl MLER&tS,the Caltfcimi4 Enccgy Commission has dctcmimc4C ih2.i[hc Califoniia Gwen Eiuddcr Prggnan goals.uc c,tinsusten¢ wrih t;te States encrgypohcy. write poiscy wid envimnmcnu y�n:53s: THEREFORE BE IT PES00113,The Cafilonua Energy Commission tiercoy feeagnlzes the CWifomta Building Industry A[&90r)2ZlM and the Bu[laing Industry Institute fcw the dcvelopmcnl of and implcmcntadon of the Califumia Green Suitdcr Program, =1 enoeura;ra prudut:uun hi= biultlrrs in Litt 6:zIC iu l:nrttctpatc in the prop ,,em sc as To conrnbtuw to The achieveanen[of C31ifomta's energy,water, waste dis'pcunl, and c;.vironnicniaJ p hcy go.J5 17atc• Llay 24, 2W6 STATE.OF C,',LIFORNU, ENERGY RESGIACPS CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMaEN'r COiwNTISSION JAC ',*i YN PPFAN NS?IEL Vier. l hair Ott 0�1-tlt APTEIUR U. POSENTEL D Commisstoncr Ahion[' JAMTS D. ROVED Com:amunex r V l M N Corm 1,.10ner �VALM S. i2 c u m o + woaeo cA`rF°"`'�P CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT DATE: FEBRUARY 21, 2007 LEGISLATIVE SUBJECT: PROPOSED ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING AND SPECIFYING THE DUTIES AND POWERS OF A SEVEN MEMBER ENERGY CONSERVATION COMMISSION FROM: David H. Ready, City Manager BY: Office of the City Clerk SUMMARY The City Council will consider introduction of an ordinance that adds Chapter 2.28 to the Palm Springs Municipal Code to create and establish the duties and powers of an Energy Conservation Commission. RECOMMENDATION: 1. Waive the reading of the ordinance text in its entirety and read by title only. 2. Introduce on first reading Ordinance No. _, "AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, ADDING CHAPTER 2.28 TO THE PALM SPRINGS MUNICIPAL CODE, RELATING TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE ENERGY CONSERVATION COMMISSION." STAFF ANALYSIS: On September 9, 2006 the City Council established a City Council subcommittee of Mayor Pro Tem Pougnet and Councilmember Mills to review and provide recommendations to the City Council with respect to Energy and Natural Resource conservation. At the December 13, 2006, meeting the City Council directed staff to prepare an ordinance establishing a Palm Springs Energy Conservation Commission within the parameters provided for by the City Council subcommittee (attached for reference). The City Attorney has prepared an ordinance for City Council consideration. The Commission will receive staff support from the Development Services Departments. ITEI41 NO. - - City Council Staff Report February 21, 2007 Page 2 Energy Conservation Commission I FISCAL IMPACT: IFinance Director Review: q Undetermined amount of staff time and related costs providing administrative support to the Commission, to be absorbed within current allocated positions of the Development Services Departments. Zes Thompson, City Clerk David H. Ready, City r Attachments: Energy Subcommittee Report 12-13-2006 Proposed Ordinance Palm Springs Conservation Commission Background[ On November 27, 2006 the Council Energy Subcommittee(Mills/Pougnet)met with staff to discuss the formation of a now City Commission organized for the purpose of evaluating and providing technical d dance to the City Council oa a variety of conservation issues. Commission Structure and Aolcc The proposed Conservation Comiussion would be comprised on 7-9 Council- appointed members serving staggered terns; • The Commission would be subject to the Brovm Act and be required to post its agenda and take meeting minutes; • The Commission could be structured to include industryrepresentatives(e.g,, SCE, The Gas Company, alternative energy service providers,vendors of energy products) or strictly limited to residents; • If the Commission is made up of strictly residont members, the Council Energy Subcommittee recommends that preference be given to the members representing senior citizens,the business community, and construction industry; • The proposed Mission Statement of the Commission is to "Identify and develop programs that can be implemented in the community which reduce water/energy use and waste'; • In addition to identifying and developing irmplementahle programs, the Commission will Focus on educating and raising cornrauuity awareness an conservation issues; • Some of the programs the Commission may be initially involved in include: • Single Stream Recycling • Solar Power Usage in City Facilities • Incentives for residents that use drought tolerant landscaping or synthetic turf as an alternative to natural lawn_ • The Commission will rccetve staff support from the Development Services Department,,. _Sy— ORDINANCE NO. AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, ADDING CHAPTER 2.28 TO THE PALM SPRINGS MUNICIPAL CODE, RELATING TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE ENERGY CONSERVATION COMMISSION. City Attorney's Summary This ordinance establishes a seven member Energy Conservation Commission appointed by the City Council and specifies the powers and the duties of the Commission. The Council of the City of Palm Springs ordains: SECTION 1. Chapter 2.28 is added to the Palm Springs Municipal Code to read: Chapter 2.28 Energy Conservation Commission Section: 2.28.010 Creation 2.28.020 Term; Vacancies; Vote 2.24.030 Officers 2.24.040 Meetings; Rules of Procedure 2.24.050 Powers and Duties of the Commission 2.28.010 Creation There is created within the City of Palm Springs an Energy Conservation Commission consisting of seven members, appointed by the City Council, to serve at the pleasure of the City Council. 2.28,020 Term; Vacancies; Vote Members of the Commission shall serve for the term provided by Chapter 2.06 of the Palm Springs Municipal Code, except that in order to ensure a stagger of appointees the initial appointments shall be for staggered terms as determined by the City Clerk. A vacancy in the Commission shall not impair the right of the remaining members to exercise the powers of the Commission pursuant to this chapter. Four members shall constitute a quorum of the Commission, and any ruling, decision or other action of the ' Ordinance No. Page 2 Commission may be taken by a majority of those members present, provided a quorum is present. 2.24.030 Officers The Commission, at its organizational meeting and annually thereafter, shall elect from its membership a chair and vice-chair. The chair and vice-chair shall have and perform such duties as are commonly associated with their respective titles. The city manager may appoint an executive secretary and other staff, and provide compensation for their services as may be authorized by the City Council. 2.24.040 Meetings; Rules of Procedure The Commission shall meet at least once each month at such time and place as shall be fixed by the Commission by its standing rules. A majority of the existing appointed members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The Commission may establish such rules and regulations as it deems necessary for the conduct of its business. In matters relating to the holding of regular and special meetings, the Commission and any standing committee of the Commission, is bound by the provisions of the Ralph M. Brown Act of the State of California (Sections 54950, et. seq., California Government Code). 2.24.050 Powers and Duties of the Commission Within the limitations provided by law, the Energy Conservation Commission shall have the following powers and duties: (1) Establish a schedule of regular meeting times; (2) Oversee City policies where energy efficiency should be addressed and advise City Council; (3) Create periodic public reports and recommendations on means of improving municipal and community energy efficiency; (4) Prepare, adopt, amend, and transmit to City Council plans identifying municipal and community-based energy efficiency and production projects; (5) Research, formulate, and oversee community education programs; (6) Identify and make recommendations regarding energy project financing options; and (7) Perform such other duties as the City Council may assign. Ordinance No. Page 3 SECTION 2. The Mayor shall sign and the City Clerk shall certify to the passage and adoption of this Ordinance and shall cause the same, or the summary thereof, to be published and posted pursuant to the provisions of law and this Ordinance shall take effect thirty (30) days after passage. PASSED AND ADOPTED THIS DAY OF 2007. RON ODEN, MAYOR ATTEST: James Thompson, City Clerk CERTIFICATION: STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE ) ss. CITY OF PALM SPRINGS ) I, JAMES THOMPSON, City Clerk of the City of Palm Springs, California, do hereby certify that Ordinance No. is a full, true, and correct copy, and was introduced at a regular meeting of the Palm Springs City Council on and adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council held on by the following vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: James Thompson, City Clerk City of Palm Springs, California