HomeMy WebLinkAbout5/21/2008 - STAFF REPORTS - 5.C. 1
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The Palm Springs Path to a Sustainable Community
Proposed First Steps
May 21, 2008
1. Develop an action plan for sustainability this year including:
• An inventory of City activities
• SCE Partnership
• Research of best practices
• Determination of priorities and measures for the next 1-5 years
• Formation of a Leadership Committee to help guide and refine the plan
2. Complete a comprehensive water audit of all public buildings and facilities and
develop an action plan that will reduce City water usage by 50% by 2012.
3. Complete an energy audit and develop an action plan that will reduce City
energy use by 20%.
4. Develop a recycling action plan to become a zero waste community.
5. Identify City Hall as a showcase for public sustainability efforts and a model for
energy, water and waste conservation.
6. Develop an interactive website that allows the community to get information on
sustainable projects underway, research what they can do to help and offer their
ideas.
7. Host a Sustainable Community Summit in November 2008 including:
• Free public lecture by noted environmental expert David Suzuki
• Exhibits on residential technology, energy saving and recycling
• Technology fair for developers, home remodelers, architects and
designers
8. Create the Palm Springs Partners in Sustainability Award to honor leading
business, organizations and individuals who contribute to making life more
sustainable. The inaugural award will be presented at the first Summit in
November 2008.
9. Implement a model re-landscaping project showcasing the Tahquitz Median
from the airport to downtown by the end of 2009.
10. Develop a plan to transition the City's non-emergency vehicles and
equipment to a 50% lower impact/energy efficient fleet.
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The Palm Springs Path to a Sustainable Community
Proposed First Steps
Continued — Page 2
11. Develop a Green Economic Development Strategy with initiatives to support
and promote clean technology and create new green jobs.
12. Develop a plan to promote ecotourism in partnership with the Tribe,
recreational user groups and the environmental community.
13_ Review City procurement and contracting policies to promote sustainability
concerns.
14. Develop a policy to provide priority parking for alternative energy vehicles
throughout Palm Springs.
15. Incorporate sustainability efforts into the five year capital funding plan.
16. Require City funded events to have a sustainability plan and be substantially
waste-free in order to continue receiving public funding.
17. Work with College of the Desert to incorporate sustainability, green building
and environmental sustainability training and classes into Palm Springs campus.
18. Evaluate the feasibility of implementing a public/private solar roof initiative.
19. Host a national summit on sustainability in Palm Springs in 2012.
20. Acquire consultant services for the development of a sustainability master
plan, including a staff implementation process.
The Palm Springs Path to a Sustainable Community
Steps We Can All Take
May 21, 2008
1. Use compact fluorescent light bulbs
2. Turn your thermostat down
3. Clean or replace your air conditioning filter
4. Conserve water
5. Reduce, reuse, recycle
6. Use energy efficient appliances
7. Turn off lights, computers, TVs when not in use
8. Leave the car at home — bike, walk, carpool or take the bus
9. Incorporate shade into your landscape
10.Install insulation in your home
11,Get a home energy audit
12.Use low or no VOC (volatile organic compounds) paint
13.Buy and use local, sustainable foods and food products
14.Get a water audit and incorporate changes
15.Consider replacing lawn with low water use landscape
16.Buy alternative fuel or hybrid vehicle
IT Use green or sustainable building techniques when building or remodeling
18.Drink tap water
19.Get an annual tune up
20.Full loads for both clothes and dish washer