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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 11/08/2011 - SUSTAINABILITY UPDATEDATE: November 8, 2011 STAFF: Bruce Hendee Pre-taped staff presentation: available at fcgov.com/clerk/agendas.php WORK SESSION ITEM FORT COLLINS CITY COUNCIL SUBJECT FOR DISCUSSION Sustainability Update. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This sustainability update addresses a specific request from Council Leadership made in July of this year. It provides a definition of sustainability, City background on sustainability, a brief discussion on the importance of sustainability as a topic, background on key initiatives within the City organization and a brief look ahead. This update is directed primarily to environmental issues. Future sustainability updates will include social and economic as well. GENERAL DIRECTION SOUGHT AND SPECIFIC QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED 1. Staff is beginning to discuss budget offers for the next budget cycle and would be interested in Council’s thoughts about future interests related to the topic of sustainability? 2. Does Council have thoughts about the potential creation of a Sustainability Advisory Board? BACKGROUND / DISCUSSION According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA) energy use in the United States is anticipated to grow 53 percent between now and the year 2035; by sector 37% is petroleum based, 25% natural gas, 21% coal, 8% renewable, and 9% nuclear. According to the World Water Council, the world's population tripled in the 20th century, while the use of renewable water resources has grown six-fold. According to the Population Institute, the world’s population, as of the writing of this memorandum, sits just shy of 7 billion and, by the time the sustainability update is presented to Council on November 8, will have exceeded 7 billion. Only a short 12 years ago, our population stood at 6 billion. Today, the world’s population is growing at a rate of 80 million people per year and at the current rate will exceed 9.2 billion by the year 2050. The United States represents only 4% of the world’s population, yet consumes 25% of the natural resources annually. We have been the model of “modernism” and since World War II, technology and conveniences have driven us to the highest standard of living in the world. To those that come to America from other areas of the planet to visit, they leave wanting the same standard we have. So much so, that in emerging economies such as India and China, the two most populous nations on earth, are now beginning to emulate Americans in buying camper vehicles, ipads, flat screen TVs, and bigger homes. November 8, 2011 Page 2 In 1956, President Eisenhower signed the popularly known National Interstate and Defense Highways Act which created the beginnings of the interstate highway system. Today, we all know I-25 and the significant impact it has had on Colorado and Fort Collins. The Highway Act began the increased colonization of many areas of the country, which had in earlier times been impractical due to the lack of easy access. When this Act became reality and people realized they could live- the-dream of living in the country and working for higher wages in the City, the suburban movement began, and an ever expanding ring of farm land fell prey to tract home development. Unwittingly, the suburban expansion across America gradually diminished open space and gave rise to an increasing dependence on ever expanding community services required to service the newly formed neighborhoods and shops. Fire protection, police services, water, sewer and electrical lines, and roads were extended to service the growing neighborhoods and growing population. As Americans chased the dream of countryside and work, congestion on Interstate highways became apparent and congestion increased to ultimately cause the logjams of today’s rush hours. The convenience of the automobile became an American mainstay and, with suburban living, Americans developed a greater dependence on oil. The by-product of the suburbanization of America and the dependence on oil was an increase in carbon emissions and dependence on foreign countries in order to preserve the right of Americans to live where they liked and worked where they wanted. Today we are in a pickle. We live far from work and the services we need, and are dependent on, and often require cars. When coupled with enhanced medical services and increasing life spans, and growing populations around the world, we find our planet in a precarious position of accommodating more people and in many cases those people want more and better lifestyles. Sustainability The ever increasing demand on the natural environment has taken a toll and the environment is beginning to react to the demands we have placed on it. With the combined effect of population growth, increased vehicle use, increased industrialization and technology, and increased consumption of natural resources, the planet is showing signs of wear due to more and more carbon emissions. To a large degree, the world consists of oxygen generators and carbon dioxide consumers (plants and phytoplankton), and oxygen consumers and carbon dioxide emitters (mammals and other life forms that ingest oxygen and emit carbon dioxide). In balance, the climate reacts predictably and protects the atmosphere from the harmful rays of the sun. When the balance is lost, there is an inevitable change; in this case, one of the notable changes is weather. In recent years we have begun to see significant weather events that go beyond what is considered normal; for example melting of the polar ice caps, and expansion of the intensity of hurricanes and tornadoes. In just the last few years, we have seen a dramatic expansion in the frequency and intensity of tornadoes across the mid-west, a dramatic increase in typhoons and monsoons in Indonesia, and significant and intense storms in the Northeast. In Northern Colorado, we experienced an unprecedented F3 tornado, which severely damaged the Town of Windsor, a “500” year rainfall event in the Spring Creek Basin in 1997, and at least two highly unusual 30 inch plus snowfall events in the last ten years. Since 1900, the average annual temperature in Fort Collins has risen by 4.1 degrees and precipitation at high altitudes has increased, while rainfall on the eastern plains has decreased. Overall, generally we have seen decreasing snowpack and earlier melting and spring runoff. November 8, 2011 Page 3 While some may debate the actual cause and effect of these events, the growth in population and the increasing demand on natural resources is real, and the impact of a growing uncertainty is important to take into account in planning for the safety and welfare of our planet and our community. The definition of sustainability has been variously defined by the United Nations and other organizations. Perhaps it is easiest to think about the term as living in a manner that allows our children, their children and subsequent generations, as well as other species on earth to live their lives in a natural manner that does no harm. In the last ten years a new concept has arisen, which uses the term “Triple Bottom Line”. Variously defined as people, planet, profit; environment, economy, and social health, and other similar phrases, the intent is to optimize the environment for each, such that each continues to find a harmonious place without impacting the other. Quite a challenge. Recently there have been discussions among many colleagues within the community and nation that we should not limit ourselves to simply sustaining, but that we should begin a longer term approach, which begins with regeneration and ends with beneficent. In simple terms we begin the long journey toward systems and activities which make the planet better as a result of our activities. Sustainability and the City of Fort Collins - A few of the important features Climate Wise Sustainability has long been embraced by the City of Fort Collins as a vital part of our culture. Beginning in the 1990s, the City has been developing and refining its strategies and programs devoted to sustainability. With the advent of the Climate Wise program in the year 2000, the City began to seek to improve the environment through a collaborative program of working with the business community. This program has grown significantly over the years and today boasts 275 businesses which collectively achieved $13 million in savings in 2010 and simultaneously saw a reduction of 136,000 tons of carbon emissions. Climate Action Plan In 2001, the City first developed a municipal Climate Plan. In 2005, a Sustainability Team was created and a baseline established to monitor City operations. This baseline serves as a measure against which the City can continue to evaluate progress as it moves to a future goal of zero greenhouse gas emissions for the municipal organization. In 2008, Resolution 2008-051 formally adopted the Climate Action Plan, which established specific goals for carbon emissions reductions. These goals are to reduce emissions to 20% below the 2005 baseline, and to further reduce carbon emissions to 80% below by 2050. In 2010, the community is tracking slightly ahead of these goals, and reduced emissions by 11%. In the last year, the City retained a statistician to further refine monitoring and to enhance our abilities to track progress and estimate the benefits of various strategies. November 8, 2011 Page 4 Action Plan for Sustainability In September 2004, the City adopted an Action Plan for Sustainability which included nine primary goals and policies for sustainability for city operations to ensure the City was a model leader to for the community. These included: Priority A: Sustainable Purchasing General Priority B: Sustainable Purchasing Auto Vehicles and Equipment Priority C: Healthy Productive Employees/ Employee Health Priority D: Healthy Productive Employees/ Employee Safety Priority E: Green Buildings New Construction, Major Retrofits, and Operations and Maintenance Priority F: Healthy Ecosystems, Water Use Management, Irrigation Priority G: Sustainable Energy/ Employee Commuting Priority H: Pollution and Waste Reduction Office Recycling and Waste Reduction Priority I: Management Tools Planning In 2009, the municipal sustainability goal areas were expanded to cover ten areas, and numeric goals were established. Today, progress is being made in each category and is included in the attached PowerPoint and will be shared at the Council work session. Utilities for the 21st Century In 2009, Fort Collins Utilities first adopted the initiative “Utilities for the 21st Century” and adopted the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). These two strategies were specifically adopted to amplify and increase the speed with which sustainable initiatives could be addressed. Adoption of the GRI began a standardized nationally accepted practice for numeric reporting which is in place today and allows for a continuing monitoring. The system today provides and informative and measurable assessment of success in implementing goals. Additional strategies include use of a Triple Bottom Line Analysis Map (TBLAM), which is intended to provide a thorough evaluation of decisions and programs, based on the Triple Bottom Line. Plan Fort Collins In 2011, Plan Fort Collins was adopted by Resolution 2011-015, the City’s first comprehensive plan update, which used the Triple Bottom Line to establish the community’s planned direction. Through use of the TBL decision support tool, Plan decisions made by Council were determined by evaluating the three basic sustainability parameters in decision making. Today, this tool is in place and being used by the various Service Areas of the City. City Council Futures Committee In 2011, the City Council formed the Futures Committee, which is devoted to envisioning the long term future of the community through considering ideas 30-50 years into the future and aligning economic planning in a more intentional manner, focusing specific outcomes on the accomplishment of long term goals and objectives. November 8, 2011 Page 5 Reporting The City has just issued its third quarter report on sustainability (Attachment 1), which summarizes some of the accomplishments to date for the year. In addition, in July 2010, a progress report on the community Climate Action Plan was published, and the latest 2010 Utilities Sustainability Report was issued in September of this year. Challenges and Looking Forward The City plays an important role in the fight against global warming, not only because of its need to address the issue at a community scale but also because the City is a national leader in sustainability. In reviewing national trends, there are many communities that are now taking up the cause of sustainable practices, but there are far more that are hardly aware of the term or practice. As a community with a long standing history of embracing the natural environment and sustainability, the lessons we have learned will be important for others as they take up sustainable practices. As climate changes have a greater impact on our nation and other parts of the globe, the efforts of cities that have been making progress will be sought after. Fort Collins is poised to be a significant mentor. Where do we stand? Over the last summer, a review of the City of Fort Collins relative to other similar-sized peer cities, as well of all cities internationally was compiled. While the study was not exhaustive, it did compare key goals of other communities. Generally, Fort Collins can probably safely consider itself to be in the upper quartile of reporting communities and making significant headway in many areas, but there is significant room for improvement. While the municipal organization is making headway, it is a long way from even speaking about net zero emissions. If the community as a whole is taken into consideration, we are not even close. In fact, the municipal organization generates only 2% of community carbon emissions, whereas the community at large generates 98%. Sustainable Services Council is in the process of considering a new Sustainable Services Service Area, which would be a direct report to the City Manager. The Sustainable Services Director would be responsible for advancing City Council’s goals of becoming more sustainable. Key aspects of this new organizational effort would be to foster greater integration and innovation among the various City Service Areas in order to advance City goals. One of the methods of moving to greater integration would be the formation of an internal Board of Advisors with representatives from each of the Service Areas. In addition, the current Environmental Services team would move to the Sustainable Services Area, together with a representative from Utilities. Further adjustments may happen as the planning evolves. Additionally, it may be appropriate for Council to consider an advisory board for Sustainable Services consisting of community members and a Council Liaison. This may be a new board or a consolidation of other boards. November 8, 2011 Page 6 Potential key areas for the coming year There are numerous activities happening at all levels of the City organization. In order to achieve maximum benefit and apply the appropriate resources most effectively, staff would like to suggest developing a Sustainability Strategic Plan. The Strategic Plan would review ongoing practices as well as to benchmark Best Practices. With a baseline and knowledge of Best Practices, a new Sustainability Strategic Plan could be developed with specific goals, metrics and financial plans to achieve a desired level of sustainability. Currently the City is not meeting some of its goals while we are exceeding others. Staff looks forward to the dialogue with Council as we move into the coming year. Listed below are a few of the key sustainable projects that we see in 2012. • Establish the Sustainability Services physical location • Evaluate together with Council the potential for creating a single Sustainability Advisor Board which may be a consolidation of other boards • Empanel an internal Board of Advisors to help review, manage, implement and research sustainable projects. • Develop a coordinated reporting system for sustainable efforts within the City • Consolidate, coordinate, and enhance a single green web site including implementing a system for continuously managing updates • Begin discussions on local foods and the role the City may play in this growing trend • Develop a comprehensive approach to data management for sustainable information. • Locate and purchase an integrated recycling facility (IRF) site(s). • Evaluate and enhance outreach programs to the community ATTACHMENTS 1. Third Quarter Municipal Operations Sustainability Update 2. Powerpoint presentation NOTE: There are two videos included with Council packets. One video is different than the norm. It is intended as a pilot that will be shown on Channel 14 and is intended to be more interesting to regular viewers on Channel 14. It will be reformatted after the Council meeting to make it targeted at the Channel 14 audience. We hope you will have an opportunity to watch. 1 Sustainability The Q3 report is an executive summary of the City’s sustainability Progress activities from July through September, 2010. The full report is available on the sustainability website. This report also evaluates Fort Collins’ internal and external progress at implementing sustainability measures in comparison with 328 other municipalities with populations over 50,000.i EnErgy EfficiEncy & EnvironmEntal SuStainability indicatorS % of citiES EngagEd fort collinS’ EffortS fort collinS’ implEmEntation Energy efficient lights installed in City buildings 89% yes Operation’s O &M Energy efficient streetlights installed 53% yes < 10% Energy Star purchase ordinance 31% no Incentives available Purchase/produce renewable electricity to help power City facilities 37% yes <1.0% Energy efficiency standards adopted for new or remodeled public buildings 40% yes City buildings must meet LEED Gold design standard. Commercial buildings will be required to meet the International Code Council. Vehicle fleet converted to hybrids, high efficiency, alt fuels 81% yes > 40% of fuel used is “alternative”. Anti-idle policy adopted for City-owned vehicles 48% yes 2009 Offer incentives to City employees to use methods other than single occupancy vehicles for work commute 32% yes Free bus passes Municipality provides information to residents on energy efficiency 77% yes Business Environmental Program and Residential Environmental Program series are offered throughout the year. Utility bill inserts Municipality provides incentives to residents to increase energy efficiency 32% yes Rebates Municipality provides incentives to developers to increase energy efficiency 23% yes Integrated Design Assistance Program Municipalities require private/commercial buildings to meet efficiency standards 22% partial ICC 2009. The City offers roof and server virtualization rebates. 2 EnErgy EfficiEncy & EnvironmEntal SuStainability indicatorS % of citiES EngagEd fort collinS’ EffortS fort collinS’ implEmEntation Planning/land use decisions explicitly consider GHG emissions 32% no Proposed as new policy in City Plan Planning/land use decisions consider impact on sprawl emissions 61% yes City Plan and Land Use Code Planning/land use decisions explicitly consider impact on flood plains 69% yes City Plan and Land Use Code Planning/land use decisions explicitly consider impact on community character 91% yes City Plan and Land Use Code Planning/land use decisions explicitly consider impact on tree removal 47% yes Land Use Code Engaged in any explicit climate protection efforts 66% yes 1998 Climate Action Plan and Sustainability Annual Report GHG inventory conducted 41% yes 1998 and 2005-2009 inventories GHG reduction goal formally adopted 30% yes Climate Action Plan (1998) and Sustainability Annual Report GHG reduction plan developed and formally adopted 24% yes 1998 Climate Action Plan Climate protection activities have line in municipal budget 17% no Responsibility for CP coordination designated to a specific dept, individual or committee 56% no Sustainability Team, Air Quality Program, Utilities for the 21st Century and Energy Management Team 2005-2009 IndIcatorS of MunIcIPal oPeratIonS SuStaInabIlIty Indicators are measures to track if the City is improving or declining in select areas. They also can inspire behavior changes and data driven decisions. During the 3rd quarter, two indicators have improved. improving SuStainability trEndS • Alternative fuel use • Cost and use of natural gas • Outdoor water use • Well Day participation • Volume of recycled material • Comparisons to sister cities dEclining SuStainability 3 goal 1: Reduce GHG emissions reduce gHg emissions from municipal operations at least 2%, or 1,223 tons gHg annually, in order to achieve a reduction of 20% below 2005 levels by 2020; ultimately achieve carbon neutrality for the municipal organization. Below is a comparison of GHG emissions from electricity use in the third quarter of 2009 compared to the third quarter of 2010. ii goal 2: electRicity & natuRal Gas Reduction reduce city energy consumption by 20% below the 2005 baseline by 2020 (2% annually), and reduce peak demand use 15% by 2020. • An electric cart at Water Treatment Plant was converted to solar power. • Operations adjusted Building Automated System building hours for coincident peak energy use and completed HVAC controls at 281 N College and 117 Laporte buildings. • Operations Services installed a solar thermal unit at EPIC. goal 3: Fuel Reduction reduce traditional fuel use by the city’s vehicle fleet 20% by 2020 and reach a 1.5 average vehicle ridership by 2020 for city employees. • Parks’ employee team led a fuel reduction challenge during the first six months of 2010, resulting in 11% fuel use reduction. New ideas that were implemented included: use of bicycles by botanical teams, assigning mowing crews to clean restrooms while servicing park sites, and other responsibilities rearranged for efficiencies. • 155 employees participated in Bike to Work Day. Employees rode 782 miles which equates to 840 pounds of reduced carbon. goal 4: solid Waste Reduction reduce solid waste generated by 50% of overall waste stream by 2012 and 80% by 2020. • Using funds from the newly created Waste Innovation Program, Forestry is diverting large tree stumps and Q2 - 2009 Q2 - 2010 GHG emissions from Electricity Metric Tons - CO2e July-September 1260 1250 1240 1230 1220 1210 1200 1190 4 trucks from landfills through a wood grinding project. • A cross-departmental team updated the contract for internal trash and recycling collection services to the 60+ offices, shops, and facilities operated by the City. During the first quarter of implementation (June – August), costs for trash and recycling services showed a significant decrease compared to previous years. Another feature of the new contract arrangements that has proved successful is the shift to single-stream recycling, which offers greater convenience for employees and less storage space needs. goal 5: education & outReacH information about the municipal sustainability program will be available to all levels of the community – students in grades K-20 and university, the general public - as well as internal customers. • Several departments shared a booth at the Rocky Mountain Sustainable Living Fair, where NRD also launched a Community Solid Waste and Air Quality Challenge that runs through Oct 18. Staff also assisted in teaching Future Fridays workshops for high-school students that preceded the Fair. • The following definition of sustainability has been incorporated into Plan Fort Collins and Municipal Sustainability Report to align sustainability practices: “The City will systematically and thoughtfully utilize natural, social, and economic resources to meet present needs without compromising the ability of future generations as well as the ecosystems upon which they depend, to endure and thrive. • Throughout City buildings, 87 new placards and signs were posted to better communicate sustainability, safety and health goals to employees. • Gardens at the Standford Community Garden and other affordable housing facilities were productive through the summer, and residents assumed responsibility for maintenance. goal 6: FundinG in addition to reporting on annual gHg inventory, cost savings that directly result from energy and waste conservation will be tracked. • Metal recycling yielded $53,990 to date in2010. • Sod removed from the Utilities Service Center was transplanted by Parks to Fossil Creek Park, saving $1,000. goal 7: PaRks/natuRal aReas achieve a 30% forest canopy density in suitable areas of city parks by 2020, and a specific percentage of native and non-native vegetative cover in natural areas. • Forestry has extended the tree mulching program to the Affordable Housing Department. goal 8: WateR reduce municipal operations water irrigation use and increase efficiency per acre. reduce building water use (normalized to account for weather conditions), by 20% by 2020. 5 • The Utilities Service Center implemented water efficiency landscape upgrades. • Laurie D’Audney received the Alice Darilek Water Conservation Award from the Rocky Mountain Section of the American Water Works for her work as an outstanding contributor to the water conservation field and leadership. goal 9: GeneRal PuRcHasinG implement environmentally preferable purchasing practices throughout the city organization and establish means to verify departments’ compliance with purchasing policy. • Employees were encouraged to use Office Depot as the preferred contractor to obtain the contracted rebate. • MIS expended $185,000 of ARRA funds for infrastructure acquisition which includes a blade chassis, server blades, data storage units, and network switch equipment. goal 10: emPloyee saFety & HealtH incorporate a city-wide program fostering a culture of health and safety. increase the number of employees that participate in the Wellness program from 45% to 75% by 2020 and increase the number of employees that earn their first Well day from 414 to 500. • All City departments now have access to online Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) from any computer within their departments. MSDS’s provide critical information about specific chemicals used in the workplace, and protective measures to take to in case of injuries or spills. • 386 employees earned their second Well Day and 562 employees and family members attended the 2010 Health Fair. eXternal ProJectS • Fort Collins was ranked among the top twenty-two 2010 Smarter Cities for investments in green energy and energy efficiency measures by the Natural Resources Defense Council. • Utilities published the third Utilities for the 21st Century Sustainability Report. • 2009 Community-Wide Climate Status report was published. • Preliminary analysis indicates that 38 percent of residents charged to a 65 gallon recycling service and 14 percent to a 95 gallonii.i • Police Department hosted a collection day for unwanted pharmaceuticals as part of the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. Colorado collected 9,200 lbs of pharmaceuticals and our staff collected 300 lbs. • The Municipal Sustainability Report was shared with Climate Wise Platinum partners. • CSU, Fort Collins Public Library, and the City launched a Sustainability Lunch & Learn movie series. • NRD has been working in conjunction with Plan FC to integrate the TBL and TBLAM tools into our planning, operational and budget processes. A triple bottom line training will be held with staff and consultants on Nov. 3 at 3:30 at 215 N. Mason Community Room. i Based on three national surveys and research conducted by IU and NRD staff. ii Based on Utility Management data. iii Data from only two of the three haulers was available. Please contact Dr. Rosemarie Russo at 416-2327, rrusso@fcgov.com with questions or if more information is needed. 1 1 Sustainability: Assuring Quality of Life City Council Work Session November 8, 2011 2 Defining Sustainability Current definition in use: The City of Fort Collins will serve as a community leader to systemically, creatively, and thoughtfully utilize environmental, human, and economic resources to meet our present needs and those of future generations without compromising the ecosystems upon which we depend. ATTACHMENT 2 2 3 Definition of Triple Bottom Line The Triple Bottom Line is an accounting and performance framework which optimizes economic, social and environmental considerations. 4 Or, all of these definitions equate to: Leaving the planet equal to or better than when we found it. 3 5 History of Sustainability: City of Fort Collins • Health and Safety committee (mid 1990’s) • Green Energy Program (1998) • Climate Wise Program (2000) • Energy Management Team (2000) • City-wide Wellness Program (2001) • Action Plan for Sustainability (2004) •21st Century Utilities (2008) • Numeric Municipal Sustainability Goals (2009) • Open Book and Access Fort Collins (2010) 6 Supporting Sustainability Policies • Plan Fort Collins • Climate Action Plan • Energy Policy • Water Supply and Demand Management Policy • Economic Health Plan • Green Building Code Amendments 4 7 Ten City Sustainability Goals GOAL#1: Reduce carbon (CO2) emissions from City operations 20% by 2020; at least 2% per year from 2009 Status: City met its 2% annual reduction target and emissions have dropped by 10% since 2005 8 City Sustainability Goals GOAL #2: Reduce City electricity and natural gas consumption by 20% by 2020 Status: City did not reach goal reduction 5 9 City Sustainability Goals GOAL #3: Reduce traditional fuel use by the City’s fleet 20% by 2020 and reach a 1.5 average vehicle ridership by 2020 for City employees. Status: City surpassed fuel goal but did not reach ridership goal 10 City Sustainability Goals GOAL # 4: Reduce solid waste generated by 50% by 2012 and 80% by 2020 Status: Did not achieve 50% waste diversion 6 11 City Sustainability Goals GOAL # 5: Information about the municipal sustainability program will be available to all levels of the community Status: Annual reporting is ongoing 12 City Sustainability Goals GOAL #6: Track cost savings from energy and waste conservation Status: City met its goal for tracking annual savings 7 13 City Sustainability Goals GOAL # 7: Achieve a 30% forest canopy density in City Parks and 70% native vegetative cover in Natural Areas Status: Goal achieved -30% forest canopy density -Vegetative cover at 73% 14 City Sustainability Goals GOAL # 8: Reduce municipal irrigation use and increase efficiency. Reduce building water use by 20% by 2020. Status: Did not meet annual reduction target 8 15 City Sustainability Goals GOAL # 9: Implement environmentally preferable purchasing practices and establish means to verify departments’ compliance with purchasing policy Status: City has retained Green Purchasing Inc. (GPI) to evaluate City purchasing practices 16 City Sustainability Goals GOAL # 10: Foster a culture of health and safety. Increase the number of employees that participate in the Wellness Program. Status: Culture of Health/Safety grows and Wellness Program participation increased 9 17 Best Practices • Asphalt, Concrete and Toilet Recycling • Climate Wise • Advance Meter Fort Collins • Mason Corridor • Green Building Code 18 Examples: Organization-Wide Collaboration and Stewardship • Platinum Climate Wise Award • Ongoing work with Mason Corridor • CIPO/Red Fox Meadows construction • Hay production for Lee Martinez Farm • Household Hazardous Waste Events 10 19 2010 Awards for Sustainability Efforts • Energy Star awards for three city buildings • Community award from CO Alliance for Environmental Education • Bicycle Friendly Community - Gold level • Top 22 “Smarter Cities” for programs and investment in clean energy from National Resources Defense Council • Forbes 4th best place for businesses and careers • Money Magazine 6th best place to live in nation 20 2010 Awards for Sustainability Efforts Continued… • EPA’s Director’s Award for Safe Water • Silver Colorado Environmental Leadership Award for both plants • RMWEA Burke Award for Outstanding Safety • Reliable Public Power Provider • Savvy Award for Excellence for Fort Collins Conserves Public Outreach Campaign 11 21 Next Steps • Implement Sustainable Services – Location of sustainable services physical facility – City Council appointed advisory board – Internal Board of Advisors • Sustainability Strategic Plan – Baseline evaluation – Benchmark analysis – Strategic vision – Implementation offers • Develop a comprehensive approach to data management 22 Next Steps • Coordinated reporting – Consistent green web site – Evaluation of reporting systems – Expanding outreach to community • Green Summit • Local foods • Integrated recycling facility 12 23 Thank You Questions? trEndS • % of renewable energy purchased by the City (.0001%) • Volumes of office solid waste generated • Electricity use inSufficiEnt data • Water use in buildings • % of alternative fleet vehicles • # of LEED employee • % of LED traffic lights • Average vehicle ridership • Adherence to EPP policies • Energy consumption related to water use nEutral SuStainability trEndS • Number of sustainability scholarships awarded in 2009 • Diversion rate for office solid waste • 30 % forest canopy goal • # of LEED buildings Municipality served by public transportation 61% yes Transfort Residents offered incentives to take public transit (free days, reduced fares, etc) 25% yes Intermittent programs like “Try Transfort” and reduced fare bus passes for large employers Community-wide hike and bike trails in place 65% yes 25 miles in City limits /99 miles on City-owned property. Bicycle lanes present on roadways 70% yes 28 miles of bike lanes, and 30+ miles of bike trails Residential yard waste is composted 63% partial Voluntary self-haul and one of the three main haulers has a subscription service. Municipality has a tree canopy cover goal 39% yes 30% canopy goal Tree ordinance adopted specifying planting/removal requirements for developers 75% yes Tree ordinance adopted specifying planting/removal requirements for developers (Land Use Code 3.2.1 Landscaping and Tree Protection). Q3 2010 10/2010 ATTACHMENT 1