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City Council

Agenda Request

Agenda Of:

11-03-09

Agenda Request No:

iv-b

Initiated By:

AS

Adam Smith

Environmental Manager



Responsible Department:

Public Works

Presented By:

 

Sereniah BrelandSB

Support Services Director

 

Department Head:

Sereniah BrelandSB

Support Services Director

 

 

 

Additional Department. Head (s):

Mike Hobbs mrh initial

Public Works Director

 

Subject / Proceeding:

Environmental Policy

Exhibits:

Environmental Stewardship Resolution 09-32

Clearances

Approval

Legal:

Aaron Dobbs,

Assistant City Attorney tad initials

Executive Director:

n/a

Purchasing:

n/a

Asst. City Manager:

Karen Glynn INITIAL

Budget:

n/a

City Manager:

Allen BogardINITIAL/for AB

Budget

Expenditure Required:  $

N/A

Amount Budgeted/Reallocation:  $

N/A

Additional Appropriation:  $

n/a

Recommended Action

Staff recommends the approval of Resolution 09-32 adopting an Environmental Stewardship Policy.

Executive Summary

On March 13th, 1992 City Council adopted an Environmental Policy. This policy was developed and adopted in response to a growing concern about environmental issues within the community. The policy showed a continuing proactive role of the City Council in addressing environmental issues. The policy statement and the significant issues were to be used as a framework for staff to recommend programs for funding in future years. The policy addressed topics including:

 

·         Surface Water and Groundwater Quality

·         Water Conservation

·         Recycling and Alternate Waste Management Programs

·         Hazardous Materials & Waste

·         Air Quality

 

In reviewing the internal operations of the City, staff recognized that there were areas to improve in the response to environmental issues.  A Strategic Project was designed in an effort to create an updated Environmental Policy.  The Strategic project brought together the “Green Team”, which is a group of staff volunteers that are dedicated to improving practices and educating staff.

 

Staff reviewed and discussed a proposed Environmental Policy with City Council on September 1st after leading a workshop on the topic.  This policy includes promoting a city wide philosophy of environmental stewardship including energy efficiency, waste reduction, conservation of natural resources, and efforts to reduce the City’s effect on regional air quality.

 

We recommend City Council approve Resolution 09-32, repealing the original Environmental Policy, adopting a City Council policy on the promotion of Environmental Stewardship in the City of Sugar Land.

Exhibits

 

 

RESOLUTION NUMBER: 09-32

Adopted: 11-03-09

Date Effective: 11-03-09

 

RESOLUTION NO 09-32

 

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SUGAR LAND, TEXAS, ADOPTING A CITY COUNCIL POLICY ON THE PROMOTION OF ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP IN THE CITY OF SUGAR LAND.

 

            WHEREAS, the City is currently under mandate to improve energy efficiency,          

            water conservation, and water quality.

 

WHEREAS, the employees of the City intend to engage in daily operations that result in energy efficiency, waste reduction, conservation of natural resources, and efforts to reduce the City’s effect on regional air quality.

 

WHEREAS, the City wishes to coordinate various internal city operations related to energy efficiency, waste reduction, conservation of natural resources, and efforts to reduce the City’s effect on regional air quality as a comprehensive, united approach; NOW, THEREFORE,

 

 

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL

OF THE CITY OF SUGAR LAND, TEXAS:

 

Section l. That the City Council adopts the following policy:

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

ES AND TASK FORCES

PROMOTION OF ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP IN THE CITY OF SUGAR LAND

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

PURPOSE

The City sets forth this policy as a direction toward the promotion and coordination of comprehensive strategy to achieve optimal decision makings related to environmental stewardship.

 

SCOPE

This Policy applies to all City Departments.

 

POLICY

The City will seek to adhere to the City Council’s Vision 2025 Guiding Principles which include Environmentally Responsible Community by implementing the following.

 

I.                   The City will coordinate efforts to create an effective recycling program within city owned facilities.

 

II.                The City shall seek optimal building standards reflecting environmental sustainability within city owned facilities.  The City will evaluate LEED certification during the design contract phase of new construction of buildings.

 

III.             The City will promote and practice water conservation.

 

IV.             The City will utilize low water use, native and adaptive landscaping.

 

V.                The City will measure, analyze, and improve electricity consumption.

 

VI.             The City will maintain a reasonable approach to energy efficiency measures by calculating an appropriate return on investment.

 

VII.          The City will educate and train employees on effective environmental stewardship.

 

VIII.       The City will incorporate environmental measures and potential conservation features before making purchases.

 

IX.             The City will continue to implement the Stormwater Management Program and Water Conservation Plan. The City will continue to comply with the H-GAC Voluntary Mobile Emissions Reduction Memorandum of Agreement in addition to State and Federal Regulations.

 

Section 2. That City Council Policy No. 8000-06 is repealed, establishing Resolution NO 09-32

 

 

 

APPROVED on November 3rd, 2009.

                                                                       

                                                                                    ________________________________

                                                                                    James A. Thompson, Mayor

ATTEST:

 

_________________________________

Glenda Gundermann, City Secretary